For some, a trip to a winery, spending hours outdoors and being with family as part of an annual event at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge was the perfect Father's Day.
The Fourth Annual Wildflowers and Wine Celebration brought out tons of people to enjoy the outdoors Sunday.
Organizers offered guided tours so people could take a spin around the refuge, plant wildflowers, an important part of the complex, and swing by co-sponsor Montezuma Winery for the debut of a wine named for a bird nesting the wetlands.
Michael Stanley and his wife, Maria, popped by the winery before going to the refuge for the first time.
Michael said he had a “good, great” Father's Day as his daughter, Sydney, gave him a hug as they watched the birds of prey demonstration.
The trio came to the refuge to see what the facility was all about, Maria said.
And that's part of the reason for the event, said Andrea Stewart, visitors services manager. Many of the attendees were current or past volunteers, but some people had never been to the 36,000 acre complex before.
Stewart hopes people will learn that the refuge is more than a few birds and wetlands. Wildflowers are part of the balance volunteers and workers try to maintain in the land.
“We don't always have guided tours. It's good to have things like this sometimes that allow people to interact with volunteers,” Stewart said.
Organizers expected 300 people, the same turnout as the past years, except 2006 when extreme heat keep many people home.
Besides bus tours, the event scheduled a canoe and kayak tour in the early afternoon.
Children had the opportunity to borrow binoculars and experience one of the most popular pastimes - bird watching.
For the adults, the winery offered a limited edition wine.
This year, the Cerulean Warbler received the top honor - the winery put the small colorful and rare birds on this year's wine made especially for the celebration.
Part of the proceeds goes to the non-profit group Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, which encompasses the refuge.
They selected the warbler because it doesn't nest everywhere in the state, but is found in the complex.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is studying the bird to understand this bird often lining the waterways in the compound.
One of the day's most popular attractions was the birds of prey booth.
Wild Wings Inc. representatives showed off an owl and a hawk, which are predators. The non-profit organization from outside of Rochester takes in animals that can not survive in the wild.
Teri and Kevin Lawless brought their two children to the exhibit after spotting a sign for the event.
“They said 'Can we see the birds of prey, we want to see the birds of prey,'” Teri Lawless said.
Jacob, 8, and Brigid, 4, both love nature and watching birds, including Fast Freddy, a pheasant that lived under a pine tree in their yard that ate from their bird feeder during the winter.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or
jessica.soule@lee.net
Organizers offered guided tours so people could take a spin around the refuge, plant wildflowers, an important part of the complex, and swing by co-sponsor Montezuma Winery for the debut of a wine named for a bird nesting the wetlands.
Michael Stanley and his wife, Maria, popped by the winery before going to the refuge for the first time.
Michael said he had a “good, great” Father's Day as his daughter, Sydney, gave him a hug as they watched the birds of prey demonstration.
The trio came to the refuge to see what the facility was all about, Maria said.
And that's part of the reason for the event, said Andrea Stewart, visitors services manager. Many of the attendees were current or past volunteers, but some people had never been to the 36,000 acre complex before.
Stewart hopes people will learn that the refuge is more than a few birds and wetlands. Wildflowers are part of the balance volunteers and workers try to maintain in the land.
“We don't always have guided tours. It's good to have things like this sometimes that allow people to interact with volunteers,” Stewart said.
Organizers expected 300 people, the same turnout as the past years, except 2006 when extreme heat keep many people home.
Besides bus tours, the event scheduled a canoe and kayak tour in the early afternoon.
Children had the opportunity to borrow binoculars and experience one of the most popular pastimes - bird watching.
For the adults, the winery offered a limited edition wine.
This year, the Cerulean Warbler received the top honor - the winery put the small colorful and rare birds on this year's wine made especially for the celebration.
Part of the proceeds goes to the non-profit group Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex, which encompasses the refuge.
They selected the warbler because it doesn't nest everywhere in the state, but is found in the complex.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation is studying the bird to understand this bird often lining the waterways in the compound.
One of the day's most popular attractions was the birds of prey booth.
Wild Wings Inc. representatives showed off an owl and a hawk, which are predators. The non-profit organization from outside of Rochester takes in animals that can not survive in the wild.
Teri and Kevin Lawless brought their two children to the exhibit after spotting a sign for the event.
“They said 'Can we see the birds of prey, we want to see the birds of prey,'” Teri Lawless said.
Jacob, 8, and Brigid, 4, both love nature and watching birds, including Fast Freddy, a pheasant that lived under a pine tree in their yard that ate from their bird feeder during the winter.
Staff writer Jessica Soule can be reached at 253-5311, ext. 267 or
jessica.soule@lee.net
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.