Nikon and Cabela's Unite with the Future Stars of Tomorrow!
This last weekend was without a doubt the most exciting event I have ever worked for Nikon. The stage was the Hamburg, PA Cabela's which owns the status of being the largest Cabela's in the country. The store has every piece of outdoor gear imaginable, a restaurant, an aquarium and more dioramas than one can shake a stick at. Nikon invited Richard Crossley, The Raptor Project and Nikon's Birding Adventures TV to headline the show. Between film shooting and Jonathon Wood's live birds there was plenty of excitement amidst the attendees. Nikon Prostaffer, Adrian Binns, brought two vans full of Pennsylvania young birders up to the store on Saturday to participate in the TV shooting. I was told they couldn't have been happier and this is why Nikon is a leading authority when working with kids. We realize the importance of investing in the future of birding and the future is the kids, for sure.
As always, Jonathon Wood's Raptor Project is a huge draw and each show averaged around 200 people. He performed three shows per day on Saturday and Sunday while educating the crowds about raptor conservation and breeding biology. Notice the kids in the crowd?
This is another angle of The Raptor Project at Cabela's. Jonathon Wood reaches millions of people each year including dozens of school visits, state fairs and national television to bring awareness to the most sought after family of birds know as Raptors. It is hard to see if you don't know what he looks like but Jeff Aderman, BATV's cameraman and co-producer is in this shot filming The Raptor Project in action.
Of course, Jonathon Wood never forgets about the crowd and usually picks a couple lucky participants to assist with the show. Here he is demonstrating the symbol of our beautiful country, a Bald Eagle, to this young lady.
As always, Jonathon Wood's Raptor Project is a huge draw and each show averaged around 200 people. He performed three shows per day on Saturday and Sunday while educating the crowds about raptor conservation and breeding biology. Notice the kids in the crowd?
This is another angle of The Raptor Project at Cabela's. Jonathon Wood reaches millions of people each year including dozens of school visits, state fairs and national television to bring awareness to the most sought after family of birds know as Raptors. It is hard to see if you don't know what he looks like but Jeff Aderman, BATV's cameraman and co-producer is in this shot filming The Raptor Project in action.
Of course, Jonathon Wood never forgets about the crowd and usually picks a couple lucky participants to assist with the show. Here he is demonstrating the symbol of our beautiful country, a Bald Eagle, to this young lady.
Working with the Nikon ProStaff is one of the greatest pleasures I have had, that is to say Anita Guris is showing off her true colors in this photo as she discusses the Nikon Trailblazer to a willing couple. Look at those pearlies!!!
James Currie, the host of Nikon's Birding Adventures TV (far right) displayed his creativity and organized a quiz show for kids. The kids who visited Cabela's on this weekend had a chance to participate in a raffle where James selected four lucky gems from the hat to take advantage of this show. These children watched as Jonathon Wood selected birds from his arsenal to speak about. The questions surrounded the content of Jonathon's programs and the prizes included Nikon Monarchs, Audubon BirdCams and BATV DVDs. I watched amongst the crowd as the kids whose names weren't drawn had the look of "Ahhh shucks" on their face. Although, not everyone could directly participate on this show it was great to see our younger generation psyched about such an event.
I had to include this shot of James Currie showing off his game show host skills! These kids were so excited to be pulled from the crowd to be a part of this!
Now, Cabela's was a huge draw, but the birds flying over Hawk Mountain attracted thousands of birders throughout the weekend as well. Birders streamed up to the south and north lookouts to view the autumn foliage and the multitude of Accipiters coming through this weekend. This Cooper's Hawk was shot a few days before in Cape May, NJ but shows off the teardrop markings on the breast, uneven tail bands and rounded retrices (tail feathers) which separate it from it's cousin, the Sharp-shinned Hawk. Sharpies seemed to be a bit more common, but both species were coming through in numbers. Although, most were in flight coming past the hawk watch, so focusing on shape and wing beats were vital. The Sharpies are always the ones with the faster wing beats!
Overall, the weekend was a great success! This area is truly a charm to visit with Hawk Mountain and one of Cabela's keystone stores in the area. The activities are always plentiful. Nikon would like to thank Cabela's and Hawk Mountain for their willing participation. The Nikon ProStaff shined as always and don't forget to catch Nikon's Birding Adventures TV on Versus/NBC Sports in the near future to view the events as they took place. Thanks for reading and good birding to all!
Overall, the weekend was a great success! This area is truly a charm to visit with Hawk Mountain and one of Cabela's keystone stores in the area. The activities are always plentiful. Nikon would like to thank Cabela's and Hawk Mountain for their willing participation. The Nikon ProStaff shined as always and don't forget to catch Nikon's Birding Adventures TV on Versus/NBC Sports in the near future to view the events as they took place. Thanks for reading and good birding to all!
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