VENTflash #132 December 15, 2011
Posted by Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel
Victor Emanuel started birding in Texas 64 years ago at the age of eight. His travels have taken him to all the continents, with his areas of concentration being Texas, Ari...Dear friends,
One of the most special memories for any birder or naturalist is his first trip to the Tropics. I grew up in Houston, Texas. When I was ten years old I joined the Outdoor Nature Club. At one of the club events I met two wonderful men, Joe Heiser and Armand Yramategui. I was fortunate that both became my mentors.
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Blue-crowned Motmot — Photo: David Tipling/Canopy Tower |
In December 1955 Armand invited Carl Aiken and me to go to Mexico with him to participate in the Xilitla Christmas Bird Count. Xilitla is a mountain village in eastern Mexico about 350 miles south of Brownsville, Texas. I will never forget our first morning on the winding mountain road that led to Xilitla. In a deep ravine we saw Emerald Toucanets. I remember the giant trees that were covered with bromeliads, mosses, and orchids, and the clear wing butterflies along the roadside. The richness of this tropical forest was incredible. I had never been in such a fantastic place.
The count was on Christmas Day. Armand, Carl, and I walked up that hillside into the forest. Somehow I became separated from them. I was alone and lost in a strange, beautiful forest. I was startled when a large bird flushed at my feet and hurtled off. It was probably a tinamou. I was getting worried about finding my friends when I spotted a bird in a bush. Putting up my binoculars, I could see only its head framed by leaves and branches. Its crown was iridescent blue, its breast was rich buff, and its eye was red. It was a Blue-crowned Motmot sitting only 40 feet away. As I gazed at the most beautiful bird I had ever seen, my anxiety about being lost went away. This was one of the best Christmas presents I had ever received, and I received it on Christmas Day in a beautiful wild place.
My experience on that Christmas Day in 1955 was life-changing. I became hooked on the Tropics and their richness. Since that day in Xilitla I have spent many days in the Tropics in many locations. I am still thrilled anytime I go birding in the Tropics.
During the Christmas holidays I always remember that very special Christmas with a motmot.
In this issue:
JANUARY-FEBRUARY PANAMA TOURS
AMAZING COSTA RICA
BHUTAN HIGHLIGHTS: DISCOUNT AVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY 1
NORTHWEST WINTER WONDERS
HONDURAS & BELIZE: FEATURING PREMIER BIRDS AND LODGES
LATE WINTER U.S. BIRDING: HAWAII & NEBRASKA
MONGOLIA
VENT WEBSITE: SPECIAL OFFERS FEATURE
BIRDING THE BEAUTIFUL CARIBBEAN
GREECE CRUISE: EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT ENDS JANUARY 15
SPITSBERGEN: LAND OF THE ICE BEARS
UPCOMING TOURS WITH AVAILABLE SPACES
MEXICO: EL TRIUNFO
CLOSING THOUGHTS
JANUARY-FEBRUARY PANAMA TOURS
I have always regarded Panama among the world's greatest birding destinations. Situated on the doorstep of South America, between Colombia and Costa Rica, Panama boasts a pageant of spectacular birds that speak to influences from the north and south. For many years, travel to Panama was not easy as there were no quality ecotourism facilities to speak of anywhere in the country. That changed dramatically when Raul Arias de Para opened the Canopy Tower in 1999 and its sister property, the Canopy Lodge, in 2005. Both of these lodges offer superior birding and fine accommodations and cuisine. I am proud that VENT was the first bird tour company to bring groups to both of these lodges.
This January the tradition continues as we will operate tours to both of these famed lodges, in addition to a tour to the western highlands of Chiriquí. All of these trips will be led by longtime VENT leader Kevin Zimmer.
Panama: Chiriquí Highlands, January 21-29, 2012 with Kevin Zimmer and a local leader; $2,845 in double occupancy from Panama City. Combine with Panama's Canopy Tower and receive a discount of $145 in double occupancy or $195 in single occupancy.
This tour to Panama's western highlands beautifully complements our Canopy Tower tour as it focuses on a marvelous range of upper elevation species including Resplendent Quetzal, Fiery-throated and Volcano hummingbirds, Flame-throated Warbler, and many others.
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Crimson-backed Tanager — Photo: David Tipling/Canopy Tower |
Panama's Canopy Tower, January 28-February 4, 2012 with Kevin Zimmer and a local leader; $2,975 in double occupancy from Panama City. Combine with Panama: Chiriquí Highlands and receive an additional discount of $145 in double occupancy or $195 in single occupancy.
With a full week to experience the Canal Zone of central Panama, you'll encounter a spectacular diversity of tropical birds including hawks, parrots, trogons, motmots, toucans, puffbirds, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, antbirds, flycatchers, warblers, tanagers, and much more! Trips to Gamboa, Pipeline Road, the Bayano lowlands, and the Panama Canal are part of our itinerary.
Panama: El Valle's Canopy Lodge Extension, February 4-9, 2012; $1,775 in double occupancy from Panama City.
A stay at the Canopy Lodge in the mid-elevation community of El Valle provides cool respite from the warmer lowlands around the Canal Zone. Here, one may enjoy the comfort of a first-rate lodge with lush and inviting gardens, outdoor dining, and wonderful birding.
AMAZING COSTA RICA
For decades Costa Rica has reigned as a top destination for birders and other nature-oriented travelers. Though tiny compared to most countries, within its borders the visitor can experience sensational tropical birding, world-renowned national parks, spectacular scenic features, and first-rate ecotourism facilities—qualities, in our opinion, that make Costa Rica simply amazing!
VENT has conducted tours to Costa Rica for over 30 years. Our trips are led by David Wolf and Mimi Wolf. David and Mimi have led dozens of tours to Costa Rica and possesses a remarkable fund of knowledge about that country and its birdlife.
We will offer two Costa Rica tours during the late winter/early spring period in 2012: Short Costa Rica and Best of Costa Rica.
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White-whiskered Puffbird — Photo: Kevin Zimmer |
Short Costa Rica: Toucans to Quetzals, February 25-March 4, 2012; $3,385 in double occupancy from San José.
This weekend-to-weekend tour centers on two of the country's best birding areas: La Selva Field Station in the Caribbean lowlands, and Cerro de la Muerte in the cool highlands. Together these locations form the basis of a tour that is perfect for those new to the Neotropics as well as the seasoned tropical birder. Tinamous, toucans, motmots, puffbirds, trogons, tanagers, and the incredible Resplendent Quetzal are all expected.
Best of Costa Rica, March 20-April 1, 2012; $4,965 in double occupancy from San José.
We call this trip Best of Costa Rica because it visits four of the country's top birding eco-regions. In addition to the renowned Caribbean lowlands at La Selva and the cloud forests of Cerro de la Muerte, this tour includes the lush subtropical forests of Bosque de Paz and the profusely rich Pacific lowlands at Carara. This tour annually records well over 400 species including regional endemics and many of Central America's most spectacular birds.
BHUTAN HIGHLIGHTS: DISCOUNT AVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY 1
A trip to Bhutan offers immersion in a seldom visited Himalayan mountain kingdom, marvelous birding, enchanting primeval forest, glorious mountain scenery, and rich Buddhist culture. In 2012 we will operate a Bhutan Highlights tour designed as a shortened version of our full-length Bhutan tour so that participants who are unable to take the longer tour we usually operate still have the opportunity to experience this extraordinary country. To encourage registrations, we are offering a discount of $1,000 per person to anyone who registers for this tour before January 1, 2012.
Our Bhutan tours annually record hundreds of Indian and Himalayan birds and a dazzling assortment of mammals. This tour will be led by David Bishop. David developed VENT's first Bhutan tours and has led people to that remarkable destination for more than 20 years.
Bhutan Highlights, April 9-25, 2012 with David Bishop; $9,895 in double occupancy from Bangkok. $8,895 with discount.
NORTHWEST WINTER WONDERS
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Snowy Owl — Photo: Brennan Mulrooney |
I am delighted to announce that I will travel to Washington State this February to co-lead our new Northwest Winter Wonders Relaxed & Easy tour, February 10-15, 2012.
I will lead this trip with longtime Washington resident and VENT leader Bob Sundstrom. Bob's intimate knowledge of the region is reflected in a tour route that provides exposure to the tremendous number and variety of birds that populate the coast and nearby lowlands in the winter months. Ranging from Seattle to the Vancouver area, we anticipate finding a wealth of species that any birder would find alluring: Harlequin Duck and Barrow's Goldeneye at close range; Surfbird; Tundra and Trumpeter swans in side by side comparison; scores of Bald Eagles; a collection of raptors including Rough-legged Hawk; up to 5 species of falcons including Gyrfalcon; Short-eared Owl; Varied Thrush; and Northern Shrike.
I am thrilled to report that Snowy Owl, a species that is absent in most winters, has already appeared in the Pacific Northwest in numbers not seen in many years!
I eagerly anticipate this trip and would be delighted to have you join us.
Northwest Winter Wonders: A Relaxed & Easy Tour, Feburary 10-15, 2012 with Bob Sundstrom and Victor Emanuel; $2,295 in double occupancy from Seattle.
HONDURAS & BELIZE: FEATURING PREMIER BIRDS AND LODGES
Here in the United States we are very fortunate to live in close proximity to Central America, one of the world's top birding regions. Located only a few hours away by plane, the tiny countries that comprise this region are powerhouses of biodiversity, each home to hundreds of tropical birds, a range of mammals and reptiles, and thousands of plants and insects.
In particular, Honduras and Belize are among our favorite destinations because both countries feature premier birding, as you might expect, but also equally premier lodges and other ecotourism services. Our Honduras tours feature the exquisite Lodge at Pico Bonito and the lovely Hacienda San Lucas while our Belize departures utilize some of that country's best accommodations including Chan Chich Lodge, Lamanai Outpost Lodge, and Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge.
There are few other regions where you may see some of the world's most beautiful birds against a backdrop of such considerable comfort. If you desire a tropical vacation without compromising quality, I am confident you will have a wonderful time in either of these fine destinations.
Honduras
Honduras: The Lodge at Pico Bonito, February 11-18, 2012, with David Wolf and a local leader; $3,695 in double occupancy from San Pedro Sula.
Honduras: The Lodge at Pico Bonito, February 22-29, 2012, with Kevin Zimmer and a local leader; $3,695 in double occupancy from San Pedro Sula.
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Pico Bonito Lodge — Photo: Courtesy of Pico Bonito Lodge |
The five-star Lodge at Pico Bonito boasts the finest accommodations in Honduras. Two standout species that are seen with greater ease here than anywhere else are the striking and beautiful Lovely Cotinga and the Keel-billed Motmot, the most range-restricted member of the fascinating motmot family. Honduras also hosts the Honduran Emerald hummingbird, the country's only endemic bird, as well as many other wonderful tropical birds. We offer two trips to the Lodge at Pico Bonito and either can be combined with an extension to Copán.
Honduras: Copán, February 17-22, 2012, with Brian Gibbons and a local leader; $2,295 in double occupancy from San Pedro Sula.
On this short trip to Copán in far western Honduras, participants will be immersed in the world of the ancient Maya through a visit to one of its most renowned sites. Complementing the fascinating history and archaeology are several field trips into the surrounding highlands in search of higher elevation birds that do not occur around the Lodge at Pico Bonito. We'll stay at the Hacienda San Lucas, a charming family-owned eco-lodge offering excellent accommodations, meals, birds, and scenery. This short tour may be taken as a stand-alone tour or in conjunction with our Lodge at Pico Bonito tours.
Belize
Grand Belize Part I: Crooked Tree & Hidden Valley, March 1-5, 2012, with Barry Zimmer and Brennan Mulrooney; $2,495 in double occupancy from Belize City.
Grand Belize Part II: Chan Chich Lodge, March 5-11, 2012, with Barry Zimmer and Brennan Mulrooney; $3,995 in double occupancy from Belize City.
Register for both parts and receive a combined tour discount of $175.
This is our most complete Belize tour. Divided into two parts, you may take either trip separately, or both together for the full Belize experience. Part I visits Crooked Tree Sanctuary and the Mountain Pine Ridge. Crooked Tree is an extraordinary wetland ecosystem that offers chances to see Jabiru, Agami Heron, Gray-necked Wood-Rail, American Pygmy-Kingfisher, and many other species. The Mountain Pine Ridge is home to forests and waterfalls where participants may see such special birds as Orange-breasted Falcon, King Vulture, and Stygian Owl. The very rare Solitary Eagle was seen on our 2009 tour. Part II focuses exclusively on the famed Chan Chich Lodge, one of Central America's most beautiful forest lodges, where participants spend almost a week.
Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge, March 13-18, 2012 with Michael O'Brien and Louise Zemaitis; $3,995 in double occupancy from Belize City. This tour can be combined with our Belize: Relaxed & Easy tour.
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Yucatan Jay — Photo: Barry Zimmer |
Located in southern Belize, the Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge offers everything one could want in a forest lodge: superb accommodations, beautiful surroundings, and marvelous birding opportunities. The pleasures of a visit to this site are revealed through its superior hilltop location and excellent cuisine, boat trips on the Caribbean coast and Rio Grande River, and visits to the Maya Mountains and ruins of Lubaantun. A wonderful diversity of birds associated with rainforest, water, and open country are expected.
Belize: A Relaxed & Easy Tour, March 18-25, 2012, with Michael O'Brien and Louise Zemaitis; $2,995 in double occupancy from Belize City. This tour can be combined with our Machaca Hill Rainforest Canopy Lodge tour.
This tour offers some of the very best of Belize in a "relaxed and easy" fashion. Experience the joys of birding famous Crooked Tree and the Lamanai Outpost Lodge while seeking a wealth of herons, kingfishers, motmots, toucans, trogons, tanagers, and more. Highlights include boat trips on the Crooked Tree and New River lagoons, a visit to the magnificent Maya ruins of Altun Ha, and searching for an exquisite assortment of tropical birds such as Boat-billed and Agami herons, Jabiru, and Yucatan Jay.
LATE WINTER U.S. BIRDING: HAWAII & NEBRASKA
Late February and March can be a fairly unremarkable time for birding in much of the United States. Winter birds have mostly departed our favorite birding areas while the beloved Neotropical migrants of spring have not yet made their way north. If you are interested in getting away from home at this time of year, AND seeing lots of birds, I can't recommend highly enough two excellent tours: Spring Hawaii and Nebraska: Platte River, Sandhill Cranes, and Prairie Grouse. Our Hawaii tour offers an opportunity to survey three of the 50th state's main islands while our Nebraska tour features the awesome spectacle of half-a-million Sandhill Cranes and a host of waterfowl, raptors, sparrows, and others.
Spring Hawaii, February 26-March 5, 2012 with Bob Sundstrom and a second leader to be announced; $3,945 in double occupancy from Honolulu (ends in Hilo). Limit 12; 4 spaces available.
Beautiful coastlines, towering volcanoes, and rugged canyons are central features of our Spring Hawaii tour. In visiting the islands of Oahu, Kauai, and Hawaii, we'll search for native birds on the slopes of Mauna Kea, visit the moon-like landscape of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, walk in Kapiolani Park, and view the famed Na Pali Coast. Incredible Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge boasts a seabird spectacle second to none, with Laysan Albatross, Red-tailed Tropicbird, Great Frigatebirds, and Red-footed Boobies all nesting.
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Sandhill Cranes — Photo: Kevin Zimmer |
Nebraska: Platte River, Sandhill Cranes, and Prairie Grouse, March 17-24, 2012 with Steve Hilty and Kim Eckert; $2,295 in double occupancy from Omaha.
The annual gathering of half-million Sandhill Cranes along Nebraska's Platte River each March is an ornithological event of global significance. This tour emphasizes this awesome spectacle as we spend several days observing cranes staging along the river before continuing their northward journey. Other highlights include thousands of waterfowl, Bald Eagles, American Woodcock, Harris's Sparrows, and Rusty Blackbirds. A special activity is a visit to observation blinds to see Greater Prairie-Chickens and Sharp-tailed Grouse displaying on their traditional leks.
MONGOLIA
Remote and unknown to many, Mongolia conjures images of limitless horizons and vast rolling grasslands sparsely populated by nomadic horsemen. This tour, led by David Bishop and Chris Leahy, promises a unique journey across the breadth of this country and offers excellent opportunities to see large, charismatic, and colorful birds either on migration or at their breeding grounds.
The range of habitats in Mongolia is actually surprisingly diverse and includes the high jagged Altai Mountains; taiga forests; huge freshwater wetlands; semi-desert steppe; and a myriad of grassland types.
Mongolia in the spring resounds with bird song; everything is vibrant, and birds are resplendent in breeding plumage while migrants are still passing through on their way north to Siberia. We'll seek flocks of gorgeous Demoiselle Cranes, Relict Gulls, dapper Oriental Plovers, the strange Henderson's Ground-Jay, Altai Snowcock, Kozlov's Accentor, and a range of mammals that could possibly include snow leopard, ibex, and argali. Much of the time we will camp in very comfortable gers (yurts), allowing us to experience this fabulous country and its wildlife in a truly authentic fashion.
We will not offer Mongolia again for at least two years. I hope you will consider joining us on what promises to be an unforgettable adventure!
Mongolia, May 26-June 10, 2012 with David Bishop and Chris Leahy; $8,295 in double occupancy from Ulaanbaatar. Limit: 14.
VENT WEBSITE: SPECIAL OFFERS FEATURE
As we enter the final weeks of the year, I wanted you to know that VENT is offering discounts on a number of 2012 tours, including departures to Alaska, Peru, Ghana, Kenya, Bhutan, China, and Greece. Additionally, this week we've announced our first-ever Christmas sale in which we are offering 25% discounts on a limited number of spaces on select 2012 domestic departures. Also new this year, gift certificates are available! Now you can give the gift of birds to a friend or family member this Christmas with a VENT Gift Certificate, available in any amount desired. If purchased before December 22, 2011, VENT will double the value up to $250.
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To view a list of all VENT tours and cruises for which discounted tour fees are available, and for more information on our Christmas sale, please visit our website and click the SPECIAL OFFERS icon on our home page. Our SPECIAL OFFERS may also be accessed from the "Tours" button on the toolbar. I encourage you to take advantage of these rare opportunities.
BIRDING THE BEAUTIFUL CARIBBEAN
Just south of the United States lies a region of extraordinary biodiversity and spectacular natural beauty: the islands of the Caribbean. As a group they are home to over 170 species of birds found nowhere else in the world, including spectacular pigeons, parrots, hummingbirds, woodpeckers, warblers, and tanagers. Also here is the tody family, members of which may qualify as the "cutest" birds in the world!
VENT annually offers a limited set of tours to the Caribbean, particularly the larger islands known as the Greater Antilles. Our trips to Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico promise superb birding and terrific scenery. On these departures you will enjoy delightful birding in addition to the pleasures of spending time on picturesque tropical islands.
Jamaica, March 7-14, 2012 with Brennan Mulrooney and Brandon Hay; $3,150 in double occupancy from Montego Bay (ends in Kingston). Only 3 spaces available!
Lovely Jamaica is a birder's dream come true. A gorgeous tropical island and almost 30 endemic birds make this destination one of our longtime favorite trips. Our Jamaica tour is ideal for those seeking birds found nowhere else, in addition to those looking for an excellent introduction to tropical birding. Highlights include a stay at famous Marshall's Pen, a visit to the Rocklands Bird Sanctuary, and trips into Cockpit Country and the Blue and John Crow mountains. Among the many wonderful birds are the diminutive Jamaican Tody, hulking Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo, bizarre Jamaican Owl, and extraordinary streamertail hummingbirds.
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Ridgway's Hawk — Photo: David Ascanio |
The Dominican Republic, April 14-21, 2012 with David Ascanio and a local leader; $3,195 in double occupancy from Santo Domingo.
A trip to the Dominican Republic offers an adventure in every regard. Both beautiful and full of character, the D.R. provides exposure to a slate of endemic Caribbean birds and a look at a colorful culture. This trip focuses on the country's southwest, as well as the area around the capital of Santo Domingo. We'll seek as many of the country's 30 endemic birds as we can find, including such dandy inhabitants as Hispaniolan Parrot, Hispaniolan Trogon, Bay-breasted Cuckoo, Hispaniolan Woodpecker, Hispaniolan Tody, Golden Swallow, La Selle Thrush, Hispaniolan Spindalis, and many others. In the Santo Domingo area we'll seek the Ridgway's Hawk, one of the world's rarest and most endangered birds of prey.
Puerto Rico Extension, April 21-25, 2012 with David Ascanio; $1,795 in double occupancy from San Juan.
Our extension to Puerto Rico offers three days of superb birding in the country's scenic southwest. The birding is easy and the landscapes we'll witness are an added bonus. Some of the many wonderful birds we expect to see are Puerto Rican Nightjar, Puerto Rican Lizard-Cuckoo, Green Mango, Puerto Rican Woodpecker, Elfin-woods Warbler, and Yellow-shouldered Blackbird.
GREECE CRUISE: EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNT ENDS JANUARY 15
VENT has chartered the Sea Cloud for a birds and history cruise to the Greek islands of Crete and Santorini, May 20-29, 2012. I wanted to remind you that an early registration discount of $1,000 per person is available for all registrations (except for A & B category cabins) received before January 15.
Our cruise route begins in Athens and ends a week later in Kusadasi, Turkey. We will spend three days exploring the mountains and coastline of Crete, a day at famous Santorini, and two days cruising the Aegean Sea. On Crete we will see the Minoan palaces of Knossos and Mália; travel to the ruins of Lato; and visit several Venetian sites. With its scenic and architectural beauty, Santorini is home to a breathtaking caldera, iconic white-walled villages, and an outstanding archaeological site at Akrotiri.
Among the range of possible birds are Levantine Shearwater, Eurasian Griffon, Eleonora's Falcon, European Bee-eater, Black-eared Wheatear, Blue Rock-Thrush, and Rueppell's Warbler.
Greece: Crete & Santorini, May 20-29, 2012 with Victor Emanuel, Paul Woodruff, and Barry Lyon; cabins start at $8,500 in double occupancy from Athens. Register before January 15, 2012 and receive a $1,000 discount on select cabins!
SPITSBERGEN: LAND OF THE ICE BEARS
In July 2012 we will operate a birding and natural history cruise to Spitsbergen, a destination that is often described as the world's greatest place to experience the High Arctic.
Our voyage, Spitsbergen: Land of the Ice Bears, July 6-16, 2012, will provide encounters with the Arctic's most captivating wildlife including polar bears, walrus, and Ivory Gulls, in addition to remarkable natural features such as calving glaciers and expansive sea ice. We will travel with Lindblad Expeditions aboard the National Geographic Explorer, one of the finest expedition vessels available, on which VENT has reserved space.
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Polar Bears, Spitsbergen — Photo: K. David Bishop |
In case you are unaware of Spitsbergen, it is an island in the Svalbard Archipelago located due north of Norway and sitting only 600 miles from the North Pole. Spitsbergen may be the best place in the world to see polar bears. Our last expedition, in 2010, recorded a remarkable 25 of the great white bears. Other wildlife we'll seek includes walrus (hundreds seen at close range in 2010) and Ivory Gull (about 15 seen), as well as nesting Pink-footed and Barnacle geese, King Eider, Red Phalarope, Purple Sandpiper, Great Skua, all three jaeger species, Atlantic Puffin, Black Guillemot, Thick-billed Murre, and blizzards of Dovekies. Cruising at sea, we'll follow the boundary of the northern ice cap, watching for a variety of marine mammals such as bearded and ringed seals, and blue, fin, and Beluga whales.
We will maximize our efforts to go ashore wherever possible to enjoy tundra ablaze with beautiful Arctic wildflowers. We will also make a number of Zodiac excursions in order to bring us closer to glaciers and colonies of breeding seabirds.
I hope you will join us on this fine departure.
Spitsbergen: Land of the Ice Bears, July 6-16, 2012 with Victor Emanuel and Barry Lyon; cabins begin at $8,240 in double occupancy from Oslo.
Our Norway Pre-trip offers a marvelous pre-cruise option for participants interested in experiencing more of the country's birdlife and scenic grandeur. We will spend almost a week exploring the renowned mountains and fjords of the southwestern mainland and coast seeking an exciting assortment of northern European birds, including Arctic Loon, Eurasian Dotterel, White-tailed Eagle, Black and White-backed woodpeckers, and Eurasian Bullfinch.
Norway Pre-trip, June 30-July 7, 2012 with Brian Gibbons; $5,195 in double occupancy from Oslo.
UPCOMING TOURS WITH AVAILABLE SPACES
The first few months of the year are some of the busiest times at VENT. The holidays are in the rearview mirror, winter tours are well under way, and many of our travelers are making plans for the spring. Many tours that will operate in the first part of 2012 are already sold out, which I am very pleased about; however, if you are someone who travels on short notice, I thought I'd alert you to several upcoming tours to Mexico, Colombia, Texas, and Vietnam, on which a few spaces are still available.
Short West Mexico, January 22-28, 2012 with Brian Gibbons; $2,265 in double occupancy from Puerto Vallarta. Limit: 6; 2 spaces available.
Mexico: The Sierra Madre, January 28-31, 2012 with Brian Gibbons; $1,080 in double occupancy from Puerto Vallarta. Limit: 6; 2 spaces available.
Colombia: Bogotá, the Magdalena Valley, and the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, February 3-17, 2012 with Steve Hilty and Luis Urueña; $6,895 in double occupancy from Bogotá (ends in Santa Marta). Limit: 8; 1 space available.
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Altamira Oriole, South Texas — Photo: Barry Zimmer |
Winter Rio Grande Valley: A Relaxed & Easy Tour, February 11-17, 2012 with Brennan Mulrooney; $2,075 in double occupancy from Harlingen. Limit: 7; 1 space available.
Colombia: The Central & Western Andes, February 19-March 6, 2012 with Steve Hilty and Luis Urueña; $7,195 in double occupancy from Bogotá. Limit: 8; 3 spaces available.
Southern Vietnam, March 7-18, 2012 with David Bishop; $4,495 in double occupancy from Ho Chi Minh City. Limit: 8; 1 space available.
Central Vietnam, March 16-27, 2012 with David Bishop; $4,395 in double occupancy from Ho Chi Minh City. Limit: 8; 3 spaces available.
Register for Southern Vietnam with Central Vietnam and receive a combined tour discount of $295 in double occupancy or $360 in single occupancy.
MEXICO: EL TRIUNFO
Throughout my career, I have maintained that El Triunfo is my favorite all-time tour. Anyone who knows me well is aware of this. El Triunfo is our premier wilderness trip. It visits Mexico's most outstanding national biosphere reserve, located in the mountains of Chiapas. The valley of El Triunfo is surrounded by magnificent forests with trees over 100 feet high and tree ferns that reach to 70 feet. This forest is the home of some of the world's most spectacular birds including the remarkable Horned Guan and the Resplendent Quetzal. I have been to El Triunfo over 20 times and I cannot recommend this adventure too highly.
El Triunfo, March 19-29, 2012 with Brian Gibbons and Bob Sundstrom; $3,150 in double occupancy from Tuxtla Gutierrez.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
At Christmas-time my thoughts always turn to Christmas Bird Counts, both those I have participated on in the past, and the Freeport Christmas Count held annually on the Upper Texas Coast. My first Christmas Count was the Houston Count in l950. I remember seeing my lifer Vermilion Flycatcher on that count and looking at a lake covered with hundreds of ducks.
I founded the Freeport Christmas Count in l956 and have missed participating on it only a few times through the decades. Over the years, the area encompassed in the count circle has become more urbanized. As a result, we do not see as many species or individuals as we did in the ‘70s and ‘80s; nevertheless, we still always find a wonderful assortment of birds. Since 1970, we have seldom recorded fewer than 200 species. Besides being part of the world's largest exercise in data gathering about birds, there is the great pleasure of being in the field with old friends. Of course, most of the birds are old friends as well, so the pleasure is doubled.
The 55th Freeport Christmas Count will take place this Sunday, December 18. Once again I am looking forward to this annual event.
On behalf of myself and all of the employees of VENT, I want to wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season, and one that includes time spent in nature or even participating on a Christmas Bird Count where you live. I hope the year ahead is a good one for you and your family and that you will join us on a VENT tour in 2012!
Best wishes,
Victor Emanuel