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Zooming in on wildlife
By Charlie Meyers, Denver Post Outdoor Editor
February 25, 2003
The Phantom doesn't get fishing all that much these days - certainly not like that notorious time when he could be found prowling all hours of day and night around the various lakes and ponds in the Denver metropolitan area.
Sage grouse courtship is among the upcoming attractions for bird watchers and nature photographers. Courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
When Tom Lentz, a.k.a. "Phantom of the Met," found his asthma acting up a few years back, he did what many active outdoor enthusiasts do when confronted with a physical debility. He turned to wildlife photography.
"It was important for me to keep contact with the outdoor world," he said. "I built a window mount for my camera. Most animals aren't afraid of vehicles. I found I could get some great shots right from my car."
The Denver resident also joined the Mile High Wildlife Photography Club, a loosely connected group of enthusiasts whose monthly meetings serve as both education and entertainment for anyone with an interest in creatures of the wild.
"It's a great way to learn how, where and when to take outdoor photographs," Lentz said of meetings that take place at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. "The members are very helpful."
Even the meeting site - the Wildlife Experience Museum, Lincoln Avenue at South Peoria a mile east of Interstate 25 - is conducive to getting the shutterbug juices flowing.
Lentz said the club is comprised mainly of nonprofessionals, although about half have been published in various venues.
At the next meeting, March 12, members will showcase photographs taken at national parks to form an exhibit for the museum. The club also conducts occasional field trips, mostly in the metro area.
"You'll find a tremendous variety of wildlife right here in the city, particularly if you follow water corridors," Lentz said. "You can see beaver, fox, deer, hawks, all sorts of waterfowl."
The club, which welcomes visitors, will host an excursion to eastern Colorado this month to photograph mating prairie chickens. Membership costs $20 annually and Lentz will provide additional information at 303-233-6177.
Also on the wildlife watching front, the Colorado Division of Wildlife has teamed with local organizations to offer a variety of opportunities to view mating or migrating birds in upcoming weeks. Among these:
Greater prairie chickens: Tour packages available through the Wray Chamber of Commerce, 970-332-5063, for the weekends of March 21-23 and 28-30; April 4-6, 11-13 and 18-19. The Friday tour, which includes one night's lodging, costs $75 per person, double occupancy, $100 single. Saturday tours, including dinner, cost $10 more.
Monte Vista Crane Festival: This 20th annual San Luis Valley celebration marks the northward migration of thousands of sandhill cranes. While these birds will visit the Monte Vista and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges and surrounding lands for several weeks, the March 7-9 festival will offer guided tours, lectures and art workshops. For reservations and information, 719-852-3552.
Lesser prairie chickens: The Carrizo Ranger District of the Comanche National Grasslands has developed a special blind to view this courtship, typically from late April through early May. For reservations and directions, 719-523-6591.
Sage grouse: Tours for this mating show near Walden in North Park are limited to 20 people each day during the weekends of April 26-27 and May 3-4. Cost is $75 per person, double occupancy, and $100 single occupancy, arranged through the Walden Chamber of Commerce, 970-723-4600.
Gunnison sage grouse: This increasingly rare species may be observed from the second week of April through the first week of May using binoculars or a spotting scope from a roadside viewing area approximately 17 miles east of Gunnison just off U.S. 50 on County Road 887.
Sharptailed grouse: DOW offers limited guided tours to a mating area near Hayden from mid-April through mid-May. To request a tour, phone 970-871-2854 and leave a message.
By Charlie Meyers, Denver Post Outdoor Editor
February 25, 2003
The Phantom doesn't get fishing all that much these days - certainly not like that notorious time when he could be found prowling all hours of day and night around the various lakes and ponds in the Denver metropolitan area.
Sage grouse courtship is among the upcoming attractions for bird watchers and nature photographers. Courtesy U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
When Tom Lentz, a.k.a. "Phantom of the Met," found his asthma acting up a few years back, he did what many active outdoor enthusiasts do when confronted with a physical debility. He turned to wildlife photography.
"It was important for me to keep contact with the outdoor world," he said. "I built a window mount for my camera. Most animals aren't afraid of vehicles. I found I could get some great shots right from my car."
The Denver resident also joined the Mile High Wildlife Photography Club, a loosely connected group of enthusiasts whose monthly meetings serve as both education and entertainment for anyone with an interest in creatures of the wild.
"It's a great way to learn how, where and when to take outdoor photographs," Lentz said of meetings that take place at 7 p.m. on the second Wednesday of each month. "The members are very helpful."
Even the meeting site - the Wildlife Experience Museum, Lincoln Avenue at South Peoria a mile east of Interstate 25 - is conducive to getting the shutterbug juices flowing.
Lentz said the club is comprised mainly of nonprofessionals, although about half have been published in various venues.
At the next meeting, March 12, members will showcase photographs taken at national parks to form an exhibit for the museum. The club also conducts occasional field trips, mostly in the metro area.
"You'll find a tremendous variety of wildlife right here in the city, particularly if you follow water corridors," Lentz said. "You can see beaver, fox, deer, hawks, all sorts of waterfowl."
The club, which welcomes visitors, will host an excursion to eastern Colorado this month to photograph mating prairie chickens. Membership costs $20 annually and Lentz will provide additional information at 303-233-6177.
Also on the wildlife watching front, the Colorado Division of Wildlife has teamed with local organizations to offer a variety of opportunities to view mating or migrating birds in upcoming weeks. Among these:
Greater prairie chickens: Tour packages available through the Wray Chamber of Commerce, 970-332-5063, for the weekends of March 21-23 and 28-30; April 4-6, 11-13 and 18-19. The Friday tour, which includes one night's lodging, costs $75 per person, double occupancy, $100 single. Saturday tours, including dinner, cost $10 more.
Monte Vista Crane Festival: This 20th annual San Luis Valley celebration marks the northward migration of thousands of sandhill cranes. While these birds will visit the Monte Vista and Alamosa National Wildlife Refuges and surrounding lands for several weeks, the March 7-9 festival will offer guided tours, lectures and art workshops. For reservations and information, 719-852-3552.
Lesser prairie chickens: The Carrizo Ranger District of the Comanche National Grasslands has developed a special blind to view this courtship, typically from late April through early May. For reservations and directions, 719-523-6591.
Sage grouse: Tours for this mating show near Walden in North Park are limited to 20 people each day during the weekends of April 26-27 and May 3-4. Cost is $75 per person, double occupancy, and $100 single occupancy, arranged through the Walden Chamber of Commerce, 970-723-4600.
Gunnison sage grouse: This increasingly rare species may be observed from the second week of April through the first week of May using binoculars or a spotting scope from a roadside viewing area approximately 17 miles east of Gunnison just off U.S. 50 on County Road 887.
Sharptailed grouse: DOW offers limited guided tours to a mating area near Hayden from mid-April through mid-May. To request a tour, phone 970-871-2854 and leave a message.
