Mar 09 2009
Adams County Weekend
Liz & I had a great weekend in southern Ohio, where I was a speaker at the 6th annual Adams County Amish Bird Symposium.
The venue is certainly unusual–a spacious barn with power provided by a diesel generator. The shot above was taken during the lunch break. The audience was amazing–energetic and attentive during a day-long marathon of presentations. I spoke just after lunch–a time slot that can be a tough one as mid-day fatigue and post-lunch lassitude take their toll. But this crew was anything but drowsy.
Also during lunch, Susan Kailholz-Williams of the Susan Gets Native blog brought out some of her education birds from Raptor, Inc. The Barn Owl in the back had been found seriously injured in Adams County last year.
One of the really charming things about the whole experience was the wooden plaque I was presented with–here I am showing it off. Its somewhat unusual shape, naturally, is the same as Adams County itself. How cool.
Another huge perk for the speakers was staying–and dining!–at the Murphin Ridge Inn, a really terrific country inn near the symposium facility. My favorite amenity was the fire pit. Liz and I spent several relaxing hours there, listening to Spring Peepers, American Woodcock, and the crackling flames.
I don’t think I could recommend the Murphin Ridge Inn too highly–it really was great.
And now for something completely different: today I’m flying to Ecuador. We’ll see what time and net access allows, blog-wise, but I hope to be updating you on what looks to be another great trip!
It was nice to see you too, Jeff!
Nice photo…you always make me look good.
Storm (barn owl) looks suspicious, though)
I have a plaque like that! and I heartily agree about the quality of the Murphin Ridge experience. Has to be felt to be believed, nestled there in the middle of Amish Country. Glad you had a good time. Wish you could take Liz with you to Ecuador!! and I wish time had permitted a little stopover in Whipple. Great photo of SKW!
Thanks you two!
Julie–did you do the original logo for the symposium? Certainly looks like your style, but I wasn’t 100% sure.
Yeah, I wish Liz was going to Ecuador, too.
Would’ve been nice to swing by Whipple. This one was definitely a quick, quick trip.
Looks lovely! Let me know if you ever make it up to Northern Ohio
Have you met Paul Greenfield? He lives in Ecuador and illustrated the Birds of Ecuador guide. That’s where I would like to go some day.
Have a great trip!
Sounds like a great time! I’m still very new at birding, but I lived in Ecuador for 10 years and have visited several times several years ago. I would love to go back again and hope you will be able to pop into an Internet cafe and post a few pics (I was surprised at the little towns that had internet cafes).
Have a great trip!