County

Flying high

National Geographic photographer Klaus Nigge documents a large concentration of pink flamingos on the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.
MEEKER I Last December, local pilot David Cole and his wife Martha traveled to Cancun, Mexico, to fly for LightHawk, a non-profit organization. As part of the group’s mission to champion environmental protection through the unique perspective of flight, the Coles flew a Cessna 206 owned by LightHawk from Cancun to Belize.
Cole began donating flights through LightHawk after learning about the group from fellow Meeker pilot David Kunkel. Kunkel has donated many hours in his Maule aircraft to fly LightHawk conservation partners around the western United States and Mesoamerica (a region which extends approximately from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica). Kunkel also served on LightHawk’s board of directors and as a past president.
For five days, Cole, a retired United Airlines pilot with more than 24,000 flying hours, flew two National Geographic photographers over the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. The reef runs along the entire coast of Belize and is second in size only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. Renowned photographers Brian Skerry and Jeff Wildemuth were working on an ­upcoming piece on the inter-connectivity of undersea life along the reef. Observing an undersea reef from 1,000 feet in the air might sound odd but the crystal clear water gave the photographers the ability to easily spot manatees and dolphins from the air.
During the next week, the Coles flew community leaders and conservation representatives over the rainforests to assess damage from Hurricane Richard, which passed through the area in October 2010. These protected reserves are managed by different conservation trusts and the Belize Forest Service. Aerial monitoring, donated free of charge by LightHawk, is vital to these groups for evaluating the impact of clear-cutting forests and agricultural practices that cause river silting. The rivers are the lifeblood of local communities.
The Coles visited an eco-tourism lodge built amid partially excavated Mayan ruins in northwestern Belize and saw firsthand the hurricane damage from the ground. “From the air,” David observed, “It looked like the once totally green jungle canopy was about one-third gray from fallen trees and dead foliage.”
The Coles then flew to Merida, Mexico, on the north central coast of the Yucatan peninsula, to assist in a project counting and photographing flamingo populations along the estuaries.
Eduardo Galicia, a well-known biologist in the conservation community, sat in the front seat of the plane and counted, while Klaus Nigge, a freelance National Geographic photographer, documented the largest concentrations from the open rear doorway of the Cessna. Nigge discovered that in the Yucatan the flamingo is “the bird” in many respects. For example, all of the tourists who visit Yucatan, whenever they think about nature, think of the pink flamingo. Everyone on the flight was awestruck by the sight of thousands of flamingos rising up as a coral cloud.
That particular mission was profiled as a “Tripods in the Sky” event by LightHawk and their strategic partner, the International League of Conservation Photographers (iLCP). LightHawk provides the aerial platform and iLCP, consisting of many of the world’s top nature photographers, provides the images. Together, this partnership proves to be a game changer for conservation throughout much of North and Central America. More information and photos about Cole’s flight can be found at http://lighthawk.org/TripodsIn TheSky-Yucatan-BehindtheScenes.html.
“Whether it is getting the right congressman or reporter into the air, where political boundaries disappear and the land speaks for itself, or capturing a poignant and indelible image with a camera, these pilots and photographers believe they can break through society’s indifference with compelling images rather than words,” explained Rudy Engholm, executive director for LightHawk.
Cole adds, “You do not need to be an environmentalist to appreciate LightHawk’s work as they provide the same aerial platform to both sides of environmental issues, which will help in decision making.”
This flight ended where the trip began, landing in Cancun where the aircraft awaited its next LightHawk volunteer pilot.
“The trip for us was fun, educational and very productive. People along the way were extremely friendly and seemed to appreciate LightHawk’s contributions to helping them conserve the special places and wildlife of their communities,” the Coles said.

About LightHawk:
LightHawk is a volunteer-based environmental aviation organization that provides donated flights to make the aerial perspective freely available to conservation groups. Founded in 1979, LightHawk illuminates environmental threats and empowers its conservation partners to protect land, water and wildlife in the United States, Mexico, Central America and parts of Canada. Visit their website at www.lighthawk.org.

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It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
It’s getting late, do you know where your kids are? Read all the Rio Happenings for this week in print or online at ht1885.com.
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Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line.  The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale.
Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch.  See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
Mormon crickets have hatched near Rangely. They were all sighted on BLM land north of Hwy. 64 near the junction of CR 96 and CR 1, down a dirt road near the Moffat County line. The picture shown was taken yesterday by Mary Meinen from Rangely. She says the crickets are about the size of a ladybug (less than 1/2”). Some of them are actually yellow in color but most of them are darker. They are milling around and getting ready to start moving soon. Note: Photo is not to scale. Rio Blanco County and the White River and Douglas Creek Conservation Districts are still asking for your help to identify additional hatch-outs of crickets so that control efforts can be put in place. The success of the program will highly depend upon local landowners and the public helping to locate crickets as soon as they hatch. See last week’s paper for a list of ways to help or contact the County Weed & Pest District at 970-878-9670 or the Conservation District office at 970-878-9838 with any questions. Website: www.WhiteRiverCD.com
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View on Instagram |
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Choose-your-own-adventure…. Hear from our Editor in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
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A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
A crew from the Flat Tops Chapter of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined forces last summer to remove obsolete fences to improve habitat for wildlife. Read the full story and the foundation’s update from their 30th Anniversary meeting in this week’s edition and online at ht1885.com.
5 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Black Sulphur Tavern held a grand opening and ribbon cutting for their new business at 364 Seventh St. The space has been renovated with several TVs and games and provides a fun, friendly atmosphere to watch your favorite sports team and enjoy a burger and wings. Owners Frank Maestas and Pat Maestas are pictured with their new staff and Chamber of Commerce representatives Stephanie Hanson, Trudy Burri and Margie Joy. Follow Black Sulphur Tavern on Facebook. Their hours are Wednesday and Thursday 3-9 p.m., Friday 3 p.m. - 1 a.m., Saturday 11-1 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
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6 days ago
View on Instagram |
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Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
Cowboy Carson Klinzmann on the mound for Meeker at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction last Saturday. Meeker took on the 4A Rifle Bears, losing 11-1, and the Basalt Longhorns, losing 7-3. Read the recap online at ht1885.com.
6 days ago
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