September 16, 2008
Portland Moon
Did you see that beautiful moon last night!!!!
It was incredible!!!
A big deep red/orange globe against the navy blue sky!!!
Not the light orange of a harvest moon, but the deepest rich red/orange color you can imagine. And the sky!!! It must have something to do with the latitude here because I don’t ever remember seeing a sky the deep color of navy blue that it was last night. It was a deep rich blue, but not dark and blackish.
The smoke from the California wildfires has colored our atmosphere just enough to filter the color of the moon for us here. Tonight, I’m taking a picture of the moon, if I can; check in tomorrow to see if it came out!
On The Wing- Vaux Swifts
I was just made aware of a unique natural phenomenon here in NW Portland. It is the migration stop of a huge flock of Vaux Swift birds. They sleep at night in the chimney of an old school. and it is how these thousands of birds go into the chimney at night that is the reason for the excitement. A young Portland filmmaker, Dan Viens, has made a documentary of this phenomenon. And I am quoting from the web-site www.swiftsmovie.com with his permission:
“On The Wing is a new documentary which tells the story of Portland, Oregon’s Chapman Swifts.
Each fall these birds roost in the chimney of a Portland elementary school and put on an amazing nightly aerial display to the delight of hundreds and thousands of observers.
The event has become a cult phenomenon over the past 15 years and is a shining example of people choosing to coexist with nature rather than smoking it out. “
This documentary was filmed right here in NW Portland at the Chapman School where these amazing birds roost here in the fall while migrating south for the winter. The movie will be premiering at Cinema 21 on Thursday, Oct 2 as a benefit for the Audubon Society. www.cinema21.com
On The Wing captures the community, energy and excitement of the entire Swifts phenomenon.
Want to see the real thing???? Then you can join the crowds on the lawn each evening in September at Chapman School for the spectacular display of Vaux Swifts gathering to roost in the school’s chimney. Portland Audubon volunteers will be present each night with information about the swifts, binoculars and a spotting scope for viewing. This page gives the most comprehensive info on going to the school for the watch! http://www.audubonportland.org/local-birding/swiftwatch/swifts Be sure to click on Frequently Asked Questions for more info.
You can take a blanket and your picnic dinner and your binoculars and watch the people and the birds!! I intend to go tonight! For information about other showings of the movie, please visit Dan’s website www.swiftsmovie.com. And let us know what you think! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iZi1KWGLRs
photo by Steve Warner
