Southeast Colorado Offers Choices for Snow Goose Visitors

Camera Equipment at Vendor Show

The weatherman cooperated for the High Plains Snow Goose Festival this past weekend in Lamar and portions of southeast Colorado. While the breeze picked up during the late afternoons and evenings, the days were crisp and mostly sunny for those attending the 17^th annual Festival.

John Hopper Provides Information on Camp Amache

Birding enthusiasts selected from a list of options on Friday and Saturday, February 8^th and 9^th as well as a Sunday sunrise tour or a viewing with Ted Floyd along Highway 50 into Otero County and other parts.

Youngsters, Tall in the Saddle

Saturday featured a silent auction as well as a Nature Arts and Craft Fair at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office on Highway 287 while the Lamar Community College large lecture hall was put to use. Several lectures were offered from Bryant Will on his knowledge of the Lesser Prairie Chicken, John Hopper of Granada spoke at length about Camp Amache, the Japanese Internment Camp just east of Granada which held upwards of 4,000 Japanese-Americans during WW2.   Noted nature photographer, Jill Smith, provided information about some of the better birding and wildlife spots in southeast Colorado.  Visitors used the proximity of the college to Willow Creek to explore some of the woodland homes of a variety of birds.

Chad Hart of Snow Goose Committee

The weekend concluded with the annual banquet at the Lamar Eagles Lodge followed by a discussion of birding by author Ted Floyd and Hannah and Andrew Floyd.  The date for next year’s festival has been chosen for February 6-9, 2020.

By Russ Baldwin