“John James Audubon: Before His Birds” will be presented on Thursday and Friday, Aug. 19 and 20, at 7 p.m. in the museum garden of John James Audubon State Park in Henderson, Ky. The play was written by A.J. Casey and is co-directed by Casey and Steve McCarty, technical director at Henderson Fine Arts Center.
“John James Audubon: Before His Birds” focuses on Audubon’s life and his influences as the creator of the masterpiece “Birds of America.” His intense love affair with his wife Lucy, as well as his many years spent gathering inspiration and material in Henderson, Ky., played heavily into Audubon’s life and success and are chronicled in Casey’s original play.
The gorgeous outdoor setting of the play’s presentation is in keeping with Audubon’s love of the natural world, and is a fitting tribute to Audubon’s many treks into the wilderness surrounding Henderson, Ky., during his time there. The museum itself will lend a dramatic backdrop to the production.
A.J. Casey holds a theatre degree from Murray State University and currently teaches at RiverBend Academy arts school. “John James Audubon: Before His Birds” is Casey’s first full-length script and was written as a thesis project. He created the script in cooperation with the Audubon Bicentennial Committee as part of Audubon in Henderson: A Bicentennial Celebration – 1810-2010.
The local cast includes: John (Chris Reaves); Lucy (Megan Mortis); Capt. Jean Audubon and Artistic Admirer (Frank Furbush); Anne Moynet (Megan Nantz); William B. and Thomas B. (Rick Chandler); Woman and Lady Artistic Admirer (Brianna Barron); Dacosta, Attendant and Mr. Bowen (Kurt Denton); Assistant (Isaac Vaughn); Thomas Bakewell (Adam Casey).
Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for children and students. Tickets may be purchased at Matt’s News & Gifts in downtown Henderson and at the Audubon State Park museum.
The play will be preceded on Thursday, Aug. 19 by the opening reception and awards presentation of Views of Audubon, an exhibit of paintings inspired by landscapes and wildlife of the park, from 5 to 6:45 p.m. On Friday, Aug. 20, a drawing for a 2010 Jeep Wrangler will be held prior to the play at 6 p.m. in front of the Tea House; $25/ticket entries. The proceeds will help support the Audubon in Henderson: A Bicentennial Celebration – 1810-2010. For more information on bicentennial events, visit: www.audubon2010.com
About Audubon in Henderson: A Bicentennial Celebration – 1810-2010:
John James Audubon arrived in the river town of Henderson, Ky. in 1810 with his wife and infant son. Audubon loved the frontier spirit in Henderson, and as he worked to support his family through business he also spent much time roaming the woods, observing and painting the many species of birds abundant in the area. Audubon’s skills as an artist grew during his years in Kentucky, and after nine years in Kentucky, he went on to publish his ornithological works in the masterpiece, “The Birds of America.” In celebration of the bicentennial of Audubon’s 1810 arrival in Henderson County, the Friends of Audubon, Ohio Valley Art League and the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources have come together to celebrate with a wide variety of events. For more information, visit www.audubon2010.com. For more information about Audubon State Park and other Kentucky State Parks, visit www.parks.ky.gov
First of all, to all my fellow Kentuckians – do your best to keep cool, comfortable, and safe in this outrageously hot weather. Be sure to give your outside pets plenty of fresh, cool water and fill your bird feeders often. As I’m typing this, there is actually a waiting line of birds at one of the bird baths in the front yard!
I just added a few articles to Genuine Kentucky:
How to Create a Compost Pile (as well as why you’d want to do so!)
Dale Hollow Lake State Resort Park (a very special Kentucky State Park)
I’m now off to take more fresh water to the wildlife – birds, cats, rabbits, squirrels, and anything else looking for a little drink.
Stay cool!
As you can probably tell, we’re pretty much obsessed with wildlife, birds, and butterflies at Genuine Kentucky. Truth be told, I’m becoming more than a little intrigued with insects as well -dragonflies, lady bugs, stick bugs, lightning bugs… such cool little guys. Even more reason to love living in Kentucky. We have such a beautiful variety of these fascinating animals.
One of my favorite things to do when in the Land Between the Lakes area (in addition to eating catfish – another obsession) is to look for and observe wildlife. Whether we’re at the outstanding Woodland’s Nature Center, the equally outstanding Elk & Bison Prairie or hanging out at one of the beautiful state parks – my eyes are always peeled for extra-special locals.
When you’re in the Land Between the Lakes area, I hope you’ll take in all the beauty around you – including the amazing array of birds. At many of the travel brochure stands in the area, you’ll find a pamphlet titled “LAND BETWEEN THE LAKES AREA BIRD CHECKLIST.” This extremely handy little guide lists the different birds you could potentially see while at Land Between the Lakes.
If you’d like to print out your own guide, you can do that too! LBL.org has thought of everything and has an online version of the Land Between the Lakes Bird Checklist.
The pamphlet lists the places below as “Recommended Birding Spots”
- Kentucky Dam
- Hematite Lake and Trail
- Honker Lake, Bay, and Trail
- Woodlands Nature Station Backyard
- North/South Trail – Sugar Bay to Rhodes Bay
- Shaw Branch Road – (153/134) from Hwy 68/80 to Energy Lake
- Elk & Bison Prairie
- South Oak Grassland Demonstration Area
- The Homeplace
- Fort Henry Trails
- South Welcome Station and Bear Creek
I’d add the following Birding Opportunistic sites in the Land Between the Lakes Region:
- Lake Barkley State Resort Park
- Kentucky Dam Village
- Kenlake Lodge
- Grand Rivers Jetty at Sunset – At Lighthouse Landing on Kentucky Lake, Grand Rivers, Kentucky
- Little Lake Park (Grand Rivers) – Located on Commerce Street behind the Badgett Playhouse
For more information on any of these areas (including maps), visit the links below:
Lake Barkley State Resort Park
Michael and I recently had the pleasure of spending the morning at the amazing Woodlands Nature Station at Land Between the Lakes. For a nature lover, such as myself ,who never feels more alive than when she’s near birds, animals, plants, and flowers – this is a type of paradise on earth.
We’ve put this post together in an effort to pay tribute to the Woodlands Nature Station, its beautiful wildlife, and the wonderful people who take such wonderful care of them.
Please enjoy the beautiful pictures, taken by Michael, in the slideshow below.
Read more about the Woodlands Nature Station below the slideshow!
About the Woodlands Nature Station:
The Woodlands Nature Station is staffed by partners at “Friends of LBL.” The station serves to connect humans with nature by allowing them to experience its beauty and by educating them about its many wonders. People of all ages will benefit greatly from a visit to Woodlands Nature Station – as many visits as possible actually!
Photographers couldn’t ask for a better place to flaunt their skills. Seriously, a photographer could spend hours at the Nature Station and never run out of photo opportunities.
The Nature Station is an ideal place for parents and grandparents to take children. Not only will they enjoy the magic and wonder of these amazing birds and animals – they’ll learn a great deal… before they even realize what’s going on, they’ll gain an education while having fun!
The Nature Station, on April 16, 2010, welcomed a female red wolf from the Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee. She’s a partner for the Station’s male red wolf who lost his 15 year old partner last year. The red wolf is currently on the Federal Endangered Species List and “partnerships” such as this are trying to make sure they find their way off of this list.
What I love most about the Nature Station is this: Other than the red wolves (who are part of a captive breeding program to save the species), each of the animals and birds (coyotes, turkeys, vultures, bobcat, bald eagle, snakes….) have been rescued – they would not be able to survive in the wild.
I’m also impressed with the way these amazing animals are treated and loved. There is a sign hanging near the turkeys that asks the public not to “gobble” at the turkeys because the male turkey is “very old” and they don’t want him to be stressed out. I love that! The man who was working the front desk was also extremely, extremely friendly and spoke with such love for the animals that it really touched my heart.
When he spoke of the aged turkey, he seemed to be talking about a much-loved friend.
You know what, I believe he was.
The Nature Station is located north of the Golden Pond Visitor Center and is open daily (April 1 – October 31) From November through March, the Nature Station is closed on Monday and Tuesday.
Hours: 9 am – 5 pm. Monday through Saturday and 10 am – 5 pm on Sunday.
Admission: $4.00 ages 13 and up, $2 ages 5-12, 4 and under free.
More Information: http://www.lbl.org/NSGate.html
Please visit the Nature Station and lend your support to these beautiful animals. I like to think there’s a special place in Heaven for people who love animals and who make it their business to appreciate and care for them.
I’ve launched a section here on Genuine Kentucky dedicated entirely to a great, great, great passion of mine…… no, not chocolate, coffee, and catfish – I have a food blog where I deal with these addictions….. birds and bird watching. I’ll be adding many more pictures, articles, and what not – but the articles that ARE up are listed below:
Birds, Birding, and Bird Watching
The Benefits of Bird Watching and Birding
How to Create a Backyard Bird Watching Haven
Another huge love of ours’ is gardening – flowers, herbs, vegetables, shrubs, fruit trees… you name it, we’ll give a shot at growing it (well, not anything). A section for gardening is also in the works. I should have the first pages up within a few days – it all depends on how long I can stay out of the yard! When the weather’s this nice and the birds are spending so much time at the bird baths and feeders, it’s tough to stay indoors! Even at night, I like to sit outside with my cats and watch for owls. We live out in the sticks, so to speak, so we have lots of owls around us. Talk about gorgeous birds. Wow.
Shutterbugs: Brush up Nature Photography at Digital Camera Workshop!
Digital photographers, here’s your chance too sharpen your skills at a nature photography workshop coming to beautiful Lake Barkley State Resort Park on April 17th. Award-winning nature photographer Curt Hart will lead the workshop which begins Saturday at 9a.m. Hart has captured more than 100 species of birds and wildlife with his camera and will share his techniques and expertise with workshop participants during the full-day workshop.
From Lake Barkley State Resort Park:
The program includes classroom instruction, time in the field, critique and editing processes. The fee is $75 and lunch is included. Class size is limited so reserve early for this popular event. Call 1-800-325-1708 to reserve a spot or for more information. This workshop is recommend for DSL camera owners.
The workshop is a perfect excuse to plan a family/friend weekend getaway at Lake Barkley in the heart of far west Kentucky. The park is the largest resort park in Kentucky’s system and the lodge affords a spectacular view of the lake through massive windows. Mid April falls in the thick of spring and is a magical time to be being surrounded by natural beauty and capture the landscape in photos.
Besides the lodge, the park includes cottages, the Windows on the Water Restaurant, a seasonal campground, 18-hole golf course, fitness center with indoor pool, marina, fishing, tennis courts, hiking trails, gift shop, and recreational and nature programming. It’s near Cadiz and the Land Between the Lakes at 3500 State Park Road just off I-24. Exit at Highway 68 and go west toward Cadiz and the park.
For more information contact Nick Edmonds at nick.edmonds@ky.gov or call the lodge at call 1-800-325-1708.
First of all, I apologize for the lack of posts lately. I have good excuses, though! My husband’s birthday was a few days ago, and that called for cake baking, candle lighting (during which, I wished for sticks and marshmallows), and all the festivities that go along with a birthday.
Also, on two of my other sites (Self Help Daily and Out of Bounds), I’ve had a great deal of things going on. Busy, busy, busy. PLUS, to be perfectly honest, I’ve been watching a lot of College Basketball and LOST!
Anyway, I’m back on the job now, and my mind’s on birds. My husband recently bought a laptop computer and I love to sit in the dining room (lots of big windows), working on my websites while watching the beautiful birds that we have the pleasure of housing in our gazillion trees. After lunch today, we bought a couple of hanging bird feeders, seed, and blocks of suet.
Watching and feeding birds has got to be one of the most enjoyable and relaxing things on earth. If anything were more relaxing, it’d probably put you to sleep.
If luring birds to your yard is something you’d be interested in, rest assured they’re beautiful, thoughtful little guests that you’ll never want to leave. They’re always more than eager to visit you, too, as long as you provide the things they want most:
- Food
- Water
- A Place to build nests
Each type of bird has its own favorite food and feeding and nesting habits, of course, so the best way to make sure that your yard and trees are as colorful as possible – put out a variety of food. We use sunflower seeds, store bought Songbird seed, breadcrumbs, and a favorite with just about all of them – popcorn.
A pan of water or birdbath would also be a welcome sight for your feathered friends.
When the weather warms up, plant trees and flowers that’ll keep them coming back for more. Hummingbirds love canas, morning glories, and other colorful flowers. They also flip for sweetened water in red (their favorite color) hummingbird containers.
Did you know that one of the best ways you can lure birds is to leave a dead tree standing in your yard? Woodpeckers will think you put it there just for them! All birds love the branches and will line up along the limbs as though they’re on a telephone line.
After a really nasty storm last year, we had a huge tree limb with its leafy branches down in the front yard. When we saw how much the birds loved hanging out under the leaves, my husband left it there through the season, mowing around it. I’d throw birdseed under the branches and the little guys and gals thought they were in bird Heaven.
One thing I did learn, however (sadly, the hard way), was that if you put food too close to a window – it can cost a bird its life. Although they sell them, my advice is not to buy the bird feeders that affix to a window. These are made with the viewer rather than the viewed in mind – and that’s not best for anyone.
