[CT Birds] NATURE PHOTOS AND MORE

[Andy Griswold]

Hello Travelers and Friends,
As the days get longer and the season takes on new color, we begin to notice the arrival of and changed behaviors of the many birds with which we are so familiar. Bluebirds investigate the bird boxes, the first Osprey of the year return, and the Pine Siskin numbers start to drop at the thistle feeder. Red-tailed Hawks and Mourning Doves seem to be everywhere as the Killdeer begin to call.

Enjoy these photos by Mark Jankura.

Nature Photos Link: http://ecotravel.ctaudubon.org/Photos/March182009.htm

We still need your help to make this a good year for EcoTravel and want to encourage you to join us for a trip in the months before the end of our fiscal year, April 30. Our Galapagos Cruise still has a few cabins left so get out of that chair and give us your support while you enjoy a trip of a lifetime!

Galapagos Itinerary: http://ecotravel.ctaudubon.org/Itineraries/Galapagos2009Itinerary.htm

Other tours that will help us with this fiscal year are Cherry Blossoms in the Nation's Capital and Big Bend in Texas. See the links below for the detailed itineraries of these great spring getaways.

Cherry Blossoms in the Nation's Capital: http://ecotravel.ctaudubon.org/Itineraries/CherryBlossums.htm
Big Bend and the Davis Mountains: http://ecotravel.ctaudubon.org/Itineraries/BigBend.htm

Travel Bargains!
Our Iceland: Land of Ice and Fire tour has dropped in price by nearly a $1,000 due the superb exchange rate. Airfares are also down by $300 dollars compared to two years ago. This is the time to take advantage of this opportunity to see on of the most beautiful northern countries.

Iceland: http://ecotravel.ctaudubon.org/Itineraries/Iceland.htm

Day Trips Update!
Of course, we have a great selection of day trips including our last weekend of Eagle Viewing Boats, this Saturday and Sunday. Call now as many of these boats are nearly filled. 800-996-8747

Please join EcoTravel for these other upcoming "must see, must do" day trips. Space is limited so please call today for more info!!

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Sat. March 28th     ALL DAY!
Join Bob Kuchta, EcoTravel's favorite "day tripper" as he heads to Boston to visit the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum. This lovely Museum has three floors of galleries surrounding a garden courtyard blooming with life in all seasons. The galleries are filled with paintings, sculpture, tapestries, furniture and decorative arts from cultures spanning thirty centuries.  The gardens will be just starting their spring blooming and you will have Eco-Bob the master botanist as your guide to show you the way. Fee is $75 for members/$85 for Non-Members.

Storm King Art Center
Wed., April 8th     ALL DAY!
Storm King Art Center is a museum that celebrates the relationship between sculpture and nature. There are five hundred acres of landscaped lawns, fields and woodlands which provide the site for postwar sculptures by internationally renowned artists. Bob Kuchta will escort you to Storm King where the exhibition space is defined by sky and land. Unencumbered by walls, the subtly created flow of space is punctuated by modern sculpture. The grounds are surrounded by the undulating profiles of the Hudson Highlands, a dramatic panorama integral to the viewing experience. There is also a tram that can tour around the property so you can take in as much of the landscape as possible. Fee: $75 Members/$85 Non-Members.

Optics Bargain!
We are clearing out our optic inventory as the end of our fiscal year is approaching. We have a NEW Swarovski ATS 80 High Definition spotting scope with a 20x60 zoom eye piece that we need to move out of here. The scope now retails for $3,187 but we are happy to give you a significant discount as this scope was put into our inventory a while back. This is the Ferrari of spotting scopes and we will do all we can to put it in your hands. Give us a call and make us an offer! All offers are considered. We are very anxious to put this great scope in your hands.

Check our Website:  http://ecotravel.ctaudubon.org<http://ecotravel.ctaudubon.org/>

EcoTravel Newsletter - Printable Version:  http://ecotravel.ctaudubon.org/ecotravel_newsletter.htm

My Blog:  www.andrewgriswold.blogspot.com<http://www.andrewgriswold.blogspot.com/>
I recently published a book of photos from CT Audubon's Churchill tour, visiting the land of the Polar Bear. Take a look at some of our adventures on my blog. I trust that you will enjoy it. I will be traveling to Mexico, Cuba, and Galapagos over the next two months and hope to share this experience with you.

Come travel with us and support our education and conservation mission.

Education is the key to successfully saving our environment!

Talk with you soon,

Andy and Priscilla

Andrew Griswold, Director
Priscilla Wood, EcoTravel Assistant
CT Audubon Society EcoTravel
35 Pratt Street, Suite 201
Essex, CT  06426
860-767-0660
800-996-8747