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This is the end of something I have been doing for 25 years... The Selman Bat Watch run by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. I have been there for 25 of the 26 years it has been running meeting Melynda Hickman at the Mexican Free Tail Workshop in Fredericksberg, TX 25 years ago. She told me about the project and needing volunteers and I was in since then! I have learned an incredible amount about the Mexican Free-Tailed Bat (which is the bat of the Selman Bat Flights). The years have been full of learning, fun and awe at the bat which we get to introduce to the public. |
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| It all starts at check-in. Mel has everyone put into groups for the tours. | Mike has the AV equipment ready to go | Everyone is ready for orientation before we go out |
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| Mel checks with Mike if we're ready and then... Let's start! | Info on the Mexican Free Tail Bat is given along with rules out on the site. | Everyone gets briefed on safety and what it will be like out there at the site. |
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| Then on the busses and we set up at the site. You can bring your own chairs or use the benches provided | And Mel starts the instruction to the masses on our bats. | Twenty five years of this and she's got it down!! |
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| Lots of information before our stars come out for their nightly feeding. | And then it starts... slowly at first. | The mom's come out first followed later by the new borns (which are about 4 months old now and flying on their own). |
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| They all form their "smoke collumn" and then split up after they pass our group. | When you look up, keep your mouth closed (or you might get a special treat!) | The crowds all get quiet and you can hear the million bats flapping their wings as they pass overhead. Amazing! |
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| Some of these bats will travel 90 miles out and be back by dawn. | At first, the young ones will only stay in the general area, but as they get older, they will travel as far as their momma's. | |
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| After they pass the group, they break off into different groups and head out. | ||
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Both Mel and Mike are retiring this year (Oct. 31st) (perfect date!) They both have done enormous amounts of bat education to the public masses and I am glad to wish them the happiest of retirement!! Thanks for all y'all both have done! You will be missed. |
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