This Saturday, September 26, the public can watch from beneath the Vermilion Cliffs as biologists release three endangered California condors into the wild.
Activities are scheduled to begin around 10 a.m., and the release pen atop the cliffs will be opened at 11 a.m. Spotting scopes and binoculars will be on hand, and project personnel will be there to answer questions and provide background about the release.
To reach the viewing area from Flagstaff, go north on U.S. Route 89, then west on U.S. Route 89A. Before you reach Jacob Lake, turn right (north) onto House Rock Road (Bureau of Land Management Road 1065) and continue 2.8 miles to the viewing area, on the right. (If you prefer to make a Google Maps route, here's the location.)
For more information and updates on the release, follow the Condor Cliffs Facebook page.
While we're on the subject, photographer John Sherman (whom you might remember for his condors portfolio in our August issue) is set to premiere a condors-only photography show at the High Country Conference Center in Flagstaff. The opening reception is Friday, October 16, from 5 to 7 p.m. Sherman says he hopes to raise awareness for the condor restoration program, and that Chris Parish, who runs the condor releases (and who also was featured in our August issue) will be there to answer questions.
Sherman adds that he recently returned from shooting in Utah and has now photographed 48 of the 70 birds in the Arizona and Utah condor population.
We hope you can make it to one (or both) of these excellent condor-related events!