International Hummingbird Festival, September 6-8,  2013

San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato

 

 

 

 

(I am in the white t-shirt, happy to be among this auspicious group)

 

 

The original idea for this festival came from Jim McKeever and Alfredo Garcia Lucio, creators of Camino Silvestre, a company given to lovers of nature and appreciation of birds.  They have two stores in San Miguel de Allende. 

Beneficiaries of the festival were El Charco del Ingenio and Mexico Audubon Society. 

I've worked closely with the Audubon group these past few years and was happy to help recruit several key speakers and guides.  A special treat for me was spending the weekend with Sheri L. Williamson, author of the Peterson Guide to the Hummingbirds of North America, in the lovely home of Linda and Saul Whynman.  Believe me, I asked Sheri every question I could think of related to hummers and their behaviors. 

Most of the activities (presentations and bird walks) occurred on the grounds of El Charco, a wonderful botanical garden in San Miguel.  I cannot complement El Charco's staff too much for their hard work in making the logistics go so smoothly.  Hats off to Mario and his staff. 

Another half day was spent at Rancho Los Labradores on the highway to Dolores Hidalgo, where I was able to bird again with Drew (see previous trip report related to the Clapper rail) and finally met his lovely wife. 

The festival was bi-lingual and populated with many exceptional speakers, post-grad students, and serious hummingbird fans.  It was so successful a commitment has been made to organize another in 2014. 

If you're curious about the festival, check out the website:  www.festivaldelcolibri.org.  You can chose English of Spanish. 

And do consider attending the next festival.  There might even be a side trip to Lake Patzcuaro to see additional hummingbird species, ones not found in San Miguel de Allende. 

Linda Whynman, president emeritus of Mexico Audubon Society, and I enjoying the festival