On sunny and humid Saturday, July 19th, 11 guests joined me on a hike, starting from Artpark in Lewiston, along Niagara Gorge Trail #8. As we prepared to leave, hiker Judy Kaleta made friends with a particularly bold young starling who actually started walking alongside us as we began the hike. About 100 yards into the hike and apparently tiring from walking, the starling then jumped up onto a couple human shoulders for a free ride.
This hike is short and not very strenuous but allows people to view the gorge at its deepest and travels right to the base of the Niagara escarpment where the Falls began 12,000 years ago. Ending just a little upstream of the Lewiston-Queenston bridge, we talk about: how the River and gorge were formed; the river's physical dimensions and its place in the dynamic Great Lakes hydrology; the Power Trail--the development of modern hydroelectric power in its birthplace, Niagara Falls; flora and fauna and the unique gorge ecosystem; and the issues facing the Niagara River today. Besides the magnificent gorge from a perspective few people see, other sights on Saturday's tour included turkey vultures and herons fishing, and lots of beautiful wildflowers.
(bird and butterfly photo by hiker Jean Russo)
It takes about 2 hours and, so far, everyone that's taken it has enjoyed it and given us positive feedback. We're doing it again Saturday September 27th at 10 a.m.; for more details and to register (required), please visit our website http://www.bnriverkeeper.org/fbnr/membership/ecotours_over.htm or call our office, 716-852-7483. We also have a hike along Scajaquada Creek August 30th, four more bike tours (various routes) and four more canoe/kayak paddles on the Scajaquada & Cayuga Creeks and Buffalo River the rest of the season. Please visit our website for details and a complete schedule.
Labels: ecotour, hike, Niagara Gorge, Riverkeeper, starling
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