Weekend at Cornell
I recently had a free weekend and, not wanting to sit at home bored, decided to make a quick road trip to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology in Ithaca, New York.
My Saturday started way too dark and early, but with a nearly five-hour drive ahead of me, I didn’t want to waste time sleeping in. When I arrived at the Lab, I wish I had slept in a little. In my sleep-deprived state, I accidentally left my practically brand new digital camera sitting on the ground in the middle of the parking lot. A quick call home had the parking lot searched, to no avail – the camera was gone. It took a lot of forced deep-breathing and swearing to/at myself to keep my sour mood in check.
But Sapsucker Woods is beautiful, especially with a fresh dusting of snow, and it wasn’t long before my mood lifted and my binoculars started finding birds. I had planned to use the weekend to obtain some new pictures, but alas, no camera. Regardless, it was a beautiful day to be in the woods.
A trip inside the Lab’s visitor center, officially titled the Imogene Powers Johnson Center for Birds and Biodiversity, is a requirement if you ever visit. The building itself is beautiful, and the view offered from the giant glass windows opening to Sapsucker Woods and the pond is breathtaking.
The Wall of Birds is a prime site to see, as well. In an effort to showcase the diversity of birds around the world, the Wall of Birds Project features 270 species of birds, both living and extinct, painted by artist Jane Kim on a large wall in the visitor center. Viewing the wall is enhanced by an online interactive display that allows viewers to explore the mural through images and species information.
While only a quick overnight trip, my time at Cornell was fun nonetheless. The weather was cold, crisp, and refreshing, with sun most of Saturday and a grey overcast Sunday. My drive home was uneventful, save for one weekend-saving item. I had asked my girlfriend to post a sign on the apartment entrance, advising I had lost a camera. On the drive home, I received a voice mail message from a neighbor who had found the camera while out walking their dog and had it safely in their apartment. While I would have to wait until they returned home from a family function, I did get my camera back that evening. And with that single phone call, my faith in humanity was restored a step more.
I loved my time at Sapsucker Woods and only wish I was able to frequent the trails there more frequently. If you ever find yourself in the Finger Lakes region of New York, do yourself a favor and take a side-trip to Cornell. I highly recommend the “Behind the Scenes” tour given on a regular basis, which will show you the lab and office spaces, and give you a better understanding of all that is accomplished at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed!
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