Turkey vultures circled. Hovering. Lofting. Presumably searching for supper. The only quandary was that this was mid-afternoon. The red tail hawks’ screeching declarations went eerily silent. A perceptible shift in energy flowed like an aerial tsunami while songbirds, as if on choirmaster cue, began to quiet one overture at a time until one stray Nightingale chirped its twilight solo and then silenced. Peepers began their evening acapella, brief yet harmonious. Darkness — cavernous, satiating, silent, and all-encompassing — settled into the depths of Deer Haven Park.
As with any new DHP adventure, concepts begin with a suggestion, are festooned with heart and soul, and infused with a bit of the unexpected. The recipe often pleasantly reaches fruition as an amazing visitor experience.
Speak to any DHP staff or volunteer, however, and they will honestly share that no matter how much military, land, or wildlife history is shared, nothing compares to the happenstance and culmination of the park’s abundant nature and wildlife. Undeniably, once traversing the park’s threshold, after its iron gate clicks soundly shut, it is as if time stands still. No longer are the day-to-day rumblings of existence a hindrance. No longer is time of the essence. No longer is one relegated to anyone or anything, as nature opens its arms and embraces heart, mind, and soul. An energy that is unadulterated, encompassing, and reverberating long after time inside this conservation haven is complete.
Such was the case for visitors on April 8 as DHP hosted “Total Eclipse in the Park.” In the planning for several months, the event sold out with nearly 100 in attendance. A newly remodeled Visitor Center’s gift shop and museum was soon abuzz with guests from near and far, their anticipation for this once-in-a- lifetime specialty event sparking the air like static electricity.
Attendees shared a kindred spirit that longed for this wondrous cosmic spectacle to be experienced in an environment of nature, wildlife, and peaceful surroundings. Some traveled from New Jersey, others from Pennsylvania, Connecticut, West Virginia, and one attendee traveled all the way from Turkey! Ecem Ipek, from Istanbul, an account sales executive for European Export Furniture had taken a 12-hour flight into Washington, D.C. followed by a 6-hour drive to witness this DHP adventure with her boyfriend and family. The park has been known to host visitors from around the globe. What an exciting adventure!
Additionally, chief meteorologist Howard Manges and photojournalist Ben Hodil from WBNG-TV in Binghamton arrived to share the extravaganza live with their viewing audience in the Southern Tier and Northeastern Pennsylvania. DHP was thrilled to host these professionals whose level of enthusiasm was impressive. The energy and excitement they brought into the park were palpable.
The morning began with partially clouded skies, which continued to culminate as the double open wagon and tour bus left the Visitor Center. A mini-park tour was had while entering and exiting the designated viewing area. Nothing stopped everyone from enjoying lunch offered by the Interlaken Sportsmen’s Club as all mentally willed the clouds to part, which they did, as some peeks of phase C1 were enthusiastically viewed prior to totality.
In true form, nature and wildlife then took center stage. An ebony darkness prevailed. Silence abounded. Sight was rendered useless as all other senses heightened to the extreme of absurdity. Emotional. Breathtakingly unique. A soul rendering realization of the minuteness of humankind as a globally rotating energy demanded attention, affection, respect.
As the eclipse entered phase C3, flocks of birds took flight for their morning rituals as the depth of nature reawakened. The intensity of feelings shared were probably best conveyed by the hairs on Howard’s arm standing upright as if invisibly electrified by Earth herself.
Our planet, wildlife, and nature. Blessings that have proven that satiating silence can speak volumes, especially when experiencing the totality of a solar eclipse while venturing beyond the fence.
Dee Calvasina is the author of “Beyond the Fence, The Amazing World of Deer Haven Park,” freelance writer, and monthly columnist for the Finger Lakes Times who supports the conservation of military history, nature, and wildlife at Deer Haven Park LLC.
BEYOND THE FENCE: Satiating silence — Wildlife at DHP react to eclipse
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13.04.2024
Turkey vultures circled. Hovering. Lofting. Presumably searching for supper. The only quandary was that this was mid-afternoon. The red tail hawks’ screeching declarations went eerily silent. A perceptible shift in energy flowed like an aerial tsunami while songbirds, as if on choirmaster cue, began to quiet one overture at a time until one stray Nightingale chirped its twilight solo and then silenced. Peepers began their evening acapella, brief yet harmonious. Darkness — cavernous, satiating, silent, and all-encompassing — settled into the depths of Deer Haven Park.
As with any new DHP adventure, concepts begin with a suggestion, are festooned with heart and soul, and infused with a bit of the unexpected. The recipe often pleasantly reaches fruition as an amazing visitor experience.
Speak to any DHP staff or volunteer, however, and they will honestly share that no matter how much military, land, or wildlife history is shared, nothing compares to the happenstance and culmination of the park’s abundant nature and wildlife. Undeniably, once traversing the park’s threshold, after........
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