It seems everyone has joined the August, 2017 solar eclipse hype. What will you be doing on August 21st?
Although it’s archery antelope season, I’ll be up in the mountains scouting for elk. While we won’t be in the path of the total eclipse, I’m interested to see if the animals in Colorado will react. National Geographic shares, “Reports of unusual animal reactions to solar eclipses date back centuries. One of the earliest stories comes from Italian monk Ristoro d’Arezzo, who described what happened during a total eclipse on June 3, 1239. As the sun disappeared and the sky turned dark, ‘all the animals and birds were terrified; and the wild beasts could easily be caught,’ he wrote.”
I think the same could be said for people on eclipse day. It’s still a week away and already people are flocking to the black out areas. If you haven’t made a hotel reservation along the path of darkness, you’re not likely to find a vacancy. Not to worry. Today I found two events, in Colorado, in celebration of the eclipse.
The first of which I’ll tell you is a local event at the Sky Ute Casino, where they will share the experience. “Starting at 11AM, the first 250 people to arrive can pick up eclipse watch glasses from the Sky Ute Casino Events Center to safely observe the eclipse. Viewing time for the solar eclipse will be between 11:30-11:45AM in the Sky Ute Casino Events Center parking lot. Following the celestial event, they’ll celebrate with hot seat drawings for $50 in cash on the casino floor, every 15 minutes from NOON-2:30PM!”
Never look at the sun without appropriate eye protection.
If you’ve been following my posts for any length of time, you’re probably more of the outdoorsy type, and if not, you have to be looking for ways to get out there one of these days. In either case, you’ll like to know about Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s way of celbrating the celestial event throughout the state.
TELL ME – What will you be doing during the solar eclipse?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife celebrates August’s solar eclipse
DENVER – Colorado State Parks and our partners at the Colorado State Library are ready for the growing excitement over the upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday, August 21. Anticipation continues to build for this year’s eclipse, during which everyone in North America will have at least a partial eclipse view. Viewers in Colorado can expect to see stages of the eclipse from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with the peak at around 11:35 a.m.
While Colorado does not fall in the path of totality, residents interested in the phenomenon do not need to battle traffic and crowds in neighboring states to get an amazing perspective of the eclipse. Colorado will see anywhere from 80 percent to 98 percent obscuring of the sun, with the highest percentages found in the northeast corner of the state. NASA recommends finding a nice, clear spot with a good view of the skyto best experience the eclipse, making Colorado state parks the perfect viewing locations.
Several state parks are celebrating with special eclipse programs, with some parks offering events such as guided hikes to prime viewing locations, discussions on different types of eclipse and learning how to make pinhole projectors. Just a few of the state parks with special events include:
- Cheyenne Mountain State Park
- Lory State Park
- Ridgway State Park
- Rifle Gap State Park
- Mancos State Park
Each park is offering different experiences, and some parks do require an RSVP for these special events, so be sure to check Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Solar Eclipse page before heading to the parks. Though all parks will have a limited supply of eclipse glasses, it is highly recommended visitors bring their own ISO 12312-2 compliant and CE certified glasses, or download and make a pinhole projector for safe viewing. Remember, regular sunglasses are not appropriate for viewing the eclipse!
For those unable to attend a park program, many public libraries in Colorado are offering learning programs before and during the eclipse, and many will also have free eclipse viewing glasses available to community members.
To prepare for your solar eclipse adventure, view NASA’s Total Solar Eclipse map and choose a park location at cpw.state.co.us or locate your nearest library.
CPW is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 41 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW’s work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.
I’ve got my ND 100000 filter for my camera, my welding helmet for my eyes, and a camping spot about 30 miles east of Newport, OR.
Good to go. The only critter in season here is cougar. I’ve only seen one in 35 years of hunting, but I’ll be prepared if I do see one.
That’s excellent. You should have great viewing up there. I look forward to pictures, and I take it you already have your cougar tag in hand. Good luck!