A penguin in the hand...

Geoff Hill's visit to Cincinnati Museum Center was a huge success. With great turnout for his lecture in the Charles and Ralph Dury Lecture Series and about 300 showing up at the Amish Bird Symposium in Adams co., OH, lots of folks in the Southern Ohio/Northern Kentucky area got to hear about Geoff's exploration of the Choctawhatchee River and the hunt for Ivory-billed Woodpeckers (Campephilus principalis). I think Geoff had a great time during his trip to Cincinnati, but, I believe a highlight of Geoff's visit was a visit to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. The Cincinnati Zoo's Avian Conservation Program Manager, David Oehler, showed Geoff and I behind the scenes and we were able to get up close and personal with one of the zoo's Rockhopper Penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome, see photo right with Geoff Hill on the left and me on the right and penguin in Geoff's arms). Thanks to David Oehler of the Cincinnati Zoo, Regina Hall and Patrick Nugent of the Cincinnati Museum Center, Chris Bedel and all the organizers and sponsors of the Amish Bird Symposium for hosting Geoff during his stay in Cincinnati.

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