Bat Watchers Gather at Dusk at Northeast Ohio Farm

[LiberalHeart]

CHAGRIN FALLS (AP) -- Twenty-some sets of eyes scanned the dark, dusky sky -- searching and searching and searching. The owners of those eyes knew it would happen at any moment; knew they were on the verge of the emergence.

The group pushed closer to the red barn, an aging giant of decayed wood that served as the evening's main stage. Anticipation rose as the sun sank into the horizon. Then, at 9:05 p.m., an alert rang out: "There's the first one! They're coming!"

With that, the show began.

Much more:
http://wtol.com/Global/story.asp?S=5244448

[mikelewis]

1. What a cool story.

Though personally, I would probably lose my mind and run away screaming like a scalded dog back to my car. Fucking bats creep me out.

[NMDemDist2]

2. Carlsbad Caverns (close to my new home) just had our annual bat flight

Best Flights
The best bat flights normally occur in August and September. At this time baby bats, born in early summer, join the flight along with migrating bats from colonies further north.

Return Flights
The daily pre-dawn return of the bats is different from the evening exit flights but are just as impressive. Early risers can see the bats as they re-enter Carlsbad Cavern with spectacular dives from heights of hundreds of feet. Individual bats diving in from every direction may reach speeds of 40 km/h (25 mph) or more.

According to Bridget Litten, Caverns public affairs specialist, many people who have come to several in-flights said this was the best one they had ever seen.

The bats started re-entering the cave around 5:45 a.m. and continued until about 7 a.m.

[rzemanfl]

3. People who want to watch batshit crazy people gather around

the White House.

[SpiralHawk]

4. Chagrin Falls? Isn't that where Bullwinkle is from?

Or something...?