The BioBlitz was my favorite Macaulay event so far.

I was in the Bats group in the 7-11 time slot, and was lucky to be placed with a guide named Gabriel. Not only was Gabriel able to provide us with information about bats, but he pointed out interesting facts and information about everything we passed based on what we saw and heard. I learned a lot about all of the different species in New York and also learned to pay more attention to the subtleties going on around me.

My favorite part was when they actually caught a bat and we were able to see it up close. Staff in the garden placed extremely thin nets around that the bats cannot detect using echolocation, and so they fly in and we can observe them. We saw a red bat, which because of its wing span looks huge in the sky, but up close is actually small and rather cute.

I also loved walking around the garden in the dark. I have only ever visited in day light, and all of the plants and scenery looked gorgeous at night. It gave me a new appreciation for the park, and for the wildlife that New York has to offer.

Catching a bat, walking around the gardens after dark, and the things I’ve observed and learned were a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am glad to have experienced.