Enjoy hot cocoa, coffee, goodies, bird watching and new art in the gallery at Bighorn Canyon’s annual Holiday Open House on Dec. 21, 2024.

The day kicks off with the Kane Christmas Bird Count. Participants should plan to meet at the Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center in Lovell at 7 a.m. to check in. Participants should bring binoculars, bird books, spotting scope, camera, clip board, warm clothing and footwear, hat and gloves, lunch, and plenty of water and/or warm drinks. Bird count forms are due back to the Visitor Center at 3 p.m.

The Kane Christmas Bird Count Circle is centered around the old town of Kane and extends from roughly Moncur Springs on the west side to Sand Draw near Lovell. It includes a good portion of the Yellowtail Habitat. Pheasant season will still be open, so don’t forget your hunter orange.

Four-wheel drive vehicles are recommended. If you don’t have a four-wheel drive vehicle, staff will try to pair you with a team who has one. Everyone is welcome — no expertise required. If you are interested in birding but are unsure of your identification skills, you will be teamed up with others who have birding skills.

The Holiday Open House, hosted by WNPA, will start at 8:30 a.m. and continue throughout the day. Select bookstore items will be up to 40% off. There will be a cookie decorating table, and other tasty refreshments.

At 10 a.m., staff will host an inspiring and transformative art event featuring the evocative works of local artist Michael Hansen. This exhibition takes you on a visual journey through Hansen's compelling narrative of healing and reconnection with the natural world through the medium of oil painting.

This is more than an art show; it's a testament to resilience and the boundless spirit of creativity. Hansen's story is one of triumph over adversity. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Hansen found solace and purpose in oil painting, a transition that brought the great outdoors back into his life in ways he never imagined. His transition from an extreme outdoorsman to an award-winning artist is beautifully reflected in his vivid depictions of Wyoming's breathtaking wildlife and landscapes.

Hansen will be on site from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to discuss his work. This exhibit will run from Dec. 21 through the Fourth of July weekend 2025.

The Bighorn Canyon Visitor Center will be closed Dec. 25, 2024–Jan. 6, 2025 for the Christmas break. The Visitor Center will return to winter hours Jan. 7, Tuesday–Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Contact Christy Fleming at Christy_fleming@nps.gov for more information about the Kane Bird Count or the other holiday happenings.