What to do about that ginormous Birds of Ecuador field guide
I already spend enough time in physical therapy. The last thing I needed to do was carry around this big tome around Ecuador. Here, let me give you an idea of really how… Continue reading
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When birds make me complain-y
You travel hundreds–or even thousands–of miles, and no matter how long you wait for them, they turn their backs on you. They’ll sit there, looking the wrong direction, wondering when you’re going to… Continue reading
When buffalo look pretty
Last Saturday I was lucky enough to have Steve in town and so we headed up to Antelope Island State Park. The migrating birds have pretty much thinned out but the island is… Continue reading
Birding Antisana feels a lot like Scotland. Yes, really.
We were right on the equator but if I didn’t know any better I would have thought we were in the Scottish Highlands. It was as though we had been swept away to… Continue reading
You can still go birding when you forget your binoculars
Everyone has their favorite National Park, but the one most near and dear to my heart is not in the U.S. It’s in Canada and it’s Jasper National Park where I just adore the valleys… Continue reading
Tips for birders joining an organized tour
So, I had never been on an organized tour. Usually, Steve and I do what our birding neighbors and friends call “freelancing,” which is fancy for saying that we plan our locations and… Continue reading
Pressures of Ecuador
Act 1: The pressure to keep up It was 5:00 a.m. and the rain, warm as bathwater, was coming down hard and in giant drops. Thud, thud, thud, on my head, my shoulders,… Continue reading
Angry Hummingbirds
Hummingbirds would stick their beaks into the plastic flower on the feeder only to find nothing, and then fly away. Any minute someone was sure to bring the nectar. First there was just… Continue reading
Come hell or high water: In search of the Torrent Duck
I don’t know how our guide Jose does it, but from his seat in the front of the minibus—as it’s moving at 60 km an hour up the mountain—he hollers, “Torrent Duck!” after… Continue reading
We’re at bird camp
There was a knock on the door. I could still hear it even though I had earplugs. I rolled over and looked at my iPhone and with my middle-aged vision barely made out… Continue reading