After yesterday’s fiasco I had to do penance to both the environment and my body and hope to regain some credit with the Bird Gods. As I had a lunchtime appointment in town with some nice cheese (courtesy of Egil Ween, one of Norway‘s top birders, Værøy regular and importer of exclusive foods) it was […]
February’s romantic rituals
February is a romantic month for people who celebrate Valentine’s Day, and also for several kinds of birds with early nesting cycles. Great Horned Owls may start nesting in February, though in north country during most winters, they’re more likely to wait until a bit later. Bald Eagles and ravens often engage in their splendid […]
Duck Brush
Freezing temperatures and a head cold have kept me indoors for a few days. I spent some of that time learning how to make a Photoshop tool called a brush. I started with this photo of a mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) that I took on a warm autumn day at the Prospect Park Zoo last […]
Eversmann’s Redstart – Jubail
Whilst birding at Jubail I found a female Eversmann’s Redstart, a new species for me. Birding up to that point had been rather poor due to the overcast and windy conditions but it was made up for with this bird. I noticed a redstart on the track between the large reed beds and it almost […]
Twice as many?
In 1492 when Christopher Columbus arrived in America, the people already living here were well aware of their land’s ornithological treasures. On October 12, 1492, Columbus wrote in his diary that the only wild animals he saw at all were parrots, but he had seen much more by October 21, when he wrote, The melody […]
Oslo Iceland
I needed a good day to lift me out of the doldrums currently being caused by a severe case of Trump Fatigue Syndrome and I got it – thank you bird gods! The day started with the Sørkedalen Hawk Owl before 9am. This bird has been seen very occasionally over the last two months (although […]
Pine Bunting at Murston NR Kent
Arriving at first light and walking the extremely muddy track down to the sea wall we spent the next 3 hours scanning the bushes around the shooting pool hoping for a glimpse of the Pine Bunting. I had the briefest of views as it walked about with a Yellowhammer feasting on the seed put out […]
Results of the Best Photo of the Week Ended 04 Feb 2017
We are delighted to announce the results of our latest photo competition. David DesRochers wins First Prize for his brilliant capture “Collared Aracari”. Dave Richards is awarded Second Prize for his outstanding image “Lion Cub”. Third Prize is shared between Paamul Jack with “St. Valentine’s-day Kiss – Colors in the Sky” and Kerry Singleton with […]