What does government and society do when hunters are caught and/or documented in pictures of their own with their day’s catch – dead Philippine wild ducks which are classified as vulnerable? Of course, they are prosecuted for violation of the law, fined and jailed, just like Bryan Balaon, a 26-year-old farmer in Bukidnon, who has […]
The Water Rail
Rallus aquaticus Gruiformes – Rallidae These birds are monogamous and very territorial; however, on sites which suit them best but are regrettably becoming scarce, a pair can nest at 20 meters from each other. The birds are very affectionate toone another; the male chooses the location of the nest and builds it elevated according to […]
Japanese Night Heron, Gorsachius goisagi
This species had eluded me so far in Japan, so I jumped at the chance when I heard that there was a “friendly” bird in Kyushu. I observed it for about an hour and a half while it hunted in the grasses bordering thick woods for prey such as earthworms, frogs and snails. A big […]
VOTE for the Best Photo of the Week 02 Nov 2013
During the last week our members have again entered some outstanding top-ranking wildlife images for the “Best Photo of the Week” competition. Click on the first image and then page through the slideshow. Please select the three images you like best of all and VOTE for them at the bottom of this page. Voting will […]
Grasshopper Sparrows Have Returned
I love fall migration, don’t get me wrong, but I get really excited when sparrows start coming in. This past Saturday I found my first Savannah Sparrow at Merritt Island, and today I went to my favorite local spot for sparrows on a little street south of Lake Jesup. It’s just a fence line with […]
Grass Snake
Natrix natrixSquamata -Natricidae I will never stress enough that not all snakes are dangerous. This one is perfectly harmless; It can live up to 25 to 28 years of age and lives close to water dams and swamps where it finds small fish, frogs and small mammals. I found this one on the 27th of […]
“Parrot Confidential” debuts on PBS Nature, Wednesday, Nov. 13th at 8pm!
I have always loved parrots.As a child, I longed for one of my own, to travel everywhere with me on my shoulder. That was until I learned more about them.I became increasingly outraged and saddened by the suffering of so many of these fascinating, intelligent and extremely social birds. Parrots do not belong in cages.If […]
A Bestiary: Songbirds ~ Black-throated Green Warbler
‘A Bestiary . . . Tales from a Wildlife Garden’ continues with the gregarious Black-throated Green Warbler Setophaga virens. Each spring this small songbird returns to our wildlife habitat within the foothills of the Berkshires in Western Massachusetts. There are more photos and stories of my encounters with this warbler over at Native Plants and […]