The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) recently shared alarming news about the unprecedented conditions on the Colorado River and I’ll attempt to explain their complicated projections. Reclamation, the agency that oversees federal water management across 17 western states, publishes some pretty wonky information, even to those of us who regularly interface with this agency and […]
Tag: Western Grebe
Spring is for the Birds and Birders!
As days get longer and temperatures begin to climb, birds and birders are anxiously waiting for that annual bliss that comes with the change in seasons. Yes—you know what I am talking about: Spring Migration. While some species are already on the move, we’re waiting for that burst of northward movement from the bulk of […]
Fort De Soto Park Spring Migration: Pt I
A trek to Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County is especially rewarding during migration season. Fort De Soto is a magnet for birds. In fact there have been 337 species sighted at the park and reported to eBird as of this writing. Ron Smith has noted that a Western Grebe was observed and photographed […]
Burrowing Owl at Brian Piccolo Park, 12/27/2015
My father and I just returned from a 3 day excursion through South Florida in search of birds we’ve never seen before. We had a very successful trip. We found 104 species over the three days, including 6 species I’ve never seen in Florida: Neotropic Cormorant, Western Spindalis (lifer), Egyptian Goose, Bronzed Cowbird, Red-wiskered Bulbul […]
Birds “Walk” on Water to Impress Mates
If you think dating is hard, be glad you’re not a grebe. These North American waterbirds have high standards when it comes to attracting and keeping a mate: If either a male or female grebe can’t “walk” on water, they’re out of luck. Western and Clark’s grebes engage in a maneuver called rushing during the […]
Bosque del Apache NWR by Don Getty – Part 3
Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is a premier location for winter birding and bird photography. November and December are the best months. Bosque is located in New Mexico about 95 mile south of Albuquerque. The small community of Socorro, 19 mile north of the Refuge, offers a good variety of hotels and restaurants. When […]