We’re in Anza Borrego State Park, which showcases the Colorado Desert of southern California. Colorado Desert is basically Sonoran Desert, minus the Saguaro, and with other differences in plant and animal species. It is the Californian expression of Sonoran Desert. Not far to the north, … Continue readingPlum Canyon
At the end of February, Wally, Jo Ann, Jim and Kris joined me for a day afield to Whitewater Draw, a state wildlife area north of Douglas, Arizona. Weather couldn’t have sparkled more! And the birds were feeling both the warmth of the day (after … Continue readingMigration!
Greater Sandhill Cranes in early light (Photos by Narca) Sandhill Cranes are a huge draw at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico, and the inspiration for their annual Festival of the Cranes, now in its 24th year. When you rise early, before … Continue readingSandhill Cranes: An Ancient Lineage
Each year we witness grand tides of migratory life. Cranes rattle overhead; geese wing south from their breeding grounds; tiny warblers rain into coastal brush after battling a headwind on their way north across the Gulf of Mexico. And it is possible through banding programs … Continue readingA Snow Goose Named 5-1V
Our party of friends––Tony Donaldson, photographer Bill Mullins, Alan and I––had the opportunity at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge to join Rod Drewien and refuge personnel, including head biologist John Vradenburg, for a morning of duck banding. Banding programs allow biologists to track the … Continue readingA Daze of Ducks
We have just finished another winter stay in the bunkhouse at the headquarters of Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, courtesy of the refuge manager Tom Melanson and our good friend Rod Drewien, who goes each year to count geese for the refuge. This year’s … Continue readingA Bitter Day
A new highway running northwest of Quito carries us to the Mindo region, where long forested ridges drop toward the distant coast. We are entering Pacific-slope cloudforest––verdant, lush, cool, draped with orchids, sheltering brilliant hummingbirds and giant earthworms. Cloudforest atop the ridge at Bellavista (Photos … Continue readingA Ridgetop in Ecuador
Apologies, friends! Life has interfered with my getting back to this blog in a timely fashion. Ecuador is a small jewel of a country, lying astride the Andes. Its volcanoes tower to more than 20,000 feet, and many slopes are still verdant with forest. Can … Continue readingA Five-Antpitta Day!
Well, yes, the rumor floating around is true: my suitcase didn’t go with us to Ecuador. And do you know what? It wasn’t a problem! Amazing what we can get along without, in a pinch! Alan lent me an over-sized field shirt, and my Birkenstock … Continue readingTraveling Lightly
Tohono Chul, a marvelous botanical garden and gallery in Tucson, has invited me to be their Artist-of-the-Month in October. The show runs from October 1 – 31, and I do hope that any of you who are in Tucson in October will be able to … Continue readingTohono Chul