Our sojourn with New Mexico Ornithological Society moves on to the Zapata Peninsula on the central south coast of Cuba––a fabled land! Indeed, three birds are named for the region––the Zapata Wren, the Zapata Sparrow, and the Zapata Rail––of those, all are highly adapted to … Continue readingZapata Peninsula
In a brief interlude between major destinations, our group from New Mexico Ornithological Society stays in the lovely hotel of San Diego de los Baños. (Yes––there are hot springs!) San Diego de los Baños (Photo by Narca) Here we (rather carefully) tromp through what came … Continue readingThe Chigger Farm
The next stop in our Cuban journey with New Mexico Ornithological Society is Cueva de los Portales, the impressive limestone cave where Che Guevara hid during the Cuban missile crisis of 1962. One entrance into Cueva de los Portales (Photos by Narca) This 13-day confrontation … Continue readingChe Guevara’s Cave
Eager for our best chance to see a Bee Hummingbird––the world’s smallest bird––we head to Guanahacabibes National Park and Biosphere Reserve near María la Gorda. The region is important for its coral reefs, 4 species of sea turtles, spiny lobsters, and 11 species of birds … Continue readingCuba’s Guanahacabibes National Park
Daybreak at María la Gorda (Photos by Narca) We set out for María la Gorda at the extreme western tip of Cuba. It’s an all-day drive, and our unflinching NMOS leader Dave Krueper (sustained by the whole gang) is not going to leave any Cattle … Continue readingCuba’s Far West
Recently Alan and I joined friends from New Mexico Ornithological Society for a humanitarian trip to Cuba. Our project was––of course!––a bird survey, done under the auspices of Caribbean Conservation Trust. Back in 2004 we made a similar trip with Western Field Ornithologists, and the … Continue readingHavana! Havana!
Years ago in the village of Alamos in Sonora, Mexico, Alan, Beth Russell and I stumbled across this Buff-collared Nightjar. (Maybe stumbled across isn’t quite right––we were out on that chilly night specifically to look for one!) The bird was nestled under a street lamp … Continue readingBuff-collared Nightjar / Field Sketching Workshop
Some places call us repeatedly to return. For most of my family Lake City, Colorado, is such a place, starting with our grandparents in the late 1940s. The ghost town of Carson, with timberline just above (Photos by Narca) Not too far from Lake City are … Continue readingCarson Ghost Town
This morning a small Western Diamondback rattlesnake meandered into the yard. We knew a snake was nearby from the turmoil among the thrashers, cardinals, and Black-throated Sparrows. Nothing else stimulates such a flashing of wings and intense glaring. A family of four Curve-billed Thrashers––both adults … Continue readingSchool for Thrashers
The fires raging in Colorado are reminding many of us of similar recent events on our home turf, and we feel great empathy for the current trauma there. Colorado was my home for many years during childhood, college years and young adulthood, and the scent … Continue readingGreat Sand Dunes National Park