Night deepens in this Costa Rican reserve, where our tour group has special permission to stay until after dark. Black are the shapes of roosting guans, the silhouette of a forest falcon. A sleepy quetzal stirs. Jupiter and its moons shine overhead. A tarantula hulks … Continue readingNightfall in Monteverde Cloud Forest
I’m thinking back to Australia today! Here’s another vignette from last summer’s trip. At the beginning of our trip, Jim bravely drove us out of the Sydney airport and headed for Glen Davis, en route to Bowra Station, using my 20-year-old map of New South … Continue readingSludgie-that’s-Mudgee
In Hawaii, wandering atop the dark lava flows (only recently colonized by ‘ohi’a shrubs), is a small goose, the Nene. I marvel that a waterbird, a goose, is at home on these rough lava beds. Nene on the Big Island (Photo by Narca) … Continue readingA Goose on the Lava Flows??
Ringtail (Pen and ink by Narca) While assembling art for my book, I was very struck by the fact that such diverse mammals have evolved the same arresting tail pattern. Check it out! Ring-tailed Lemurs (Pen and ink by Narca) These animals aren’t closely … Continue readingWhat’s in a Tail Pattern?
What is it about oceanic islands that exerts such a siren call? What comprises the allure of farflung bits of volcanic rock and mounds of sand ringed by coral reefs, where seabirds nest in clamorous multitudes? To name just one marvel, the flight of albatrosses … Continue readingThe Realm of Albatrosses
A year ago on the Atascosa Highlands Christmas Bird Count south of Tucson, Alan and I encountered a little Whiskered Screech-Owl at its day roost. The owlet perched at the entrance to its roost cavity, comfortably soaking up the sunshine on that wintry day. A … Continue readingWhiskered Screech-Owl
In most autumns, the Rabbitbrush and Desert Broom burst into bloom, and they are both fabulous butterfly attractants. This year, after our very light monsoon, flowers are scarce around Portal, Arizona. But last week, Noel Snyder noticed an especially fine mass of Rabbitbrush blooming along … Continue readingCycles
It’s just after dawn, and the rising sun hits our outside sleeping deck. We’re in the mountains of central Idaho at the home of our long-time friends, Fred and Melly Zeillemaker. Fred retired from the US Fish and Wildlife Service after a career of managing … Continue readingAt Fred and Melly’s Cabin
Common Ringlet at Ruby Lake NWR (Photo by Narca) The road north brings us to another stellar oasis: Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge. Pahranagat means “valley of shining waters” in the Paiute language. Large thermal springs feed a system of wetlands, where impoundments assure water … Continue readingFinding Refuge in Nevada
The long drive north from Arizona to Idaho brings the perfect opportunity to revisit our favorite refuges in Nevada and to explore new ground. We pick up our friend Rich Hoyer in Tucson, and the three of us set off on a three-day camping trip … Continue readingNevada Oasis