Zimbabwe Nov 2017: Mana Pools NP
Our 12-day African safari began on the eastern edge of Mana Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe. From our bush camps at Ruckomechi and neighbouring Little Ruckomechi, we enjoyed exploring a range of habitats teeming with wonderful wildlife. Elephants were among the first to greet us, as they roamed freely amongst the tents. We…
Sri Lanka Jan 2018 : Yala NP & Lowland Wetlands
Our last destination was the magnificent Yala National Park, Sri Lanka’s second largest and most popular park, hugging the Indian Ocean along the southeast coast. Encompassing nearly 400 square miles of habitat, mostly off-limits to visitors, the park is famous for a high density of leopards, along with abundant elephants, deer, monkeys, and birds. We…
Sri Lanka Jan 2018 : Horton Plains & Highlands
In the south-central highlands around Nuwara Eliya, we reached elevation 6000 ft at the very scenic Horton Plains National Park. Our morning in the park dawned in a swirling mist that gave way to expansive stunning vistas. Amid undulating grasslands framed by lush green valleys and mountain peaks, we found a wonderful assortment of birds…
Sri Lanka Jan 2018 : Sinharaja Forest Reserve
We began our wonderful 11-day adventure in Sri Lanka with an overnight stay in an ocean-side hotel a short distance from the Colombo Airport. Our time there was brief, but we enjoyed observing fishermen launch their boats at sunrise, and seeing Whiskered Terns dive and swirl over the waves. From there, we worked our way southeast…
BOOK REVIEW: “Birding Without Borders”
On January 1, 2015, Noah Strycker began an epic quest to find more than 5,000 bird species in one year. The number would shatter previous “Big Year” records; the pace would exhaust the hardiest travelers. In his book “Birding Without Borders,” published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2017, Noah describes the experience with riveting prose…
2017 Another Exciting Year
2017 was a year of spectacular wildlife experiences, creating inspiration and reflection to underscore how fortunate I am to travel the world in a “job” that I love. I’m delighted to highlight some of my favorite memories with you, in these stories and photos. I spent much of the first quarter of the year on…
Excitement in an Instant: The Dall’s Porpoise
The Dall’s Porpoise is a master of surprise. One moment, you’re at the head of a ship, motoring through the dark waters of one of Alaska’s deep underwater canyons, and then in an instant these magnificent creatures appear. While observing some rather distant Humpback Whales aboard the Northern Song, a small pod of these…
Cooperative Feeding Nets Success for Humpback Whales
The cold, dark waters of Southeast Alaska are mysterious and magical. While motoring through the massive fjords and smaller channels, one might think that these waters were barren and empty. However, they are teeming with life, from the smallest organisms to the massive beasts that lurk in the depths. At one moment the water…
Stopping Time: The Story of a Parula and a Cherry Tree
“Experiences are much more valuable than things. Things break. We get tired of playing with them. Experiences though, are a part of us forever. Long after returning home from an adventure, we continue to share stories and photos of our travels with friends and family, while looking forward to the next great experience!” –…