December 11 – We began this morning in further exploration of the Tagdilt Tract, outside the town of Boumalne.  We had spent some time here last night, and were eager to follow new “pistes” (off-road tracks) to see where they might lead us.   One of our first sightings was of a Red Fox, pausing…

December 10 – Today we departed early from the deep desert of Morocco and traveled northwest towards Boumalne.  Multiple stops provided plenty to see and experience along the way.   We pulled over to inspect a long-abandoned well dug deep into the ground.  It looked like a mini volcano protruding up from the sandy landscape,…

December 9 – This morning’s highlight was a sunrise camel ride along the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi.  We awoke before 5 am and dressed warmly to journey via 4×4 vehicle down a long sand track.  It was still dark when we arrived at the staging area where camels and their attendants awaited tourists.  The…

December 8 – Our adventures in southern Morocco continued this morning with an early departure from Zagora, driving north then east to eventually reach another part of the Sahara Desert.   Within a half-hour of driving, Mustapha spotted a perched raptor on a distant electric tower – our first Barbary Falcon! A few minutes later…

Day 7 –  A thousand shades of earth tones sparkled from the desert as we explored the Erg (sand dunes) around M’Hamid. The region attracts tourists with 4×4 rides through the sands, camel trekking, and a chance to spend the night in a bivouac like the nomads. After a brief morning tour of the close…

Day 6 – After a traditional, carb-heavy breakfast of bread, crepes, corncake and jam, we checked out of the Kasbah Sirocco and got on the road a little after 8 am. We stopped at the main town circle for quick photos of the sign pointing the way to Timbuktu, “52 jours” away. Centuries ago, Zagora…

December 5 –  Today, our journey around southern Morocco approached the edge of the Sahara. We departed early, from our lovely lodge in Taroudannt, to make the long drive eastwards, destination Zagora.   Passing groves of olive and argana, we spotted now-familiar species of Moussier’s Redstart, Maghreb Shrike, Common Kestrel, Common Bulbul, and White Wagtails.…

December 4 –  Today we focused on birding locally in the Souss Valley, fertile lands bordered by the High Atlas Mountains to the north, Anti Atlas Mountains to the south and east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. We spent a few minutes before breakfast on the building’s rooftop, counting an amazing number of…

December 3 – Today we birded the picturesque beaches and rocky cliffs of Morocco’s scenic Atlantic Coast, north of Agadir. We arose early and after a full, delicious breakfast, we jumped into our vehicle and headed due west along the main highway to the coast from Taroudannt. Monday morning activity included cheerful students walking, biking or…

  December 2 –  We awoke before dawn, in time to see the sky lighten in lovely shades of purple, orange around the jagged mountain peaks. The sun rose above the reservoir, highlighting a brilliant blue sky and sparkling, snow-covered landscape. We bundled-up and stepped outside into crisp air, silent except for our boots crunching…

December 1 –  Our journey to the edge of the sahara began yesterday with a late-afternoon flight from JFK Airport in NYC, arriving in Casablanca today, December 1, around 6 am local time. After several hours layover in a near-empty terminal, we completed the 40-minute domestic flight to Marrakesh, where we moved quickly through customs,…

Oct 11:  We awoke to another lovely, brisk morning on Bruny Island, off the southeast coast of Tasmania.  It was bittersweet, as today was our last day of birding, the end of an expansive avian tour of Australia.  We began exploring the flowering eucalyptus trees behind the porches of our Cottages, seeking better views of…