Secretive Heron of the Gallery Forest
Herons, egrets, and storks are always fun birds to observe and photograph. They often congregate together, stalking open wetlands or marshes, hunting patiently for fish or invertebrates in waterways. One special wading bird species requires more planning and patience to observe than most: the reclusive, solitary Agami Heron. This medium-sized heron is notoriously difficult to…
Jaguar, Star of the Pantanal
A major target and highlight of Wildside’s Pantanal tour is Jaguar – the largest cat in the Americas, and the third largest in the world after Tiger and Lion. A population stronghold lives in this vast freshwater wetlands in the Mato Grosso state of Brazil, sustained by ample food resources and a tourist industry that…
IN THE BACKYARD : Philadelphia late-July
Philadelphia has been hot and humid this July, but nature continues her ceaseless march forward, nurturing the next generation of birds and other creatures. My quarter-acre lot is densely planted with native shrubs and trees, providing shade, shelter, and insects for hungry fledglings. House Sparrows, House Finches, Gray Catbirds and American Robins have been busy…
IN THE BACKYARD : Philadelphia early-July
Over the long July 4th weekend I enjoyed relaxing in our backyard with a family of Eastern Screech-Owls. I first discovered them on Friday evening in the bird bath in the last light of the day. I glanced out the window to see two adults, one red and one gray morph. Grays are the more…
Encounter with a Gila Monster
Southeast Arizona is celebrated among US birders for the number of regional specialties and stray Mexican rarities that can be found hidden away in the vast Sky Island region. From Elegant Trogon to Phainopepla, Rufous-capped Warbler to Rivoli’s Hummingbird – even the bird’s names sound crazy! I can’t wait for every August to come around,…
IN THE BACKYARD : Philadelphia late-June
June is the month for breeding bird activity in Philadelphia. A nice variety of common backyard birds breed in or near my garden, finding ample food, cover, and nesting spots among native perennials, shrubs and trees. It’s surprising how many birds inhabit a quarter-acre suburban lot! My peanut and sunflower seed feeders attract a young…
What’s in a Name: Puffin Puffinus
July 3rd was World Seabird Day, and Chris Brown posted a great blog Every Auk has its Day commemorating this important date. In honor of these fascinating birds, and the plights they face around the world, I’d like to share a bit about puffins, one of my favorite seabirds. Puffins are always a crowd-pleaser – with…
Every Auk Has Its Day
“Prophet-like, that lone one stood.” – From the account of the capture of the last Great Auk ever seen in the British Isles, June 1840. Everything has a day, it seems. National Static Electricity Day, Ice Cream for Breakfast Day, which is followed about a week later by National Toothache Day. Timely enough. World Quark…
My Piece of Paradise: Trinidad & Tobago
Written by Roger Neckles Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) is a blessed Caribbean twin island state, situated a mere 6.8 miles off the North East Coast of Venezuela, our closest neighbours. Trinidad measures 1,841 sq mi in area with an average length of 50 mi and an average width of 37 mi. Tobago is approximately…
Endemics of the United States Lower 48
An endemic species is one that is only found within specifically-defined boundaries, ecological areas, or habitats. Endemics can be identified in large or small areas – continents or countries, mountain ranges or islands. In the United States, the continental Lower 48 states encompass ~3 million square miles, and host 15 fully endemic bird species out…
What’s in a Name: A Perfect Pair
In nomenclature of United States birds, there are two husband-wife couples for whom bird species are named. Read on to see who they are. Charles Lucien Bonaparte, Napoleon’s nephew, was a 19th century ornithologist who was widely considered to be the father of American systematic ornithology. Bonaparte’s Gull Chroicocephalus philadelphia bears his name. Bonaparte honored his…
World Rainforest Day 2020
The “lungs of the earth” circle the globe, forming a green belt at the equator. Tropical rainforests in Central and South America, Africa, Southern Asia, and Australia cover about 6% of the planet. This may not seem like much. Yet within these incredible forests live over half the species of plants and animals found in…