Tag Archives: birds

Western Canada: Day-2

On 31 May we traveled from Fort Nelson, British Columbia to Watkins Lake, Yukon. The day “looked” like it would be aquick trip, but stops doubled the travel time. The highlight of the day was Pink Mountain. We drove to a height of over 8,000 feet where we were above the tree line. One ofContinue reading “Western Canada: Day-2”

Whitefish Point – A rare bird shows up

You never quite know what to expect bird wise when you’re at Whitefish Point. I am always interested in what raptors appear, when they appear and in what numbers. Rough-legged Hawks seem to fly in any weather, regardless of the temperature or wind direction. The same applies to Sharp-shinned Hawks and Turkey Vultures. Red-tailed HawksContinue reading “Whitefish Point – A rare bird shows up”

Traveling in the South – packing to leave Dauphin Island

It’s a busy morning as we are getting ready to head slightly north where for two days we will have no internet service. So here are a few drawings of mostly birds from the trip. Winter Wren and Bald Cyprus – typically how the trip starts, and sometimes ends. Usually these two bright warblers (HoodedContinue reading “Traveling in the South – packing to leave Dauphin Island”

Traveling in the south – almost to Alabama

On our way to Alabama we stopped at the Blackwater State Forest visiting several sites that had the potential for interesting plants and birds. The dominant warbler of the day was Pine Warbler while the most common woodpecker that we saw was Red-Headed Woodpecker. Blue corporal dragonflies were quite common, especially near the wetlands. MischievousContinue reading “Traveling in the south – almost to Alabama”

Traveling in the South – birds in flight and more

We spent another great day looking at nature, this time with our longtime friends Roger and Dawn. WE were at Orlando Wetlands. This is an Anhinga heading to a nest. Here’s a Northern Harrier looking for food. A Tricolored Heron heading to it’s nest. I learned this bird as a Louisiana Heron many years ago.Continue reading “Traveling in the South – birds in flight and more”

Traveling in the South – Apopka Wildlife Drive

The Apopka Wildlife Drive, which is open only on weekends is one of my favorite places to visit when we are in New Smyrna Beach. The birds are rather tame and close to the roads like this Anhinga. Another Anhinga having a lunchtime snack. A Bald Eagle on nest and an Osprey on nest withContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Apopka Wildlife Drive”

Traveling in the South – Time for a Bioblitz

Sunset the other night as Susan and I were settin up moth sheets at the Marine Discovery Center in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The bright object in the sky is Mercury. Perhaps our most interesting moth was a Four-spotted Palpitha Moth.in a flowering shrub near one of our set-ups. During the day we found EchoContinue reading “Traveling in the South – Time for a Bioblitz”

Traveling in the south – Visiting a waterfowl preserve

The ever-present Myrtle Warbler. There’s a big problem in southern wetlands. The non-native invasive Gray-headed Swamphen (right) is displacing the native Purple Gallinule (left). Red-shouldered Hawks are common in Florida. These two birds were perched some 100 m. apart. The one on the left in a non-adult, while the one on the right is anContinue reading “Traveling in the south – Visiting a waterfowl preserve”

Traveling in the south – Sugar Mill Gardens

Live oak covered with Spanish moss (not a real moss but a member of the genus Tillandsia, which makes it a flowering plant. There is also ball moss (another Tillandsia), resurrection fern and some Florida butterfly orchids as well as lichens. This tree is a true ecosystem onto itself. Here is a mix of ballContinue reading “Traveling in the south – Sugar Mill Gardens”