Introduction This past summer my wife and I embarked on a road trip like we have never done before. We purchased our 2022 Black Series HQ17 in December 2022 with this road trip in mind. I also purchased a 2022 F250 Platinum with 6.7L Diesel Engine to pull it. While we did a handful of […]
Black Series HQ17 Upgrade Usefulness Report Read More »
Barrow, Alaska (now officially called Utqiagvik) might well be the most unique and interesting place that I have ever been. I want to go back!
Although birding Barrow in the summer is fantastic, and I will get to that, this town is loaded with history and culture, new and old.
Birding Barrow – Definitely Worth It Read More »
Lewis’s Woodpecker, “Oh Canada”, what a great first bird to identify. This bird, which I had only seen a couple of times in Idaho a few days earlier was sitting on the telephone pole pecking away at something.
Birding British Columbia and the Yukon Read More »
“I’ve been from Phoenix, Arizona all the Way to Tacoma…” This Steve Miller song parallels this blog in many ways.
Part 5 – From Condor to Cassia Crossbill Read More »
There is something about Las Vegas that attracts many birds to stop off or become resident when many others of their species pass it by in their migration patterns. Could it be the bright lights of the strip?
Take a Chance on Birding Las Vegas Read More »
The next leg of the journey was one of the most anticipated parts of the entire trip. The sky islands of Southeast Arizona rise from the desert floor to reach 9000+ feet above sea level. They create an American oasis for biodiversity.
Part 3 – Birding Southeast Arizona My Way Read More »
Christmas Mountain Oasis is Ground Zero for the Lucifer Hummingbird. For decades Carolyn Olm has developed and nurtured her desert property in Brewster County into a year-round haven for birds.
Part 2 – The West Texas Birding Two-step Read More »
Months of planning and preparation was seamlessly executed before loading the Black Series HQ17 travel trailer, hooking it to my Ford F250 and heading south to Alaska from Lone Grove, Oklahoma.
Alaska, A Journey not a Destination Read More »
I have one more comment on Florida Scrub-jay. Why is it not the State Bird? Floridians should fight for this designation and honor a bird that is uniquely Florida.
Florida Scrub-jays to Piping Plovers Read More »
One of the most dramatic sightings was the flock of Snow Geese. Thousands of birds filling the sky as far as the eye can see and making a landing in a nearby field. It was like a swarm of mosquitos from a bad dream, except it was beautiful.
A Road Trip for the Aged?, Ages Read More »
Birding Andalucia offers a unique birding opportunity due to its proximity to the Straits of Gibraltar. This close point of approach to Africa becomes a major migration route as well as a spillway for African birds to reside in this part of Spain.
Birding Andalucia – A Lifetime of Memories Read More »
And so the time came to pass that another non-birding vacation would begin. It had been nearly twenty years since I visited my wife’s home country, so I guess it was long overdue and what was required of me was to suck it up and not worry too much about Czech birding.
Checking the Box on Wintertime Czech Birding Read More »
There were at least two things that I was really looking forward to. One was meeting up with my uncle, Clyde Stephens, to do some serious birding with him for the first time. Second, was to bird in higher elevations to see birds that have not been available at any of the locations that I have birded so far this trip. Birding Chiriquí would surely be an exciting time.
Birding Chiriqui Highlands – Part 6 – Birding Panama Read More »
The time had arrived to fly the nest. No more will we wake up and walk to a table where the coffee is ready and a hot breakfast is placed in front of you, ditto for lunch and dinner. No more will we be escorted to the best birding locations that years of local knowledge have uncovered. No more will we follow the top guides in Panama around that hear and track down every little tweet in the jungle and provide 100% confidence in the identification of the birds that we see. Those days are over.
Provincia de Veraguas – Part 5 – Birding Panama Read More »
The accommodation at the Canopy Lodge was wildly different than in the Darién. The facility has more of a resort hotel vibe compared to the eco-lodge vibe of the Darién property.
El Valle de Anton – Birding Panama – Part 4 Read More »
What comes to mind when you mention the Darién? Everything from “Huh? What’s that?”, to “That’s a really dangerous place to go.” to “That seems like an amazing and beautiful place!”. I was always in line with the latter response and was anxious to validate my preconceived thoughts.
The Amazing Darién – Part 3 of Birding Panamá Read More »
No disrespect meant to birding in Panama City, but now begins the epic birding adventure that I have been so eagerly anticipating.
Birding Around Gamboa – Part 2 of Birding Panama Read More »
In a metropolis of 2 million people, there are plenty of great birding locations to explore before heading out to other destinations.
Birding Panama – Part 1 – Birding Panama City Read More »
The next morning, we hit the ground running. We headed straight for Volcano’s National Park. They have a great visitor center and very good access along the crater rim of Kilauea. We hiked along the rim and down into the Thurston Lava Tube.
Hawaii Birding – Part 5 – The Big Finale/Island Read More »
. If Molokai is where you must go, then bird it. If you are visiting other islands in the chain, then there is no reason to include Molokai on the itinerary.
Birding Hawaii – Part 4 – Molokai Read More »
