by Marion & Rich Patterson Sometimes, when one is hustling to get to work or an appointment, a streak of feathery color zips in front of the car and perches in a roadside tree. Or an unusual raptor circles the highway. Perhaps a different-looking duck is cruising the edge of a distant pond. Dedicated bird… Read more »
Nature’s Realm During a Pandemic
By Jerry Uhlman What a strange and surreal time we’re living through—and it may be far from over. Yet, in nature’s realm life goes on, seemingly with little awareness of the angst that we humans experience in our daily lives. While illness has been an overarching concern, the ripple effect of the pandemic’s disruption seeped… Read more »
The Well-Equipped Birder: One Size Doesn’t Always Fit All
by Chuck Jakubchak I have used a traditional bino harness for several years but always considered it awkward when wearing or storing. The RYO Ultra-Light Bino Harness caught my eye in a recent issue of Bird Watcher’s Digest because of its thin profile and advertised light weight. I contacted Redstart Birding and ordered the XL… Read more »
Birding the Valencia Region of Spain
by David Warrington / Valencia Birding. Many people throughout the world know Spain for its rich culture and history, gastronomy, and sunny climate. Second only to France as a European tourist destination, it attracts millions of foreign tourists each year. Most of them head for the coastal resorts or the major cities. But for those… Read more »
Let’s Go for a Walk!
By Karen Schmidt A couple weeks ago, contributor Karen Schmidt shared some interesting crow and eagle interactions she witnessed in Seattle’s University District in her debut blog post. She joins us again to take us on a peaceful and birdy lakeside walk near her home. On May 1, I left my house to attempt a… Read more »
A Much-Needed Break
by Brandon Holland It was a day when everything just fell into place, a rarity for the past month. I had woken up and was letting my dog out. I grabbed my binoculars, just in case—you never know what little gem will be waiting for you just outside your door. I had recently moved, and… Read more »
Discovering Wild Birds in Seattle’s University District
by Karen Schmidt If it were not for the COVID-19 virus, I would have missed seeing the most amazing wild bird interaction this morning. Normally I would not be having a cup of coffee on my front porch at 10 a.m. on a Monday. I would be doing something more “useful”… like going to work…. Read more »
Five Things a Brooding Birder Must Do to Emerge for Spring
by Bryony Angell It’s been a looooong winter, and one of many changes. Not just for me, but the world at large. I moved house and city, and the coronavirus hit. The “Brooding birder” title of this post is a bit of a pun, the “brooding” for emerging from winter, but also describing how bummed… Read more »
Beggar Birds: Where Have All the French Fries Gone?
by Joseph Downs Holy earthworms, sunflower seeds, and suet! You think you have your hands full with the coronavirus pandemic? You should be one of the feathered friends who are essential to the psychological economy of our kind. Then you would know how it is when push comes to shove. I live on the fourth… Read more »
Undefeated
by Tom Ferguson I grew up in Texas, playing football. Then I joined the Army and became an Airborne Ranger. I was sure I was unbreakable. Ranger school is the world’s most stressful school, and I survived. After military service, I jumped headfirst into the culinary world. I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America… Read more »