Saturday, January 10, 2009

Buttz!!

Black-and-white Warbler


I received an email from a friend (she says...), Cheryl Harner of the Greater Mohican Audubon http://www.gmasohio.org/ yesterday. She wanted to see more birds from behind, sick girl.

Somehow, I've become known for getting the wrong end of a bird more often than shooting the 'proper' portrait of our little friends. I try to wait for a nice profile, butt, it just doesn't seem to work out that way. For awhile, I was getting frustrated being the butt of fellow birder's jokes. Butt now it's become my goal when out birding. I'm sure I can use the term 'butt' a few more times, butt I'll quit.

Anyway...we have about a foot of snow so far today...and it hasn't stopped coming down. I thought this would be a nice time to look at Spring Warblers, so here ya go. Think warm!


American Redstart

Bay-breasted Warbler

Blackburnian Warbler

Black-throated Green Warbler


Chestnut-sided Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Palm Warbler


...and this is only the beginning!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Wings around the World

The "original Robin...the European Robin.


One of the first things I learned about birders is their friendliness and willingness to teach. After our first bird trip to Florida, we thought we would be satisfied birding in the northern Ohio area with local bird groups...and then we learned about Panama and the Canopy Tower and Gamboa. So, we went to Panama on a tour through Ancon Expeditions.


Our guide, Hernan Arauz, was fantastic and patient and taught us so much about birds, good food and Land Rover history. We had a great group of people to bird with also, some of which we've stayed in touch with over the past few years. We met a birder from England on that trip. He's been around the world birding and shared his knowledge with us. He made the Panama trip all the more special. We've emailed each other weekly sharing our latest birding adventures and daily life adventures since that trip.


In 2007 he invited us into his home in Sheffield, England for a British Birding Bonanza! We had a great time. In between the silliness and great touring about, we had a list of 108 species! We also met a number of his friends and fellow birders and they helped show us a good time. One of his good friends even drove us to Wales (my father's home land) for a day. Who else but a birder would do that?


Red Kite feeding in midair in Wales and a Pied Avocet in Minsmere Nature Reserve
What brought up this latest entry was a comment made by a reader from Tasmania. Who'd have thought, Tasmania?! That's what I've learned about naturalists and birders in particular, they are some of the nicest and most helpful people you will ever meet. We've now met people from Europe, the U.K., South and Central America, Canada and all over the United States.


Now I'm meeting people through this blog from places I might not ever get the chance to visit...but you never know, birders have wings too!