Blue-footed Booby

I had to be in San Diego today, so I got up early and drove an hour north to Lake Skinner Recreational Area with hopes of finding a Blue-footed Booby.  Several had been seen in this area recently.  I had no problem finding the lake, with a little help from "Susie," my Apple Maps assistant!   I paid my $6 fee, and the attendant showed me a beautiful picture someone had recently taken of the booby, with the added caution, "Some people see them and some don't.  I haven't.   Good luck."   With that stirring endorsement, I headed down to the lake.  Today luck was with me.  Within 15 minutes, I found four of them, sitting on the edge of the far dock at the small marina.  I stood on the shore of the lake and watch them for 30 minutes.  They rested, preened and moved around a little but never left the dock.  The scope views I had were magnificent, with the sun directly behind my back. What a fun experience to see this bird in the United States.   

A little cold....but the Nutcracker's were fine

This morning we went for a hike in Big Cottonwood Canyon.  There was a light covering of snow and ice on the trail up to Donut Falls.  It was a chilly 27 degrees!    We enjoyed our hike, and especially seeing a huge bull moose just 20 feet off the trail.   He snorted, looked very carefully at us, his big eyes focused intently and then with a huff and swish of the big clump of hair hanging below his throat, he settled down in the snow to rest.

The birding was light, but I enjoyed watching a group of Mountain Chickadees grabbing a breakfast snack and then watching several Clark's Nutcrackers flying around.  Their gray and white plumage stood out against the green branches of the pine trees, and their big bills searched for something to eat.  One flew across the canyon, fluttering as it went with the contrast of the dark wings and lighter body standing out.

Nice morning!

Birding in Jamaica

As always, I tried to squeeze in some birding during a recent family vacation in Jamaica.   One place that I wouldn't miss is Rocklands Bird Sanctuary just a few minutes out of Montego Bay.  A fun place to visit....although the last mile or two of the trip is up a pretty winding narrow road.    Go slow.   

I went there twice.  The first visit was in the late afternoon and we took the family.  We spent a couple of hours in the gardens, with one highlight clearly being having the hummingbirds (Streamertails) come and actually sit on your hand while drinking out of small tubes of sugar water.  It is a great place to take those non-birders who are trying to indulge you in your birding passion.  Everyone loved it.  Carribbean Doves, Jamaican Mangos and Orangequits, among others were easy to see.  

My second visit was an early morning guided birding trip with Flex, who manages the place now.  He did a  nice job, has great ears and knows the local  birds.   We spent several hours walking the trails around the place.  We started at sunrise.  It was amazing what diversity there was within a mile of the house.  We saw about 30 species, with a number of them being endemics to Jamaica.   Well worth the trip.  

Papa Birder

Unexpected Birding

Today I took the train to New York. Half way there the train broke down. As luck would have it, my seat on the train gave me a limited view of a bay and some wooded areas. I decided to bird while waiting for the train to be repaired. It took an hour or so, but at least I had a challenge ahead of me. Birding from a seat in a stopped train!

Although the number of species was limited, it was fun to see what I could find. Watching a crow chase a Bald Eagle was probably the highlight, but I also enjoyed watching Eastern Kingbirds feed on some bright red e berries.

Less than 10 species, but certainly a new experience. Grab it while you can.

Birding at Red Rocks

I was able to squeeze in a couple of hours just after sunrise to do a little birding at Red Rocks park near Denver. It was a nice break. Beautiful weather and gorgeous scenery. Only 17 species in the little time I had, but the birds were fun. Lots of scrub-jays, one big flock of Chipping and Lark Sparrows and two Prairie Falcons sitting in a dead snag, calling continually and a Sage Thrasher letting me watch him close up

White Morph of Great Blue

While driving to Deep Creek, the other day, I stopped at Big Pond, at Fort Fredrick to see the Great Blue Heron. But, not just any Big Blue! As you can see this is the much more unusual "white" morph....especially in Maryland. Not the greatest picture, but note the heavy, large bill. It was only ten yards from the trail.

Quick trip to Antelope Island

During a quick weekend trip to Utah I had a few extra hours and so I took a quick trip to Antelope island. It was amazing to see over 500 American Avocets with there cinnamon heads and up curved bills. I also saw 17 Chukars, the most I've ever seen at one time. All in all, a short, but nice break.

Warbler Morning at Rock Creek Park.

It was awful early when the alarm went off at 5:30 am! But it was the only day that I would be able to go down and join the group watching for new warblers during this spring migration in Rock Creek Park. There is a wonderful group of birders that meet every morning---and have for years!

Daniel and I made it down there and spent a few hours searching the tops of the oak trees. After holding the binoculars and bending your neck scanning the tops of trees for several hours, you end up with what affectionately referred to as "warbler neck." Unfortunately it was a slow day for migrants---but just as we were getting ready to leave, we spotted the striking Blackburnian Warbler. This is one of the most gorgeous birds in the United States (of course some of us think all birds are in their own way), with a bright orange face and neck that just blows you mind when the suns catches it just right!

Many a birder have started their birding lives after seeing this bird! Every time I see this bird, I can understand wow! One lady that was with our group had never seen one before. After watching this orange fireball dance around in the branches, she dropped her binoculars and literally yelled out in joy.

St Thomas Birding Adventures

We had a wonderful spring break in St. Thomas. Of course, I spent time every day checking out the birds of both St. Thomas and St. Johns. After birding St. Thomas four or five times, I didn't expect to find any new birds. But, it was a great week. I saw 39 species, including one new lifer! But more to come on that in a minute!

At the Ritz, where we stayed, I saw 21 species including a White-crowned Pigeon, Smooth-billed Ani, White-winged Dove and a Ruddy Turnstone (complete with its bright orange legs) that I had not seen around the hotel before. We also found a Green-throated Carib sitting on a nest about ten feet up in a tree and a pair of Kestrels that Katharine and I found while kayaking to "Secret Beach" and which screeched at us as they were determine to defend their nesting site.

The highlight of the week, however, was my morning trip to St. Johns. I caught the 6:30 am car ferry from Red Hook and landed in St. Johns just before 7:00 am. Within minutes of driving out from the ferry landing, I had stopped and watched a pair of Lesser Antillean Bullfinches jumping from branch to branch as they grabbed some breakfast, with their reddish throat and under-tail coverts contrasting with their black bodies and flashing in the early morning sun rays.

But I had other goals. For three years I have come to St. Johns and looked for the elusive Bridled Quail-Dove. This ground dwelling plump dove can only be found in dense mountain forests with thick undergrowth in a few of the islands in the Lesser Antilles and Virgin Islands. It looks like a large brownish dove, but with a large white strip below its eye and greenish iridescence on the back of its neck. I headed up Centerline Road and stopped at the head of a hiking trail to Cinnamon Bay. I hiked the entire length of the road, sweating pouring off my head as the sun begin to beat down. Around each bend I searched the trail scanning up and down the mountainside on each side and finally ending up at Cinnamon Bay, but no Quail-Dove. I was disappointed, thinking that once again, I had failed in my quest! However, on the way back, just 20 feet in front of me, I found the treasure, as the beautiful bird walked across the trail and then graciously posed on the side giving me the looks that I wanted. As it slowly made its way up the steep embankment on the other side of the trail, I did my best to quietly follow it for another 100 yards or so. Success! I throw up both arms and silently mouthed "YEAH!"

Before heading back home, I spent an hour at Francis Bay, picking up the normal species around the pond, including a pair of Clapper Rails and lots of Antillean Crested Hummingbirds, with their short bills, and pointed green crest.

Mangrove Cuckoos, Brown-throated Parakeets, Scaly-napped Pigeon, Sandwich Tern and White-checked Pintail were all nice additions to the week.

Finally got it! Prairie Falcon.

Went birding in Utah with my dad and Nathan. We spent some time on the Provo River, and found some Dippers in a snow storm. Later in the morning, down by Utah Lake, we were looking for a Harris Sparrow, when a Prairie Falcon flew by, not 50 yards away. I have missed this bird a number of times and was thrilled to finally pick it up. ABA Number 531.

In late January, while on a business trip to Grand Cayman, I was able to sneak in a morning of birding. I had a great guide and found most of my target birds.

In mid January, I was able to get in a day of birding while in Utah for some meetings. We visited the Riverside Golf Course, as well as other areas near Salem. I found my first Red-breasted Merganzer, got a great look at a Lewis Woodpecker and we also found a nice flock of Bohemian Waxwings

Today was a real treat. Right here at home in Rockville, Maryland, we were able to find a Northern Saw-whet Owl. This cute little owl is only eight inches tall and was roosting in a Juniper Tree about nine feet off the ground. This was a life bird for me.

We are in Utah for Amy and Nathan's Open House. I was able to do some birding with daddy. On Thursday, in Salem, we saw two Red-breasted Mergansers--a life bird for me. We also were able to watch a large flock of Bohemian Waxwings in Provo.

I spent a few quick hours in Central Park in New York. It was a cold morning, but the highlight was finding a Screech Owl sitting in a cavity in a tree. Can you believe that I forgot my camera!

St. Thomas in November.

Our big trip to Africa. We spent two weeks in South Africa, mostly seeing wildlife, but we did find a little time to go birding.

My first big trip to Costa Rica. We had three great days of birding and saw 200 species of birds.

Our family headed out to Utah today for Amy and Nathan's Open House. Robert was able to sneak in a few hours of birding with grandpa----and saw one new life bird, a Red-breasted Merganser. Wow!!!

Daniel has been working hard. We were able to get him to squeeze in some time to power wash the swing set in our back yard. It is freezing outside, but he was determined to get the job done.