Birding with an experienced guide with a destination in mind.
A White Ibis moves across the tidal flats of South Padre Island’s Birding and Nature Center in the morning light. Its long, curved red bill probes through shallow water, expertly locating hidden crustaceans beneath the surface. The blue eye stands out against its white plumage, a striking feature at close range. Morning feeding is common,…
A rare Summer Tanager spotted in Qualicum Beach over Valentine’s weekend created rare winter excitement on Vancouver Island. This bright yellow individual, a female or immature, shows olive upperparts and a thick pale bill. Summer Tanagers breed in the southern United States and rarely are seen in British Columbia. This makes a Qualicum Beach sighting…
A Great Egret stands quietly in the mangroves at the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center. This elegant white wader belongs to the heron family Ardeidae, which includes herons, egrets, and bitterns. Members of this family hunt patiently, using long legs and spear-like bills to capture fish, frogs, and crustaceans. The species scientific name…
A Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Nyctanassa violacea rests in mangrove branches along the South Padre Island boardwalk in Texas. The pale gray body contrasts with its bold black face and bright white crown stripe. Even in midday, these herons often gather quietly in shaded mangroves to rest between feeding periods. You can get a great look at…
Next week we’re heading to Costa Rica for a birding adventure, and before we even pack our binoculars, there’s one tool we always turn to first: eBird. For many birders, eBird is where we log our sightings. But when it comes to planning a trip, it’s also one of the most powerful birding tools available. Here’s exactly how we…
The Brown Pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis) is a common site in Rockport, Texas Harbor. We observed one from Captain Tommy’s boat during a Rockport Birding and Kayak Adventures tour. This coastal bird shows a brown body and pale head in breeding season and it’s signature bill built for fishing. Brown Pelicans plunge-dive headfirst into Aransas Bay…
A Black-bellied Whistling-Duck greets birders as a welcome party at the entrance to the South Padre Island World Birding Center. This January morning photo shows the duck standing on the grass near several nearby flocks gathering around the entrance area. Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks are one of only two whistling duck species in the United States, along…
At Aransas National Wildlife Refuge on the Texas Gulf Coast, the American Oystercatcher is a true highlight for birders. Its bold black and white plumage contrasts sharply with its bright orange bill and yellow eye. These striking shorebirds patrol sandy shorelines and oyster reefs along the refuge. They use their strong bills to pry open…
A single whooping crane probes the shallow flats of Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, quietly looking for blue crabs. With careful, deliberate movements, it searches the water for its favorite prey. Blue crabs are the number one preferred food for wintering Whooping Cranes here. Their strong bills are perfectly adapted for grasping and crushing these crustaceans….
The Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) is one of North America’s most striking shorebirds. This stunning photo captures two individuals wading at Leona Turnbull Birding Center in Texas. Note the bold, contrasting black-and-white plumage — a reliable field identification mark. Adults show glossy black upperparts and bright white underparts. The foreground bird shows browner tones, typical…
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