Birdwatching

Bird Tours | Birds | Birdwatching | Ecotourism | Herons | Nature | Texas | Wildlife Photography

Great Egret in the Magroves at Birding and Nature Center
ByMichael Klotz March 15, 2026March 15, 2026

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…

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Bird Tours | Birdwatching | Herons | Nature | Texas | Urban Wildlife | Wildlife Photography

Yellow-crowned Night-heron – South Padre Island, TX
ByMichael Klotz March 13, 2026March 13, 2026

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…

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Birdwatching | British Columbia | Photography | Rare Bird

Taiga Bean Geese – Port Renfrew, BC
ByMichael Klotz March 12, 2026March 12, 2026

Birders are flocking to the San Juan River in Port Renfrew, BC, to see two very rare Taiga Bean Geese. These uncommon Eurasian visitors have been consistently hanging out in the river over the last couple months. This offers a remarkable opportunity for West Coast birding enthusiasts. Taiga Bean Geese show dark chocolate-brown heads, pale-edged…

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Bird Tours | Birdwatching | Conservation | Costa Rica | Ecotourism | Travel

From Hotspots to Lifers: How We Plan a Birding Trip Using eBird
ByCarli March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

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…

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Bird Tours | Birdwatching | Ecotourism | Seabirds | Texas | Urban Wildlife | USA | Wildlife Photography

Brown Pelican in Rockport Harbor, TX
ByMichael Klotz March 11, 2026March 11, 2026

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…

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Beaches | Bird Tours | Birdwatching | Nature | Texas | Travel | Wildlife Photography

American Oystercatcher in Aransas, Texas
ByMichael Klotz March 10, 2026March 10, 2026

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…

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Bird Tours | Birdwatching | Conservation | Cranes | Ecotourism | Photography | Rare Bird | Texas | Wildlife Photography

Whooping Crane in Aransas NWR, TX
ByMichael Klotz March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

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….

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Bird Tours | Birds | Birdwatching | Sandpipers | Texas | Wildlife Photography

Black-necked Stilts at Leona Turnbull Birding Center, Texas
ByMichael Klotz March 9, 2026March 9, 2026

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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Bird Tours | Birdwatching | Travel | Vancouver

Best Birding in Vancouver: 5 Incredible Spots for Every Season!
ByCarli February 18, 2026February 19, 2026

Vancouver is one of the most rewarding birding regions in Canada. Thanks to its coastal location, river deltas, forested parks, mountain trails and wetlands, birders can experience incredible diversity year-round. These locations are often within a short drive of downtown. Whether you’re visiting or local, these five birding hotspots consistently deliver. Why Vancouver Is One…

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Bird Tours | Birds | Birdwatching | Conservation | Cranes | Ecotourism | Excursions | Rare Bird | Texas | Travel | USA | Wildlife Photography

Whooping Crane – Aransas NWR, TX
ByMichael Klotz February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

Few sights in North American birding feel as meaningful as watching a Whooping Crane at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge. This is especially true of one striding through the shallows with a hard-won blue crab dangling from its bill. We took a boat tour with Rockport Birding and Kayak Adventures staring Captain Tommy. The real stars…

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