My husband spends many hours every week at the beach on the Atlantic Ocean, about 15 minutes from our home in southeast Florida. We are blessed to be able to enjoy so many aspects of nature where we live. Although I usually go birding first thing in the morning, he suggested I go with him […]
Went birding at a little park across from the beach the other day, but there were no birds to be seen. All I found was this Golden Silk Orb Weaver, hanging in front of me, its immense web stretched across the walking path. I’d never seen such gigantic spiders till I moved to Florida – […]
Moments after I had passed the [human] fishermen and crabbers setting up their gear at the water’s edge early yesterday morning, I spotted this determined Yellow-crowned Night Heron, hiding in the shadows, out of sight of the humans! He looked quite self-satisfied As I approached, he gave me a slightly nervous, momentary glance, when he […]
Humans have a curious need to classify the elements of the natural world around us, and to assign names to these wonders. I wrote last week about my experiences with learning to identify birds, and how important this also seems to be to passersby who often ask, “Excuse me, but do you know which bird […]
As dusk closed in, the graceful flock of Glossy Ibis featured above sailed toward me in the waning light. From a distance, I wasn’t quite sure what they were, but as soon as I could discern their body shape and size, it was clear that these were Glossy Ibis and not some other wetland bird […]
Sometimes we are lucky enough to encounter beauty in the world around us when we least expect it. One recent morning, while I was busy looking down instead of up, the Roseate Spoonbill featured above (and below) in this post just appeared out of nowhere! Suddenly someone called out, “Oh, look, a Roseate Spoonbill!”, and I was fortunate […]
It seemed a bit late in the morning to be heading out for my walk the other day . . . nearly 9:30 am already. . . I never go birding that late! By then, the sun is getting hot and high in the sky, and mid-morning is generally past the birds’ most active […]
When I’m out strolling with my camera, people passing by often ask, “Did you see anything interesting today?” I always wonder how anyone could actually be out here in the marshes and wetlands, and ask this question! 😉 There is so much beauty and wonder that I respond every time with a resounding, “YES!” […]
We have incredible skies in South Florida, and they are exceptionally beautiful in the fall when we see “rainbow clouds” like the ones above. The sun hides behind a large growing mass of clouds just before an impending storm, and the colors are as brilliant as a rainbow. What a striking scene to behold! As […]
Just as I was finishing my walk this morning, a huge and powerful Great Blue Heron suddenly appeared out of nowhere and glided right by me at eye level! My camera settings weren’t really right for the moment, yet I couldn’t help but snap a photo when I literally felt the whoosh… of his massive wings as […]
Birder's Journey 