May 19th, 2012
Nikon Monarch binoculars are a favorite among bird watchers and many outdoor enthusiasts because you get a lot for your money compared to other binocular models at the mid-price level. In fact, the Monarchs have some of the same features that higher-priced models have, especially the better quality optics.
The latest model of the Monarchshave several improvements. One that stands out is the new dielectric prism coating.
This particular high-reflective, multi-layer prism layer; earlier just applied to the higher end Nikon EDG field glasses, supplies a brighter, clearer picture of parrots as well as wildlife using crisper hues and it is specifically helpful throughout low-light situations for example at dusk or birth. Monarch usually got excellent optics, these days this particular enhancement by yourself will be worth buying.
Their particular ATB range, that is short for All-Terrain-Binoculars, provides toughness as well as toughness that can tolerate your entire out of doors bird watching activities. All of the ATB types tend to be nitrogen-purged making them 100% water-resistant as well as fog-proof which is a requirement for some bird watching and also just about any out of doors wildlife viewing exercise. It is possible to acquire Monarchs at a less costly price tag that aren’t water-resistant or fog-proof, but it is not suggested. You will never know each time a downpour will appear or perhaps an unpredicted slip into the actual stream.
The particular Nikon Monarch field glasses come in numerous styles, though the 8×42 as well as 10×42 really are a preferred between bird watchers as well as out of doors enthusiasts because the mix of zoom as well as goal zoom lens measurement supplies a excellent balance in between industry associated with see and light-weight indication with regard to ideal bird watching. You will find bird watchers preferring much more zoom or a greater goal zoom lens measurement, yet this will creates the weightier, thicker binocular and/or a single which has a more compact industry associated with see. All round, the actual 8x as well as 10×42 design styles are perfect for various bird watching situations.
An upgraded version with this lines are the actual Nikon Monarch A field glasses. They will incorporate a bit high quality optics and they are specifically best for low-level light bird watching. The higher light indication provides a good brighter picture compared to the normal Monarchs. Furthermore distinctive for the A design will be the browse place storage contours, providing ideal traction force which has a soft-grip tactile surface. The particular Monarch A at the moment will come in 8.5×45 as well as 10×45.
What are criticisms of the Monarchs? A number of spectacles consumers would choose the littler more time attention alleviation for the 10x’s that’s 16mm. A persons vision alleviation for the 8x42s will be 20.6mm that’s ideal. Others have noticed a small softness for the sides for the zoom lens, but for nearly all bird watchers is not actually visible or annoying. A number of specialists possess said that hunting from the Monarchs is absolutely little distinctive from hunting by having a $1,Thousand pair of field glasses. If you cannot spring thousands of dollars for any pair of Swarovski or Leica or Zeiss field glasses, then you definitely must have a critical look on the Monarchs.
To conclude, if you are looking for any mid-level charged bird watching binocular or multi-purpose out of doors binocular, then you definitely must you should think about receiving a pair of Nikon Monarchs; either your family ATB or Monarch A design. A mix of top quality optics, toughness as well as ergonomics help make these types of hard to beat on the $200-$300 price range.
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May 19th, 2012
So Muffers and I spent the afternoon yesterday watching some birds. I also got some beautiful shots of the flowering weeds in our yard and a few critters. I really enjoy close up photo shooting of nature. I also love Muffers expressions as she watched the birds. I’ve been fascinated with birdwatching lately, well since we moved to Wisconsin that it. There is such a large variety here compared to the desert state of Utah. I am guessing it is because of the abundance of trees and water.
I hope to get a shot of a red cardinal soon – I still remember how excited I was when I found one near our water fountain shortly after we moved here. They are probably my favorite bird right now. We had a couple of large hawks nesting in one of our pine trees earlier this year, I am not sure if they are still there or not. This is odd because we live next to a busy street so I am not sure why they would camp out there with all the other places around.
I would like to get some binoculars as well as a guide book on bird names and other information. Guess it’s time to fill the bird feeder!
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May 16th, 2012
Here is one of our friendly neighbors! Woody the woodpecker paid us a visit a few mornings in a row! There are several pairs of these Pilated Woodpeckers in our area and they are so fascinating to watch! TLC Cabin Rentals has many cozy cabins in wooded areas that are in the perfect setting to have your own bird watching experience! Bring the kids and expose them to what nature has to offer. There are so many beautiful birds in Ellijay to make it a fun family outing! 
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May 16th, 2012
There are other kinds of goose out there – not just that Canada Goose that has overstayed its welcome and lost its cherished warm spot in the hearts and minds of New Yorkers.
The Brant is one of them.
Brant – a duck size goose
Brant are a small goose, not much larger than the Mallard Duck.
Brant and Canada Geese – a sense of size
Brant populations may be found around the Northern Hemisphere. In North America, they nest on the shores of the Arctic Ocean and winter to our south along the salty waters of our coastlines of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
Because the High Arctic is still covered by a blanket of snow and ice, Brant have to wait until conditions are suitable for nesting up there before returning home. “Our” Brant are one of the last migrant species to move through the Capital District.
Generally, they pass by us in mid-May to arrive just in time for the freeze out and thaw in far northern Canada.
Right on schedule, there they were – in droves – yesterday. I’ve seen a few flocks going by as early as last week in their usual number of a few hundred per flight. But yesterday looked like the peak of migration. The word was out: “Go home!”.
So, as it happened, yesterday morning, I heard the distinctive sound of Brant going by. They sound like a group of small dogs with a muffled “bark”. Not at all like the familiar “honking” of the larger Canada Goose.
When I stepped outside to have a look, I was astonished to see the largest flock of Brant that I can recall. I quickly grabbed the binoculars and started counting. The birds were moving so quickly that I had to grab a count of one hundred and repeat that quickly through the many waves going by. Its one way to estimate large numbers of birds. My tally was 2,000 birds in the flock; plus or minus a lot.
I lingered outside for a while (well two hours) and, after intervals of several minutes, found another large flock of Brant going by – and another and another, and so on.
I was too busy trying to get a count of the first larger flock, but did get some of the following flocks. Here’s a picture of one of those flocks flying north:
One of several large flocks of Brant migrating by New Baltimore. How many do you see?
I put the word out on a local listserve and got the attention of a few birders north of here. They managed to watch the flock go by their offices in Albany and commented back that several thought my estimate was low. What can I say. I did my best given the time and circumstances.
By noon, I estimated that at least 4700 Brant went by my house yesterday morning. And that’s only here in my backyard. Who knows how many passed inland, not following the river. Brant also fly through the night. So there are many more that go by unseen, detected only by their distinctive flight calls.
There may still be thousands of Brant coming up from the coast further south. So keep an eye – and ear – out for them.
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May 13th, 2012
Featuring the birds’ lives in North Sulawesi. Situated in wallacea line, Sulawesi is a natural beauty. It is the largest and the most geological complex of all the islands of Wallacea because of the repeated collision between these two bio-geographical zones. In Sulawesi or Celebes live many birds including, approximately 244 type of birds on the main land, 41 one of it are endemic birds. This trip will show you some of them in their real habitat.
SULAWESI BIRD WATCHING ITINERARY
Day 1 & 2: Arrival – Birds inTangkoko Nature Reserve (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Upon arrival in Sam Ratulangi International Airport and after the meeting service, we will transfer you to Tangkoko Nature Reserve in Bitung.
Habitat type: Lowland rainforest, secondary forest, coastal forest and mangrove forest
Birds to be seen:
Sulawesi Hawk Eagle (SE);Yellow Breasted Racquet-tailed Parrot (SE);Hairy-crested Drongo; Sooty-headed Bulbul ;Silver Tip imperial Pigeon (SE); Yellow Billed Malkoha (E); Sulawesi Black Pigeon (SE); Finch Billed Myna (SE);Buff Banded Rail ; Channel Billed Cuckoo ;Golden Mantle Racquet Tailed Parrot (E); Rainbow Bee-eater; Green Backed Kingfisher (SE); Black Sunbird ; Lilac Cheeked Kingfisher (SE); Sulawesi Babbler (SE); Ruddy Kingfisher ; Red Backed Thrush (SE); Blue Breasted Pitta ; Brown Cuckoo Dove ; Emerald Dove ; Black Napped Oriole ; White Napped Myna (SE); Red Knob Hornbill (SE); Ashy Woodpecker (SE); Pale Blue Monarch ; Yellow Sided Flower-pecker (SE);White Rumped Cuckoo-shrike (SE); Pied Imperial Pigeon; Scared Kingfisher ; Sulawesi Masked Owl (SE);White Breasted Wood-swallow; Black Billed Kingfisher (SW); Grey Cheeked Green Pigeon ; White Bellied Sea Eagle; Olive Backed Sunbird ; Grey Sided Flower (SE); Black Fronted White Eye; Sulawesi Cicada Bird (SE).
Other wildlife: Tarsier; Sulawesi Black Macaque (SE); Flying Lizards (spp); Squirrels (spp).
Day 3: Tangkoko Nature Reserve to Tambun (a breeding site of the unique Maleo) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Habitat type: 4 hours drive along open country, rice fields and lowland rainforest
Bird to be seen:
Spotted Marsh Harrier; Javan Pond Heron; Red Tuttle Dove; Bay Coucal (SE); Black Billed Koel (SE); Sulawesi Pied Triller (SE); Bhraminy Kite; Maleo (SE); Uniform swiftlet; Great Eared Nightjar.
Note: We spend the next two nights at Doludua with Tante Min Homestay.
Day 4: Dumogo-Bone Nature Reserve(Morning) & Molibagu Road (Afternoon) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Habitat type: Lowland Rainforest and rainforest hill/winding country roads
Birds to be seen:
Purple Needle Tailed Swift; Chestnut Munia; Isabella Bush-hen (SE); Bhraminy Kite; Peregrine Falcon; Ochre Bellied owl (SE); Black Naped Fruit Dove; Spotted Kestrel; Bared Rail; Ochre Bellied Boo Book (SE); Lesser Whistling Duck; Crimson Sunbird; Large Sulawesi Hanging Parrot (SE); Yellow Sided Flowerpecker (SE);Yellow Bellied Malkoha (SE); Common Kingfisher; Sunda Teal; Collared Kingfisher; Red Knobbed Hornbill (SE); Bhraminy Kite; Cattle Egret; Red Backed Thrush (SE); Sulawesi Hawk Eagle (SE); Hairy Crested Drongo; Green Imperial Pigeon; Black Naped Green Pigeon; Black Naped Oriole; Purple Heron; White Necked Myna (SE)
Day 5: Molibagu Road (Morning) to Tomohon (Afternoon) (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Habitat type: 4 hr drive to Tomohon a mountain forest via Molibagu Road a winding Lowland Rainforest road.
Birds to be seen:
Sulawesi Short Crested Myna (SE); White bellied Imperial Pigeon (SE); Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill (SE); Grey Sided Flowerpecker (SE); Hairy Crested Drongo; Sulawesi Goshawk (SE); Grey Rumped Treeswift; Red Knobbed Hornbill (SE); Blue Eared Kingfisher; Sulawesi Cicadabird (SE); Ivory Backed Woodswallow (SE);Small Sulawesi hanging Parrot (SE).
Day 6 and 7 (Morning): Tomohon (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Habitat type:Mountain Forest (Mt. Mahawu), Rice fields and reed lands at lake side
Birds to be seen:
Rufus Bellied Eagle; Brown Cuckoo Dove; Mountain White Eye; Dark Fronted White Eye; Scarlet Honey-eater (SE); Crimson Crowned Flowerpecker (SE); Sulawesi Spotted Goshawk (SE); Sulawesi Serpent Eagle (SE); Bay Coucal (SE); Yellow Bellied Malkoha (SE); Superb Fruit Dove (WE); Citrine Flycatcher; Streaky Headed White Eye (SE); Grey Sided Flowerpecker (SE); Island Verditer; Sulawesi Dwarf Woodpecker (SE); Mountain Tailorbird; White Browed Crake; Cinnamon Bittern; Scaly Breasted Munia; Cinnamon Munia; Little Egret; Wandering Whistling Duck; Ziting Cisticola; Lesser Coucal; Glamorous Reed Warbler; Javan Pond Heron; Black Kite; Bhraminy Kite; Blue Breasted Quail.
Day 7: Manado (Breakfast)
On your own leisure until the time to check out from the resort, and we will transfer you to the airport or other place for next destination.
SULAWESI BIRD WATCHING PACKAGE
Meeting Point: Sam Ratulangi International Airport Include in the Package: Guide, Rangers, Transportation (Driver, Fuel, Car and Boats), Meals, Accommodation (Hotel, Resort or Cottages), Entrance fees, Snorkeling Gears Not Include: Personal Needs, Tips
Rate starts from: US$ 877 Per Person
To Be Prepared: Binocular, Rain Coat, Camera, Insect Repellent, Personal Needs and Medicines.
Some resorts don’t have hot water such as in Tangkoko and Dumoga Bone Nature Reserve. In Tomohon, all the resorts are good with modern toilet, cozy room, hot and cold water shower.
We reserve the right in the event of bad weather to change the program without notice
Some resorts don’t have hot water such as in Tangkoko and Dumoga Bone Nature Reserve. In Tomohon, all the resorts are good with modern toilet, cozy room, hot and cold water shower.
“SULAWESI IS AMAZING“
http://www.flowerslane.com
Tags: bird watching, indonesia, north sulawesi, sulawesi, Tangkoko Nature Reserve, Wallacea
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May 13th, 2012
Travelers to Saint Lucia may be aware of the island’s stunning scenic beauty and reputation as one of the best Caribbean honeymoon destinations, but very few know about the excellent birdwatching opportunities on the island. This is changing rapidly.
Birding is becoming a very popular activity in Saint Lucia. The island offers a wide array of habitats ideal for birds and their different feeding and breeding habits: dry coastal areas, lush rain forests, scrub forests, rugged sea cliffs.
According to the popular birding website http://www.fatbirder.com, there are 139 bird species in Saint Lucia, out of which 4 are endemic to the island:
St. Lucia Parrot Amazona versicolor ( the National Bird of Saint Lucia)
St. Lucia Oriole Icterus laudabilis
St. Lucia Warbler Dendroica delicata
St Lucia Black Finch Melanospiza richardsoni
Other websites also mention the St.Lucia Peewee and Semper’s Warbler (which is critically endangered or possibly extinct) as additional endemic species. Other birds common in Saint Lucia are the Red-billed Tropicbird, White-tailed Tropicbird, Brown Booby, Magnificent Frigatebird, Little Blue Heron, Snowy Egret, Cattle Egret, Green Heron, Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Blue-winged Teal, Broad-winged Hawk, American Kestrel and Sora, to name just a few.
Painting of a St.Lucia Oriole by Christopher Cox
If you like to find out more about the Birds of St.Lucia and/ or the Birds of the West Indies, consider buying A Guide to the Birds of the West Indies and for Saint Lucia specifically, The Birds of St Lucia by Allan R Keith, ISBN: 0907446191.
St.Lucia artist Christopher Cox captures local birdlife wonderfully. His paintings can be viewed on his website.
Visitors interested in birdwatching will find that all St.Lucia hotels will be able to arrange birdwatching excursions, often in conjunction with the St.Lucia Forestry Department. There are birdwatching locations all over the island. Some noted areas include the Bois D’Orange Swamp, Boriel’s Pond as well as the Fregate and Maria Islands on the East Coast. In addition, there are birdwatching locations around the general Pitons area and Quilesse Forest Reserve.
Anse Chastanet Resort and Anse Chastanet Bay in Soufriere, Saint Lucia
In the south, the areas around Anse Chastanet and Anse Mamin offer excellent birdwatching opportunities. Anse Chastanet Resort is set amidst its own 600 acre estate including the old Colonial plantation of Anse Mamin which is accessible to resort resident guests daily, either alone or accompanied by the resort estate guides who have been trained to spot and identify birds.
Meno, one of the estate guides at Anse Chastanet
At Anse Chastanet, four of the endemic species can be found within the grounds of the resort with the fifth located not too far away. Firstly there is the St Lucia Pewee – a delightful small flycatcher; green on top and orange underneath which sallies out from its favored perch in search of prey before returning to the same branch. These can be found both along the entrance track to the resort and also in the estate at Anse Mamin. Next, the St Lucia Warbler, both brightly colored and inquisitive; blue-gray above with bright yellow under-parts and black facial markings, it is widespread throughout the grounds.
Not quite as numerous, but both dramatic and boldly colored is the yellow and black St Lucia Oriole. Back in 1987, there were considered to be less than 60 pairs in existence, however there has been a considerable recovery since and probably two different pairs can be found at Anse Mamin.
Anse Mamin Trail
At Anse Chastanet Resort, birdwatching opportunities are available at all times, whether on the resort grounds or through an organized island excursion. Once a year, Anse Chastanet hosts special birdwatching weeks :
Guests staying at Anse Chastanet between Sept 1-15 have the opportunity to partake in special birdwatching events hosted by Martyn Kenefick, a Caribbean based ornithologist and bird book author. A specialist program has been created for avid bird watchers from Sept 1- 15.
Martyn Kenefick is “an English “ex pat” who has lived in Trinidad for the last 10 years since taking early retirement from the Financial Services industry in the UK. Having been an active “birder” since the early 70′s his hobby has taken him privately from China and Thailand to Alaska and Antarctica. He is a freelance ornithologist and bird watching guide / tour leader and in recent years has led organized tours to Kazakhstan, Kenya, The Gambia and California; whilst in his adopted home, he regularly leads tours for British, American and Australian bird watching tour operators. He is the primary author of the recently published Field Guide to the Birds of Trinidad & Tobago and also the Hon Sec of the Trinidad & Tobago Rare Birds Committee.”
 The specialist program includes one full day and two half day island excursions to birdwatching sites off the resort property, one half day whale watching trip, in addition to which Mr Kenefick will personally guide 2-3 hours birdwatching estate tours and hold daily talks about the birdwatching (Mon – Fri).
The specialist program can be added to any reservation of 7 nights or more at Anse Chastanet. The program will run Mon – Fri. The full event package is offered at US 450 per person. To sign up for the program please contact Anse Chastanet Resort via adventure@ansechastanet.com To make an actual hotel reservation in addition to the program, Anse Chastanet Resort can be booked directly via email, local tel 758 459 6100, toll free 1-800- 223 1108. From the UK, call 0800-894-057. Anse Chastanet can be booked through a variety of tour operators in the UK, for example MotMot and Naturetrek, both specialized in birdwatching tours.
Whale right off Anse Chastanet Resort
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May 10th, 2012
This is how we watch birds… Get some CaseyLavere Gear www.zazzle.com Golden Valley Natural Jerky goldenvalleynatural.com My twitter twitter.com My Facebook www.facebook.com M2D Camo www.m2dcamo.com Hush www.zazzle.com ErikTV365 www.youtube.com The music came from incompetech.com The songs were The Whip Theme,Cut and Run and Low String SWEET AND SOUR PHEASANT RECIPE Clean and soak the pheasant in salt water over night Cut pheasant into 2in. x 2in. cubes Roll Pheasant in eggs and then flour Fry pheasant in veg. oil until golden brown Place Pheasant in glass dish Dice 1 Green Pepper 1 Red Pepper and 1/2 a Yellow Onion Spread Over Pheasant Pour Sweet and Sour Sauce(you can buy in any grocery store) Place in Oven 350 for 10-15 min. Serve over bed of Rice Stuff in YO face……….mmmmmmmmmmm (pheasant can be substituted with chicken)
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May 10th, 2012
Every year designers from around the globe gather in the scenic Cape Town for what is considered the best design conference: DesignIndaba (DI). 2012 was no exception, and with speakers that included graphic designer, illustrator, lecturer, educator and author Paul Sahre, founder of greyworld Andrew Shoben, Piet Hein Eek, London based design practice United Visual Artists (UVA), Eddie Opara from Pentagram, co-director of the Serpentine Gallery in London Hans Ulrich Obrist, founder and head chef of Noma restaurant in Copenhagen, René Redzepi, architect Bjarke Ingels who started BIG, to name but a few.
Sissel Tolaas stood out as a bird among the beaus and her talk on using scent as a design device was truly entertaining, mind bending and inspirational. A Norwegian based in Berlin, Tolaas studied mathematics, chemical science, languages and visual art in Norway, Poland, Russia and the United Kingdom. As described on DI website, Tolaas’s work explores how different smells can be described, how smells are remembered and measured, how the information in smells can be used and how abstract smell molecules can be employed to convey a specific learned meaning. In preparation of DI 2012 she assembled smells from around Cape Town and created a unique scent for the city. Not quite beach and Atlantic seawater, but an interesting scent indeed.
South African graphic design/Advertising legend Porky Hefer recently moved into the furniture and object design field. This was an overarching theme for DI over the last few years – people crossing boundaries between different areas of design, and how applying graphic design thinking and skills in other areas of design often yield surprising and delightful results.
A young South African bird to keep an eye on is Renée Rossouw. It is difficult to pin her down as a graphic designer, architect or product designer. She creates a dialogue between graphics, objects and the relationship between the user and his/her interaction with it.
To ensure that you don’t miss out on next year’s event, visit www.designindaba.com While on the site do yourself a favour and have a look at SA’s most beautiful design object 2012 winner, the Lily Pad ring by Kirsten Goss. Greetings from Cape Town, World Design Capital 2014!
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May 10th, 2012
Yesterday morning, I saw Jasper (one of the house cats) sitting on top of the wood stove. I didn’t dawn on me that something might be in it at the time. I thought he was just chasing spiders (which he loves to do).
Later, closer to noon, the dogs barked at a noise coming from the stove’s chimney. I heard it too.
I went and asked my son to check it. He opened the damper and then closed the stove door again. A little later, I heard scratching noises at the glass door on the stove.
My son opened it and a bird flew out. The crazy woman that I am….pulled a blanket over my head and ran around after it with a broom.
We opened the door, but it kept flying from window to window to get out. Poor thing. Funny part is, is that the house cats were all napping at that point. They missed the “show.”
I didn’t have to go far to do bird watching, ha ha ha!
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February 20th, 2012
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Ok, I am a bit nerdy. Look at those colors and feather patterns though. Suits of high fashion are worn with such grace. These birds are flying around the Everglades and Florida Keys. Always, AMY