10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 7, 2023

Galápagos: A Natural History, Second Edition by John Kricher and Kevin Loughlin gives the traveling naturalist the tools needed to fully appreciate and experience the Galápagos Islands. Where once there were 13 species of “Darwin’s finches,” there are now 17. I wish I had read this book.

2006 246

2006 Tortoises Sea Lions Porpoises 246

10,000 Birds

JULY 7, 2015

But, I did take many photos, and used the book, in spurts during the trip and more closely afterward, to identify three seabird species, two expected (Sooty and Black-vented Shearwaters) and one a surprise. It does not include near-shore, coastal species, like Brown Pelican, Elegant Tern, and Harbor Seal.

Dolphins 162

Dolphins Porpoises Whales Whaling 162

10,000 Birds

MAY 1, 2013

I had my first swim with Inshore Bottlenose Dolphins in Northland’s Bay of Islands back in 2000, and it was a tripy experience. Leaving from the harbour on boats were tours to swim with one of New Zealand’s most endangered mammal species, the Hector’s Dolphin. It wasn’t long before we saw them, either.

Dolphins 155

Dolphins Sharks New Zealand Albatross 155

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 25, 2013

Visiting this area for the first time after seeing it for month was a crazy experience. And besides, it’s nice to see something that isn’t the same 12 (now 13) species of seabird (plus Molly Meep Meep, a Black Brant ) There may not be as many as in October, but they are there, and they can be cool. And there where whales.

Whales 157

Whales Whaling Sharks Bats 157

10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 22, 2016

I searched the entire northern end of the park, including the golf course, the reflecting pool, the open water by Porpoise Bridge, and every open grassy spot I could find. After all, birding under a highway is not exactly my idea of a pleasant experience. What a marvelous sight my seventh goose (and 313th species) for Queens was!

Puerto Rico 121

Puerto Rico Geese Canada Porpoises 121

10,000 Birds

APRIL 2, 2012

This may be the most awesome pelagic you’ll ever experience… For me it was the publication in 1984 of Peter Harrison’s ground-breaking identification guide to ‘ Seabirds ’ that opened up the off-shore world of pelagic birding right on Cape Town’s door step.

Albatross 180

Albatross Penguins Dolphins Whaling 180