The cosmopolitan family Cuculidae contains some of the world’s weirdest and most wonderful species of birds. I am not shy about my fondness for cuckoos, and over the years I have enjoyed a number of incredible encounters with this tribe during my travels around the globe. Fantastic creatures like Greater Roadrunner, Squirrel Cuckoo, Great Spotted Cuckoo, Pheasant Cuckoo, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, … Read More
A Quick Summer Trip to the Sky Islands of Southeast Arizona
2020 truly has been a year for the books, it’s hard to believe it’s actually almost over. Back in January, I was happily exploring Florida, running around for rarities and soaking up the sun. But soon the Coronavirus reared its ugly head and we headed for a global shut-down to try and curb the pandemic. We’ve been living socially-distanced from one … Read More
Crimson-collared Grosbeak at Laguna Atascosa NWR
April 17th, the first full day of our Nemesis Bird Nature Tour to south Texas, brought us to the headquarters of Laguna Atascosa NWR. This vast refuge is one of the last homes for Aplomado Falcons and Ocelots in the United States, but our sights were set on hunting down a visiting rarity – the immature male Crimson-collared Grosbeak that has been hanging out … Read More
Birding the Southern California Desert
Over the past few days, I have been staying in La Quinta, in Southern California. My family is here for a wedding, but we have had some time to explore the more natural parts of the area. Last Friday (the 28th), my family visited the Indian Canyons south of Palm Springs. This was a place my dad used to visit … Read More