Trip Date: May 2017 | Location: Florida This was another trip that perfectly combined business and pleasure. Mike was attending the West Palm International Boat Show, and I joined him…
Ever seen a murmuration? We followed a tip to Hillsborough County and witnessed 100,000 Tree Swallows performing a synchronized 'pepper shaker' dive at sunset. Join us for a recap of one of our most breathtaking birding experiences in Florida.
Join us for a birding weekend in South Florida. We cover urban parrot identification, tips for Miller Roost and Crandon Park, and share our experience chasing non-native parakeets and winter warblers during a busy business trip to the Miami International Boat Show.
Our 2017 birding year kicked off with a memorable trip to the Lake Apopka Wildlife Festival and Birdapalooza. From hearing inspiring stories from Greg Miller to spotting the elusive Groove-billed Ani and a Barn Owl, it was a weekend full of camaraderie and incredible sightings with the Orange Audubon Society.
Our 2015 Little Big Year pushed us across deserts, mountains, coastlines, and countless miles of weekend travel. Along the way we met incredible guides, discovered unforgettable places, and learned just how much you can accomplish with planning, persistence, and a love for birds. We ended the year with 519 species—and a lifetime of memories.
Our final Big Year adventure took us to Southern California, where coastal preserves, urban parks, and mountain trails delivered the last birds of 2015. From grebes and loons along the Pacific to a lifer California Gnatcatcher and the unforgettable Williamson’s Sapsucker on Mount Wilson, this trip was the perfect finale to an incredible year of birding.
A quick work trip to Savannah turned into a memorable coastal birding weekend. From the historic dikes of Savannah National Wildlife Refuge to the beaches of Tybee Island, we found ducks, marsh birds, soaring Northern Gannets, and even a show‑stopping Clapper Rail. No new year birds this time, but the blend of history, wildlife, and Southern cuisine made it a standout winter escape.
Our first-ever Colorado birding trip became the final push toward our Big Year goal. From foothill feeders alive with mountain specialties to snowy passes and prairie dog fields near Denver, the weekend delivered Rosy-Finches, Barrow’s Goldeneye, a surprise Snowy Owl, and the moment we finally reached 500 species. A whirlwind winter adventure—and one of the most memorable chapters of our year.
Our late‑season Florida run took us from Lake Apopka’s marshes to the windswept beaches of Merritt Island and down the Overseas Highway to Key West. We added key species for our Big Year—including Northern Gannet, Bell’s Vireo, and Common Myna—and soaked in the beauty of the Keys as we closed in on 500 birds.
Our third Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival delivered excellent birding across South Texas, from Sabal Palm Sanctuary and Estero Llano Grande to King Ranch and Harlingen’s evening parrot roosts. A welcoming community, expert guides, and incredible species diversity make this festival unforgettable.