I haven’t done much birding lately.  I’ve been busy planning a trip to Southern Africa and Ethiopia for the fall.  Since Jack and I are mostly independent travelers, not organized group tours, I am the trip planner.  A task I enjoy most of the time.  People probably think I’m crazy for booking lodging and car rentals so far in advance, but I’ve already come up against some places that are SOLD OUT.  Of course one place said they don’t book that far in advance (August). I am getting excited about the trip – should be a lot of great new birds and large mammals to boot.  And, Jack likes the thought of big birds instead of hidden, neck craning, jungle birds.

For those independent travelers, my sister clued me into “Airbnb” a website with lodging opportunities in over 190 countries.  I used Airbnb for lodging in South Africa and Namibia.  I love this site – many great places that are better than a hotel.

BLOGS

I thought I would mention “other” blogs that I enjoy.  Most are about birding, but some like Julie Zicklefoose’s blog, includes non-birding chatter.  Go Julie.  Her latest blog mentions her husband watching the StupidBowl.  I am there with you Julie.  Probably the LAST thing on my list of things to do – well actually it wouldn’t have even made the list.  And speaking of Julie Zicklefoose ….

Julie Zicklefoose

Julie is a naturalist, artist, and author who lives in Ohio.  We won’t fault her for that.  Someone has to live there (just kidding).  Actually, a wonderful state to explore with some great birding, especially in the spring at Magee Marsh near Lake Erie.  Jack and I were at Magee Marsh in the spring of 2014.  We were too early for the big warbler push, but plan to go back in a year or two and participate in the Biggest Week, which is actually about a week and a half.  I believe Julie lives in the southern part of the state.  Her husband, Bill Thompson, III, was the keynote speaker at the Kachemak Bay Shorebird Festival in 2014.  Catch her blog posts at: http://juliezickefoose.blogspot.com/.

Birding without Borders

Noah Stryker, a young, enthusiastic and exceptional birder from Oregon, is making his way across the world in search of 5,000 different bird species in 35 countries all within 365 days.  Now that is a BIG YEAR. I wish I could find someone who wanted to pay for my travels around the world for a year’s time.  Check out his blog at:  http://www.audubon.org/features/birding-without-borders

All About Birds

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology – All About Birds Blog has a lot of interesting postings – most recently “Snowy Owl, the Sequel” and “What to Watch For – Duck Courtship” (the video).  See: http://blog.allaboutbirds.org/  The video of the duck courtships is fun to watch; a chance to see this behavior up close.  The Cornell Lab of Ornithology produces a lot of great bird videos and while there, check out their nest cams.

Stokes Birding Blog

Lillian and Don Stokes are well known in the birding world.  They have produced a number of bird field guide books.  If you want to see some beautiful photography check out their blog:  http://www.stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/.  They also have some informative posts.  However, be prepared for some “sales” pitches.  After all they are published authors who want to sell their books.

Bird Chick

This woman includes a lot of humor in her blogs.  We can all use humor in our lives.  So who is the Bird Chick?  Her name is Sharon Stiteler and she wants to make a living (don’t we all) from birding.  She probably has a better shot at it than I do.  You can find her blog at: http://www.birdchick.com/blog/

The Birder”s Conundrum

Do you want to see a map of How Birders See America (Tongue and Cheek)?  Then checkout: http://birdersconundrum.blogspot.com/2014/07/map-how-birders-see-america.html.   I do notice they do not include Hawaii or Alaska as part of the United States.  Such an oversight (ALASKA IS PART OF THE UNITED STATES – unless of course you are traveling in countries that hate America, then we are part of Canada).  I must admit they do list Attu with an arrow pointing Northwest.  Hmmm.  And that is such an easy place to go for birding in Alaska – Not!

So after you have read my blog, check out these blogs.  And if you have a favorite blog site, please let me know.  I am always looking.

Its a Great Day to Bird