When I first contemplated returning to visit this Greek island in the Mediterranean, it was to see the marvelous Minoan ruins at the palace of Knossos. Having visited briefly in the 1980s, I remembered the beauty of the landscape and the wondrous archaeological finds. Ancient history is one aspect, but when I recently started… Read more »
PART TWO: THE MONEGROS STEPPE March 9, 2016: Today’s plan involves driving south of the Pyrenees to an entirely different habitat. This is where Alberto lives, in a little town surrounded by agricultural lands. The whole area has been termed the Monegros Desert, a semi-arid zone nearer to Zaragoza than to Huesca, but… Read more »
PART ONE: THE PYRENEES March 7, 2016: We’ve arrived at a 15th Century farmhouse in the village of Loporzano, located in Aragon at the foot of the Pyrenees. This is Casa Boletas Birdwatching Centre, our home for the next three days. (“Boletas” means Egyptian Vulture in the local dialect). Egyptian Vulture? That would be… Read more »
ANATOMY OF A SANTA BARBARA CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT: Part 1 I don’t know of any other Christmas Bird Count in the country that has quite the unique qualities of Santa Barbara’s. Why? Of course, we have the mild weather, which is shared by many of the states in the southern portion of the U.S.,… Read more »
As the seasons change, and fall turns to winter, it’s fun to review some of the birding adventures I’ve had while teaching a class full of exceptional participants. My “students” are unusual. Each one has something to offer: they all find birds for me, one carries my spotting scope, one locates the correct page… Read more »
Refugio State Beach: October 15, 2014 On a cloudy, cool morning, the Wednesday bird class ventured up the coast to Refugio State Beach, a well-known coastal vagrant trap for passerines in fall migration. As a teacher, I look at Refugio as somewhat of a challenge. It’s not all that aesthetically pleasing, lots of tree… Read more »
Birding from Camlica Hill in Istanbul! Sept. 24, 2014: It’s full name is Buyuk Camlica, the highest hill overlooking all of Istanbul and the Bosphorus. The Bosphorus, that marvelous channel that separates two continents — the European and Asian sides of the city—is a famous route for raptors in fall migration. I was determined… Read more »
Will I successfully get myself to the top of Camlica Hill in Istanbul, Turkey, to watch the migrant raptor show? My husband and I are going on a fantastic cultural tour, staying in Istanbul for a few days before boarding a sailing ship and traveling from there through the northern Aegean to Athens! BUT… Read more »
Birders’ behavior can be almost as interesting as bird behavior. Definitely, birders have their own stamp of individuality when it comes to interacting with others of their kind. Some generalities can be made, however. The number one characteristic is rudeness. I’m sorry, but it’s true. I’ve known some really rude birders and I’m one of… Read more »
I know I risk this entry being called an advice column, which it is NOT. Many birders don’t want to talk about family obligations and how difficult it is to maintain our passion/sport/hobby and still manage relationships! Couples have foundered, children have been neglected, ageing parents haven’t been visited — all because we wanted… Read more »
Joan Easton Lentz is a teacher, naturalist and author of four books about natural history and birds. Read more about her on the About Joan page.
