#birders gallery

[jb-fotoz]

House Finch

[timmurleyart]

Day and night Chubby birds. 🌞🌕🌳🐦🌲

[foerodens]

Two bundles of helpful tracking templates for bird watchers: 115 PDF pages in English/ 116 PDF pages in German.

Starting off my new Etsy listings with a discount for the first few days!

English templates: https://www.etsy.com/de/listing/1472278106/bird-watching-115-pdf-files-instant

German templates: https://www.etsy.com/de/listing/1483435973/vogelbeobachtung-116-pdf-dateien-deutsch

[luckybatbones]

Red-shouldered hawk Buteo lineatus

Sarasota, Florida

August 2022

[birdsofvancouverisland]

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

[corduroy-bears]

hey look at this bird. i saw

[queermtl]

Queer MTL Things to Do: March 2023

It takes more than a little snow and cold weather to keep Montréalers from enjoying the city’s neighbourhoods and events, and March is no different! Every month, Montréal’s queer calendar is stuffed full of exciting events, parties and performances. Here’s some of our picks for the best LGBTQ+ things to do in the city this month. For further announcements, follow QueerMTL on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Tumblr! Got an event coming up? DM it our way!

EVENT OF THE MONTH:

✨ The Visual Arts Centre McClure Gallery presents an all-new solo exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Kama La Mackerel titled Who sings the queer island body? from March 3 to 25, 2023, with a vernissage and artist-guided gallery tour on March 2, and an Art Hive gathering with La Mackerel on March 4.We highly recommend experiencing these works by one of Montréal’s most forward-thinking and celebrated queer artists up close and in person!

EVENTS

✍️ HommeHomo brings Drink & Draw back to Bar Le Cocktail on March 1, 2023, featuring live models and drink specials. 

👠 Belen and Nora Vision host RESURGENCE—A Seance Produced Queer Cabaret on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, at the MainLine Theatre.

😆 In support of ASTEEQ, the Comedy Retakes! Fundraiser is at Le Frigo Vert on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Watch as panels of comedians brainstorm unmissable TV sitcom ideas live—and then vote on which ones you’d actually watch!

📚 The Violet Hour Book Club will meet and discuss the novel Tomboy Survival Guide by Ivan Coyote on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at the Archives gaies du Québec.

🤘The Cult of AnarchKey presents the Pop Punk Revival Dance Party + Pop-Up Drag Show on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Turbo Haüs. Performers include Korra AnarchKey and mystery surprise guests.

🐦 Queer Birders meet at Parc Angringnon on Sunday, March 5, 2023. Find details and meeting point on Facebook. 

😆 Better Than Your Therapist is both a comedy panel show and a dating mixer on March 5, 2023 at the Diving Bell Social Club—the perfect place to find someone with that GSOH you’ve been looking for. Tickets at the link. 

😆 Live variety show How to Show Comedy? featuring queer and ally performers is at the Diving Bell Social Club on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. 

🎥 As part of International Women’s Day on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, Georgette presents the premiere of the documentary TOUTES LES FXMMES with a special screening, Q&A and DJ set by Virginie B. Find information at Eventbrite.

📚Dr. Marika Cifor speaks on her book Viral Cultures: Activist Archiving in the Age of AIDS on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. Grab a ticket at Eventbrite.

🎥 Filmmakers and film industry professionals are invited to the bilingual Recontre de Cinéma Queer & Trans to mix and mingle, and perhaps find new collaborators at the MAI on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. 

🏃🏾 The Rundraiser and Beer with the Qs on March 8, 2023 at Siboire, is raising funds to help support the first queer team’s participation in The Speed Project’s history—a 550 km relay race from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The Qs (for Queer and Québec!) are the race’s first female/non-binary team identifying as queer!

🎥 Gold Factory presents Montréal Live Music & Movie Night for Gay / Alternative Women on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at Théâtre Sainte-Catherine, featuring a film screenings, music performances and a no holds barred sex talk.

👠 Some of Montréal’s top burlesque talent including Rosie Bourgeoisie, Miss Booty Jones and Sugar Vixen perform as part of Rock ’n’ Roll Babeland on Thursday, March 9, 2023 at the Wiggle Room. 

👠 CLIMAX—un Queer Talent Show brings local burlesque, drag and other performers together for a night of queer expression at Bar Taboo on Friday, March 10, 2023.

👠 Miss Meow brings the Madonna Burlesque to Café Cleopatra on Saturday, March 11, 2023, featuring an all-star lineup of burlesque, drag and performers paying tribute to the Material Girl herself.

🎥 Le Frigo Vert hosts a screening of films made by QTBIPOC creators on March 11, 2023 at 6 PM.

👕 The Free Queer Clothes Swap returns to Champs Bar on Sunday, March 12, 2023, where “One trans’ trash is another trans’ treasure!” 

🏳️‍🌈 French speakers gather for Causerie QUEER on March 15, 2023 at La Spère on the UdeM campus to discuss a variety of topics and network. 

🧖 There’s a Kinky Queer Spa Day at Bota Bota on Friday, March 17, 2023. 

🎥 The Le FIFA Film Festival presents the queer short film Purple City by Noam Gonick and Michael Walker at the Canadian Centre for Architecture on Saturday, March 18, 2023. The filmmakers will be in attendance! 

😆 Sloan Kooshan draws on their queer, trans and Iranian identities in hosting SWANA Nowruz Comedy Special on March 19, 2023 at The Diving Bell Social Club featuring an all South West Asian North African comedy line-up.

🤭 Tales of Gender Affirmation, a night of comedy and storytelling returns for its 12th edition at The Diving Bell Social Club on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.

💅 Lust Cove, Montreal's only all QTBIPOC collective, returns with the sensual Baddies Do It Better on Friday, March 31, 2023 at Bar Notre-Dame-des-Quilles. 

👠 Twice a month on every second Tuesday, Bring It! hosts an OTA night of ballroom and vogue with commentator and DJ. Follow their Instagram for dates and details. 

🎤 Most Tuesdays, check out Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic at Impro Montréal, focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians.

🧘 Throughout certain dates in March, the Centre for Gender Advocacy presents the Queer Embodiment Experience at the Tiger Lotus Coop. Find details here.

🎤 Most Tuesdays, check out Stand Up St. Henri Open Mic at Impro Montréal, focusing on women, non-binary, queer and allied comedians. 

🏒 Feminist hockey collective Hockey pour Poches meets every Thursday for games in Villeray’s Parc de Normanville.

💃 Tango/Salsa Queer’s continue, with Salsa Queer on Monday nights from 20:30-21:30 and Tango (beginners/intermediate) on Tuesdays at 19:00-20:30. Contact tango.queer@hotmail.com for prices and location.

PARTIES

🥳 Homopop bring West End Gays, a house & disco dance party, to RIVERSIDE in St-Henri on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Gays and Disco=the perfect combination. 

🥳 BABYLONE, an intimate house music event featuring only 250 spots, features some of Montréal’s hottest underground DJs on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at SansLux. 

🥳 Queen & Queer presents their 100% Afro Music dance party Queen & Queer Vol. 9—Afro Edition on March 11, 2023 at La Sala Rossa.

🥳 HOMOPOP Dance Party, featuring everyone’s favourite queer bops, is back at Cabaret Berlin on Saturday, March 25, 2023.

🥳 K-Pop fans won’t want to miss Montréal KPOP Party #4 at Les Foufounes Électriques on Saturday, March 25, 2023. Dance to your favourite hits and catch some on-stage performances to boot.

DRAG

👑 The queens of Cabaret Mado and special guest Lady Boom Boom celebrate the ‘80s with Girls Night Out on Thursday, March 2, 2023. 

👑 Uma and Selma Gahd present Jackbox Games on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Popular with drag fans on Twitch during lockdown, it’s now live and in person at Bar Le Cocktail!

👑 While it may be cold outdoors, in Cabaret Mado the girls (including Kiara and Lady Boom Boom) are taking it to the beach with String Break! on Monday, March 6, 2023.

👑 Jimmy Moore brings his impeccable impersonation skills back to Cabaret Mado, this time in the guise of Lady Gaga. Thursday, March 9, 2023. Tickets here.

👑 Sasha Baga hosts Sashalicuious at Cabaret Mado on Thursday, March 16, 2023.

👑 Jimmy Moore brings his spot-on rendition of the Material Girl’s most infamous performance with MADONNA: The Blond Ambition Tour at Cabaret Mado on Saturday, March 18, 2023.

👑 Aizysse Baga presents TRASHILAZ, featuring members of Montréal’s groundbreaking underground drag scene on Thursday, March 23, 2023.

👑 House of Gahd brings COVEN: Björk Edition to The Diving Bell Social Club on Friday, March 24, 2023, with a ever-loving tribute to everyone’s favourite Icelandic diva.

👑 Uma Gahd hosts weekly screenings of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 15 at Bar Le Cocktail in Montréal’s Gay Village on Friday nights. Come early for a ticket and laugh along all season!

👑 Every Monday at the Diving Bell Social Club, Bambi Dextrous hosts Trivia Mondays! Be sure to  book your team table in advance.

👑 Every Tuesday, Canada’s Drag Race season 3 winner Gisèle Lullaby hosts Full Gisèle at Cabaret Mado. Tickets and schedule at Cabaret Mado’s website.

👑 On Friday and Saturday nights, the legendary Mado Lamotte hosts Mado Reçoit at her namesake club, Cabaret Mado. Each week, she shares the stage with a hand-picked roster of queens. Tickets and lineup info here.

👑 The amazing Tracy Trash hosts Le Tracy Show every Sunday at Cabaret Mado. Grab tickets here.

👑 Bar Le Cocktail’s regular weekly events include Vendredi Fou with Michel Dorion on Fridays, Samedi Drôles de Drags with a rotating cast of queens on Saturdays and Dimanche Show with Michel Dorion on Sundays. Check listings for specific details, and pick up tickets here.

[the-best-singapore]

Hidden Gems of Singapore: Uncovering Off-the-Beaten-Path Attractions

When you think of Singapore, you might envision iconic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, or Sentosa Island. While these popular attractions are undoubtedly worth a visit, Singapore has a treasure trove of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. In this Singapore travel guide, we’ll take you on a journey to uncover some of the city-state’s most enchanting off-the-beaten-path attractions.

1.Haw Par Villa: The Mythical Wonderland

Nestled in the heart of Singapore, Haw Par Villa is a truly unique attraction. Built by the creators of the famous Tiger Balm, this park is a showcase of Chinese mythology and folklore. You’ll find a surreal world filled with colorful sculptures depicting scenes from classic tales like “Journey to the West” and “The Eight Immortals.” It’s a fascinating journey into the world of Chinese legends and a great spot for some quirky Instagram photos.

2. Bukit Timah Nature Reserve: A Green Oasis

Escape the bustling city and head to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, a hidden oasis for nature enthusiasts. It’s home to one of the city’s highest peaks and a variety of hiking trails suitable for all levels. The lush rainforest and diverse wildlife offer a refreshing change of scenery, and you can even spot Singapore’s native long-tailed macaques during your hike.

3. Changi Chapel and Museum: Remembering WWII

History buffs will appreciate a visit to Changi Chapel and Museum, located in the east of Singapore. This museum pays homage to the prisoners of war who were held captive during World War II. It’s a moving experience that sheds light on Singapore’s wartime history and the resilience of those who lived through it.

4. Kranji Marshes: A Birder’s Paradise

If you’re a bird-watching enthusiast, Kranji Marshes is a hidden gem you don’t want to miss. This wetland reserve is teeming with diverse bird species and offers a serene escape from the urban environment. You can explore the extensive network of boardwalks and spot rare migratory birds while surrounded by the natural beauty of Singapore’s countryside.

5. Gillman Barracks: An Art Enclave

For art aficionados, Gillman Barracks offers a unique cultural experience. This former military barracks has been transformed into an art enclave featuring contemporary art galleries and exhibitions. It’s the perfect place to discover emerging artists and explore the world of modern art in a historic setting.

6. Pulau Ubin: A Step Back in Time

Pulau Ubin is a small island off Singapore’s northeast coast that feels like a world away from the city’s skyscrapers. You can take a bumboat from Changi Point and step back in time to a simpler way of life. The island is home to rustic villages, lush forests, and charming bicycle trails. Rent a bike and explore the island’s serene beaches, old granite quarries, and abundant wildlife.

7. Haji Lane: The Hipster Haven

Nestled in the heart of Kampong Glam, Haji Lane is a narrow alley teeming with vibrant street art, quirky boutiques, and trendy cafes. It’s a haven for those seeking unique fashion finds, vintage treasures, and a relaxed atmosphere. Don’t forget to snap a few photos of the colorful street murals that adorn the buildings, and while you’re in the area, you can also explore the vibrant digital marketing scene in Singapore, with numerous top-notch digital marketing agencies in Singapore to assist businesses in this dynamic city.

8.MacRitchie Treetop Walk: Walk Amongst the Canopy

For an unforgettable adventure, head to MacRitchie Reservoir and experience the Treetop Walk. Suspended 25 meters above the forest floor, this 250-meter-long walkway offers breathtaking views of the lush rainforest. The journey to the treetop walk is an adventure in itself, with well-maintained hiking trails that lead you through the reserve.

9. Pulau Serangoon: The Hidden Island

Also known as Coney Island, Pulau Serangoon is a serene, undeveloped island located off the northeastern coast of Singapore. It’s a haven for nature lovers, with its unspoiled beaches, lush greenery, and a variety of flora and fauna. Explore the island’s picturesque trails and perhaps spot the resident Brahminy kites soaring above.

10. Southern Ridges: A Walk Through Nature

For a scenic escape with a twist, explore the Southern Ridges, a network of lush, interconnected parks and trails. The highlight of this journey is the Henderson Waves Bridge, a striking architectural marvel that provides panoramic views of the surrounding forests & the city skyline. It’s a perfect spot for an evening stroll as the city lights begin to twinkle.

Conclusion

Singapore is a destination with an abundance of hidden gems just waiting to be explored. From the mythical wonderland of Haw Par Villa to the tranquil nature of Pulau Ubin, there’s something for every traveler seeking an off-the-beaten-path adventure.

As you plan your journey to uncover these enchanting attractions, remember to visit The Best Singapore. Our platform is your one-stop resource for discovering the finest services and experiences in Singapore. Whether you need an electrician Singapore, are looking for digital marketing agenciesto boost your online presence, or simply want a comprehensive travel guide, we’ve got you covered.

The Best Singapore is committed to helping you make the most of your time in this incredible city-state. So, don’t forget to explore our website and access a wealth of information and recommendations to enhance your Singapore experience. Your journey to uncover the hidden gems of Singapore starts here.

[arclantis-blog]

Art Print Wall Decor: Eagle & Aves

Elevate your living space with our exquisite "Eagle & Aves" Art Print, a captivating masterpiece that celebrates the awe-inspiring beauty of nature's feathered creatures. This meticulously crafted gallery wall fine art print showcases a stunning array of majestic birds including a regal eagle, enigmatic owl, elegant crane, colorful woodpecker, and an array of other avian marvels. Each intricate detail of the original artwork is expertly captured, bringing the essence of these magnificent creatures right into your home. Whether you're an avid birder or simply appreciate wings on things, infuse your living space with a touch of nature's splendor!. This wall art print is an economical choice that effortlessly transforms any room into a haven of sophisticated natural wonders.

This Gorgeous Wall Decor is a stunning, digital recreation of an original piece of clay art, that you can frame up to enjoy in your home, living room, or office!

> Originally hand painted by our skilled artist and production partner, Jose Juan Garcia Aguilar from Oaxaca, Mexico. Feel good knowing a percentage of your sale goes directly to Jose Juan to help him support his family through making fine art. :) > You are receiving an ART PRINT that gets mailed to your home UNFRAMED > Measurements vary depending on the size of print that you order.

To learn more about the product, click here.

Please check out other Luv2Brd products here.

[busaccagallery]

For Sale 🔥 Rare Waterford Amethyst Crystal Glass "Marquise" Vase 3 ¼" x 7" Of round form, heavy amethyst glass vase with flared stem and inverted rounded birder, polished pontil, etched with Marquise by Waterford on the bottom. Condition: Very good. 🔥 See informative stories and videos at 🔥 Busacca Gallery 

#Glass #VintageGlass #AntiqueGlass #Waterford #WaterfordGlass #CollectibleClass #VenetianGlass #Collectibles #Collections #GlasCollections #Antique #ArtAntiques #ArtAndDesign #Design #GlassDesign #Designer #InteriorDesigner #HandmadeGlass #HomeDecor #ArchitecturalDigest #Architects #Architectural #ArchitecturalDesign #InteriorDesigners

[petnews2day]

Bird Watching at the Arbor Gallery

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/cIDQ

Bird Watching at the Arbor Gallery

Birders and other nature lovers should flock to the Arbor Gallery this week to see the amazingly realistic collection of bird portraits by Stephanie Pete. Titled Ontario Birds – A Series of Oil Paintings, the exhibition runs from November 24 to December 18, with the vernissage taking place on Thursday December 1, from 7 p.m. […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/cIDQ #BirdNews

[jb-fotoz]

Red-winged Blackbird (F)

[timmurleyart]

Lots of ducks. 🦆🦆🦆🦆

[travelblognaplesfl]

Top Things to do in Naples FL

There are numerous fun tasks to do in Naples The community is residence to first-rate museums, art galleries, as well as cinemas. There are also several high end shopping areas, such as Fifth Avenue South. Fifth Avenue South is the heart of downtown Naples and also provides lots of buying as well as home entertainment options.

Bird Gardens of Naples If you're trying to find a location to see birds, take into consideration the Bird Gardens of Naples. The Naples-area area is house to greater than 172 species. Other nearby areas include Eagle Lakes Community Park, which includes 209 species, as well as Marco Island's Tiger Tail Beach, which has 185 species. Noteworthy species include the Wood Stork, Roseate Spoonbill, Limkin Purple Gallinule, Piping Plover, and Gray Kingbird.

The Bird Gardens of Naples is a not-for-profit company committed to the treatment of parrots as well as other exotic birds. Their volunteer staff supplies a wide range of services to assist the birds. These services are supplied at no charge to the general public, but donations rate. Every dollar contributed goes directly to offering look after the birds.

The organization runs a rescue outreach program that places parrots looking for a home in protective custody. They think that there are many deserted and over used birds in the wild that require a new house. The fostering procedure concentrates on each specific bird's best interests. The company likewise considers the health of its present flock when choosing whether to approve a parrot into its care.

The trip of the sanctuary is two hours long and also includes miles of strolling paths. The scenic tours inform visitors on the kinds of birds, the species that populate the location, and also just how they got there. They additionally offer the possibility to feed the birds.

Naples Botanical Garden The Naples Botanical Garden is an impressive 170-acre arboretum situated in Naples, Florida. With its rich exotic plants and also gorgeous sights of the Gulf of Mexico, it is among the most effective places to invest a day in Florida. The Naples Botanical Garden is open day-to-day as well as complimentary for site visitors.

The Naples Botanical Garden was founded in 1993 by a group of neighborhood citizens. They increased an endowment that enabled them to buy the 170-acre residential or commercial property that would later come to be the Garden. The location had a parking area as well as a shopping center, but these were destroyed and also transformed right into an oasis of plants and also trees. Its objective is to link individuals to plants as well as influence preservation as well as scientific research. The Naples Botanical Garden is likewise a neighborhood gathering place that holds unique occasions. Site visitors can also delight in exquisite deals with and live songs during their go to. Car park is enough as well as there is no surcharge to park.

The Naples Botanical Garden is a 170-acre garden paradise that includes plants from around the globe. It additionally provides arts education, conservation education and learning, health cares, and volunteer programs. The curated gardens at the Garden regularly evolve. Visitors can involve with them in various means and find out more concerning the plants and also their environments.

CREW - Bird Rookery Swamp Trails The former logging site is now a sanctuary for birders. It includes a boardwalk and 12 miles of treking and cycling trails. Site visitors will certainly be impressed by the selection of birds that have made the overload their residence. The route is very easy to browse and is best for families.

The 12-mile-long Bird Rookery Swamp Trail supplies panoramas. It additionally features a quarter-mile wood boardwalk and much deeper fish ponds. The trail is perfect for family members with baby strollers or bicycles. This trail is an excellent trip for those that like the outdoors and also intend to enter some workout.

The trail is wheelchair available and family-friendly. It includes a rain shelter and benches. There are also restroom facilities on the building. There's also a site visitor's center with displays regarding the swamp. You can appreciate a stroll or bike on the path while appreciating the magnificent views of the Gulf of Mexico.

The CREW Bird Rookery Swamp Trail is a natural surroundings just 25 miles north of Naples, Florida. It includes a boardwalk, crushed shell path, as well as elevated tracks made from previous railway trams. The route features indigenous wild animals, wading birds, as well as owls.

The CREW Land as well as Water Trust look after keeping the tracks. It welcomes volunteers and new members.

Cambier Park Cambier Park is a wonderful area to go if you are looking for a fantastic location to invest a day outdoors. The 12-acre park functions tennis courts, bocce courts, a play ground, and also a bandshell. It additionally has a range of sports fields, consisting of softball and t-ball areas.

Cambier Park is open 7 days a week from 7 AM to 10 PM. It is the website of various area occasions throughout the year, including a yearly butterfly launch in April. It also organizes a craft show as well as Indiafest, as well as a number of other cultural occasions. The park is just one of Naples' greener sides, which means it is maintained magnificently as well as is dog-friendly. Due to the fact that it is old, you will certainly locate lots of shade, which is excellent if you're seeking a location to rest and also appreciate the sunlight.

The park is located in downtown Naples. It was called after the community designer, William Cambier, that gave away the land to be utilized as a public park. There are plenty of benches for family members to kick back and delight in the outdoors. The park also features a play ground with a lively house and 2 bocce courts. There are likewise 5 lighted shuffleboard courts and a softball field.

The Naples Concert Band and Naples Dixieland Jazz Band perform at Cambier Park every Sunday. The band is consisted of around 80 musicians and also carries out a wide range of musical categories. Throughout the year, the band performs a totally free Sunday concert collection at 2 p.m. The songs varies from jazz to Big Band.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park If you're searching for a Florida coastline vacation, you'll intend to check out the beautiful Delnor-Wiggins Pass state park. This state park is located on a barrier island near Naples, Florida. Site visitors can appreciate the many water activities used here, consisting of snorkeling as well as scuba diving.

The park is also residence to a mile-long white-sand beach. It's been called among the best beaches in the country and is an excellent place for swimming as well as relaxing. You'll likewise locate an assigned angling zone as well as a watercraft ramp at the park. You can additionally take a kayak trip along the estuary or explore the hard-bottom reef offshore.

The park open up to the public in 1981. It's residence to one of the nation's finest coastlines, and also it's wheelchair-accessible. The park also includes a watercraft launch that provides you access to the back bays and the Gulf of Mexico.

There's a concessionaire that serves food and also beverages, as well as coastline wheelchair leasings. This lies in North Naples, five miles west of I-75. Naples Beach Adventures likewise supplies food and gelato deals with. Site visitors can also access the beach by means of the Beach Trolley, which is run by Collier County Parks and also Recreation. The Beach Trolley quits at the North Collier Regional Park Administration Building, situated at 15000 Livingston Road. It serves the beaches of Conner Park, Vanderbilt Beach, as well as Delnor-Wiggins Pass. A one-way price prices $1.50, but CAT passes are approved for rides past the park.

The location surrounding Wiggins Pass State Park is house to a range of wild animals. The area has many types of birds, consisting of loggerhead sea turtles, and plenty of species of aquatic life. In the summertime, you can see turtles laying their rally the coastline.

When you hire cleaning solutions in Naples FL, you can expect to have your home cleaned by an expert group of experienced employees. These cleaner will certainly utilize customized cleaning items and also tools, which can make your home an extra hygienic environment. They will also make use of non-toxic products and also devices. During the cleaning procedure, make sure to secure your prized possessions and also pets outdoors.

CleanFlorida https://clean-florida.com/ Naples, FL 34104 (239) 263-0183

[luckybatbones]

northern mockingbird Mimus polyglottos

sarasota, florida

nov 2022

[cgasue]

Rainy River Experience

On May 24, Jim, Diane and I set off on another birding marathon. This time we were heading way north and almost as far west as you can go in Ontario. What an experience!

A few statistics from our 18 days away from home:

We saw 182 different birds species, 3 moose, 2 bears, 2 skunks and 2 chipmunks, many deer and one newborn fawn

9 of the 182 species were lifers for me and 19 were year birds

We drove almost 6,000 km (not the best time to do this considering gas prices!)

We started our trip by going to Carden Alvar Provincial Park in search of a Yellow Rail and a Loggerhead Shrike. No luck there but we did see some new birds and get some awesome photos.

Highlights included: American Bittern, Upland Sandpiper and a Wilson’s Snipe.

We then headed to Sudbury where we met up with Jeff Skevington and Vincent Fyson and birded along the north shore of Lake Superior all the way west to Rainy River. Diane and I learned a ton from these two about birding and Jim experienced a whole new way of car birding the back roads (we are sending the car in next week for a complete detailing!). We were up very early most mornings and put on lots of mileage both on the car and on our bodies (One day I had almost 25,000 steps!!). We visited many sewage lagoons and walked many kilometres with our binoculars, scopes and camera equipment in hand.

We had a target list of birds for along the way and managed to get most of them with a couple of surprises added on top. A very enjoyable and productive trip!

An example of the types of roads we travelled on and bridges we crossed:

On June 3 and 4 we joined the OFO Rainy River trip led by Dave Milsom and Colleen Reilly. Dave and Colleen took us to more sewage lagoons and more gravel roads as we searched for the Rainy River specialties. We had a great group of birders with amazing ears and eyes helping find the birds and look for rarities.

Some of the highlights of our Rainy River experience. (See the Big Year 2022 Photo Gallery for more photos)

Yellow-headed Blackbird:

Three-toed Woodpecker:

Connecticut Warbler:

Sharp-tailed Grouse - we had fun watching these birds perform their mating danced in a specific area of a field called a lek. Very cool!

Great Gray Owl:

Everyone has been very encouraging and supportive to the Beak Seekers during our big year.

I had been hoping to reach Big Year Bird #300 while in Rainy River but only made it to #298. I was presented (by Dave Archbell) with a t-shirt on our last day in Rainy River but he had to make a last minute adjustment when he realized that I wouldn’t hit the #300.

We had a more leisurely drive home from Rainy River and stopped a few times to enjoy the scenery.

Our last overnight stop was in Gore Bay on Manitoulin Island to see Chris and Lisa in their new home. On our way to the ferry, we found Big Year Bird #299 (a pair of Ring-necked Pheasants).

Chris, Lisa and Gramma Sue

Once we reached Tobermory, we started the home stretch with a quick stop at Isaac Lake to look for a Least Bittern (no luck) and say hello to Kiah Jasper and wish him luck as he was starting his trip to Rainy River the next day.

We are happy to be home now and relaxing a little although when I started to write this yesterday, it was 6 am and we were already on our way to Simcoe County to hopefully see Big Year Bird #300.