Peterson Field Guide – Field Use Review
August 25, 2008
Article in: Book Reviews
Our review of the new and completely awesome Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America would not be complete without a true field test. The guide spent several hours riding in a backpack, sandwiched between water bottles and power bars. The cover stood up well – with only a minor ding – and protected the glossy pages inside. (more…)
Review of Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America
August 24, 2008
Article in: Book Reviews
To be released on August 28th and published by Houghton Mifflin, Peterson Field Guide to Birds of North America (Peterson Field Guide Series)
History
Much of what continues to make Peterson Field Guides wonderful is the history. Having been around since 1934 and being produced by one of the world’s best bird artists, Roger Tory Peterson put his heart and soul into his guides. It wasn’t about fame or money. He wholeheartedly felt his work made for better birders and his positive attitude towards improving the state of birds radiates from his guides. (more…)
Mississippi Kite Nesting?
August 23, 2008
Article in: Birding
After consulting numerous birders coming to view the “Rockford Mississippi Kites”, the original pair of birds now includes a THIRD Kite, this one a juvenile. Thus, the implications are this bird nested here in Rockford, right by a city park and grade school.
We think this was the kite’s nest
(more…)
Big Bug, Little Wren
August 23, 2008
Article in: Birding
House Wrens are known to be a bit big for their size. We witness them often dive-bombing squirrels, chasing away Blue Jays, and scolding if someone even dares look in the direction of their nest box. Even their appetites can be a bit large.
Dakota believes this House Wren is feasting on a large grasshopper
Those legs are just empty calories anyway…
Off to look for another insect
We added this to the Camera Critters #20.
Sedge Wren – Our 4,000th Photo on Flickr
August 22, 2008
Article in: Photography
This Sedge Wren is unofficially our 4,000th photo uploaded to Flickr.
Sedge Wren taken on August 16th at Horicon Marsh in Wisconsin
Canon Rebel XTi, 400mm
Phriday Photo – Great-crested Flycatcher
August 22, 2008
Article in: Photography
Great-crested Flycatcher Myiarchus crinitus
Deer Run Loving
August 21, 2008
Article in: Photography
It isn’t just the birds that make Deer Run Prairie so lovely…
Click photo to enlarge
This is our submission for the way too cool Skywatch Friday!!
The Bird Ecology Study Group: Beyond Birding
August 21, 2008
Article in: Bird Conservation
You can know the name of a bird in all the languages of the world,
but when you’re finished,
you’ll know absolutely nothing whatever about the bird…
So let’s look at the bird and see what it’s doing – that’s what counts.
I learned very early the difference between knowing the name of something and knowing something. ~Nobel Laureate Richard P. Feynman (1918-1988)
Above is the motto of the Bird Ecology Study Group (BESGroup), a bird ecology blog of the Nature Society (Singapore) that deserves much attention. Since their beginning in 2005, their goal is to document all issues of bird ecology, from types of food and hunting styles to nesting and breeding behavior all the while encouraging the study of birds and the natural world around them. The BESGroup not only provides a wealth of information, but are willing and excited to share with all who are interested.
One of the most thrilling aspects of the Bird Ecology Study Group is their photographic abilities. In Stork-billed Kingfisher catching another fish, for example, there are side-by-side photos of a Stork-billed Kingfisher in action nabbing a fish. Continue reading and you will know the experience of the observer first hand and what they learned from their observations. This is what separates them from many other writers and bird watchers; they are a constant source of new observations, discussions, and bird ecology information.
Birders should not be satisfied in just knowing our birds in name only. They should strive to learn more about them. Let us not just bird watch but behaviour watch as well. -Bird Ecology Study Group
The BESGroup can engage you for hours with their large volume of information. They teach and celebrate the wonder of the birds of Singapore with fascinating intensity and we congratulate their hard work and dedication.
