Sparky birds northern California’s Lassen Volcanic National Park in this episode. Unfortunately the late spring has the road through the park still blocked by snow. But he is able to see a bunch of cool mountain birds including Hermit Warbler, Mountain Chickadee, “Thick-billed” Fox Sparrow, “Audubon’s” Warbler, Western Tanager, Clark’s Nutcracker, Olive-sided Flycatcher, and he finds the nests of Steller’s Jay and Dark-eyed Junco.

But something is calling incessantly from a steep bank. Sparky investigates and finds a day-old Mule Deer fawn wedged in a rock crevice.  See what happens next!

In Part 1 of Birding Northern California. Sparky heads out to San Francisco to fill in some gaps in his ABA Life List. He also hopes to get photos of birds he hasn’t seen in 20 years or more.

He visits Ellis Creek Water Recycling in Petaluma, Red Bluff Recreation Area, Rayhouse Road/Road 40, Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, McArthur-Burney Falls State Park, Whiskeytown NRA, and some random roadside spots.

Avian Highlights include Yellow-billed Magpie, Lazuli Bunting, “California” Red-shouldered Hawk, Black Phoebe, Acorn and White-headed woodpeckers, Wrentit, Bushtit, Acorn Titmouse and a happy family of Common Mergansers. 

More coming in Parts 2, 3 and 4!

In 2016 Arjan Dwarshuis of the Netherlands visited Duluth & Sax-Zim Bog in Minnesota during his quest to see more birds around the world in one year than anyone else. And Sparky guides him on a wonderfully productive day in 2016 (December 15). They add 16 species to Arjan’s Big Year including Black-backed Woodpecker, Boreal Chickadee, Sharp-tailed Grouse, Canada Jay, Pine Grosbeak, Evening Grosbeak and many more.

Arjan’s book is finally out and it is a very enjoyable read. He highlights conservation efforts around the world…and shares his adventures and misadventures during his global Big Year. There is even a chapter about Sax-Zim Bog!

Sparky shares his Top Ten most memorable experiences from bird photography trips and wildlife photography expeditions in 2023. Plus there is a bonus “Most Memorable Moment” at the conclusion.

Sparky’s TOP 10 2023 Bird & Wildlife photos; Bird photography, wildlife photography, Texas, Minnesota, Florida, North Dakota

I find some cool things in this episode of Virtually Live from Sax-Zim Bog. Snow Buntings and Pine Siskins have arrived from the north. Then I run across a bizarre sight…A Muskrat is chasing a Wood Duck around a Beaver pond!. Later a Great Gray Owl flies over my van and into the bog so I put on my rubber boots and go in after the owl. Amazingly I find it and plop down in the Sphagnum moss to enjoy the show. Eventually the Great Gray comes within 30 feet or so and plunges into the moss for a vole. Wow! 

Birding and bird photography in Sax-Zim Bog in October.

Also remiders of the upcoming Tiny Bird Art fundraiser, BRRRRdathon: World’s Coldest Birdathon, 2024 Bog Wild Calendar, and Wrap up of Bog BioBlitz XI in Sax-Zim.

Virtually Live #39: Season 4 Episode 4

October 16, 2023

May 16, 2023

I head down to Crex Meadows Wildlife Area near Grantsburg, Wisconsin to search for my Lifer Olympia Marble butterfly. I also stumble upon one of the most beautiful turtles in North America…the Blanding’s Turtle (which promptly “mauls” me 🙂

Vesper and Grasshopper sparrows are singing, along with Eastern Towhees, Trumpeter Swans and Eastern Kingbirds.

It is hot, and the mosquitos are awful, but I find multiple species of butterflies to photograph including Hoary Elfin, Juvenal’s Duskywing, Silvery Blue, and, my main target, Olympia Marble…the butterfly that looks like its been brushed with gold foil!

Snow Blind—Making a Photo Blind / Photo Hide out of snow for bird photography.

Sparky and Ryan put ancient skills to a modern use…A quinzhee is a type of snow shelter used by the Ojibwa in the North Woods and it is a perfect shelter for hiding the photographer.

Sparky’s kids also put in a cameo!

2011, 2013, 2023

More at http://www.thephotonaturalist.com

Photo Galleries at http://www.sparkyphotos.com

February 2023: Sparky makes a quick birding/bird photography trip out to “Minnesota’s tundra” of Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge and Polk County. Is there anything to be found out here at Minus-40F? YES! Snowy Owls, Greater Prairie Chickens, Snow Buntings, Gray Partridge, basking Red Fox and more! Sparky even makes a visit to Key West…but he finds NO beaches…NO bikinis…NO bars or beers.

February 2023: Wolves are not uncommon in Sax-Zim…but to see one is a very special event! In this episode Sparky runs across a semi-cooperative Timber Wolf. Plus we hike down Gray Jay Way to meet a Snowshoe Hare, find some Red Crossbills, meet volunteer Jim and find THREE signs of spring in early February. And Sparky shares the results of the Tiny Bird Art auction.