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Trip Reports

Corpus Christi & Rio Grande Valley
The Great State of Texas
April 16 ~ 26, 2004

Yucca, Laguna Atascosa, Texas, by Derald Lary

"Texas is one of the most bird-rich areas of the United States, especially along the Rio Grande where Mexican vagrants abound. The state certainly lived up to its avian reputation. Eighteen birders from across the country gathered for a ten-day, bird until-you-drop trip to Corpus Christi and the Rio Grande Valley."

This starts the beginning of my Texas trip report that includes several birding highlights and fantastic photos of some of the specialty birds of the region. So click the above title/hyperlink to see the full report and a species list that will make you drool.

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Davie, Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary,
& Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
Mainland and Sanibel Island, Florida
April 6 ~ 16, 2003

Alligator By George Grant

"Pink colored buildings. Swaying Palm Trees. Roadside Boat-tailed Grackles. Yeah, we were in Florida."

We flew down to visit a longtime friend who moved from the Big Apple to Sunny Florida. Not only did we enjoy White Ibises and Swallow-tailed Kites while relaxing poolside in his lush lanai, we also birded some well-known hotspots. Click the title/hyperlink to read trip highlights, enjoy some photos, and skim the notable species list including two of my favorites: Wood Stork and Magnificent Frigatebird.

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Audubon Camp On Hog Island, Maine
Hog Island, Maine
September 1 ~ 8, 2001

Franklin Island, Gulf of Maine, by Arleen O'Brien

"Imagine this. You rise to Common Loon calls echoing across Muscongus Bay. By 6:15 a.m., you're standing at the Audubon Camp on Hog Island, chatting with other early birders and waiting for the first chips and twitters of the day."

This is the beginning of an article I wrote for Birding at About.com about my trip to Hog Island, Maine. As a Borror Scholarship recipient, the Maine Audubon Society gave me an opportunity to study Field Ornithology with Bonnie Bochan, Kenn Kaufman, and Seth Benz. Click the above title/hyperlink to see the article at About.com including pictures of remote Monhegan and Manana Islands. Below are additional photos that weren't used in my article.

(For larger and clearer pictures, click onto these thumbnails images.)
Copyright © Photos by Arleen O'Brien, 2001, 2005

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Central Park Ramble with David Sibley
Manhattan, New York
May 8, 2001

Turtle Pond, Central Park, NY, by Reginald Woodard

"On a lovely spring day, twenty birders not only experienced the pleasure of ambling through the park, but we did so under the tutelage of master birder and avian artist, David Sibley. Before he began what would be a delightful exploration of The Ramble, we enjoyed the tranquil setting below Belvedere Castle. We certainly couldn't have dreamed of a finer morning."

A bird walk through nearby Central Park turned into a memorable trip. To read the full story published in the Audubon Advocate, please click the title/hyperlink above (this is a .pdf file. You need Adobe Acrobat to open it.)

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Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge
Chincoteague Island, Virginia
October 19 ~ 24, 2000

Chincoteauge National Wildlife Refuge by Ron Lutz II

"Chincoteague Island is a Mid-Atlantic Barrier Island protecting the mainland of Virginia. It's filled with miles of soft, sandy beaches, lush marshes, and tidal flats -- perfect feeding spots for countless egrets, herons, shorebirds, songbirds and waterfowl. In short, Chincoteague Island is bird heaven."

So begins my story about a birding trip to Chincoteague Island off the coast of Virginia. Click the title/hyperlink above to see pictures of this beautiful and interesting island including the haunting Old Forest and to see the list of bird species noted in this well-loved birding hotspot of coastal Virginia.

"I rejoice that there are owls."
Henry Thoreau

 

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Copyright © Arleen O'Brien, All Rights Reserved, 2005

I take great care to acknowledge photographers, authors, etc. in this web site. If you notice an error, please feel free to contact me so that I may properly give credit. To do so, click my name.