You are browsing the archives of 2006 August.

Ah Maine, land of wild blueberries and roaming moose. When blistering summer heat is wearing you down, the Pine Tree State promises perfect days and nights. Maine comes by the title “Vacationland” honestly, offering superior hiking, boating, antiquing, shopping, blueberrying, whale watching, and lobster eating. But how’s the birding? The Core Team was, as usual, [...]

Did you know that Acadia National Park ranks as one of the most popular and heavily visited national parks in the U.S.? We didn’t either until we drove the 20-mile Park Loop Road. This circuit hits many of the park’s natural attractions, including Sand Beach, Thunder Hole, and Jordan Pond. I can’t tell you how [...]

A whale watching tour is undoubtedly one of the highlights of a summer trip to Maine. Since our interest in sealife extends to those creatures that fly above the ocean’s surface, we booked the Puffins & Whales tour run by the Bar Harbor Whale Watch Company. Our 3.5 hour excursion promised a full survey of [...]

Loons may be the birds that first come to mind when one thinks of Maine, but the Black-capped Chickadee holds state bird honors for a reason. Chickadees were among the few species that could be located with regularity, as were Common Ravens. While both American and Fish Crows appeared every now and again, ravens made [...]

One would think that an activity that involves healthy doses of splashing through mud, sneaking through woods, and scoping out birds, bugs, and other floral and faunal fascinations would be the domain of youth. Yet most birders I know seem to be on the distinguished as opposed to the limber side of 30, present company [...]

The key to exceptional birding while traveling, by which I mean encountering more than the grackles and pigeons outside your hotel room window, requires extensive research. My recent visit to Chicago proves the point. My goal for the few available hours I had to spare for my own interests rather than those of my employer [...]