On Saturday while on a bird walk led by my friend, we saw a Belted Kingfisher but I was unable to get a good photo so I went back to see if I could spot them again at the West Ridge Nature Preserve. No luck but I did see a very punk rock like Hooded … Continue reading Adventures in Birding: In Search of a Kingfisher and finally a decent pic of a Flicker!
Author: wanderlust69
Adventures in Birding: Prairie Chickens and Hawks in Southern Illinois…and a fw American White Pelicans
I signed up for an Illinois Audubon field trip to see Prairie Chickens at the Prairie Ridge Natural Area in Newton, Illinois. Every spring the males do a bit of a dance to attract the ladies. Normally they would have us all gather in a blind to get closer but due to Covid this wasn't … Continue reading Adventures in Birding: Prairie Chickens and Hawks in Southern Illinois…and a fw American White Pelicans
Adventures in Birding: Spring Migration has Sprung
Whenever I've had the chance, I've been getting out to practice my birding nad bird photography! Unfortunately, my camera didn't seem to be focusing well and it took me a bit to figure out what was going on. I dropped it back in June and was able to get it repaired but I think the … Continue reading Adventures in Birding: Spring Migration has Sprung
LEJOG Virtual Challenge, Mile 677: Just northeast of the Lake District
Spring is springing here in Chicago which has made it possible to commute more easily on my bike as well as take some longer walks, either while on my birding excursions or with Banita and Denali. Though the virtual trip doesn't have me going through the Lake District I thought I'd take you on a … Continue reading LEJOG Virtual Challenge, Mile 677: Just northeast of the Lake District
LEJOG Virtual Challenge: Mile Marker 636.8, Cumbria
It was a cold and snowy February here in Chicago so not much mileage was had either by walking or cycling. Just a few one to two mile jaunts here and there so that kept me virtually in the Yorkshire Dales for some time. Not a bad place to be even if only in your … Continue reading LEJOG Virtual Challenge: Mile Marker 636.8, Cumbria
Adventures in Birding: Sandhill and Whooping Cranes
For Banita's birthday we rented a little renonvated barn in Sawyer, Michigan for the weekend. While there we saw on our friend and avid birder Scott's facebook page that the very rare Common Crane (despite it's name it really was way off course, as it is usually found in northern Eurasia) was seen amongst the … Continue reading Adventures in Birding: Sandhill and Whooping Cranes
Montrose Harbor and Point-Winter 2021
Post blizzard and pre brutally cold temperatures I made it out to the lakefront with my repaired camera to capture some bird images. Looking forward to getting back into my new found hobby that I started last May and put on hold while my camera was on the fritz. Not at that point yet where … Continue reading Montrose Harbor and Point-Winter 2021
LEJOG Virtual Challenge: Mile Marker 595.7, Yorkshire Dales
Goodness, not having a 15 mile round trip bike commute a couple times a week definitely hampers getting my mileage in. I'll need to take more lakeside walks with the dog! Virtually we are now in the Yorkshire Dales and this is where I can actually start writing and posting pictures from my real life … Continue reading LEJOG Virtual Challenge: Mile Marker 595.7, Yorkshire Dales
LEJOG Virtual Challenge-Mile Marker 565.6: Bradford/Leeds with a jaunt through the Peak District
This post is in memoriam of Banita's dear friend Steve Wright, who passed away this time last year. We were fortunate to be able to visit with him briefly in his home, near Leeds, in May 2019 during my 50th birthday trip. Upon his passing were were able to travel back to celebrate his life … Continue reading LEJOG Virtual Challenge-Mile Marker 565.6: Bradford/Leeds with a jaunt through the Peak District
LEJOG Virtual Challenge-Mile Marker 520.6: Sheffield and almost the halfway point
It's a big week in 'merica and stress levels are off the chart. Good time to visit my virtual trek. This mileage was completed via a couple five mile hikes in Upper Michigan and multiple, now short biking commutes to work. Been a busy couple months of fitting in a getaway, moving, and maintaining sanity … Continue reading LEJOG Virtual Challenge-Mile Marker 520.6: Sheffield and almost the halfway point