If you’re unfamiliar with the internet slang word “birb,” we can best describe it as a term of endearment used to refer to a ridiculously cute bird. Extra points are given for being particularly round, fluffy, or silly. For a more in-depth introduction to birbs, check out this recent Audubon article: When Is a Bird a ‘Birb’? An Extremely Important Guide. Continue reading “10 Good Birbs (I’m Birbing Right Now)”
Tag: Violet-green Swallow
Sonoma County Birding: Sonoma Valley Regional Park
We visited Sonoma Valley Regional Park for the first time last week with our friend Malcolm. The lovely 202-acre park in Glen Ellen features oak woodlands, meadows, open grasslands, and riparian areas along Black Canyon and Sonoma Creeks. Continue reading “Sonoma County Birding: Sonoma Valley Regional Park”
Sit Spot & Ridge Exploration
Sitting in one spot to observe birds is an activity – or rather, an inactivity – we find rewarding. Not only does it immerse us in our natural surroundings, but it tunes us in to the ebbs and flows of bird life. A few weeks ago, we sat quietly in our neighborhood woods to watch and listen to the birds. Continue reading “Sit Spot & Ridge Exploration”
The Heartwarming and Heartbreaking Story of Billy Gene and Billie Jean, Our Nesting Pair of Northern Rough-winged Swallows
While birding, we typically only get to see a snippet of a bird’s life. In the spring of 2018, however, we had the privilege of observing a pair of Northern Rough-winged Swallows for two months while they nested in our dryer vent. Our keen interest grew into emotional investment as we watched the course of their nesting cycle unfold. But as uplifting as this intimate view was for us, the story ultimately ended in heartbreak. Continue reading “The Heartwarming and Heartbreaking Story of Billy Gene and Billie Jean, Our Nesting Pair of Northern Rough-winged Swallows”
Our 15 Favorite Bird Photos From 2018
We don’t fancy ourselves bird photographers, but merely birders who like to take some photos. We originally decided to get a camera as a way to ID and study birds we were unsure of in the field. These bird photographs also have a way of transporting us back in time, reminding us of that specific bird we spent time with on that specific day. Continue reading “Our 15 Favorite Bird Photos From 2018”