Viewing: Ivan Phillipsen

There are about 11,000 species of birds on Earth. Our feathered friends display a dazzling assortment of plumage colors and patterns and come in all shapes and sizes. From tiny hummingbirds to hefty ostriches, body size in birds spans a wide range. This wasn’t always the case. We know that birds are actually a specialized […] Read more

Day 1 – Juneau Our adventure began in Alaska’s state capital: Juneau. The weather was a bit drizzly and gray– which is often the case in southeast Alaska– as our group assembled. Once everyone had arrived, we sat down for a little meeting for introductions and an orientation. There was a little time to wander […] Read more

If you’re new to the exciting world of birdwatching (i.e. birding), you may be wondering if you need a new pair of binoculars. If you’ve got a rusty, old pair of binoculars– from your Boy Scout days or handed down from Mom– chances are they aren’t going to be good enough for your birdwatching adventures. […] Read more

What’s so great about birdwatching? It seems like all the kids are doing it these days, so there must be something to it. I’m joking a little here, because in reality not that many youngsters are into birdwatching. But this seems to be changing and I dream of a future where many more of our […] Read more

Oaxaca—pronounced wah-HA-kah—is the 5th-largest of Mexico’s 31 states, but it ranks numero uno for having the greatest number of animal species. For example, 741 bird species have been found in Oaxaca– about 67% of the species found in Mexico. There are also hundreds of native mammals in Oaxaca and the state is home to more reptiles […] Read more

Noah Strycker’s occupation is ‘BIRD MAN.’ Well, at least that’s what he wrote on his immigration forms for many of the 41 countries he visited in 2015. Noah spent all 365 of his days that year birdwatching across the planet on an epic quest to see 5,000 species. He chose that number because it is […] Read more

The Hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) is a Neotropical bird that lives along slow-moving rivers and lakes in the Amazon Basin. With a distinct appearance, loud calls, a tendency to live in social groups, and a clumsy way of moving through foliage, it’s not surprising that Hoatzins are fairly easy to find in their habitat. (In case […] Read more

Smartphones and the countless apps that make them useful have truly revolutionized the way many of us do our work, communicate with each other, and pursue our pastimes. Phones now serve as powerful, pocket-sized computers that can keep us connected to just about everything and everyone, no matter where we are. For me, this technology […] Read more

As a birder or wildlife watcher, you likely spend a lot of time outside using your binoculars to get better looks at the feathered, furry, and scaly creatures around you. Your binoculars are often your most important tool out there in the field. For them to deliver the best image quality they need to be […] Read more