Birder’s Lounge

I am pleased to announce that Birder’s Lounge is launching a year-long campaign, “Do Something!”, to help birds and animals injured or displaced by humans. As a people, we are steadily claiming more and more land for our homes and activities. We are the dominant species on the planet, and to a large extent, other species live or die at our discretion.

Humans compete with other species for food, shelter, water and air. Our claim on these vital survival elements sometimes leads to the contamination or elimination of these same vital elements that are available to other species.

Some humans commit a grievous insult to other species by taking them from their natural habitats (or the habitats left to them), and keeping them as pets.  Or putting them in a cage for display. Or worse - killing them for sport.

I am the first to admit that many of these ideas can be clouded by circumstance and intent. Hunters may kill other species for sport, but in doing so, help balance a population that may otherwise starve. Children thrill in the discovery of animals at a zoo. There are many homes with loving owners who take very good care of their non-domesticated pets.

Some of you may be saying saying, “Ok, I get it. What do you want me to do about it?”

Glad you asked!

I hope you will join me in one or more of these activities this year:

• Help raise awareness that everything we do affects the well-being of other creatures
• Give some of your own habitat back to nature
• Engage children in outdoor activities that help instill a sense of wonder and excitement about flora and fauna
• Plant a NATIVE tree on your property
• Reduce or eliminate your use of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers
• Visit a state park, national park, or wildlife refuge
• Identify and learn about one bird that you are unfamiliar with
• Donate to an organization that is dedicated to protecting and preserving habitats and wildlife

Here’s MY pledge: I will do (or continue to do) all of these things in 2009. In addition, I will pledge $1 for each of these activities that YOU do in 2009, as long as you tell me about it and allow me to share the good news here at Birder’s Lounge. I will display a running total of the dollars I have pledged, and at the end of the year, I will donate the funds to the two Birder’s Lounge charities. (International Bird Rescue Research Center - IBRRC; Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation - WRR)

Isn’t it fun to do something good?

I sincerely hope I (nearly) go broke trying to keep up with you!

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Photo by Nancy Wracher

This gorgeous Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) was photographed by my friend Nancy Wracher, in Durango, Colorado. I have never actually met Nancy, but the story of how I came to share her fantastic photos is a great one. Read the rest of this entry »

I have added a “Video Corner” to the sidebar, which rotates through the videos posted on the new Videos page. So far, all of these videos are from YouTube, and are what I consider “G” rated. (I cannot vouch for whatever “related” videos that YouTube offers after the selected video plays.)

I hope you love these as much as I do! I find myself spending a shocking amount of time on this new page!

I would love to  know what your favorites are!

It is time for the first monthly ID Challenge! contest for 2009. I hope to spark your curiosity and provide you with a fun way to learn about nature. The prize for this month’s contest is AWESOME. I chose this prize because I want one too!

A photographic showcase of 150 birds at the extremes of nature.

Extreme Birds reveals nature’s ingenuity and sometimes its sense of humor. The species showcased in this book are chosen for their extraordinary characteristics and for behaviors far beyond the typical. They are the biggest, the fastest, the meanest, the smartest. They build the most intricate nests, they have the most peculiar mating rituals, and they dive the deepest or fly the highest. These are the overachievers of the avian world.

About the Author

Dominic Couzens has written many books on birds and birding, leads specialized bird tours, and is a regular contributor to Birdwatch and BBC Wildlife magazines. ¹

As promised, I am posting a copy of the Birder’s Lounge check representing the results of our “Match a dollar” campaign. This includes the value of the last ID Challenge prize, graciously donated by the winner. THANK YOU to those who found a few dollars to donate to Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation!

Happy New Year!!

This is the first Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) I have ever seen. Woohoo! This male, sporting his Eclipse plumage, Read the rest of this entry »

Allright, time to announce this month’s ID Challenge! winner. First, the answers:

Picture 1; Dallas, TX

Picture 1 is a Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), photographed at White Rock Lake, in Dallas, Texas. This one and several others were hanging out with the pelicans.

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Picture 2; Dallas, TX

Picture 2 is a Pipevine Swallowtail (Battus philenor). This photo was also taken at White Rock Lake - in November! It seemed extraordinary to me to see such a big, pretty butterfly so late in the year.

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Picture 3; Richardson, TX

The growths in Picture 3 are commonly known as Oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus). Yes, they are edible! No, I didn’t eat any of them.

The winner of this month’s ID Challenge is AJ - the second win for AJ! The prize for this month’s contest is one of the two 2009 Birder’s Lounge Calendars. AJ has requested that instead of the prize, I contribute the value of the calendar to Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation. If you have not heard about WRR, please read this post about my visit with the founder, Lynn Cuny.

Please also remember that I have pledged to match one dollar to your one (or more) dollars as a year-end donation to this non-profit organization. If you decide to donate, please let me know via the pledge form below, so that I can keep a talley of the amount of my matching check!

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I am going to adjust the timing of the monthly ID Challenge contest slightly, by posting it on or about the first day of every month, instead of the last day of the month. The contest will always feature pictures of birds, plants, bugs,  and/or animals who were photographed in the previous month.

Next ID Challenge! Contest - January 1, 2009!

Today is the last day to submit your answers for this month’s ID Challenge! The winner will be announced on December 26 28, and the prize is your choice of a Birder’s Lounge 2009 calendar.

Happy Holidays!

This is Mr. Grumpy. He is in no mood to be gawked at or bothered. It’s the Holiday Season, and he’s just not feelin’ that Holiday Spirit. Until… Read the rest of this entry »