State of Wilderness

Category: Birding

  • A Morning at Gulf Coast Bird Observatory

    As we walk along the trail heading north back towards the nature center, we heard bird calls that were louder than usual, and saw a couple of people threading their way through a side trail ahead where the noises were coming from.  As we came upon the intersection, I realized why the noises were so…

  • Nature’s Surprise

    Most years, we try to go on a First Day Hike.  All fifty states have participating state parks that participate in this initiative to get people outdoors and active.  For us, it is a way to start the year doing something we love. This year, we decided on Huntsville State Park because 1) our friends…

  • A Year of Birds on the Brain

    It’s Christmas day, and I am ridiculously excited about two of the presents I received – an audio CD of bird songs from Jason to learn how to identify species by ear, and a birding journal from my mom.  “It’s so funny that you got so into this bird thing,” he says, “considering you’re so…

  • Cross Creek Ranch: Where Nature Resides

    Scenes from dawn to dusk at Polishing Pond, an area within the Cross Creek Ranch neighborhood dedicated to nature.  The fifty acre series of connected ponds acts as an engineered water quality basin, filtering water for use in irrigation in the nearby community.  It also attracts a LOT of wildlife, mostly birds.  Although primarily waterfowl can…