(When I go on week long trips, see massive amounts, and come back with a lot to say, brevity goes out the door. I appreciate all my readers, however few, and I promise shorter entries in the future. However, I hope you enjoy my notes… Read More
All posts by “Brendan McGarry”
Oil – a slippery slope.
We all use it – even if you don’t drive and bike everywhere – you indirectly are a part of the system. Oil is dirty and we’ve known a long time. And while we can make a difference by decreasing our consumption, ultimately it’s up… Read More
Bird-a-thon 2010 (Long)!
I’d like to preface with a warning. This entry contains the manic depictions of deviants. Birding has many manifestations. Some are the gentle musing of the causal observer, no less informed, simply less hastened or statistic driven. This is a trip report of the absurdist,… Read More
Mexico Part 8 – The End
Unfortunately for almost everyone else, food poisoning interrupted the group’s fun near the end of the trip. I managed to stay bug free and enjoyed all the food put in front of me. Although it’s easy for me to say, if relatively minor food poisoning… Read More
Happy Earth Day 2010!
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul.” – John Muir It’s been 40 years since the first Earth Day. Some might suggest not much… Read More
Mexico Part 7 – Rio Cuchujaqui
The Rio Cuchujaqui’s best birding is accessible through the Mentidero Wash, just outside of Alamos. Even as we started making our way down the wash it was starting to heat up and I was getting the anxious feeling that comes when I feel I’ve missed… Read More
Mexico Part 6 – Alamos
Heading east from Navajoa, Sonora, you face the prominent Sierra de Alamos, you’ll eventually find yourself in rolling hills. A visibly diverse canopy of a muted green develops and you are no longer in the flat coastal scrublands. Morning Glory trees, with pendulous white flowers… Read More
Mexico Part 5 – Bird Island
In case it hasn’t been clear just yet, Navopatia is a coastal locale. Let your imagination meander and I imagine you’ll arrive at common local vocation. Fishing. The fringe benefit for visiting naturalists and birders are the many boats ready for hire. Tino, who lives… Read More
Mexico Part 4 – The Big Labyrinth
Exploring mangroves is extremely dependent on the tides. The water surrounding the island (which is plopped between the Sea of Cortes and Navopatia) is never too deep and you can see sandbars form daily in the channel. In the less fast moving water, serious stands… Read More
Mexico Part 3 – The Ranch
Danner’s truck skidded through a huge mud puddle and we all held on for dear life. Speeding through the Pitayal at 7am I couldn’t have felt more contented. A behemoth above the desert landscape, the fig tree of the ranch loomed ahead. As AWA began… Read More