Expert insights. Personalized for you.
Mad over Maltese. . These tiny fluff balls will make you laugh out loud and drive you crazy. Best friend and protective- pampering parent, you will have to switch roles and shift gears with these sprightly creatures before blinking an eyelid. “The tiniest dog Nature has ever produced –. Her coat of long hair, whiter than ermine, Her movements exquisitely graceful and. Matchless elegance of appearance.” ” (Vol. II, Canto 43, Orlando Furioso). MORE
One question every self-described birder must grapple with is to twitch or not to twitch. Some of us love to chase down preposterous vagrants, while others eschew bird chasing for contemplation of standard local fare and seasonal specialties. I raise this perennial issue because I found myself twitching a rare ABA bird this weekend. Did you? My ill-advised twitch was a run for the Long Island Ruffs recently spotted on the south shore. MORE
No need to draw this question out. Many of us are still enjoying the final weekend of May, so let’s cut to the chase and talk about our best birds. My best bird this weekend was an Eastern Wood-Pewee calling from a bare branch. When it comes to New World flycatchers, empids tend to irritate me for the same reasons they irritate everyone, but species in the genus Contopus make me much happier for inexplicable reasons. MORE
Sadly, we don’t exactly live in an ideal world. If we did, all of our jobs would have in-house pet daycares and we could bring our four-legged friends to work with us. In the less accommodating world we actually live in, our pets have to stay at home while we spend the next 8 to 10 hours making the money that we’ll later use to spoil them. For many of us, our pets are like our children, so leaving them at home for so long can mean a lot of stress for us (and them). MORE
Light a virtual candle on September 26, 2013, for a pet on-line. This Thursday, you can be a light for pets waiting in shelters. The message of Remember Me Thursday is to remember the millions of orphan pets who lost their lives over the last year. By uniting animal lovers across the world on one very special day, we can help raise awareness about animal adoption, and hopefully save the lives of more pets. If you are active on social media, please help spread the message. MORE
If you are planning a birding trip to 2013 maybe you should consider Ecuador, my home country! Thanks to Lonely Planet we hope to see a small boost in tourism this year since Ecuador has made it to Top 10 Countries to travel in 2013. Happy Birding in 2013! Destinations Ecuador 2013Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve. Even if you are not a birder, you will find Ecuador to be a top notch destination for all sorts of people. MORE
Keep your eyes to the skies for fun celestial bodies! Did you see Pan-Starrs? Clare Kines spotted the charismatic comet above Admiralty Inlet in Nunavut!). Spring is here! I know this not from the gradual appearance of robins, grackles, and blackbirds around me, but rather from the fact that our local schools are about to embark on spring break. Party! We won’t be leaving town until after the weekend, but plan to celebrate Easter the way we always do: egg hunt, baskets, and a nice hike. MORE
Here in the United States, April 15 is Tax Day, which means that countless Americans have toiled through the last 48 hours to prepare their taxes. Some are surely at it still. What a way to ruin a weekend! With the foresight to get my taxes taken care of early, I was free to enjoy the cold spring weather and lingering winter species around here. It’s nice to see that Red-breasted Nuthatches still haunt my home turf. Corey’s Best Bird of the Weekend was a total surprise. MORE
The book will be released on October 29, 2013 and join our #BlogPawsChat on October 22nd for a chance to win a free book and toy! Most dog lovers will tell you that their dog is smart. In fact, it’s something that dog owners have known for some time, that dogs do indeed know what we are saying. Sometimes, they might even know too much! Just try tricking your pup into going to the vet or getting a bath! MORE
A bored puppy is an unhappy puppy, and possibly a destructive puppy. Puzzles are great tools to keep boredom away. Dogs are intelligent animals. Your dog’s wild cousins such as the dingo and the coyote need to use their cleverness to find and capture food. You’re the alpha of your dog’s pack, and so the heavy lifting of the food gathering would fall to you. Of course, the fact of the matter is that you provide the food in your household, or one of the other humans does. MORE
I’m wondering if Best Bird of the Weekend is too restrictive a way to consider the avians we encounter from Friday to Sunday. Of course we should seek reasons to celebrate every bird species we share our weekends with, but is the species that delights us most always the most memorable? MORE
August 6, 2013) – For the first time in SeaWorld’s history, a Cesarean section has been performed on a shark. A team of shark experts and veterinarians performed the groundbreaking procedure on a whitetip reef shark at Discovery Cove, SeaWorld’s sister park, in Orlando on July 18, 2013. Orlando, Fla. Six months into the shark’s gestation, the park’s animal team noticed a complication with her pregnancy and determined an emergency C-section was necessary. MORE
Keep your eyes to the skies for flying pink birds like these Roseate Spoonbills , which are really ibises with big flat bills ! Excited about the equinox? One half of our global population will be surrendering minutes and then hours of daylight for darkness while the other half enjoys the inverse transaction. Those dark days of December are still far off, however, and migrants fill our skies in light and darkness. This threshold weekend holds promise everywhere in the world, so enjoy it! MORE
Beggin’ has a special program going on with Sam’s Club through the end of October. You get to cast your vote to help get your dog’s favorite Beggin’ flavors featured in a special Beggin’ Party Pack that will arrive at Sam’s Club in March 2014. There are 5 varieties of Beggin’ up for vote – Bacon, Bacon & Cheese, Thick Cuts Hickory, Collisions Bacon & Cheeseburger, Collisions Bacon & Peanut Butter. MORE
I finally saw my first Eastern Phoebe of 2013 yesterday at Hempstead Lake State Park on Long Island. So, like last year, I thought I would ask the question,which is only really relevant to folks in the midwest and northeast of the United States and in eastern Canada: When did you see your first Eastern Phoebe of 2013? In fact, I saw three! MORE
Another long, lovely summer weekend has slipped into history. Midsummer will be giving way any moment to late summer. I know that families in the United States are already fretting/anticipating September’s arrival. How do you feel about it? Corey’s Best Bird of the Weekend was a Least Tern that flew over his apartment, only the second he ever saw from the comfort of his balcony. My best birds were Eastern Kingbirds , which usually catch my attention in summer. MORE
27, 2013 at the Waterfront Hilton Resort in Huntington Beach, Calif. 1, 2013. Dog is Good, one of our personal favorites for gifts and apparel for dog lovers, will host The BOLO Project Puppy Shower to benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. MORE
Winter in the temperate portions of the Nearctic ecozone might be cold, but fine birds choose to visit no matter what the weather. I’ve always equated winter with big predatory birds like Snowy Owls and Rough-legged Hawks. But on second thought, smaller birds like Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs spring to mind. And on third thought are those winsome winter waterfowl and exciting alcids… so what avifauna do you equate with winter in your part of the world? MORE
So as many of my loyal readers know, I have a very mixed relationship with vagrants and the chasing thereof. Nevertheless, when a Baikal Teal was reported by the illustrious Radd Icenoggle just outside Missoula, I couldn’t very well ignore the siren call. Especially once the bird made the front page of the Missoulian and my friends started asking me about it. My quest began on Tuesday, two days after the first sighting and mere hours after the second set of x-rays on my wrist. (It’s MORE
As 2013 draws to a close we here at 10,000 Birds thought that it would be a great idea if we, like we did in 2010 , 2011 , and 2012 , shared our Best Birds of the Year. I was fortunate to rack up a number of lifers in 2013, both at home and abroad ( Varied Thrush in Washington, Brewer’s Blackbirds in California, Burrowing Owl in the Nevada desert). MORE
Is it coincidence or conspiracy that Father’s Day falls on a weekend where very good birding can still be found in most areas? You be the judge… I got into a bunch of great grassland and forest birds this weekend. Honors go to American Redstart which somehow escaped me for the year until now. Corey was very pleased to finally find a Bell’s Vireo this weekend in Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Orange County, California. MORE
What records will fall in 2013? Periodically throughout 2013 we will check in with the folks we find doing big years to see how they are doing. Anyway, without further ado, here are the 2013 Big Year birders! Check out EPIC Big Year 2013. You can keep up with Matt at Canada Big Year 2013. Laura Erickson is doing a “Conservation Big Year” seeking to see, photograph, and highlight conservation stories around the United States in 2013. MORE
Were there any birds about this weekend? The only ones that concerned me were Ravens, Falcons, Seahawks, Cardinals, and Eagles. Welcome back, NFL football! Of course I still kept my eyes out for other types of birds. This time of year is perfect for finding juvenile Eastern Bluebirds , which I was happy to do. Corey’s BBOTW was a Blackburnian Warbler on Saturday in Alley Pond Park in Queens. Fall migration is in full swing! How about you? What was your best bird of the weekend? MORE
Even in winter, a sunrise is warm. Ah, December, such a deceptively cheerful month! December offers us many reasons to celebrate, one of which I never considered until I heard the words of American author Oliver Herford. Herford (1863-1935) gave the world such wry epigrams as “Many are called but few get up,” and “Only the young die good,” but his most sincere and touching contribution was surely this poem, I Heard a Bird Sing : I heard a bird sing. In the dark of December. A magical thing. MORE
This giveaway is open to those in the USA only, and will end at midnight on August 7th, 2013. We were excited to hear about the new line of dog food and treats from Beneful, and even more excited when they offered to let us try them out ourselves and hold a giveaway for you too. Did you know that dental problems are the most common health issue for US pets? Dental problems affect at least 70 to 80 percent of dogs and cats. That’s a lot! MORE
What will you do this weekend to improve your 2013 year list? Keep your eyes to the skies. Snow is in the air! This penultimate weekend of the year inspires last-minute panic: how are you going to get everything you need before time is up? Some folks will go to extraordinary lengths to cross off everything on their sizable lists. How about you? You knew that’s what I was talking about, right?). MORE
Jimmy Fallon welcomes back his panel of puppies to predict the winner of the 2013 World Series between the Red Sox and Cardinals. Calling all baseball fans! The puppies predict the world series in this adorable video. That’s right! The post Puppies Predict the World Series appeared first on 4 The Love of Animals. cute of the day cute video dogs MORE
Winter may not technically begin for another couple of weeks, but frigid temperatures and wicked snow are assailing various parts of North America. The weather outside is frightful, but winter birds are so delightful… guess that’s as good a reason as any to brave the cold. Alas, I had no time outdoors this weekend, which leaves House Sparrows sheltering a giant wreath as my Best Bird of the Weekend. Jealous? MORE
Birding and wildlife watching can be, as we all know, a solitary activity. And our practices, though familiar to anyone in our phenologically-attuned culture, can seem strange, sometimes even threatening, to the uninitiated. We receive ample, often poignant reminders of what tragedy can befall those who travel alone among those who don’t recognize their ways or understand their motives. So be careful out there, wherever you roam. MORE
Now seems like a good time to look in on the birding big years happening in 2013 to see how folks are doing as they tear around their county or region or state or province or country trying to see as many birds as possible before 1 January 2014. Since the initial post on 2013 big years I have learned of several more people attempting big years this year. You can follow along at Birding for Conservation , where I learned that David has already reached 270 species for 2013. MORE
Before this lovely June weekend began, I bemoaned the evident end of spring migration. What I failed to recognize were all the great things that happen around here when the waves of migrants subside. For example, the local farmers’ markets are back in action! If you can’t get fresh birds, at least enjoy fresh produce. My favorite sighting this weekend was a House Wren at my house. Corey’s Best Bird of the Weekend was an easy one to decide upon. MORE
No matter where you live in the world, you’ve probably noticed how interesting the unfolding of this season is becoming. True, many of you live in locations that are verdant and vibrant all year long or cold and white most of the time. But from pole to pole, creatures are on the move and blossoms and berries are bursting to greet them. Isn’t that exciting? MORE
From May 13 to June 14, 2013, cat people will be able to vote (limit one vote perperson per day) at www.catchow.com/50shelters to help their state’s shelter earn up to an additional $1,000. For every vote cast on [link] for a specific shelter from May 13 to June 14, 2013 , Purina Cat Chow will donate $1, up to $1,000 per shelter, to be provided via a cash donation (limit one vote per person per day for all voting channels combined). Purina Cat Chow just launched “ 50 Years. MORE
As the year 2013 accelerates towards its imminent endpoint, I find myself deluged with end-of-year tasks both mundane and inspired. Instead of easing into the last days of December and out of 2013, you might consider redoubling your efforts to end this year on a triumphant note. We may all perceive time differently, but in the modern world we are all subject to the same calendar. MORE
After all, this is National Moth Week 2013! When the birds of summer grow stale, a birder’s fancy turns to leps and odes. If you don’t know what those terms mean, think about the most colorful and fascinating flying creatures that aren’t birds. Summer is sweet for dragonflies, butterflies, and moths, the last of which deserve your attention over the next seven or so days. MORE
The 2013 ABA Bird of the Year has been announced. It’s well worth clicking over to the ABA Blog and checking out the video announcing the 2013 selection. Congratulations to the Common Nighthawk ! It’s a nice bird, though no Green Heron. Seriously. Asides ABA MORE
The first batch of proposals for the 2013 American Ornithologists’ Union North American checklist supplement has hit the ‘tubes. Let’s take a look at some of what lurks inside: Pygmy-owl split. Proposal 2013-A-2 would split the “Guatemalan Pygmy-Owl” ( Glaucidium cobanense ) of southern Mexico and northern Central America from the widespread Northern Pygmy-Owl ( G. gnoma ) on the basis of vocal differences and a discrete range. Sandwich Tern split. MORE
One of the perks about living in Miami is that plane tickets to the bird-rich Caribbean, Central, and South America are often cheaper than going to places like Arizona, Colorado, or California. MORE
This has to be the best music video ever. Not only a great song, there is an adorable bulldog in it, and the best part? It shares the adopt/rescue message! American Authors have teamed up with BarkBox to create this super cute puppy love inspired video for “Best Day of My Life”, and that’s not all! Every single bulldog that gets rescued in September and October gets three free months of BarkBox and a full free year of BarkCare, their 24/7 vet service!! MORE
I unearthed this 2013 Laguna de la Nava, a Spanish Gran Reserva wine bottled by Bodegas Navarro Lopez in Valdepeñas, a Denominación de Origen Protegida region in the province of Ciudad Real, about one hundred miles south of Madrid. Bodegas Navarro Lopez Laguna de la Nava Gran Reserva (2013). MORE
No dog is happier to be rescued. I remember the first night after I left the streets. My human kept me in an enclosed porch because, let’s face it, I was crawling with fleas and pretty filthy. She put a dog bed outside with some food and water, and I’d see her checking on me about every five minutes. That night, I slept well for the first time in my short life. I didn’t move; I didn’t wake up until the sun rose. I was safe. MORE
In 2013 I birded in two countries, submitted eBird checklists for seven U.S. At the beginning of the year I said the following about my goals for the year’s birding: I start 2013 with 297 birds on my Queens Life List , 500 birds on my ABA Life List , and 1,096 birds on my World Life List. I would like to end 2013 with 303, 512, and 1,150 birds on those lists. But what were my top ten birding moments of 2013? What were your top birding moments of 2013? MORE
Since we just backed the PawNosh Kickstarter project , I wanted to share it with you too. PawNosh pet bowls are made from recycled glass, and not only do they look amazing, they are tough too! The bowl carries a lifetime warranty against breakage (something pet owners can appreciate). I love that they are made in the USA too. Here is a video all about the PawNosh pet bowls: They have many different backer levels, and are in the final stages of fundraising to make the bowls a reality. MORE
The most flamboyant of all hummers, the Marvelous Spatuletail will be one of the many endemic bird highlights along the route of the Second International Birding Rally Challenge in Peru. Photo: Courtesy of Dubi Shapiro. I can’t convey how thrilled I am about the upcoming International Birding Rally Challenge in Peru. This is the second version of an event like this in a different region of the country; and this time I will be participating!!! MORE
2013 Related Topics 10,000 Birds
JANUARY 9, 2013
What records will fall in 2013? Periodically throughout 2013 we will check in with the folks we find doing big years to see how they are doing. Anyway, without further ado, here are the 2013 Big Year birders! Check out EPIC Big Year 2013. You can keep up with Matt at Canada Big Year 2013. Laura Erickson is doing a “Conservation Big Year” seeking to see, photograph, and highlight conservation stories around the United States in 2013.
10,000 Birds
APRIL 16, 2013
Now seems like a good time to look in on the birding big years happening in 2013 to see how folks are doing as they tear around their county or region or state or province or country trying to see as many birds as possible before 1 January 2014. Since the initial post on 2013 big years I have learned of several more people attempting big years this year. You can follow along at Birding for Conservation , where I learned that David has already reached 270 species for 2013.
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 12, 2013
If you are planning a birding trip to 2013 maybe you should consider Ecuador, my home country! Thanks to Lonely Planet we hope to see a small boost in tourism this year since Ecuador has made it to Top 10 Countries to travel in 2013. Happy Birding in 2013! Destinations Ecuador 2013Pululahua Geobotanical Reserve. Even if you are not a birder, you will find Ecuador to be a top notch destination for all sorts of people.
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 31, 2013
In 2013 I birded in two countries, submitted eBird checklists for seven U.S. At the beginning of the year I said the following about my goals for the year’s birding: I start 2013 with 297 birds on my Queens Life List , 500 birds on my ABA Life List , and 1,096 birds on my World Life List. I would like to end 2013 with 303, 512, and 1,150 birds on those lists. But what were my top ten birding moments of 2013? What were your top birding moments of 2013?
10,000 Birds
MARCH 25, 2013
I finally saw my first Eastern Phoebe of 2013 yesterday at Hempstead Lake State Park on Long Island. So, like last year, I thought I would ask the question,which is only really relevant to folks in the midwest and northeast of the United States and in eastern Canada: When did you see your first Eastern Phoebe of 2013? In fact, I saw three!
10,000 Birds
MAY 3, 2013
So as many of my loyal readers know, I have a very mixed relationship with vagrants and the chasing thereof. Nevertheless, when a Baikal Teal was reported by the illustrious Radd Icenoggle just outside Missoula, I couldn’t very well ignore the siren call. Especially once the bird made the front page of the Missoulian and my friends started asking me about it. My quest began on Tuesday, two days after the first sighting and mere hours after the second set of x-rays on my wrist. (It’s
4 The Love Of Animals
SEPTEMBER 24, 2013
Light a virtual candle on September 26, 2013, for a pet on-line. This Thursday, you can be a light for pets waiting in shelters. The message of Remember Me Thursday is to remember the millions of orphan pets who lost their lives over the last year. By uniting animal lovers across the world on one very special day, we can help raise awareness about animal adoption, and hopefully save the lives of more pets. If you are active on social media, please help spread the message.
10,000 Birds
MARCH 17, 2013
The first batch of proposals for the 2013 American Ornithologists’ Union North American checklist supplement has hit the ‘tubes. Let’s take a look at some of what lurks inside: Pygmy-owl split. Proposal 2013-A-2 would split the “Guatemalan Pygmy-Owl” ( Glaucidium cobanense ) of southern Mexico and northern Central America from the widespread Northern Pygmy-Owl ( G. gnoma ) on the basis of vocal differences and a discrete range. Sandwich Tern split.
4 The Love Of Animals
AUGUST 7, 2013
August 6, 2013) – For the first time in SeaWorld’s history, a Cesarean section has been performed on a shark. A team of shark experts and veterinarians performed the groundbreaking procedure on a whitetip reef shark at Discovery Cove, SeaWorld’s sister park, in Orlando on July 18, 2013. Orlando, Fla. Six months into the shark’s gestation, the park’s animal team noticed a complication with her pregnancy and determined an emergency C-section was necessary.
4 The Love Of Animals
OCTOBER 23, 2013
27, 2013 at the Waterfront Hilton Resort in Huntington Beach, Calif. 1, 2013. Dog is Good, one of our personal favorites for gifts and apparel for dog lovers, will host The BOLO Project Puppy Shower to benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct.
4 The Love Of Animals
MAY 13, 2013
From May 13 to June 14, 2013, cat people will be able to vote (limit one vote perperson per day) at www.catchow.com/50shelters to help their state’s shelter earn up to an additional $1,000. For every vote cast on [link] for a specific shelter from May 13 to June 14, 2013 , Purina Cat Chow will donate $1, up to $1,000 per shelter, to be provided via a cash donation (limit one vote per person per day for all voting channels combined). Purina Cat Chow just launched “ 50 Years.
4 The Love Of Animals
OCTOBER 28, 2013
Jimmy Fallon welcomes back his panel of puppies to predict the winner of the 2013 World Series between the Red Sox and Cardinals. Calling all baseball fans! The puppies predict the world series in this adorable video. That’s right! The post Puppies Predict the World Series appeared first on 4 The Love of Animals. cute of the day cute video dogs
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 7, 2013
The 2013 ABA Bird of the Year has been announced. It’s well worth clicking over to the ABA Blog and checking out the video announcing the 2013 selection. Congratulations to the Common Nighthawk ! It’s a nice bird, though no Green Heron. Seriously. Asides ABA
10,000 Birds
APRIL 26, 2013
One of the perks about living in Miami is that plane tickets to the bird-rich Caribbean, Central, and South America are often cheaper than going to places like Arizona, Colorado, or California.
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 8, 2013
Were there any birds about this weekend? The only ones that concerned me were Ravens, Falcons, Seahawks, Cardinals, and Eagles. Welcome back, NFL football! Of course I still kept my eyes out for other types of birds. This time of year is perfect for finding juvenile Eastern Bluebirds , which I was happy to do. Corey’s BBOTW was a Blackburnian Warbler on Saturday in Alley Pond Park in Queens. Fall migration is in full swing! How about you? What was your best bird of the weekend?
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 27, 2013
As 2013 draws to a close we here at 10,000 Birds thought that it would be a great idea if we, like we did in 2010 , 2011 , and 2012 , shared our Best Birds of the Year. I was fortunate to rack up a number of lifers in 2013, both at home and abroad ( Varied Thrush in Washington, Brewer’s Blackbirds in California, Burrowing Owl in the Nevada desert).
4 The Love Of Animals
JULY 30, 2013
This giveaway is open to those in the USA only, and will end at midnight on August 7th, 2013. We were excited to hear about the new line of dog food and treats from Beneful, and even more excited when they offered to let us try them out ourselves and hold a giveaway for you too. Did you know that dental problems are the most common health issue for US pets? Dental problems affect at least 70 to 80 percent of dogs and cats. That’s a lot!
10,000 Birds
APRIL 14, 2013
Here in the United States, April 15 is Tax Day, which means that countless Americans have toiled through the last 48 hours to prepare their taxes. Some are surely at it still. What a way to ruin a weekend! With the foresight to get my taxes taken care of early, I was free to enjoy the cold spring weather and lingering winter species around here. It’s nice to see that Red-breasted Nuthatches still haunt my home turf. Corey’s Best Bird of the Weekend was a total surprise.
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 22, 2013
As the year 2013 accelerates towards its imminent endpoint, I find myself deluged with end-of-year tasks both mundane and inspired. Instead of easing into the last days of December and out of 2013, you might consider redoubling your efforts to end this year on a triumphant note. We may all perceive time differently, but in the modern world we are all subject to the same calendar.
10,000 Birds
APRIL 21, 2013
One question every self-described birder must grapple with is to twitch or not to twitch. Some of us love to chase down preposterous vagrants, while others eschew bird chasing for contemplation of standard local fare and seasonal specialties. I raise this perennial issue because I found myself twitching a rare ABA bird this weekend. Did you? My ill-advised twitch was a run for the Long Island Ruffs recently spotted on the south shore.
4 The Love Of Animals
JULY 11, 2013
Since we just backed the PawNosh Kickstarter project , I wanted to share it with you too. PawNosh pet bowls are made from recycled glass, and not only do they look amazing, they are tough too! The bowl carries a lifetime warranty against breakage (something pet owners can appreciate). I love that they are made in the USA too. Here is a video all about the PawNosh pet bowls: They have many different backer levels, and are in the final stages of fundraising to make the bowls a reality.
10,000 Birds
JULY 19, 2013
After all, this is National Moth Week 2013! When the birds of summer grow stale, a birder’s fancy turns to leps and odes. If you don’t know what those terms mean, think about the most colorful and fascinating flying creatures that aren’t birds. Summer is sweet for dragonflies, butterflies, and moths, the last of which deserve your attention over the next seven or so days.
4 The Love Of Animals
JUNE 3, 2013
A bored puppy is an unhappy puppy, and possibly a destructive puppy. Puzzles are great tools to keep boredom away. Dogs are intelligent animals. Your dog’s wild cousins such as the dingo and the coyote need to use their cleverness to find and capture food. You’re the alpha of your dog’s pack, and so the heavy lifting of the food gathering would fall to you. Of course, the fact of the matter is that you provide the food in your household, or one of the other humans does.
4 The Love Of Animals
OCTOBER 14, 2013
The book will be released on October 29, 2013 and join our #BlogPawsChat on October 22nd for a chance to win a free book and toy! Most dog lovers will tell you that their dog is smart. In fact, it’s something that dog owners have known for some time, that dogs do indeed know what we are saying. Sometimes, they might even know too much! Just try tricking your pup into going to the vet or getting a bath!
10,000 Birds
MARCH 28, 2013
Keep your eyes to the skies for fun celestial bodies! Did you see Pan-Starrs? Clare Kines spotted the charismatic comet above Admiralty Inlet in Nunavut!). Spring is here! I know this not from the gradual appearance of robins, grackles, and blackbirds around me, but rather from the fact that our local schools are about to embark on spring break. Party! We won’t be leaving town until after the weekend, but plan to celebrate Easter the way we always do: egg hunt, baskets, and a nice hike.
10,000 Birds
SEPTEMBER 20, 2013
Keep your eyes to the skies for flying pink birds like these Roseate Spoonbills , which are really ibises with big flat bills ! Excited about the equinox? One half of our global population will be surrendering minutes and then hours of daylight for darkness while the other half enjoys the inverse transaction. Those dark days of December are still far off, however, and migrants fill our skies in light and darkness. This threshold weekend holds promise everywhere in the world, so enjoy it!
10,000 Birds
JUNE 6, 2013
The most flamboyant of all hummers, the Marvelous Spatuletail will be one of the many endemic bird highlights along the route of the Second International Birding Rally Challenge in Peru. Photo: Courtesy of Dubi Shapiro. I can’t convey how thrilled I am about the upcoming International Birding Rally Challenge in Peru. This is the second version of an event like this in a different region of the country; and this time I will be participating!!!
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 20, 2013
What will you do this weekend to improve your 2013 year list? Keep your eyes to the skies. Snow is in the air! This penultimate weekend of the year inspires last-minute panic: how are you going to get everything you need before time is up? Some folks will go to extraordinary lengths to cross off everything on their sizable lists. How about you? You knew that’s what I was talking about, right?).
10,000 Birds
JANUARY 27, 2013
Winter in the temperate portions of the Nearctic ecozone might be cold, but fine birds choose to visit no matter what the weather. I’ve always equated winter with big predatory birds like Snowy Owls and Rough-legged Hawks. But on second thought, smaller birds like Horned Larks and Lapland Longspurs spring to mind. And on third thought are those winsome winter waterfowl and exciting alcids… so what avifauna do you equate with winter in your part of the world?
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 4, 2013
Another long, lovely summer weekend has slipped into history. Midsummer will be giving way any moment to late summer. I know that families in the United States are already fretting/anticipating September’s arrival. How do you feel about it? Corey’s Best Bird of the Weekend was a Least Tern that flew over his apartment, only the second he ever saw from the comfort of his balcony. My best birds were Eastern Kingbirds , which usually catch my attention in summer.
4 The Love Of Animals
SEPTEMBER 19, 2013
This has to be the best music video ever. Not only a great song, there is an adorable bulldog in it, and the best part? It shares the adopt/rescue message! American Authors have teamed up with BarkBox to create this super cute puppy love inspired video for “Best Day of My Life”, and that’s not all! Every single bulldog that gets rescued in September and October gets three free months of BarkBox and a full free year of BarkCare, their 24/7 vet service!!
10,000 Birds
APRIL 29, 2013
No matter where you live in the world, you’ve probably noticed how interesting the unfolding of this season is becoming. True, many of you live in locations that are verdant and vibrant all year long or cold and white most of the time. But from pole to pole, creatures are on the move and blossoms and berries are bursting to greet them. Isn’t that exciting?
10,000 Birds
MAY 26, 2013
No need to draw this question out. Many of us are still enjoying the final weekend of May, so let’s cut to the chase and talk about our best birds. My best bird this weekend was an Eastern Wood-Pewee calling from a bare branch. When it comes to New World flycatchers, empids tend to irritate me for the same reasons they irritate everyone, but species in the genus Contopus make me much happier for inexplicable reasons.
4 The Love Of Animals
OCTOBER 15, 2013
Beggin’ has a special program going on with Sam’s Club through the end of October. You get to cast your vote to help get your dog’s favorite Beggin’ flavors featured in a special Beggin’ Party Pack that will arrive at Sam’s Club in March 2014. There are 5 varieties of Beggin’ up for vote – Bacon, Bacon & Cheese, Thick Cuts Hickory, Collisions Bacon & Cheeseburger, Collisions Bacon & Peanut Butter.
10,000 Birds
JUNE 2, 2013
Before this lovely June weekend began, I bemoaned the evident end of spring migration. What I failed to recognize were all the great things that happen around here when the waves of migrants subside. For example, the local farmers’ markets are back in action! If you can’t get fresh birds, at least enjoy fresh produce. My favorite sighting this weekend was a House Wren at my house. Corey’s Best Bird of the Weekend was an easy one to decide upon.
4 The Love Of Animals
MAY 14, 2013
No dog is happier to be rescued. I remember the first night after I left the streets. My human kept me in an enclosed porch because, let’s face it, I was crawling with fleas and pretty filthy. She put a dog bed outside with some food and water, and I’d see her checking on me about every five minutes. That night, I slept well for the first time in my short life. I didn’t move; I didn’t wake up until the sun rose. I was safe.
10,000 Birds
JUNE 16, 2013
Is it coincidence or conspiracy that Father’s Day falls on a weekend where very good birding can still be found in most areas? You be the judge… I got into a bunch of great grassland and forest birds this weekend. Honors go to American Redstart which somehow escaped me for the year until now. Corey was very pleased to finally find a Bell’s Vireo this weekend in Carbon Canyon Regional Park in Orange County, California.
10,000 Birds
AUGUST 18, 2013
I’m wondering if Best Bird of the Weekend is too restrictive a way to consider the avians we encounter from Friday to Sunday. Of course we should seek reasons to celebrate every bird species we share our weekends with, but is the species that delights us most always the most memorable?
4 The Love Of Animals
DECEMBER 30, 2013
Mad over Maltese. . These tiny fluff balls will make you laugh out loud and drive you crazy. Best friend and protective- pampering parent, you will have to switch roles and shift gears with these sprightly creatures before blinking an eyelid. “The tiniest dog Nature has ever produced –. Her coat of long hair, whiter than ermine, Her movements exquisitely graceful and. Matchless elegance of appearance.” ” (Vol. II, Canto 43, Orlando Furioso).
10,000 Birds
JULY 14, 2013
Birding and wildlife watching can be, as we all know, a solitary activity. And our practices, though familiar to anyone in our phenologically-attuned culture, can seem strange, sometimes even threatening, to the uninitiated. We receive ample, often poignant reminders of what tragedy can befall those who travel alone among those who don’t recognize their ways or understand their motives. So be careful out there, wherever you roam.
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 12, 2013
Even in winter, a sunrise is warm. Ah, December, such a deceptively cheerful month! December offers us many reasons to celebrate, one of which I never considered until I heard the words of American author Oliver Herford. Herford (1863-1935) gave the world such wry epigrams as “Many are called but few get up,” and “Only the young die good,” but his most sincere and touching contribution was surely this poem, I Heard a Bird Sing : I heard a bird sing. In the dark of December. A magical thing.
4 The Love Of Animals
JUNE 23, 2013
Sadly, we don’t exactly live in an ideal world. If we did, all of our jobs would have in-house pet daycares and we could bring our four-legged friends to work with us. In the less accommodating world we actually live in, our pets have to stay at home while we spend the next 8 to 10 hours making the money that we’ll later use to spoil them. For many of us, our pets are like our children, so leaving them at home for so long can mean a lot of stress for us (and them).
10,000 Birds
DECEMBER 8, 2013
Winter may not technically begin for another couple of weeks, but frigid temperatures and wicked snow are assailing various parts of North America. The weather outside is frightful, but winter birds are so delightful… guess that’s as good a reason as any to brave the cold. Alas, I had no time outdoors this weekend, which leaves House Sparrows sheltering a giant wreath as my Best Bird of the Weekend. Jealous?
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