10,000 Birds

AUGUST 14, 2018

In June, the 2018-2019 Federal Duck Stamp was released. Birders have been encouraged by the American Birding Association and others to buy Federal Duck Stamps. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has published a list of NWRs that have been created or expanded with Duck Stamp funds. But initially, some background is helpful. # # #.

Ducks 203

Ducks Wildlife Texas Hawaii 203

10,000 Birds

AUGUST 13, 2019

Activities such as hunting, fishing, and trapping are categorized as “consumptive” uses. In contrast, consumptive uses were minor: fishing accounted for 10 percent and hunting was just 4 percent. Of course, birders interested in contributing more concretely to the National Wildlife Refuge System should buy a Duck Stamp every year.

Wildlife 254

Wildlife Maryland San Francisco Minnesota 254

10,000 Birds

SEPTEMBER 13, 2018

While photographing the Brown Bears in the Russian Far East, a friend of mine, Jovan “Lucky” Lakatos, was with Michio Hoshino, Japanese-born nature photographer specialized in Alaskan wildlife and experienced in how to behave facing this apex predator. At some stage, a salmon-hunting bear at a shingle beach came too close, mere 9 steps.

Animal 115

Animal Bears Stray Dog Blackbirds 115

10,000 Birds

APRIL 5, 2019

And because of the resemblance they bear to their New World cousins in the family Phasianidae , they even look the part of an “authentic” wild bird in North America. The same can’t really be said of a confusing Orange Bishop or gaudy Mandarin Duck loose in a city park.

North America 113

North America Vermont America Farming 113

10,000 Birds

MARCH 15, 2016

These refuges support huge numbers of swans, geese, ducks, cranes, and shorebirds as they hopscotch their way to breeding grounds in the north. Additionally, funds from Duck Stamps allow the System to gradually expand , as FWS purchases land and obtains conservation easements from willing sellers. (A It’s not just for the birds.

Wildlife 189

Wildlife Grizzly Bear Puerto Rico United States 189

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 30, 2020

I’d like a beer too, please, as I have never seen a Masked Duck. It bears an iconic name associated with insanity and betrayal, but also with time and seasonality. This weird little skulking waterfowl is a species I had hoped to chance upon in various places for quite some time. In a year divided by pre-pandemic birds (travel!),

2020 241

2020 Birds Costa Rica Germany 241

10,000 Birds

JANUARY 22, 2015

There’s a Sloth Bear in tall, dry grass, barely 50 metres from us, but all we can see is a dark, shape-shifting shadow that eventually becomes all but invisible. The Little Egret walks in front of her, a dozen Lesser Whistling Ducks flies noisily low above water and through a flooded grass wades one Black-winged Stilt. The Telia Lake.

Tigers 250

Tigers India Killing 2012 250