10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 2, 2018

But the name of this beer had nothing to do with “Sixteen Tons” of coal, or “Okies” from Muskogee, but birds: merle is also the French word for “blackbird”. And, of course, by blackbirds I mean true thrushes of the family Turdidae , of which the Common (Eurasian) Blackbird ( Turdus merula ) is the most famous in European culture and folklore.

Blackbirds 113

Blackbirds Belgium Colorado Wounded 113

10,000 Birds

NOVEMBER 19, 2012

Europe… with such low herp diversity the locals split any sub-population of a species that occurs on either the Iberian Peninsula or Italy as a new species just to make them feel better out themselves, naturally is the continent that rose to the top of my trip list. Either that or having family friends in Germany.

Salamander 138

Salamander Germany Birds Blackbirds 138

10,000 Birds

MARCH 16, 2018

Three members of the family Ramphastidae : a versatile mascot for everything from Irish dry stout to fruit-flavored breakfast cereals. Sacrilege perhaps, but unless we’re talking invasive species, snake extirpation doesn’t cut it here at 10,000 Birds. Saint Kevin and the blackbirds. So why a blackbird? Sorry, Patrick.

Blackbirds 105

Blackbirds Wounded Stray 2013 105