10,000 Birds

FEBRUARY 23, 2024

In 2018, there were 1,745 birds living in 92 different zoos and collections. Despite the fact that efforts are made to ensure they are not imprinted on humans, they are naturally confiding, even friendly. Such an intimate encounter with one of the world’s rarest birds was a memorable experience. Here they were easy to overlook.

Morocco 236

Morocco Austria Algeria Germany 236

10,000 Birds

DECEMBER 21, 2023

I understand there are still people out there who deny human-induced climate change. Perhaps those people have never had to personally experience increasingly erratic climate patterns. And that this one should choose to spend at least 20 minutes far from the reeds that usually hide it was a new experience for all of us.

Ducks 130

Ducks Mexico California Fish 130

10,000 Birds

MARCH 18, 2011

Found throughout South America in ever-dwindling numbers these extremely beautiful birds – threatened by habitat destruction and collection for the wild bird trade – are often difficult to see and hard to find. The experience is one of the ornithological highlights in the world. That’s right – birds eating clay.

Peru 255

Peru Parrots 2011 South America 255

Animal Ethics

MARCH 3, 2008

And, in a world where there is too much hate, the judgment of many earnest moralists is overwhelmed by the charms of love; and there are those who come to accept it at its own valuation and are thus led to assert that people have an obligation to increase the collective total of all value in the universe.

Lamb 40

Lamb Fowl Morals Animal 40

10,000 Birds

JUNE 20, 2019

Even collecting one piece after another, I didn’t manage to see the whole picture, but after a lot of effort, I collected enough pieces to ID the Eastern Olivaceous Warbler , only the first of a dozen that will be chock chock chocking from fruiting mulberries. Below legal size for humans is still legal for pelicans.

Greece 200

Greece Pelicans Buffalo Fish 200

10,000 Birds

JULY 10, 2012

The stunning head plumes of the Gray Crowned-Crane make it attractive to bird collectors and zoos; illegal collecting of wild birds is one of the reasons why this species is now considered Endangered. This plain used to be little affected by humans, being grazed by just a few cattle, goats and camels.

Endangered Species 200

Endangered Species Species South Africa Morocco 200