Setting Goals

Mom and Dad with my nephew Orion

I am currently working on the 2014 birding season for next year. Meanwhile I'm finishing up the year beyond my expectations.  At the beginning of the 2013 year, I wanted to set out and find 150 life birds. Instead, I found over 200 new birds! Sometimes, I needed a  birder friend to call on for help:) Currently, I have seen 416 different species around the US, Mexico and Guatemala. My goals were met.

Pike's Peak

The limitations are always the same....money, time, and of course, a full time job.  I think I am getting better with balancing it all out, but I still find myself biting my nails when something new flies into the area that I can't chase while at work. However, the new year looks to be an exciting one. 

So I am scheduling various places to study around the US. The prairies, Hawaii and Alaska will have to wait....for now.

In many ways, it's rather strange.  The US for me has always been rather...meh!, but by putting the birds into the picture, it has changed my views on my country.  And it has opened my eyes to all the cool and wonderful National and State Parks!  Plus, being a birder, means you see things that most people never get to see.

Mountain Chickadee

In January, I will be working in the grasslands on several projects learning about sparrows.  In February, we head to Sandia Crest in New Mexico to find the 3 incredible Rosy Finches.  In March, I'm off to Florida to visit a friend and bird along the ocean and water areas.  In April, it's off to Rocky Point, Mexico for some fun around the coast. Then in June, I'll be heading off to Maine with Pat for a couple weeks to visit Kathie.  So for the first half of the year, it's going to be busy!  And of course, there will be budgeting:)

Pygmy Nuthatch

And in between there will be road trips from around the state of Arizona and perhaps beyond.

Me properly ID'ing a Yellow-rump Warbler

I'll be releasing two more posts from the 2013 season highlighting some of the fun and spectacular bird events that happened from around Guatemala, Arizona, Colorado and Wisconsin. 

As we close out this new year, I'd like to take the time and thank you all for following Las Aventuras.  Whether you just read, comment or both on the posts, you encourage me with your kind words of support.

Clark's Nutcracker

I am currently working on the prototype for my first "coffee table" book.  It was exciting to put together and review all the incredible things we've done over this year.  Have you done something similar? 

Luna supervises

So for now, I hope everyone isn't stressing out with the holiday craziness.  It will get done.  It always does:)  Just be careful driving out there.

I'll be closing off the year with 2 more posts and then I'll see you back next year several times a month.  We all tend to take a break from blogger in December anyway.

Western Bluebird

Most of the pics today were taken by the other member of the "Las Aventuras" team.....Micheal Ada.  I wasn't feeling up to photography on this day.  I just wanted to bird and relax:)  But I was still demanding:)  "Get that angle!"  "No!!!!  Aim and zoom on this one!"  Oh I can be a mess sometimes:)

Williamson's Sapsucker(male)

Setting goals for the new year relaxes my mind a bit.  It's all about pushing it to the next step whether it be at home or abroad. And remember......whether it be rain or snow this time of year.........

.....always wear strange non-matching-weather-smart clothing, carry a colorful umbrella on those cloudy gray days......

My nephews Liam and Sawyer

.....and make sure you share it with someone you love.  Until next next time....

Deer Season

Shooting.  Killing.  Hunting.  They've got to be some of the scariest words for deer.  In Wisconsin and around our country, people are cocking a gun and taking aim!  This post was inspired in various ways as you'll see today:)

Well one.  It's about the deer.  On my birding/wildlife adventures, I came upon many deer from around the country.  Mule, Whitetail, Coues, Pronghorn(not a deer...but like a deer:)......and they are all so beautiful.

I'm not against hunting at all.  My family hunts in Wisconsin and eat the meat.  In places like this state, it's important to keep the population from bursting into the millions.  Currently there are over a million deer in Wisconsin.  Deer cause many deadly car crashes. Or maybe that last sentence should read....humans cause many deer to die.  Either way, it's dangerous.   And in cold winters, deer can die from starvation.   Therefore, I always think it's important to allow for some hunting to happen in certain places.

I tried to hunt with my relatives when I was younger but didn't enjoy it.  But don't think I don't understand the thrill of a hunter.  As a photographer, there is a definite adrenaline rush that I get everytime I find an animal or bird. And in many ways, pushing the button on my camera is a lot like pulling the trigger of a gun......except I'm not killing anything:)

Many birders have stories about getting caught up in a hunting area while looking for birds.  It's only then that they realize hunting season has begun.  And quickly many pray to the gods that no one shoots them while searching for that Snow Bunting.  There's a lot of scary(and funny) stories out there about getting caught up in an area that's open to hunting.  So to my birder and wildlife friends.....be careful!

Almost anywhere I went, I would discover deer.  Sometimes they would run.  Sometimes we would just stare at each other.

So to the deer out there, I wish them the best of luck.  I believe that the wildlife know when hunting season begins because many of them migrate to areas where hunters can't enter.  They're no dummies:)

In fact, earlier this year I reported that Nuclear Power plants around the country note a higher percentage of wildlife around their reactors when hunting season begins.  If a human enters these secure borders, they are shot....not the deer or bear.

The best part of wildlife photography is that I've gotten really stealthy and can sneak up on some animals.  My body afterwards feels it when I get home.  I push my muscles to the limit sometimes bending and crouching around trees and bushes.

The pics below made me burst out laughing.  In Colorado Springs, this buck stood still.  He just froze.  But I saw him and told everyone to freeze.  My 4 year old nephew and I caught the deer with our eyes.  He's good to take out into the field:)

But everyone had a good laugh including the homeowner of this place.  She was walking out to her car and found the new "lawn decorations":)  We were across the street staring at these beautiful animals.

So venison.  In Wisconsin, people hunt and garden and hunt and fish and garden.  I was the little hobbit that enjoyed gardening with my Grandparents.  I didn't like hunting or fishing because that was disgusting....especially if the food had that "gamey" taste to it.

But I was educated by my very crafty brother-in-law.  He is a hunter and fisherman.  And he's an amazing cook who knows how to prepare meats like venison etc. 

One time I came home from school and was super hungry.  I raided their fridge and had myself two helpings of lasagna.  Little did I know that it contained venison!!!  Had I known I wouldn't have eaten any of it.  But thankfully I was given a second chance to try it out.  At first I was disgusted with myself for having eaten it, but I also helped myself to their food.....so it was my fault in the first place.  When they found out, they had a great laugh because they know how I am when it comes to fish and wild meat.

The secret to getting rid of that "game" taste?  Use half hamburger meat with half venison!  Did you know that venison is better for you and leaner?

I love my veggies and don't eat too much meat but is it bad that I love chicken or turkey?:)  Plus I love deer very much.  So I wish both sides luck this year.  Hunters may you feed your families.  Deer may you find sanctuary and safety away from the orange ones. And birders, may you not get shot or run over by either.  Please research before going out into the woods wherever you are!  So what's your take on deer hunting?  Love it?  Hate it?

And to everyone out there.  May your holiday season begin on a good note!  More tomorrow....

Garden of the Gods

Colorado Springs.  This place is simply gorgeous and amazing.  All the skinny American people live here and I think I really understood why people from Colorado are in shape.....there's so much to do outdoors!!  Virtually every part of this city has a view and trail somewhere for people to walk and explore.  Today's post focuses on Garden of the Gods.  It's free to the public and an easy walk around the park.

You'll see a lot of people rockclimbing or running on the trails.  Of course, there are lots of walkers around the main entrance. 

My mom went here several years ago during a trip out to Colorado and told me about this place.  I remember her putting several screensavers up on our computer.  These pictures had rocks with snow on top of them....and for some reason, made me think of the holiday season.  Today when I see these pics I think of Christmas.....even though this place has nothing to do with the season.  It was a weird memory association.  I do remember feeling envy and a desire to visit this place.  Years later.....It would happen.  I would discover a place called The North Pole where Santa lived....and once again I would associate forever Colorado Springs with Christmas.  Strange!

It's open daily, but check the times below for the hours because they do change during winter and summer. It's considered a National Landmark and full of flora and fauna.

Of course, there is no beating the sky!!!  We went in October which was just in time to see the Aspen and other trees turn color for fall. Several days later, snow would fall.

They also had a cheesy souvenir shop with overpriced things, but on the day we went, it was all about the family and Halloween.  There was this guy dressed in a scary rabbit outfit and I really wanted a picture with him....but I didn't do it.  I laughed outloud at the ridiculous nature of his outfit.  It was almost as if he hated dressing up for the event.  However, I still suffer from bouts of shyness and regret not taking the time to get that shot!!!  It would have been funny. The faces kids made were priceless.....

Originally this park was owned by a family who eventually passed it over for all to visit and today it's maintained by the city of Colorado Springs.  There are also volunteers that come and help out around the grounds. 

There's a lot to see and do in Colorado Springs.....almost too much.  Tucson has a lot to do, but Colorado Springs.....um well....that would have taken a full week to visit.  We only had two days, but they were really a lot of fun.

If you have family in wheelchairs or kids in strollers and would like to take them on a day trip, this is the perfect place to visit.  Everything is rather easy to walk.  We saw a lot of runners, rockclimbers, and elderly people being pushed by their kids around the level pavement sidewalks. And there were plenty of mothers with strollers!

And that's exactly what we used the day for.....family day.  We hung out and walked, ate, and visited the lovely city of Colorado Springs.  Beautiful!

For more information, click on this link.

The Photographers

The 1 O'Clock art gallery pics over the past several weeks have been brought to you by we 3 photo nerds:) We had a "photo off" or contest while in Colorado Springs and snapped lots of fun shots all around town. 

Apparently, it was also fun snapping shots of each other taking those pics.....I didn't get that memo:)  In the upcoming weeks, I'll have special features on our trip to Colorado and Northern Arizona.  After these photo shoots and lectures, I find myself exhausted and mentally depleted.  So I edit pictures and prepare my writings for the upcoming months while heading out for more photo shoots.  It's endless and sometimes very exciting. 

Of course, we had some fun and there was some "planking" involved.  I'll still never understand what that's all about.....but it happened.  Hope you enjoyed the gallery.  There will be more to come this month and into next.  Until tomorrow.....

The World of Robin

 Here are some shots at the Garden of the Gods.  This write will be coming up in the next month.

 We'll also be heading over to some other places from several road trips in October.  October thru December are busy months.  More coming soon.....