Great Apes and Green-Breasted Pittas in Kibale
Day 4 of a 12-day Uganda “highlights” tour held the promise of the green-breasted pitta, one of the country’s most difficult species, and a short chimpanzee trek. We left our lodge early. No, I mean seriously early. It was still dark. We spent time stargazing after arriving at Kibale National Park, our birding destination for the day. Yes, this is how I choose to spend my vacation. I do admit to questioning my choices from time to time, but usually those times are around 4a.m. Treasure Hunting (for Birders) I have to admit that I didn’t know much about this pitta. The pittas are almost unmistakable in shape and structure…
The Spectacular Shoebill Swamps of Uganda
My bird tour of Uganda began in late May 2019. I arrived in Entebbe at about midnight for the tour that began at 6am the next morning. This was a highlights tour – about 12 days rather than the 19 days of the full, classic tour. And for duration and price, this option fit my needs perfectly. Especially since I was in Uganda for one bird. Yep, I paid for this tour and spent about 18 hours in transit to see one single bird: the Shoebill. #priorities? Operation Shoebill A bird named for its most noticeable feature, an impressive bill that is not, in fact, a shoe. It’s probably shoe-shaped.…
New Year, New Blog: Curing a Case of Wanderlust
In 2020, we learned what it was like to stay home. A lot. Generally there was no other choice, right? Especially for those of us who belong to an at-risk population (or love someone who is). I’m actually a raging introvert, but consecutive months of isolation have not been entirely positive for my normally super-rosy disposition. So what’s the best way to take charge of mental health and fight back against the overwhelming feeling of stir-crazy? Start a blog! Ok, maybe it’s not “the best” option. But I hate running too much to take up marathon training, so here we are... I’m afraid my 2020 was similar to that of…
Costa Rica: Sea Turtles, Canyoning, and Walking in the Clouds
I don’t actually remember feeling extreme wanderlust before going to Costa Rica. I did not choose a career based on any reasonable factors, like income potential, and did not expect to be able to afford many adventures. But after a few years of full-time employment, I decided I could afford to give myself a great birthday present – a trip to Costa Rica! As international destinations go, Costa Rica is pretty affordable. It’s a great country to dip your toes into a new culture without being overwhelmed. The country gets plenty of tourism, and the supporting infrastructure provides lots of options to a new traveler. And so a friend and…
