What are the best times to visit Cape Cod? Daydreams often include long sunny days at the beach, strolling on the sand, frolicking in the water and eating plenty of seafood. In reality, this idyllic picture only exists a fraction…
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary
Topsfield, Mass – The grandparents came to visit! We celebrated this somewhat rare occurrence by meeting our cousins at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. We had been to this Mass Audubon property years ago (nine years ago!) for maple sugar…
Snowy Owls on Plum Island
Newburyport, Mass – Daddio doesn’t like skiing or scuba-diving. But he does like to play golf. And more than anything, he loves birdwatching. For Daddio’s birthday, we should do what Daddio likes to do. So I planned a birdwatching outing…
Harold Parker State Forest
Andover, Mass – We took our first pandemic field trip to Harold Parker State Forest. Unlike some other states, in Massachusetts, we are not stuck at home. At least not yet. State parks and some private reserves are still open…
Birding at the Venice Rookery
Venice, Florida – One of our favorite annual activities is birding at the Venice Rookery. Just before sunset, hundreds of birds come home to roost on this tiny island, managed by the Venice Audubon Society. This outing offers prime bird…
All the Feels
Cabo Matapalo, Costa Rica – The last two and a half weeks have been an whirlwind of terrifying and gratifying adventures, countless bird and animal sightings, long drives on bumpy roads, intense loneliness, and overwhelming gratitude for the opportunity to…
Going Solo
San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica – So… I am in Costa Rica. By myself. Daddio and the twins are coming down to meet me in a few weeks. In the meantime, I have research to do, birds to spot,…
Winter Break Escape
Sarasota, Florida – This week the twins joined all of the other grandchildren of Massachusetts, making our annual winter break escape to Sarasota, Florida. I don’t love Sarasota: there are too many strip malls and traffic jams. But how I…
Adventure awaits in Costa Rica national parks
Covering some 10% of Costa Rican territory, the country’s national parks protect a stunning array of landscapes – wetlands and forests, caves and volcanoes, and habitats for creatures galore. This is the country’s greatest natural resources, and it’s all yours…
Venice Rookery
Sarasota, Florida – This is birding at its best. Pull up a chair, pour yourself a glass of wine, prop up your binoculars, and the birds come to you! Actually, they are coming home to roost at the Venice Rookery,…