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Discovering Madagascar Endemics
This search for the endemics of Madagascar brought us first from Antananarivo to Andasibe and then from Antananarivo to Tuléar. During our stay in Madagascar, we visited Laroka Forest, the Ranomafana National Park, Zombitse-Vohibasia-Ifaty National Park, Parc de Tsarasaotra (Lac Alarobia), as well as other parks and protected areas around Tuléar. A boat tour in Augustine Bay to see the red-tailed tropicbird and the greater flamingo completed our journey. While the pace of the field activities was intense due to the cumulative effects of long bus rides, high temperature, and short nights, our efforts were rewarded with the addition of several species to our life list.
Costa Rica
Our 2023 visit to Costa Rica brought us to San Gérardo de Dota, Tarcolès, Playa Ocotal, Monteverde and Arenal. While the primary purpose of the trip was sightseeing, birdwatching at local lodges and natural parks or reserves was a daily activity for our small group of 4. We were blessed by clear weather for most of the trip, except for the last three days at the Arenal Observatory Lodge where rain was prevalent. However, even there, we were able to use the extensive system of trails to explore the area in search for new birds.
Costa Rica Birdwatching Grand Tour
The highlight of the the tour was, no doubt, the Resplendent Quetzal which we were able to photograph at two different sites. Thirty-three species of hummingbirds, seven species of owls, seventeen species of wren, and numerous other species (flycatchers, thrushes, tanagers, to name a few), contributed to our amazement.
Birdwatching in Florida
A summary of the birdwatching hotspots visited in 2022 during our stay in Florida in late March and early April. The Wakodahatchee Wetlands, the self-drives of Merritt Island NWR, Green Cay Wetlands, Orlando Wetlands Park and "Viera" Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands were the highlights of the places visited on the eastern side of the peninsula. We also visited the Everglades National Park and the western side of Florida around Naples.
The Eastern Andes of Colombia
In November 2019, we visited the Eastern Andes of Colombia, from Bogota to Soata, with a local guide for birdwatching. Our tour brought us to Laguna de Pedro Palo and Chicaque EcoPark, Chingaza National Park, the hummingbird feeders at La Calera, Bioandina & La Guajira Nature Reserve, Siecha wetlands, Laguna de Fúquene, Rogitama Nature Reserve at Arcabuco (Boyacá) and Laguna de Tabacal in La Vega.
Rideau Forest Birds and Wildlife
Rideau Forest is a residential area located in the south of Ottawa, Ontario. We have observed over 50 species of birds in Rideau Forest since the time we moved in the area (2006). You will find here an illustrated list of the bird species observed in Rideau Forest over the years. Photos are from our Nature and Wildlife Photographic Collection.
Birdwatching in Panama
In November 2019, we had a stop-over in Panama en route to Colombia for a short birdwatching tour. We flew from Montreal to Panama City and then went by car to Canopy Lodge located at El Valle de Antón in Coclé Province. We found that this is a good to way to break a trip to South America, as Panama City is a central hub for flights connecting incoming flights from North America to many South American cities. With close to 1000 species of birds, Panama has much to offer to the birdwatchers.
The spring migration in 2019 in Lake Erie was a bit unusual for us as the warblers and other migratory birds came in slowly. We started our journey on the USA side in late April at Maumee Bay and Magee Marsh and then headed north to Point Pelee National Park, Ontario (Canada) until mid-May. The species we used to see in numbers in previous years were sparse and trickling in slowly. However, our days were rewarded by a number of species new to us...
A birdwatching and photography tour in the Ecuadorian Andes
In April 2019, we visited four ecolodges in Ecuador for birdwatching. We had made arrangements directly with the lodges which are part of the San Jorge network of ecolodges and botanical reserves. From Canada, we flew from Montreal to Panama City, and then to Quito. A car took us to the first lodge, an 18th century Spanish hacienda called San Jorge Ecolodge/Quito in the upper Andean Forest Reserve.
Birds, Fish and Wildlife of Hawaii
In November 2018, we visited Big Island with the aim of seeing some of their endemic species. Indeed, the palila, apapane, iiwi, amakihi, omao, akialoaau, Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian goose (locally called the Nene) and the akiapolaau were found with the help of a local guide... .
Field trips on the West Coast of North America
This gallery is from various field trips done in 2018 on the West Coast of North America, from British Columbia to California.
Birds and Wildlife of Manitoba, Canada
A selection of photos from our trip to Manitoba, Canada, in the summer of 2018 for bird and nature watching. During this trip, we visited Oak Hammock Marsh, a wildlife center north of Winnipeg and FortWhyte Alive in Winnipeg with its population of black-tailed prairie dogs. We also visited Portage La Prairie for birdwatching before taking the plane to Churchill on the shore of Hudson Bay.
A selection of bird photos from our stay at the ASA Wright Nature Center on Trinidad Island and at Cuffie River Nature Retreat on Tobago Island in April 2018. Because of their location and facilities for birdwatching, Trinidad and Tobago provide a good introduction for neotropical birds.
Photos from our trip on Yucatan Peninsula and Cozumel Island, Mexico, in December 2017. Many of the species seen on Cozumel Island were endemic to the island.
Birds and Wildlife of Southeastern Australia
Photos taken during our trip to New South Wales and Victoria Provinces, Southeastern Australia, in November 2017.
A selection of photos from our trip around Lake Erie during the spring migration of birds.
Birds of the Darien Province, Panama
After a first birdwatching trip to the Panama last fall, during the rain season, we returned to see Panama during the dry season, hoping for better weather and perhaps an easier birdwatching experience. It was indeed dryer but also warmer (in fact, hot) and humid, making the walks difficult because of the intensity of the heat.
Birdwatching in Panama during the wet season
With a total count of 978 species of birds and many species of mammals, Panama is a good destination for bird watching and wildlife photography. Given that Panama is a relatively small country, many species can be found without having to travel too far. In November 2016, we stayed at two different locations known to offer a variety of habitats and good birding.
Parks and Reserves of Tanzania
The approach to safaris in Tanzania is centered on small groups for a more personal and enjoyable experience. In August 2005, we visited parks and reserves of Tanzania through a travel agency specialized in world expeditions. Camping was an option and, while we are not avid campers, we decided to give it a try. In addition, this was our first African safari.
Birds and Wildlife of Kruger National Park
South Africa offers unique opportunities for photography with its abundant and much different wildlife as well as interesting landscapes. While a number of safari tours are available through travel agencies, it is relatively easy to organize your own visit to parks and reserves and either go on safari on your own or join outings organized by the parks. In the fall of 2014, we had the opportunity to visit Kruger National Park, on the east coast of South Africa, where wildlife was varied and relatively easy to see and to photograph.
The road from Tadoussac to Kegaska on the Quebec North Shore offers breathtaking scenery on the Saint-Lawrence. In August 2016, we visited the region with the goal of reaching “the end of road”, i.e. the end of highway 138 in Kegaska. This is as far as you can go by car along the north shore. The distance between Tadoussac and Kegaska is 844 km and the itinerary brings you through Baie Comeau, Sept-Iles, Havre-Saint-Pierre and Natashquan where Gilles Vigneault was born.
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