Birding with Mocha

During my outdoor trips with my dog Mocha, my focus is on her while she explores, runs, swims, and whatever she likes (within reason). My birding-specific trips are usually at a slower pace, me strolling around birdy spots and sometimes staying in one location for an hour to observe and photograph warblers or ducks in … More Birding with Mocha

Birding surge of 2020

Amid the awful year of 2020, one of the positives was a large increase in bird-watching activities around the world. Birds are among the most viewable creatures, enriching the world with their melodious songs, diversity of colours and patterns, and fascinating behaviours, sometimes seen from just the backyard! With people staying at home during the … More Birding surge of 2020

Thankful

I dropped the ball to get this post up in a timely manner with the spirit of Thanksgiving, though I suppose it’s in time for the American Thanksgiving! One of the benefits of being an American living in Canada is that I end up celebrating both. In any case, it is never too late to … More Thankful

Putah Creek

My favorite place to go birding is along Putah Creek, in California’s Central Valley. This is where I started bird watching and doing field work as an undergrad at UC Davis six years ago. I was lucky to have this place be my office in the spring and summer for field work while I was … More Putah Creek

Winter in Manitoba

Being a girl from California this may come as a surprise, but I actually don’t mind the winters in Winnipeg (this is currently my second winter here). Though some days are absolutely miserable with wind chills and temperatures below -20°C, most of the time the weather is tolerable and sometimes quite pleasant with sunny clear … More Winter in Manitoba