Megan's Nature Nook
Nature Notes, Phenology, Photography, Fun Facts, Trips, Maybe Even a Bad Joke or Two... and More!
Each year when I see the John Beargrease Dogsled Marathon on the news, it reminds me of this unique winter sport that we’re lucky enough to have in Minnesota. Last winter I wanted to learn more about dogsledding, so I read Yukon Alone: The World’s Toughest Adventure Race by John Balzar – a book about the Yukon Quest International Sled Dog Race. While reading I was so amazed at what these mushers and dogs go through and their dedication to the sport. So naturally, after reading about dogsledding, it made me want to go dogsledding even more! So, I started looking into different dogsledding outfitters in Ely, Minnesota – the self-proclaimed capitol of dogsledding. There are all sorts of different styles, lengths, and price points of trips to choose from. Ones that are a few hours to others that are multiple day trips including camping. Since this was our first time dogsledding, we decided to go with Chilly Dogs Sled Dog Trips. (One of the reasons I picked them was because I liked the name!) Chilly Dogs is operated by the Hway Family. Jeff and Donna, along with their son, Jake and his wife Jess run the day-to-day operations. They also have other staff members that come in to help, and Jake and Jess’ kids help with the dogs, too! Their place is home to over 90 retired Alaskan Husky sled dogs, many of them having participated in well-known races like the John Beargrease and Iditarod Dogsled Marathons. Most of the dogs are around 12-15 years old, a few were 17 and even a 19-year-old dog was there! The dogs had so much energy and definitely didn’t act or look their age, you can tell they love running! Because of their breed, diet, and lifestyle it’s not uncommon for these dogs to be able to live and perform for so long. Although many of the dogs are older, they run an average of 25 miles a day doing dogsledding trips and about half the dogs are used on the weekends by the Boy Scouts of America to do trips into the Boundary Waters. This is the Hway Family’s 18th season running dogsledding trips. They usually run trips from December – March, depending on snow conditions. If you’re wanting to book a trip, don’t delay! They can fill up fast, especially on the weekends. We secured a weekday afternoon trip in early February. The booking process was really easy, and they sent along some great information on what to expect and how to dress for the trip. On the day of our trip, we headed just south of Ely to Chilly Dogs. Jake was waiting for us and welcomed everyone as we arrived. To start off the trip, we met in the lodge that was decorated with dogsledding memorabilia and had a wood stove. Jake and Donna talked about Alaskan Huskies, dogsledding, how to dress properly and gave a rundown of the trip. We chose the Snowy Owl Run which is a three-hour trip, about one hour on the trail. Before heading outside, they checked over everyone’s gear. If you don’t have the proper winter gear, they have anything you would need for a reasonable rental fee including coats, boots, gloves, ski goggles, and even hand and foot warmers! Once we were bundled up, it was time to head outside into a winter wonderland! It was snowing when we arrived and now had huge, fluffy flakes coming down. We headed to the dog yard to meet our new four-legged friends! Just before heading into the yard, we were met by two guides, John and Haley, who had two sled dogs out and told us a little bit about the dogs, their diet, personalities, and how to properly approach them. Then we were able to go in and meet the dogs! Most were very eager to meet us and loved being pet and getting butt scratches. A few weren’t as interested and stayed in their houses relaxing. As we were meeting the dogs, the guides were around to tell us their names and a little bit of their backstories. After we met the dogs and they met us, it was time for some dogsledding orientation. Luckily the dogs do most of the hard work, but there are still some things you need to know before heading out on the trail. They had another building where we went for our orientation. Jake had a sled and gangline laid out so we could learn how to break and steer the sled and what to do if we tipped the sled. The biggest thing we learned was: never let go! And secondly the dogs are the gas pedal so it’s important to know how to slow down and stop! Now is when the fun really began! We headed back out to the dog yard and got our sled assignments. The guides put together the assignments each day based on the people riding/mushing, number of sleds, and dogs that will be going on the trip. For our trip we had a total of five sleds, and Tony and I were the last sled to go. We had a guide at the front leading the group, two guest sleds, a second guide, and then us. I hopped in the sled bag and Tony stood on the brake of the sled while the guides and various Hway family members (including the kids) hooked up our dogs to the sled. The second we came out of the orientation building the dogs knew what was up! They were barking, howling, jumping, and dancing around in anticipation and excitement. Once all the dogs were hooked up it was go time! The anchor was lifted, Tony stepped off the brake bar, yelled “hike,” and away we went! It was crazy how fast it went from noisy pandemonium to silence as the dogs fell into rhythm and ran with their team. The snow was really coming down and with the wind we were dogsledding in a blizzard. The scenery was beautiful as we wove our way through wooded and brushy areas. It was fun to see the dogs in their element and see them grab mouthfuls of snow from the edge of the trail – some seeming to dunk their whole head in the snow as their ran. Some of the dogs had their tongues lolling out and you could just tell that they were really enjoying themselves! We were on the trail for about an hour and covered around eight miles. About halfway through we did a quick stop and switched positions. Now it was my turn to mush! Riding in the sled was fun, but wow, mushing was a whole new experience! It was so cool to feel the power from the dogs and how effortlessly they pulled the sled. During the ride, one of the guides, John, on the sled in front of us told us the names of our dogs and what positions they were in (lead, swing/point, and wheel). For the most part the dogs do all the hard work, but when you come to hills you have to help them out. I’d say the hardest part as a musher was when you went up a hill, you have to hop off the sled and run alongside it until you reach the top, then you can hop on again. You have to run pretty quick to keep up with the sled, and if you hopped on too early (before you got to the top) the dogs would look back at you like, “Really? Come on, help us out!” As we approached the dog yard near the end of our trail ride, the other dogs were barking and howling to welcome us back. We had time to stop and take some pictures with the dogs and our sled to document our awesome experience. From the snow and cold Tony’s beard was a pretty impressive sight. Once pictures were taken, the guides and Hway family brought the dogs back to their spots in the dog yard and we headed back to the lodge. Inside we shed our snowy outer layers and warmed up with a nice cup of hot cocoa and some treats of individually wrapped cookies, fruit snacks, and candy bars. While we were enjoying our treats, Jake and Donna told us more about dogsledding and answered more questions. Before heading out we perused the gift shop and got some fun souvenirs to remember this awesome experience! If you’re think about doing a dogsledding trip – do it! It was totally worth it and will always be a fun experience to look back on! I know Tony and I both greatly enjoyed it and I wouldn’t be surprised if another dogsledding trip is in our future. The Hway Family did a great job welcoming us into their world of dogsledding. You can tell they care a great deal about the dogs, and ultimately do it for the dogs – so they can keep on running even after they’re retired from long races. They did a good job explaining how the lives of sled dogs are different than your typical pet’s, but not any worse than a pet’s life. Alaskan Huskies love to be outside, are built for the cold and are acclimated to it. They are fed high calorie diets that fuel them during their running activities. They’re working dogs that enjoy running, they don’t do it because they have to, but because they want to. And because of this active working dog lifestyle, they are healthy and can live long lives. But just because they’re working dogs doesn’t mean they aren’t loved, these dogs get plenty of attention with lots of pets, hugs, kisses, and butt scratches from the Chilly Dogs family and staff, and visitors alike. If you’re looking to try dogsledding for yourself, check out Chilly Dogs Dog Sled Trips and have the ride of a lifetime! It was a really neat and unique experience and I’m so happy Tony and I could experience it together. I’m writing this as I drink hot cocoa from my new Chilly Dogs mug and snow falls outside my window, leaving me wishing that I was out on the trail with the dogs today. Check out the video below that Tony made of our dogsledding trip!
0 Comments
Book & Movie Review - The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession by Marc Obmascik1/31/2021 I had read and seen The Big Year before but rereading and watching were a great way to start off my 2021 Big Year! My goal is nowhere near the over 700 species like the men in The Big Year got to, but reading the book sure got me excited to start off my year of birding! The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession by Marc Obmascik is about the 1998 North American Big Year and the movie “The Big Year” came out in 2011. The Book Marc Obmascik wrote about three men, Sandy Komito, Al Levantin, and Greg Miller and their adventures in the 1998 North American Big Year. These three men were competing to beat Komito’s previous Big Year record. Each man had their own reasoning and strategy for completing a Big Year, but they all had the same end goal – get as many bird species as possible and get the new record. Not only is the book about these men’s experiences, but it also does a good job of explaining what a “Big Year” is and talking about the early history of birdwatching and the start of birding organizations. Whether you’re a bird person or not, you’ll find the history and adventure intriguing, if not a little crazy, as you read about the things some people do to have a chance at winning a Big Year. I really enjoyed reading this book again. I think it is fun to read about the crazy adventures people go on and the amount of time and money that is spent chasing after birds! Reading it got me even more excited for my Big Year and looking forward to the birds I’ll see and the adventures I will have along the way. I gave The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature, and Fowl Obsession by Marc Obmascik 5 stars on GoodReads, rating it as “It was amazing.” To learn more about the book, visit GoodReads.com by clicking the button below. The Movie The movie is based on the book. The overall story line is similar, but the movie has different characters. Brad Harris (Jack Black), Stu Preissler (Steve Martin) and Kenny Bostick (Owen Wilson) are competing in a Big Year to beat Sandy Komito’s record. The three men have similar back stories to the real men in the 1998 Big Year, but there are some modifications to make it more dramatic for the movie. The movie doesn’t go into as much birding history but does portray some of the birding adventures of the real men in the 1998 Big Year. Any movie that Jack Black, Steve Martin, and Owen Wilson are in, you know is going to be good. “The Big Year” is a funny, lighthearted movie for the whole family to watch – whether you’re into birds or not. If you have the time, read and watch The Big Year - you won’t regret it. If you’re not so sure about the whole bird thing, give the movie a try and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! If you’re reading and watching the order doesn’t really matter so you can decide to read and watch or watch and read. Whatever you decide to do, enjoy and make sure you have your binoculars and field guide handy! You’ll be ready to head outside and do some birdwatching when you’re finished! For another Big Year book review, read my review on Kenn Kauffman’s Book Kingbird Highway. Click the button below to read the review. I’m going to cut to the chase and just say, this book is amazing! Whether you’re an admirer of insects or categorize them as “creepy crawly,” this book is a must read! It will teach you more about insects and their many unique characteristics. It also explains all the different things insects do in our world, why we need them, and how to help them. You will gain a new appreciation for insects and all they do after reading this book. Anne Sverdrup-Thygeson the author of Buzz, Sting, Bite: Why We Need Insects is a professor at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and knows her stuff. She does a great job of explaining insects and what they do in a way that is easy to understand. She covers many topics throughout the book, giving you a taste of the importance of insects without dwelling on a single topic. She also adds in humor and fun references along the way to keep you on your toes. For me this wasn’t a book where you sit down and read cover to cover in a short amount of time. Sverdrup-Thygeson covers a lot in this book so for me it was one of those books where you read a small section then have to digest what was all said before moving onto the next section. As I was reading, I had to keep stopping to tell whoever was around me what cool thing I had just read, so that may be why it took me longer to read, too! Not sure if this book is for you? (Trust me, it is). Do you like chocolate? Insects help pollinate the plant to make chocolate possible. Did you know you can remotely control a cockroach? They have been used to locate and rescue people in building collapses. Did you know some insects can eat plastic? This could help solve some of our plastic pollution problems. These topics are just a handful of the many interesting things Sverdrup-Thygeson covers in Buzz, Sting, Bite! Insects are small but mighty creatures that do some amazing things for us! Without insects our world truly would not be able to function. Insects do many things for us that often get overlooked. Not just out in the wilds of nature, but they are important in the medical world and are needed in order for us to have food. Insects are important in many ways and understanding them better will help you to foster an appreciation for all they do for us. Without them, we would not be able to continue living the way we do. I gave Buzz, Sting, Bite: Why We Need Insects 5 out of 5 stars on GoodReads rating it as “it was amazing.” I’m already wanting to reread it and will need to add it to my personal bookshelf! To learn more about the book, visit GoodReads by clicking the button below. This book was recently republished with the new title of Extraordinary Insects, but has the same great content! Whether you’re an insect lover or not, grab a copy and educate yourself on the importance of insects. You’ll be surprised at what you learn along the way and won’t look at insects the same way!
This winter I newly discovered my local library’s collection of free ebooks and audiobooks. I had heard about the book Wild: From Lost to Found of the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed, but hadn’t looked into it much. While browsing through the list of books on my new app I saw an audio version of Wild and decided to give it a try. Overall it has a fairly high rating of 4.00 stars on GoodReads.com, but has mixed reviews from readers. Some giving it a low 1-star rating while others wrote glowing 5-star reviews. You’ll have to pick up your own copy to see which end of the spectrum you’re on. Wild is about the author, Cheryl Strayed’s, journey as she hiked over a thousand miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) through California, Oregon, and Washington. She was not a hiker/backpacker, had done nothing to the likes of this before, and didn’t even train for her trip. It was an impulsive decision, but this trip helped her to process and push through some hard things that had happened in her life. By her mid-twenties she had already had quite the interesting life! As you read Wild you follow along with Strayed on her many miles trekking on the PCT. She bounces between stories of things that happened in the past, and things that are happening on the trail. She meets a variety of people and interesting characters along the way. It is inspiring to see what she had come from in her past and how she was able to overcome those hardships and conquer this big trip with no prior experience, no training, and to do it alone. It you’re looking for some adventure and inspiration find a copy of Wild and start reading! I gave Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed 4 stars on GoodReads, rating it as “I really liked it.” To learn more about the book, visit GoodReads.com by clicking the button below. If you are wondering if your local library has books available in digital formats, click the button below to learn more about OverDrive. You can read or listen to books on your phone, tablet, or computer with this program, and it is free through participating libraries!
The past two years Tony and I have had the opportunity to go on a Sandhill Crane Viewing tour with the Ian Nicholson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary. Rowe Sanctuary is located in Gibbon, Nebraska on the banks of the Platte River where hundreds of thousands of Sandhill Cranes (Grus canadensis) stopover during their spring migration to rest and replenish energy on their way to nesting grounds. At times over a quarter of a million birds can be present at one time. It is considered a critical staging area during their spring migration making the Platte River one of the best places to view this amazing wildlife spectacle. Around 80% of all Sandhill cranes come through the Platte each spring. During the day, the cranes spend their time in fields foraging for food. They’re often seen picking through cow pies and corn stubble looking for waste corn. As evening approaches, they make their way to their nighttime roosting site, the Platte River. The Platte River makes for a safe roosting site because of its shallow depth. In most spots the river is only 1-2 feet deep. The cranes will stand in the water and on sandbars in large groups. The sound of splashing in the water from potential predators, like coyotes, will alert the birds before the predator is able to strike. The birds will spend the night in the water then leave the river for the fields in the morning. You can view the cranes either in the morning as they leave their roosting site or the evening as they arrive. Both tours we did were evening tours. We arrived at the Ian Nicholas Audubon Center before sunset to watch a video and listen to a short talk about the sanctuary and cranes. Then it was time to head to the viewing blind! With just a short walk we arrived at one of their newly built blinds (they were just finished in February, a huge improvement to the blind that we were in last year). Once in the blind things start off slow with a few cranes flying here and there along with other waterfowl like geese and ducks. As the evening progresses the cranes start arriving more and more frequently. We were out for a few hours and left the blind after dark, walking back to the center with the call of cranes still going strong. “Crane Season” is considered to be February 15 – April 15 each year. Last year (2019) we went on our tour the first week of April which was towards the end of prime viewing time. This year (2020) we went the first week of March which is just about the middle of viewing season. We saw more cranes this time, but last year we were able to have them land closer earlier in the evening, so it was fun to watch them dance. No matter when you go during those few weeks you will see plenty of cranes! Each day is different and presents you with a unique experience. For more information about the tours and pricing you can visit the Rowe Sanctuary’s website: www.rowe.audubon.org It is an AMAZING sight to see hundreds of thousands of these big birds streaming in over the treetops, circling the river, stretching out their wings and feet to prepare for landing, then dropping into the water for the night. Once they’re standing in the water you see their heads bobbing around, wings flapping, and some even “dancing” – jumping around, flapping wings, moving their heads to attract mates; there is constant movement. It starts with a few birds here and there coming in, then gradually becoming more and more flocks and larger flocks - all gathering in the same area. At times you just see dark masses moving around the sky instead of individual birds. Their silhouettes standing out against the beautiful backdrop of the sunset. The sights are just part of this amazing spectacle. As the evening fades into night and more and more cranes gather, their calls become louder and louder. It starts with calls here and there as they begin to stream into the river and the sound grows and grows as the masses congregate together, making it impossible to distinguish individual calls anymore. Their unique calls are loud and carry off into the otherwise quiet night. You can watch this video made by Tony (The Roughfisherman) to get a taste of the crane viewing experiences we have had. If you can, I encourage you to do a tour so you can see it in person!! The video is great but doesn’t do the experience justice. Make sure the sound is up so you can hear the cranes! Watch the Live Crane Cam! It is best to view it in the mornings and evenings to see the cranes coming and going. Make sure your sound is up so you can hear their unique call! Fun Facts:
Product: Original Buff Adult Neckwear Description: From buffwear.com: “The Original and still the best – so uniquely versatile it can be worn in up to 13 different ways for protection, comfort and FUN! Now available in solid, patterned, yarn dyed stripes and Chic designs. Original Buff® is available in adult, children and baby sizes.” Megan’s: Tube of stretchy, moisture wicking, no odor, quick drying fabric with no seams. Is very versatile and useful as neck gator, facemask, headband, hairband, and eye mask. Can be used in warm and cold conditions, keeps you warm and blocks cold, wind, and sun. Technical Features:
Uses: I bought my Buff over a year ago so I have been able to use it in all seasons, seeing how versatile it is. Originally, I bought it to use in the winter as a neck gator/face cover since with my job at that time I was outside a majority of the day and didn’t want to deal with a scarf that always gets loose and falls down, or to have to worry about the tails of the scarf getting caught in things. I've also had a chance to use it in the warmer months and it has held up to my expectations. Neck Gator & Face Cover I really like my Buff as a neck gator and face cover. Since it is stretchy, it stays put and keeps me covered in cold weather, I don’t have to keep adjusting it like I usually do a scarf. It also fits right next to your skin so the cold air can’t find its way in. The moisture wicking material is very nice to keep you dry and comfortable. When it’s very cold (negative temperatures) or windy, I like to use my Buff as a base layer and then use a scarf over it to help keep more warmth in. When it’s that cold, the Buff doesn’t quite cut it when you’re outside for extended amounts of time. By using the Buff as a base later, I still can utilize the moisture wicking qualities, and it stays up and close to my skin to keep out the cold, even when the scarf starts getting loose. They do also sell lined Buffs where you wouldn’t need to add a scarf, even in colder weather. Even when I don’t need the Buff up over my face, I usually still have it around my neck in winter to keep the cool air off my neck, and then it’s handy to pull up and use as a face cover if the wind picks up. Headband When it’s warm enough to not need a hat, but your ears still get cold, I use my Buff as a headband. It’s also stretchy enough that I can wear it over a baseball cap so you have protection from the sun or rain, but can also keep your ears warm. Hairband Even when my hair is up in a pony or in a braid, I still have those little fly-away hairs on the loose. They usually don’t bother me unless it is windy and they’re in my face. That is when the Buff comes in handy. I fold it in half, slide it on my head, and bunch it up – wah-la, no more hair in my face. Bandana I like to bike, but once the weather gets cooler, my ears get achy from the cool air, (a lovely hereditary thing). To remedy this, I wear my Buff like the hairband but instead of bunching it up, I pull the loose end so it is covering my head like a bandana. This way I can wear it under my helmet since it is thin, and then pull it down over my ears and it works perfectly to block the wind. Eye Mask Usually I don’t need an eye mask for sleeping, but sometimes when you’re camping you have to get to bed early for something the next morning and it can be hard to sleep when it’s still so light out. Surprisingly the Buff works quite well to block the light and is comfortable enough to sleep in. Testimonial: As you can see, the Buff is very versatile and useful in many ways. You can probably tell that I love my Buff and use it anytime I can – which is just about daily in cooler weather. If you’re a person that spends time outdoors, you’ll be sure to find a way (or multiple ways) to use your Buff and you’ll wonder what you did before you had one. Buffs come in many different colors and designs along with different styles and features (UV protection, insect shield). You’ll be sure to find one to fit your needs. They’re small and light weight – easy to stuff in your pocket or backpack so you’ll always have one with, if you aren’t already wearing it! Where to Get One: There are many retailers that carry Buffs. I have seen them at various outdoors stores, including big box stores like Cabela’s and Scheels. You can purchase them online from www.buffwear.com, www.buffusa.com, Amazon, and other various sites. Price: Original Buff $18.00-22.00 This weekend, the 16th Annual International Festival of Owls was held in South Eastern Minnesota in the small town of Houston. The International Festival of Owls is a fundraiser for the International Owl Center and the Center’s biggest event of the year. It is a three-day event held each year the first weekend in March. The festival started in 2003 as a “Hatch Day Party” (birthday party) for Alice the Great Horned Owl who lived at the Houston Nature Center as an education bird. The festival grew in popularity and people from all over the country and world started coming. The festival was run by the Houston Nature Center until 2015 when the International Owl Center took it over. The Owl Center was an outgrowth of the festival. Alice turned 21 this year and is now semi-retired and living at the Owl Center. They have the festival the first weekend in March because that is about the time of year when Alice hatched. We decided to go down on Saturday since it was the day with the most activities going on. You can see a schedule of their event from this year here. Some events going on:
My owl had eaten half a rat and I got the bottom half in my pellet! An owl pellet is not owl poop. They often eat their prey whole, and are unable to digest parts like feathers, fur, and bones. Since they cannot digest those parts, they spit them up in a perfectly packages pellet. You can dissect an owl pellet to find out what they have been eating. There was plenty to do, but enough time so you didn’t feel rushed doing everything. It was also nice to see the whole town of Houston get involved. Barista's Coffee House had owl themed drinks, and Carlson's Roasting Company had owl themed mini donuts! Along with other things throughout town, too. Overall, we had an Owl-some day! It was fun to see the owls, learn some new facts, and participate in the owl-themed activities. Being a nature enthusiast myself, it was fun to see so many others interested and excited about owls.
Since the 2018 festivities wrapped up on Sunday afternoon, mark your calendars for the first weekend in March 2019! It was definitely a fun way to spend our Saturday. For more information about the International Festival of Owls, visit their website: www.festivalofowls.com It has been a while since I've done a book review, although I've been busy reading other things! Kenny Salwey grew up in Buffalo City, Wisconsin and spent the rest of his life in the Driftless area of Wisconsin. Kenny is a “River Rat” who spends most of his time in the marshy area of the backwaters of the Mississippi. He knows how to live off the land and enjoy all the little things in life. Like the sweet smells in nature, beautiful bird calls, and the colors of the trout he catches. Kenny Salwey's Tales of a River Rat: Adventures Along The Wild Mississippi is one of Salwey’s books where he shares short stories about his adventures in the Swamp, poems, and songs. He shares stories about fishing, his dogs, and cattle that got loose in the Swamp. Tales of a River Rat is a fun, quick read that will make you feel more connected to nature. If you enjoy spending time in nature you'll enjoy this book. If you like this one, Salwey has a few other books about his adventures. Grab your book, a warm blanket, and sit by the window to watch some wildlife as you read Salwey’s stories. I gave Kenny Salwey's Tales of a River Rat 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, rating it as "Really liked it." Click here for more information about the book. Have you ever said something to your pet and they seemed to understand? Maybe they meowed or barked a response, or just did something that made you wonder: “How much do they really understand?” In Alex & Me: How a Scientist and a Parrot Discovered a Hidden World of Animal Intelligence—and Formed a Deep Bond in the Process, by Irene M. Pepperberg studies the cognition of African Grey Parrots. The main star of the book is an African Grey Parrot named Alex. He was bought as a young chick, and Pepperberg and her team did extensive training with him. He knows colors, shapes, numbers, food and even how to say, “I love you.” Throughout the course of the book you will follow Pepperberg through her professional journey from one institution to another bringing Alex and some of his bird friends with. She is someone who sacrificed a lot for her love of birds. It is amazing to read what Alex had learned through training and what he picked up on his own. It really does make you stop and wonder what your pet really understands and what kind of emotions they have. Alex & Me is a little different than other bird books I have read lately since it has a bit more of a science base. Don’t let that scare you away, although there is a science component, Pepperberg does a nice job of explaining things without too much detail so they’re easy to understand. If you’re an animal or even just a bird person, this is a good book for you. It will make you stop and think about what is really going through the heads of those animals you see. Can they understand you? What are they thinking about? I gave Alex & Me 3 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, rating it as "liked it." I think it had great content, but towards the end it did seem drag on a little. All together though, it was a good book. Click here for more information about the book. For about the last two years, basically since I graduated college and started to have more free time, I’ve been into reading non-fiction animal and nature related books. While looking through the library at work, I came across Kingbird Highway: The Biggest Year in the Life of an Extreme Birder by Kenn Kaufman. It has been on my to-read list for a while, so I figured now is as good a time as ever to read it. I enjoy bird watching and started my own Life List a few years ago, so I found this book quite interesting. Although it says it in the title, you don’t have to be an extreme birder to enjoy this book. Ever since Kaufmann was a boy, birds were his passion. So much so that at the age of 16 he dropped out of high school to pursue his dream of birding. In 1973, at the age of 19 Kaufmann embarked on his Big Year with the hope of seeing 600+ bird species in North America during the span of one calendar year. What makes Kaufmann’s Big Year journey unique is that he spotted all of his birds by hitch hiking across the country multiple times, spending only $1,000 for the whole year by eating dried cat food to save money, and camping wherever he could find a place to roll out his sleeping bag. Throughout Kingbird Highway, you’ll hear about the many people Kaufmann met, the experiences he had, and the bigger meaning to his Big Year. If you’re looking for a fun read and to maybe learn a thing or two along the way, find a copy of Kingbird Highway, a comfy chair, and start reading! Make sure your binoculars and field guide are nearby, because by the end of the book you’ll be wanting to start your very own bird list! I gave Kingbird Highway 4 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, rating it as "Really liked it." Click here for more information about the book. |
Blog Updates:
If you would like to receive a notification when there is a new post, please fill out the contact form under the "Get in Touch" page. About MeHi, my name is Megan. I love spending time out in nature and learning everything I can about it! Enjoy my blog and want to support my writing? Buy me a tea! Click the button below - Thank you!
Categories
All
Archives
June 2023
|