Working in the Office
It's been four weeks back in the office since returning from Brazil and I am absolutely itching to get out and travel again; too many hours in front of the computer. I finished putting together my presentation on my "Amazing Year of Travel" and now hope to be taking that to the road and helping Connecticut Audubon promote its programs. If you know of any group that would like a speaker, please be in touch with me or pass my contact info on.

Also, I've been working on the final touches for our annual January trip to Arkansas and the land of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. Don't bother asking if I have seen one! I couldn't tell you if I had, as that would be the ticket to ending any sort of credibility I might have as a bird guide. There are far too many non-believers out there to risk one's reputation (no matter how meager it may be). If I get a photograph of one...then that is a different story and I will see you on the lecture circuit! This year, our group will be visiting with Gene Sparling, the kayaker who had the 2004 Ivorybill sighting that stirred the whole mystery up into a swirling wave. I've met him in the past, talked with him at length about his sighting, and enjoyed his kind spirit. I look forward to seeing him again. This past June, I met Tim Gallager, author of The Grail Bird, at his Cornell office. I am certain that his own Ivorybill sighting has changed his life to a point where it will never be quite the same. I have now talked with eight different people who have seen the Ivorybill. Seeing it... is it a curse or great luck? Not sure.

Working on a Presentation
I've spent most of the day getting a start on a PowerPoint presentation featuring images of my last 12 months of travel. I will keep you posted as to any engagements that I have coming up so you can come out and see where I have been and where I want to take you!

Selden Island "Daytrippers" Video on Fox61
A couple of weeks back, I did a video piece with Sarah Cody from Fox61 about Selden Island, the largest island in Connecticut waters and the largest island in the 410 miles of the Connecticut River. Hope you enjoy the video and can join me on the island sometime soon.

Look along the right column under "My TV News Clips" and click on "Selden Island."

An Amazing Year of EcoTravel
One year ago today, I started an amazing year of travel through the Americas. Most of those experiences are posted here in some detail and I am sure it will be a while before I can match the great experiences and the wonderful people I met. I have been lucky to start some new friendships and to build on some I had already. I truly am very lucky.

Last November, we were off to Churchill, Manitoba to see the annual migration of the largest land carnivore, the Polar Bear; an animal that is so recognizable, uniquely powerful and majestic.

In January, a small group of adventurers once again headed to the swamps of central Arkansas to enjoy the vast cypress/tupelo habitat and the land of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. We were pleased to meet Gene Sparling, whose sighting in 2004 started the recent hunt for the "Grail Bird."

March gave me the opportunity to once again work on the bird study program based in Cuba, home to the world's smallest bird, the Bee Hummingbird. This program blends culture, nature, and political histories as no other tour can. I was also able to stop on my way and visit Tulum and Chichen Itza on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula; truly an emotional experience of human suffering.

In April, I made my first tour of the Galapagos Islands and reveled in the so familiar Flightless Cormorant, Giant Tortoise, and Darwin's Finches. It was the anniversary of Darwin's 200th birthday; a special place (put this on your "Bucket List").

June presented a unique experience with travel by private aircraft across the northern tier of the United States visiting many states and great sites like Mount Rushmore, potholes and prairies, Kirtland's Warbler, and more. I tell you...a private plane...is the way to go!

Early October brought me back to Block Island, Rhode Island for perhaps my 16th or 17th year of enjoying the fall migration on this lovely offshore migrant trap. The images of the giant yellow heads of Seaside Goldenrod are forever in my mind.

And to top it off...I found Paradise in the the Pantanal of Brazil, without a doubt my favorite place to enjoy the works of Mother Nature with outstanding mammals, birds, and scenery. The sunsets overlooking the Pantanal from the clifftops of Chapata were equalled only by the fine company and hour-long visit with a lounging Jaguar.

What a year, and thank you to all the travelers for making it possible. We will all have such great memories for years to come.

Someday I will have to get a real job!

AG

Still Living Brazil

Since returning from the Pantanal, I have been pouring through the 1,700 or so images I brought home, rechecking the bird and animal tally sheet, posting to Connecticut Audubon's website and my own blog, and having a hard time shaking daydreaming about Brazil. The scenery is outstanding, sunsets some of the best, and the food inspiring, making the whole adventure unavoidably captivating. When on our way home, three of us were talking about our favorite four course meal and where we would like to eat it. We all agreed that the Pantanal was the place. It was a wonderful escape and experience and one that I hope to recreate not only for myself in the future, but for our travelers too.

Still in the Afterglow
It has been a week since my return and the afterglow and enthusiasm for this destination has not wained. What an outstanding collection of Mother Nature's flora and fauna, with incredible mammals, reptiles, scenery, and birds buried in an unforgettable landscape of ponds, backwaters, and rivers.

We really hit the cream of South America's "Big Five" with good luck at a Harpy Eagle nest site. This birds feet and talons are impressively massive, significantly dwarfing our Bald Eagle, Golden Eagle, and Black Bear. You have got to see it to believe it! A monkey eater, this powerful predator of the sky is not to me missed when seeking out the planet's most notable creatures. All should have the chance to enjoy a visit with this spine tingling avian wonder.

Back From Brazil
Wow! What a great trip! Minus the nine hour flight it was spectacular. This was my second time in the Pantanal; my first, the same time of year, five years ago. We really lucked out on some great target birds and animals coming home with about 250 bird species for the eight days in the country, two cats, Tapir, Crab-eating Fox, and more.

We arrived in the remote city of Cuiaba around noon on the first day and headed southwest into the Pantanal proper, stopping for our first looks at the many wading bird species one can expect to see almost every day of the trip. Being the "World's Largest Freshwater Wetland" you can expect to see some good volume. We timed our trip so that we are at the end of the dry season when the many animals are condensed into the dwindling small ponds.

We traveled to the small outpost of Porto Jofre, located at the end of the Transpantanal Highway, a 100 kilometer dirt road with over 130 wood bridges. Without a doubt, the highlight of the trip was our day along the Cuaiba River and the sighting of a Jaguar, not just any Jaguar, but likely the largest cat in the area. This was a big male that had been seen along the river for about six years and was now lounging for us to see. Our small boat drifted to about 25 feet as we set an anchor to hold us in position in the strong current. All travelers were a bit nervous as the large cat seemed to be evaluating our distance and perhaps his opportunity to make a jump for the juicy tourist.

We spent an hour with the impressive cat and took many photos. All were pleased!