Well, it's time to do what everyone else seems to be doing- wrapping up the year with some reminiscing and positive thoughts for 2012.
I'll start by saying this year was alright for me. Some things sucked but some things were totally awesome. Like the birds. I saw some awesome awesome birds this year. Wanna know my favorites? Ok, who doesn't love an end of the year top ten list??
Favorite lifer #10: Virginia Rail
Ridgefield NWR, March 2011
Favorite lifer #9: Western Kingbird
Sherman County, August 2011
Favorite lifer #8: Ruddy Turnstone
Seaside Cove, August 2011
Favorite lifer #7: Tufted Puffin
Cannon Beach, June 2011
Favorite lifer #6: Lazuli Bunting
Powell Butte, June 2011
Favorite Lifer #5: Baltimore Oriole
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (Wellfleet, MA), May 2011
Favorite lifer #4: White-eyed Vireo
Norman Bird Sanctuary (Newport, RI), May 2011
Favorite lifer #3: Sooty Grouse
Mount Rainier, October 2011
Favorite lifer #2: Snowy Owl
Ocean Shores, December 2011
And, finally, my most favorite lifer of the year: the White-headed Woodpecker!
Sisters, Oregon, September 2011
Dang those were some amazing birds!
If you care about numbers, then I will say I did not make my goal of 300 on my life list this year... If you count the Ruffed Grouse, White-winged Dove, and Gambel's Quail (from my blog-o-versary post) I am at 299. That's 95 new birds this year! Woot! My year list stands at 281, not too shabby...
What's on my agenda for 2012? I have some general goals of driving less, motorless birding more, being kinder to the planet, all that hippie crap. As for trips, plans are made to be broken so I prefer to wing it and keep you surprised!
Happy New Years!
I'll start by saying this year was alright for me. Some things sucked but some things were totally awesome. Like the birds. I saw some awesome awesome birds this year. Wanna know my favorites? Ok, who doesn't love an end of the year top ten list??
Favorite lifer #10: Virginia Rail
Ridgefield NWR, March 2011
Favorite lifer #9: Western Kingbird
Sherman County, August 2011
Favorite lifer #8: Ruddy Turnstone
Seaside Cove, August 2011
Favorite lifer #7: Tufted Puffin
Cannon Beach, June 2011
Favorite lifer #6: Lazuli Bunting
Powell Butte, June 2011
Favorite Lifer #5: Baltimore Oriole
Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary (Wellfleet, MA), May 2011
Favorite lifer #4: White-eyed Vireo
Norman Bird Sanctuary (Newport, RI), May 2011
Favorite lifer #3: Sooty Grouse
Mount Rainier, October 2011
Favorite lifer #2: Snowy Owl
Ocean Shores, December 2011
And, finally, my most favorite lifer of the year: the White-headed Woodpecker!
Sisters, Oregon, September 2011
Dang those were some amazing birds!
If you care about numbers, then I will say I did not make my goal of 300 on my life list this year... If you count the Ruffed Grouse, White-winged Dove, and Gambel's Quail (from my blog-o-versary post) I am at 299. That's 95 new birds this year! Woot! My year list stands at 281, not too shabby...
What's on my agenda for 2012? I have some general goals of driving less, motorless birding more, being kinder to the planet, all that hippie crap. As for trips, plans are made to be broken so I prefer to wing it and keep you surprised!
Happy New Years!
Those are some awesome birds Jen! Great photos too.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful images.. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed getting to know you via your blog - your images are fantastic plus your finds are amazing! I really appreciate your sense of humor and general attitude toward life! Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteExcellent work in 2011. Many congrats to you on your blog, your photos, your numbers, and most of all, all the fun you've had.
ReplyDeleteGood Birding and Happy New Year!
Rhett
Thanks everyone for the kind words- and Dawn for the nicest comment ever!! Wish you all well in 2012!
ReplyDeleteI think I like the wood-eating White-eyed Vireo the best. See you next month? Rage.
ReplyDeleteGreat list of highlights! I plan to start the new year out at Ridgefield---a tradition for 4-5 years now. I'm still on the search for the snowy owl this winter. Love all your photos--looking forward to your adventures in 2012.
ReplyDeleteJen what a great wrap up post...I nearly dropped dead at that gorgeous lazilu bunting...I remember it blew me away on the original post too..I like the idea of "winging" it...I do have some plans but JIC they fall thru not gonna put it in print..
ReplyDeleteITS been fun following your adventures and cant wait to see whats in store for 2012 BW (bird watchin)
Happy New year, Jen. Your blog has kept me entertained, continually learned and often laughing. Thanks for letting us peer into life in the Northwest. Facinating birding and an amazing year. Your photographs often capture my imagination and motivate me to go go go! Bird till you drop. Thanks for sharing in 2011 and I look forward to all of your finds in 2012.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME birds and photos to boot! I still can't get over your Snowy Owls...
ReplyDeleteGreat top 10! I've only seen 3 of these so hats off to you for getting out and finding these! Great work!
ReplyDelete