Back

Back! America is cheap- I bought a load of new toys- new laptop, 300mm canon lens, 1.4x adaptor, 8meg card, hat and clothes. Got a few things to play with and now digging in.

Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

Kirsty showed me round her office (above) and then introduced me to her latest environmental venture- LCA, which is an approach to manufactering products as sustainably and environmentally friendly as possible. Her weak bladder protection products saves dignity (I was going to write something else) and the environment- all in one go!

Bike Power

When the oil runs out these guys will be taking over.

A Bike Lift

In Philadelphia with college mate 'Green Goddess' Kirsty who lives here, working as environmental director for a big business. This evening she took me to a city environmental event. It was a bike ride across the city to raise awareness for cycling safety and to encourage more (safer) cycling in the city. At the end of the ride we all had to pick our bikes up over our head to commemorate all those who have been injured on bikes. Apparently it is called a 'bike lift'- never done that before.

Urban Jungle

Well, I am now in another part of America, Philadelphia. I haven't seen any signs or notices for birders here, (like we found in Arizona), but there are plenty of other signs- including this one.

Spotted Owl

That's all mofolks

Sam- (The Dude Magnet)- entertaining the crowds.

Father and Son

Everyone looking everywhere (click on this picture to get a feel for the passion of birding)

Well, that's it. Off to Philadelphia tomorrow so last day in Arizona. My verdict??....There are a lot of dudes in America!

Grand Canyon and dipping dippers

Spent today twitching the grand canyon and then looking for American dippers. There was a bit of un-expected disturbance on the dipper site- probably best to try it on a weekday.

Boss Hog and Grizzly Adams

We have been wandering around the woods and came across these two.

Only in America

Just when we thought we were lost we noticed this sign.

Hey, Dude!

Everyone keeps calling me a dude. 'F##k you buddy, I aint no freaking dude'- but here are a fine couple of real dudes.

Freaking Arizona Man!

Sam asked me a few weeks ago to join him in Arizona. Well I didn't even know where it was but I said yes. It has taken a while but something has just dawned on me. I kept on seeing things- tumbleweed, cactus's, rattlesnakes, taverns, working girls, copper mines, canyons, buzzards, vultures, sheriffs, Mexicans and cowboys and Indians- I was shocked, this is the freaking wild west man. Its freaking real!

On the road

Stopped off today for lunch at this little joint. Nice spot. There was a 'WANTED' sign attached to a missile at the entrance with a picture of the world's most wanted man.

Great steak- the second best I have ever found- second to Azorean beef which is the best steak in the world.

Photo of the Day

A male Olive Warbler.

Mexico border patrol

Spent today trying to see illegal immigrants running the guantlett past the Arizona border patrols. We heard an illegal (coughing) hiding in the forest yesterday evening while owling but still no sightings.

Arizona

I am in Arizona. It's alright.

Beddington Big Day

Today, we took part in a national event, to raise money for the critically endangered Azores Bullfinch. The magazine Birdwatch organised the event. Nineteen people got involved at Beddington and the idea was to try and see as many birds as possible in a day from the site (Sitewatch). We co-ordinated it with six other sites in London for a bit of competition. I don't know who saw the most species at the moment- the result is pending.

We managed to log 73 species, the highlights being 2 Osprey, 7 Common Buzzard, Peregrine, Hobby, 2 Wheatear and Greenshank. Two Osprey in one day is a site record.

After five years of ignoring, the £50,000 deluxe apartment block which was built for them, a group of Sand Martins have finally moved in.