Archaeopteryx Birding and Nature Tours

08/08/2024

This past spring I started working part time at Boggy Creek Airboat Adventures as a deck hand. These are from a day I decided to bring my camera to work with me and take photos of the birds from the airboat. It helps when you have a captain who's into birds too! Airboat Photographer
Kissimmee, Florida 5/7/24

07/28/2024

I thought this orchid was so beautiful growing all over the forest floor after a fire. I just happened to catch them in bloom at the perfect timing while searching for Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Brown-headed Nuthatch, and Bachman's Sparrow.
Many-flowered Grass-pink (Calopogon multiflorus)
Kenansville, Florida 5/5/24

07/19/2024

Highlights from this past April's South Florida, Keys, and Dry Tortugas tour.
April 19th-April 26th, 2024

07/08/2024

I threw a trip together to go up north for a couple of days in the middle of a hectic field season. I have seen American Woodcock in flight and displaying, but I really wanted to capture one on the ground in the daytime. I was able to find a mom and chick foraging together and enjoy the rest of the refuge.
Newbury, Massachusetts
April 15th-16th, 2024

06/21/2024

Photos from a visit out to the fort including some banded shorebirds and Royal Tern, and the white morph of the Reddish Egret.
St Petersberg, Florida
April 2nd, 2024

06/09/2024

A selection of photos from a 3-day central and south Florida tour. We also got to see Bald Eagles, Red-cockaded Woodpecker, Red-masked Parakeet, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Black-whiskered Vireo, and Spot-breasted Oriole.
March 25th, 27th, and 28th, 2024

06/02/2024

Back in March I spent my first weekend of the year off chasing a few birds. This was definitely the highlight of the travels.
Yellow-headed Caracara

04/22/2024

One more new bird from the next stop on our cruise, the Carib Grackle with its breakfast.
Oranjestad, Aruba 2/26/24

04/16/2024

Mark and I were able to do a birding tour with Henriette de Vries on the island of Curacao during our cruise. I ended up getting 5 lifers from the tour and some nice photos of Caribbean bird species.
February 25th, 2024

04/07/2024

I haven't visited the St Augustine Alligator farm rookery since 2015, but Mark and I had a chance to go there again in February. There's a mixture of wild and captive birds from around the world in this series. Enjoy!
St Augustine, FL 2/13/24

04/05/2024

This bobcat crossed the road in front of my vehicle, then paused next to the train tracks to scowl at us.
Titusville, Florida 2/5/24

04/04/2024

I wonder what hikers think when they hear what sounds like a dog's squeaky toy in the tree and look up to see this very angry and fluffy little bird.
Brown-headed Nuthatch, Florida trail
Kenansville, FL 2/4/24

04/01/2024

Here's a handsome male Boat-tailed Grackle showing off it's plumage and excited about an early spring.
Apopka, Florida February 2nd, 2024

03/31/2024

This was my attempt to chase the Red-necked Grebe that showed up in Alachua county over the winter. It's not the best photo because the bird flew every time we got even a little close. But I'll take it. Another Florida state tick!
Melrose, Florida 2/1/24

03/30/2024

The Florida scrub-jays at this location are extremely friendly. It's as easy as parking your car, take a few steps, and scrub-jays start falling out of the woodworks and have even been known to perch on people's hats. I'd say this is the best place to photograph our charismatic, endemic bird species.
Rockledge, Florida 1/30/24

03/19/2024

Important!!!

I want to give a heads up to everyone that waterfowl hunters are making a very hard push to gain access to the Lake Apopka North Shore.
When this happen at Emeralda Marsh it led to other user groups being pushed out and the drive closed during hunt season. Also think TM Goodwin access.
It is unlikely they'll settle for one small area, once they are in, they will push outwards till they have control.
The hunters are well organized, vocal and have some board support already.
Bikers, Hikers, Birders, and others need to start a united vocal front now! This threatens everything from the Lake Apopka Loop Trail to the Wildlife Drive!

All of us supported SJRWMD in their work on the North Shore and we shouldn't have the hunters take it from us now that it benefits them. Our groups bring far more economic impact than hunting. It's not even close at any level. Make sure they hear us!
In 2011 birding/wildlife viewing economic impact according to FWC was $5.8 billion!
Cyclists bring in $2.0 billion for trails like Apopka and $6.0 billion overall (2017Balmoral study)
Hunting (all types) was $1.6 billion. (2011 FWC)

Link below to write letters!

The Executive Leadership Team shares an extensive background of experience and passion for the work performed at the district, find out more.

03/18/2024

A flock of Iberian Magpies visited my front yard one morning in Portugal. They're almost as charismatic as our Florida Scrub-Jay.
Almancil, Portugal Jan. 14th, 2024

03/14/2024

This female Snail Kite has been hanging around the boat ramp at Emeralda Marsh. It's nice when you're watching a bird flying around the marsh hunting and then she lands right next to you!
Leesburg, Florida 2/9/24

03/01/2024

Part 2 of a lovely day of birding in Portugal. We're currently working with Proactivetur to start offering birding photography tours beginning next year.
Loulé County, Portugal January 11th, 2024

02/21/2024

Last month I ended up in Portugal for a week since I had a flight voucher to use before it expired. I hired a guide on the second day of my trip and here are a few of the birds were found in the Faro area.
Loulé County, Portugal January 11th, 2024

02/16/2024

Last bird of 2023. Gallus, Mark, and I drove out to Clearwater for the Western Flycatcher. That was my third attempt to see that bird and we finally got it!
Clearwater, Florida December 31st, 2023

02/15/2024

Successful chase of the Eared Grebes in Apopka on Christmas eve. They're a little shy and far away, but I'll take it! Thanks Lynn!
Apopka, Florida December 24th, 2023

02/14/2024

The Couch's Kingbird and 2 more new Florida birds for my list.
Tallahassee, Florida December 23rd, 2023

02/08/2024

Wilson's Snipe hiding in the marsh.
Apopka, Florida 12/19/2023

01/27/2024

A great day of birding around the town of St. Petersburg, Florida. We spent some time at Fort Desoto and Crescent Lake Parks.
December 5th, 2023

01/25/2024

Archaeopteryx Birding and Nature Tours made front cover of Clermont Magazine!!

01/21/2024

Photo session with my favorite wading bird species in the ABA area, the Black-crowned Night-Heron.
Apopka, Florida December 3rd, 2023
Chicago Black-crowned Night-Heron Project

01/17/2024

Photos from our last morning in South Africa. We visited a new area on the way back to the airport in Johannesburg. We ended the week with ~261 species and 93 lifers.
Kaapsehoop, Mpumalanga, South Africa 11/24/23

01/09/2024

I had been looking for a Hamerkop every day in the park. Now I find one driving down the highway. Of course I had to pull over in morning rush hour traffic to take its photo. Then we explored God's window and Lisbon Falls.
Graskop, Mpumalanga, South Africa 11/23/23

01/05/2024

Going out to dinner at a different resort provided us with two new species for our trip!
Hazyview, South Africa 11/22/23