We were able to get a tour of the Big Island of Hawaii off the ground this autumn. Thanks to the help of Jack Jeffrey, we were able to see all the endemic honeycreepers and caught glimpses of the native hawk and thrush.
Most of the remainder of the island is inhabited by non-native birds and several species of game fowl introduced for hunting purposes.
We didn't plan this tour with a pelagic trip, but I would like to for the next time around. We got an amazing view of the White-tailed Tropicbird from a little zodiac boat that took us out for a snorkel session.
Big Island, Hawaii 9/7/24-9/14/24
09/25/2024
Photos from our Swallow-tailed Kite photography pontoon boat field trip with the Airboat Photographer. Only in the late summer, when the kites form huge flocks and communal roosts, can you see this behavior as they prepare for their journey back to South and Central America along with the brand new generation of kites.
The kites woke up on their roost trees and eventually started drinking and bathing down on the water. It only lasted about 20 minutes or so until the birds went out for their morning hunt. It was an amazing migration spectacle to behold! Even if you're not a photographer, I'd highly recommend booking a spot on this trip for next year.
Deland, Florida
7/25/24
09/18/2024
There's a family of Barred Owls living on the property where I work part time that can usually be seen during the day. We also have a whole covey of Northern Bobwhite in the butterfly garden.
Kissimmee, Florida 7/9/24
08/22/2024
This is a collection of photos from a week-long private tour of South Florida, the keys, and the Dry Tortugas. We had a nice amount of biodiversity despite it being so late into the season. We've begun taking reservations for next year's Dry Tortugas tours!
May 10th-May 16th, 2024
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
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Contact The Business
Send a message to Archaeopteryx Birding and Nature Tours:
Rebecca Smith and Gallus Quigley are both long time birders in Florida. Rebecca Smith is a great photographer who brings knowledge of butterflies and insects in addition to birds, while Gallus Quigley is a birder with experience in land management, prescribed fire, and has completed local big years. Both are avid travelers and have plans to see much more of the world birding.
REASONS TO CHOSE ARCHAEOPTERYX BIRDING AND NATURE TOURS
Economical
Full Day & Half Day rates available
Bird, Butterfly, Photography, & Nature Tours
Local (Florida), U.S., and International Tours
Custom Florida tours for 1-2 people, Central Florida (Orlando/Theme Parks) is our specialty area but lead tours all over Florida, including Florida Keys.
Small group size for organized tours (1-4 people typical)
Great guide to participant ratio since Beck and/or Gallus will lead or co-lead all tours.
Comfortable pace; we do not want to rush from place to place unless our client is a true lister. We also cater to clients who want to see, enjoy, and photograph the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife.
Limited hotel hopping. We want you to be able to settle in and enjoy your trip not be packing up every morning.
Limited driving times. We visit areas with a 2 hour drive of hotel
