David Lee Drotar

Rescuing Costa Rica's Howling Monkeys Story and photos by David Lee Drotar "Hola!" Mariano, the 25-year-old scarlet macaw cheerfully squawked as he lifted his claw and waved. His wing was broken and he would never again survive on his own in the jungle, but his demeanor and background was otherwise comical. He came here after his elderly owner passed away, the refuge's founder, Brenda Bombard explained. Aside from his inability to fly, Mariano had a persistent, hacking cough.

Finding Stories on the Explorers' Route of Northern Quebec Story and photos by David Lee Drotar The further we drove, the more interesting the stories became. They drifted on pink popcorn clouds along our 1500-mile route in Quebec's far north, ready to be plucked from the air and retold. My friends and I were a pretty unique bunch ourselves.

Hiking With a Boatload of Memories Around Saranac Lake, New York Story and photos by David Lee Drotar A writer entering his golden years looks back on one of his first jobs while hiking around Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Mountains. I was having a moment. It was the first trip I had taken since my mom passed away earlier in the year. Blue sky and puffy clouds framed the mountains with an understated majesty that only the Adirondacks can offer.