Ted Floyd

What: Horned Lark, Eremophila alpestris When: Sunday, March 15, 2026 Where: Smith Reservoir State Wildlife Area, Costilla County, Colorado T he winds were howling as I headed out along the two-track. I’d left the tripod and scope back in the car, they’d be useless here. And I mused: Would the car be there when I got back? Another musing: What was I even doing here? The setting reminded me of the pics sent back by the Mars rover Sojourner. I played a little game with myself.

What: Florida Scrub-Jay, Aphelocoma coerulescens When: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Where: Fox Lake Sanctuary, Brevard County, Florida O ne of the most wonderful things about being a birder is getting to see places you likely otherwise wouldn’t in this life. For many of us, that means, sooner or later: rainforests, open oceans, polar regions. But also: landfills, stockyards, sewage lagoons.

What: American Bittern, Botaurus lentiginosus When: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 Where: Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge, Thurston County, Washington Suddenly the bird was right there. Immediately in front of us. Easily the best view of I’ve ever had in forty years of encounters with the species. It wasn’t exactly a rarity, but it certainly was a surprise.