BLOG | spanglerwoodbirds

Apr 11, 202115 min read

Haw River Through-Paddle

You don’t really know a river until you follow it for days on end, observing its subtle evolution from stream to rushing river.

Mar 24, 20215 min read

Custom Kayak Motor Mount

The main shortcoming of my boat is that it runs on manpower. So, I decided to install a trolling motor.

Mar 12, 20213 min read

Wrightsville/Holly Shelter day trip

I spent a Friday off work paddling around Wrightsville and hiking around Holly Shelter GL.

Jan 17, 20215 min read

OBX Waterfowling #6.2

As I told another friend before the trip, I’d be happy if I saw half of my target birds. And that I did.

Dec 31, 202013 min read

Florida 2020: Part 2 (Birding)

This post covers the fourth leg of the trip, a 5-day solo birding adventure that took me across the northern half of the state.

Dec 27, 20209 min read

Florida 2020: Part 1 (Xmas Vacation)

My wife and I spiced up the end of 2020 with a long Christmas road trip down to Florida. The trip involved a healthy mix of...

Nov 27, 20201 min read

Thankful for...sparrows and squirrels

This year, I'm thankful for sparrows and squirrels. More specifically, a LeConte's Sparrow and a Fox Squirrel.

Nov 22, 20206 min read

OBX Waterfowling #6.1, Bears & Birds #2, & Washington

This was a satisfying weekend getaway to the coast, with an ideal balance of birding and non-birding activities.

Nov 11, 20202 min read

Edenton & Northeastern Swamps

My wife and I headed east for a short-but-sweet overnight trip to Edenton, Merchants Millpond, and the Great Dismal Swamp.

Nov 8, 20205 min read

Backpacking Linville Gorge

After dinner, we spent an hour or two herping at a muddy seep, and then a rocky creek, both near our campsite.

Oct 10, 20205 min read

OBX Kayak/Camping #4: Shackleford

Leaving home super early, I hit the water at Harkers Island a bit before 8AM.

Oct 5, 20205 min read

Lowcountry SC

My wife and I spent an active 4-day weekend visiting friends near Charleston, SC and exploring the surrounding lowcountry.

Sep 18, 20202 min read

Jordan Lake Waders #6

For the first time since I began birding in Chatham Co., Jordan Lake didn’t drop below full pond this fall, and we never got any mudflats.

Sep 13, 202022 min read

Pandemic Adventures Part 2: Spring/Summer 2020 Travel

Cabin fever occasionally took hold during the spring and summer of 2020.

Jun 5, 20205 min read

Pandemic Adventures Part 1: Local Spring Birding

The prime stretch of COVID lockdown coincided with spring bird migration, allowing me to do more high-quality local birding than normal.

Feb 18, 20206 min read

OBX Waterfowling #5.1 & 5.2

This is why I don't chase rare birds....

Dec 31, 201915 min read

Bay Area Hiking & Birding

My wife and I spent an adventurous 6 full days between Christmas and New Years exploring north of San Francisco.

Nov 25, 20195 min read

Dare Co. Rarity Roundup #2

This year’s Dare County Rarity Roundup didn’t feature any true rarities, but any coastal birding trip is a good birding trip!

Oct 31, 20195 min read

Jordan Lake Waders & Shorebirds #5

Notwithstanding the relatively high water levels, the lake attracted above-average numbers of wading birds in the late summer, and ...

Sep 8, 201914 min read

Colorado Hiking, Birding, Camping

Three-phase hiking/birding/camping trip to Colorado.