BillBowBaggins

Cool cool. I’ve missed vicariously enjoying your homemade stream 😅

So THIS is where you’ve been hiding!

Ten Birding Questions, with Kelly Ballantyne The Birding with BillBow Podcast, Episode 5

In my latest podcast I interview Chicago-based birder, artist, and animal behaviorist @kellycballantyne.bsky.social. Kelly and I had a great talk about her trip to Colombia, how to overcome art anxiety, and much more!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶

I loved Listers. Have you seen it? I wrote about it in my latest post!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/on-listing...

Happy migration!

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶

YouTube video by Alexandra Hidalgo What Creatures Come Into Your House if You Live in the Tropical Wilderness?

In the US, we tend to live with screens on our windows to keep #nature outside. We just spent 4 days in a house in #CostaRica that was mostly open and surrounded by #wilderness. So, what came in and out of the house while we were there? #Animals youtu.be/-lFsKOs27Jg?... @billbowbaggins.bsky.social

Final post from Costa Rica. The Pacific Coast, where I got the most lifers, not all of them avian.

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/birding-in...

#birds #birding #costarica #naturewriting 🪶

MOTION 🍗

Amazing beach. Monkeys, sloths, macaws…even an ear infection

And couldn’t get the boys out of the water

It sure was! Amazing adventure

Not Santiago attracting the only mosquito in SGdD!

Quetzal Quest! Big milestones! The third leg of our Costa Rica adventure.

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/birding-in...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶

First in a three-part writeup about our Costa Rica adventures!🇨🇷

Spoiler alert--We can't wait to go back 🦜

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/birding-in...

Awesome!! Congrats :)

I think you can tell most easily by the wings. Did you notice any white markings on the underwing? If so, Nighthawk. Also I don't think Whip-poor-will's wings make that exaggerated M shape that a Nighthawk's do.

Ten Birding Questions, with Jess Andersen Birding with BillBow Podcast, Episode 4

Amazing podcast interview by my husband @billbowbaggins.bsky.social with @jessinthewild.bsky.social on all the ups and downs of rescuing birds and other animals, why you should wash your bird feeders, and why native gardens are the way to go. #Birding
billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...

New episode of Ten Birding Questions is live! I had an amazing time talking to @jessinthewild.bsky.social about birds and her career in a wildlife rehab center. Give us a listen and enjoy!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶

New post! Summer birding doesn't have to suck if you make it about the babies. This year I observed two nests.

There was drama.

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/summer-bir...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶

A Day in the Life - July 24, 2025 Beauty! Action! Danger!

A delightful account of the great adventures a birder can have without even leaving their backyard! #Birding #Birds #WritingCommunity #ADayInTheLife @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/a-day-in-t...

A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo, is holding a sparkler up above her head, and she is looking up at it. To her right, a child, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, holds a sparkler out in front of him and looks off to the left. They are both outside, with grass and trees behind them. It is nighttime.

A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo, is holding a sparkler up above her head, and she is looking up at it. To her right, a child, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, holds a sparkler out in front of him that is a bright white, illuminating his face and body. He looks at the sparkler with his eyes wide and mouth agape. They are both outside, with grass and trees behind them. It is nighttime.

A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo, and a child, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, look at the sparkler that the child is holding out in front of him. It is glowing orange and illuminating their faces and bodies. They are both outside, with grass and trees behind them. It is nighttime.

A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo, and a child, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, hold an orangey-yellow sparkler out in front of them, looking straight at it. They are both outside, with grass and trees behind them. It is nighttime.

Talk about revisiting your own childhood through motherhood! #Motherhood #Fireworks #Childhood #Summer #Fun @billbowbaggins.bsky.social

I took a day to do nothing yesterday. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything that I thought it could be.

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/a-day-in-t...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶

Why I Do This... ...and this, and this, and this...

My husband, @billbowbaggins.bsky.social, recounts his journey from young artist to media maker in this loving, funny, self-deprecating tribute to our restless creative spirit and, of course, to #birds! #WritingCommunity #Nature #Birding #NatureWriting
billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/why-i-do-t...

One day back in 1982 or 83, Dad came home from work with a pile of scrap paper. My BFF and I got right to work drawing monsters, including "laser bird."

Still have a creative itch, and I've launched a new project. Check it out!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/why-i-do-t...

#birds #naturewriting 🪶

I've had so much feedback from birders who were sparked by kingfishers! They seem to have that effect on people. I can't wait to get my first Common Kingfisher :)

Ten Birding Questions, with Anuj Ghimire Listen now | Birding with BillBow Podcast, Episode 3

In case you missed it! I had such a fun time talking birds (two times!) with Anuj Ghimire @thebirdguy.bsky.social on my podcast Ten Birding Questions.

Grab your earbuds and learn about birding in Nepal and North Dakota!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...

#birding #birds #nature 🪶

😍 🥰

My new post is all about how our little native garden is coming along. You'll get to know our Garden Gnome, Angus, and there's some LOTR stuff too.

What I'm most excited about though is finding my spark bug, easily the coolest insect I've ever seen.

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/the-state-...

No plans for the weekend?

We've got you covered 😅

Better than any fireworks display!

Thanks for sharing that! Two great spark birds. I remember an Eastern Towhee showing up in my yard in Indiana and thinking What is THAT?? So gorgeous. Osprey are just a first-rate bird. Nothing quite like them.