(This article was previously published in my WeChat Publication on February 3, 2025)
By Miles
Today is the sixth day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Snake, and another year has unknowingly passed. Over the past year, I have ventured into the world with my binoculars and camera and experienced an “important migration” in my life: from Baiwang Mountain at East Asia to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains at North America, embarking on my birdwatching journey in the “New World.”
Over this year, I submitted 134 bird checklists. Among them, I recorded 290 species on the China Birding Recording Center (in China) and 267 species on eBird (in the United States).
I have selected 30 of my most exciting photos from the year for a simple review!
“Tail Displaying” (Red-vented Bulbul), Location: Hornbill Valley, China , Date: May 3, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“the Two Greys” (Great Slaty Woodpecker), Location: Hornbill Valley, China, Date: May 2, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Giant Bill in the Forest” (Wreathed Hornbill), Location: Hornbill Valley, China, Date: May 2, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Bark Guardian” (Hodgson’s Frogmouth), Location: Hornbill Valley, China, Date: May 2, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Hive Raider” (Oriental Pied Hornbill), Location: Hornbill Valley, China, Date: May 2, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Golden-crowned King” (Great Hornbill), Location: Hornbill Valley, China, Date: May 3, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Sharp Beak Hunter” (Oriental Hobby eating a Warbler), Location: Hornbill Valley, China, Date: May 3, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Tern Enters the Painting” (River Tern), Location: Daying River, Yingjiang County, China, Date: May 4, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Great Wings Spread” (Alexandrine Parakeet), Location: Yingjiang National Wetland Park, Yunnan, China, Date: May 5, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“the Green Elf” (Red-crowned Amazon), Location: La Cañada Flintridge, California, USA, Date: July 20, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Owlet Awaiting Food” (Great Horned Owl), Location: Descanso Gardens, California, USA, Date: May 21, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Field Singer” (Red-winged Blackbird), Location: Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve, California, USA, Date: May 18, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Survival of the Fittest” (Common Raven), Location: Roadside near Placerita Canyon Nature Center, California, USA, Date: May 17, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Yawning” (California Quail), Location: Roadside near Placerita Canyon Nature Center, California, USA, Date: May 17, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Hovering for Nectar” (Black-chinned Hummingbird), Location: Peck Road Water Conservation Park, California, USA, Date: May 10, 2023, Photographer: Miles
“Hanging Hook” (Giant Nuthatch), Location: Zixi Mountain Scenic Area, Chuxiong, Yunnan, China, Date: July 6, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Mud-Carrying Nest Builder” (Asian House Martin), Location: Liangwangshan Nature Reserve, Kunming, Yunnan, China, Date: July 9, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Blooming Contest” (Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird), Location: Jindian Park, Kunming, Yunnan, China, Date: July 13, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Nectar Thief” (Mrs. Gould’s Sunbird), Location: Jindian Park, Kunming, Yunnan, China, Date: July 13, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Dust and Ash” (Black-streaked Scimitar Babbler), Location: Kunming Botanical Garden, Yunnan, China, Date: July 11, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“the Bee-eater” (Daurian Starling), Location: Guanzhuang Park, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China, Date: June 9, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Oystercatcher Drinking” (Black Oystercatcher), Location: Ballona Creek, Los Angeles, USA, Date: August 10, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Silent Wait by the Water” (Black-necked Stilt), Location: LA River, Los Angeles, USA, Date: July 27, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Water Hunter” (Osprey), Location: LA River, Los Angeles, USA, Date: August 25, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Pelican at Play” (Brown Pelican), Location: San Diego River Mudflats & Robb Field, USA, Date: November 9, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Talons Seizing a Squirrel” (Red-tailed Hawk), Location: Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve, California, USA, Date: September 29, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Wetland Beauty” (Reddish Egret), Location: San Diego River Mudflats & Robb Field, USA, Date: November 9, 2024, Photographer: Miles
“Dancer in Colorful Feathers” (Costa’s Hummingbird), Location: Desert Meadows Park, Green Valley, Tucson, Arizona, USA, Date: November 25, 2024, Photographer: Miles
In the new year, I finally had the opportunity to take my camera beyond China for birdwatching. From Baiwang Mountain in March, Yingjiang in May, to Kunming in July, I began exploring the United States in the second half of the year. I joined the Pasadena Audubon Society (PAS) and followed experienced PAS birders to many popular birding spots in the area. I also visited San Diego, Salton Sea Nature Reserve, Tucson in Arizona, Joshua Tree National Park, and Saguaro National Park, making many new friends and seeing many new species.
Let’s continue birding together in the new year!