birds – Ruth Rosenfeld

Setúbal

An hour and a half bus ride, about 30 miles (40km) southeast from Lisbon, lies the much smaller city of Setúbal. An artist friend from Colorado moved there recently to join an expat artist community. I was pleased to see she seems to be settling in nicely, has made friends, and is awaiting her containerContinue reading “Setúbal “

Birds of Galapagos

The Galapagos islands are home to an amazing variety of birds that hop, soar, and perch amidst the mix of wildlife. My last two posts of travels in the Galapagos highlighted land and sea animals in their natural habitat on an eight-day cruise on a small ship in 2006. Hiking over volcanic black lava or skirtingContinue reading “Birds of Galapagos”

Oamaru

The charming Historic Precinct of Oamaru, on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, looked like something from a fading sepia photograph. It boasts New Zealand’s best collection of Victorian buildings, each with its own character and story. I would love to be there for their Victorian Fete holiday in November, summer in that southern clime,Continue reading “Oamaru”

Otago Peninsula

Based in Dunedin, both times I’ve visited the South Island of New Zealand, I have spent a day on the Otago Peninsula. A haven for wildlife, Otago is a special place where unique species live and are sheltered from human life. The preserves are at the far end of the peninsula. If I could have stayedContinue reading “Otago Peninsula”

Auckland

The first time I visited New Zealand in 2010, while I was teaching in Japan, I didn’t spend much time on the North Island. If you’ve been following my last few blog posts, you know I sprained my ankle right before leaving Australia. That story will continue after a few posts about my return tripContinue reading “Auckland”

Cape Cod beach walking

The first time I visited Cape Cod, two years ago in 2021, I stayed at a place more centrally located on the cape, Yarmouth Port. I wandered the villages and beaches on the Atlantic coast, as well as a few other interesting spots (see below for links). Falmouth is on the southwestern point of theContinue reading “Cape Cod beach walking”

Monomoy

Back on Cape Cod, I found a new place to explore. Monomoy National Wildlife Refuge is a group of small islands off the southeast corner of Cape Cod, off the elbow, if you picture the Cape as a flexed arm. The street that leads to the refuge is Wikis Way, but the street sign wasContinue reading “Monomoy”

Fruitgrowers Reservoir

On this western Colorado road trip, I stayed for a few days with a friend who lives high on a hill with 360 degree views of mountains. On the other side of the hill lies Fruitgrowers Reservoir. The reservoir provides irrigation for the orchards and farms in the area. But we were there to seeContinue reading “Fruitgrowers Reservoir”