Hokkaido, Japan, is home to the indigenous Ainu people, where legend has it that one of their most revered deity’s was an owl called Kotan-Kor-Kamuy or "God that protects the village." Japanese folklore claimed its presence would bring good luck to hunting and fishing expeditions, prosperity, and ward off evil. It continues to be a symbol for the Ainu connecting the natural world with the human spirit - embracing their harmonious relationship. Such a noble title is not be

On my most recent trip to southeastern Brazil I hooked up with two local birders/guides via the *Birdingpal website. Gustavo, our driver and interpreter, was joined by his friend and bird guide, Luciano. It was only for a day so being with the local birders allowed for quick identification and saved time getting to the specific birding locations. I came up with 120+ species, not including how many birds were heard – tack on another 30+. At just 'one' of our stops Luciano

When driving through mountain slopes of eucalypt forest, with Pretty-faced Wallabies ( Natamocropus parryi ) greeting you along the way, how can you not be anxious - especially after a thirty-six-year hiatus! We make a sudden stop for the presiding ‘King of the Road,” an impressive Lace Monitor ( Varanus varius ), then slowly creep forward to persuade it to give up the throne. A gain in altitude realizes a greater variety of trees, where cooler moist air hosts rainforest

Today’s venture may not be a pristine ‘hike in the great outdoors,’ but a walk along fields of rice amid swaths of oak and bamboo offers plenty of activity for hours on end. This quilt work is indicative of the Chiba Prefecture of Japan, which is about a 90-minute drive west of Tokyo. It harbors the Narita International Airport (NRT) that has brought commerce into this farming community. Expansion continues to bulldoze these verdant pastures; however, the remaining country