5 Reasons Costa Rica is Great for Families

February 18, 2013

The popularity of Costa Rica as a top choice for family vacations continues to grow. Natural wonders, friendly locals, and ease of travel all add to its charm. Here are our top 5 reasons why Costa Rica is a great choice for families. Even if you’ve been there before, there are plenty of reasons to […]

Read Post

12 Undeniable Reasons to Explore Mexico

February 4, 2013

Last week, CNN.com published an article titled “3 undeniable reasons to explore Mexico” (http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/29/travel/mexico-three-reasons/index.html). The three reasons listed included gastronomy, pre-Hispanic sites, and swimming in cenotes. We wholeheartedly agree with these reasons. But after reading this article, it was easy to quadruple their number of reasons by emphasizing Mexico’s biodiversity and wow-inducing wildlife opportunities. #1: […]

Read Post

10 Things You Should Avoid Wearing When Traveling Abroad

January 28, 2013

One of the top questions we receive from clients relates to what should be worn during a particular trip. We’ve found that it’s easier to focus on what not to wear. A huge part of staying safe while traveling involves the art of blending in, not standing out. When packing for your next adventure abroad, […]

Read Post

Harris’s Hawks On the Hunt – A Family Affair (Tucson, Arizona)

January 11, 2013

When a winter trip to Arizona landed on my travel calendar, I knew a search for Harris’s hawks was in order. Harris’s hawks reside in the arid southwest US, including the Tucson area. This raptor species stands alone when it comes to hunting. They hunt cooperatively as small family units. Why? It increases their chances […]

Read Post

Finding Wildlife Wherever We Go – White Rock Lake, Dallas, Texas

December 28, 2012

We’re admitted travel junkies here at Reefs to Rockies. Every time we travel, even if it’s just home for the holidays, we try to fit in time to explore the great outdoors. Last week, I was able to convince a friend of mine to brave a chilly Dallas morning at White Rock Lake. Many hours […]

Read Post

Beach Birding Photo Blog – Riviera Maya, Mexico

November 27, 2012

It didn’t take long to notice a wide variety of bird species in front of our condo in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico. Located along the Riviera Maya, Puerto Aventuras is a resort area south of Playa del Carmen. A few short walks along the beach provided an abundance of bird photo op’s. Watching the resident pair […]

Read Post

Swimming with Sea Turtles – Akumal, Mexico

November 23, 2012

Akumal, the first resort town in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, remains a far cry from the hustle and bustle of its northern neighbors Playa del Carmen and Cancun. Akumal means “place of turtles” in the local Mayan language. I’ve snorkeled the reefs in Akumal Bay on multiple occasions. This time around, we were in search of […]

Read Post

Birding at Otun Quimbaya Flora and Fauna Sanctuary, Colombia

October 23, 2012

We arrived to Otun Quimbaya after dark on a Saturday. On the way from Pereira we stopped along the Otun River in town in search of the torrent duck, a local highlight. We struck out on the duck, but did see a white-capped dipper in the river. Otun Quimbaya is located in the west slope […]

Read Post

Colombia Birding Trip – Los Alcazares Ecopark in Manizales

September 27, 2012

Nestled between two urban Manizales neighborhoods, Los Alcazares Ecopark proved to be a surprise highlight of the trip. Upon arrival, our guide informed us that a typical two-hour morning birding session at this location often yields 50+ species without walking more than 100 yards down the road from the entrance. We showed up late in […]

Read Post

Colombia Birding Trip – Santa Marta and El Dorado Reserve

September 25, 2012

Approximately 10% of Earth’s living species are found in Colombia. At present, Colombia ranks first in the world when it comes to the number of bird species. Our first major stop for birding on this trip was El Dorado Reserve in the Sierra Nevada Mountains and a two-three hour drive from Santa Marta. El Dorado […]

Read Post