DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS — Preface: When I hosted I and the Bird almost two years ago, I gave a nod to a father of English poetry, Chaucer. This time, I decided to do something a little more 21st century. This is (drumroll please) the first I and the Bird to be hosted by video! You will need a browser with Flash and maybe JavaScript to view the videos. Enjoy.

We begin with selections from two first-time contributors, nature photographers David Kleinert of Australia and Remo Savisaar of Estonia. Both men are skilled and passionate artists; I recommend their photoblogs highly.

Remo shares an intimate portrait of a songster we North Americans should be seeing before too long, the Käblik (Winter Wren).

David’s striking Pallid Cuckoo reminds us that you don’t have to flash bright colors to be beautiful.

Another first-time contributor, Alan from Birds in Tasmania gives us a glimpse of his encounter with a drop-dead gorgeous White-bellied Sea Eagle. Alan’s posts are always interesting and very well illustrated.

Speaking of Australians, Duncan writes about baby Red Wattlebirds (it’s spring down there after all) and shows off a Common Bird Orchid, too.

On the other end of the planet, Matt has the joy not only of great birds but also of introducing a new life to the thrill of birding.

What happens when you put an owl under a blacklight? Drew shows us the answer (and much more) in his fascinating post on banding Saw-whet Owls.

Moe offers a photo and information about his favorite bird (maybe), the American Goldfinch.

Vultures, Vultures Everywhere! says Jayne. And she’s got the pictures to prove it.

Nate is doing some work with a North Carolina museum’s bird collection, and he brings us a very interesting post about determining ages in various tern species.

Spoon-billed Sandpipers are in serious trouble; the global population has dwindled to a few hundred birds. Rob is thoroughly disgusted that they’ve been driven to the brink of extinction and offers a contact email for those who want to protest.

Did you participate in this year’s Big Sit? Patrick did, and despite bad winds, he got a life bird.

Lynette is an Australian nature artist, and really like her collection called “Tawny Expressions”. Great bird, great artwork. Wow!

Intermission:

Timo went birding at the end of the rainbow, which, apparently, is somewhere in Helsinki, Finland. He found waterbirds, acrobatic siskins, and crisp late autumn air, which is probably better than gold anyway.

The blog of Singapore’s Bird Ecology Study Group is always very, very good, but the recent photo series of Black-shouldered Kites mating is especially spectacular.

A singing Carolina Wren brightened Kay’s day. What’s not to love?

Did you chase the Green-breasted Mango in Wisconson? Gwyn did, and she’s got pictures to prove it.

Lavender is keeping a close eye on a Little Wattlebird family in Sydney.

During her weekend of Red-tails, Birdchick helped band several hawks and got some really nice photos in the process.

If you think chachalacas and Clay-colored Robins are “pretty boring,” then you should probably skip Antshrike’s latest missive from the Rio Grande Valley. Otherwise, check it out!

The Ridger shares photographs of a neighborhood peacock named Big Bird.

Rarities abounded … at the quilt festival, reports Liza Lee. I want a Blue-footed Booby quilt!

Leigh had a great birdathon in California — 134 species!

John highlights a recent report that pummels the USFWS Spotted Owl recovery plan.

A fascinating essay from Grrlscientist explains the physics of certain feather colors, like white and blue.

National Wildlife Refuges in Illinois are in trouble, reports the Birdfreak team.

“Grassland gems” is a lovely way to describe Ammodramus sparrows and other birds that Greg saw with friends last Saturday.

Mary got pictures of herons, egrets, and other waterbirds on a short hike near her California home.

What is “pishing”? Mike explains what it is, whether it works, and how to do it.

Rick and friends saw good birds in Sonora, Mexico. Hummers and parrots and anis, oh my!

Ecobirder shares some shots from a gorgeous fall day in Minnesota.

After observing a stream of Bonaparte’s Gulls, Greg got to thinking about the mysteries, perils, and origins of migration.

Oh right, I almost forgot my own contribution. How many Soras can you see in a day?

Send your links to Nate (naswick at hotmail d0t com) by Tuesday, Oct. 30 for inclusion in the next I and the Bird!

Disclaimer: I tried to include every link I received. If you sent me a link and don’t see it here, it is accidental and not deliberate. Send me a reminder, and I’ll put it up right away.

And a couple of outtakes:

DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS — Remember, I am hosting I and the Bird this week! Time is running out — please send your submissions by the end of Tuesday, Oct. 16. This is a very busy week for me, so you can help me out a lot by sending those links right away. Don’t miss out; it’s gonna be fun!

DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS — I and the Bird #59 is up at Naturalist Notebook. Good stuff, as always.

I will host the next IATB right here at Search and Serendipity. Send me your links by Tuesday, Oct. 16. It’s going to be great — don’t miss out!

Gotta run. I’m going birding!

DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS — Don’t miss I and the Bird 55, out this week.

DUNCANVILLE, TEXAS — The latest edition if I and the Bird is hosted by a saucy chickadee.