Firsts of the Year — Birds Bugs Buds

Looking over the past year, I realize it's been one filled with firsts. My first Humpback Whale sighting, off the coast of Long Beach, Long Island no less, and a testament to our area's cleaner waters.

My first trip as an adult to the Southern Florida Coast which, in spite of the various senior citizen references, I loved and look forward to the next visit (and NOT for an early-bird dinner special!). It was also the place for my first sightings of new birds -- the long-awaited Purple Gallinule and diminutive Sora -- both at the fantastic Wakadohatchee Wetland.

My first adult trip to Utah to see family and get in some birding. What a landscape -- from salt flats to wetlands to mountains -- the views and animals were spectacular.

Bear River National Wildlife Refuge, Utah

My first intimate encounter with Horseshoe Crabs observing their, um, intimate moments during mating season along Jamaica Bay.

My first hurricane and one that destroyed both human and natural life in areas I love.

Finally, after long last, my first time to visit with the newly hatched Mallard ducklings at Queens Botanical Garden before they departed with the mother duck to a new location.

And it was my first sabbatical from this little blog, and hopefully the last. But no worries -- I'm now rarin' to go!