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billbowbaggins.bsky.social
BillBowBaggins
@billbowbaggins.bsky.social
710 followers 860 following 170 posts
Hi I'm Nate. I write a weekly newsletter where I inexpertly discuss birds and try to be funny. Subscribe to win my undying love. Handy link provided below 👇

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BillBowBaggins @billbowbaggins.bsky.social · 3d
Trying a reset when it comes to cameras and photography.

I want to take better pictures of birds. How's it going? Dunno 😅

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/photograph...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
Trying a reset when it comes to cameras and photography.

I want to take better pictures of birds. How's it going? Dunno 😅

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/photograph...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶
November 8, 2025 at 7:25 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
In my latest podcast episode I talk with the amazing Andrés Chávez, who was my bird guide in Quepos, Costa Rica. What a fascinating man Andrés is, and how committed to Costa Rica's ecological future. This was a wonderful convo.

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...

#birds #birding 🪶
October 31, 2025 at 5:15 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
For my latest post I wrote about the annual trash pickup I just did in my birding patch, which includes a driving range. Can you guess how many golf balls I collected?

I collected a LOT of fun stuff that day 🤢

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/my-big-tra...
October 24, 2025 at 1:11 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
In my latest podcast I interview Chicago-based birder, artist, and animal behaviorist @kellycballantyne.bsky.social. Kelly and I had a great talk about her trip to Colombia, how to overcome art anxiety, and much more!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶
Ten Birding Questions, with Kelly Ballantyne
The Birding with BillBow Podcast, Episode 5
billbowbaggins.substack.com
September 26, 2025 at 3:20 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
I loved Listers. Have you seen it? I wrote about it in my latest post!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/on-listing...

Happy migration!

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶
September 22, 2025 at 10:24 AM
Reposted by BillBowBaggins
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
In the US, we tend to live with screens on our windows to keep #nature outside. We just spent 4 days in a house in #CostaRica that was mostly open and surrounded by #wilderness. So, what came in and out of the house while we were there? #Animals youtu.be/-lFsKOs27Jg?... @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
What Creatures Come Into Your House if You Live in the Tropical Wilderness?
YouTube video by Alexandra Hidalgo
youtu.be
September 21, 2025 at 12:46 AM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
Final post from Costa Rica. The Pacific Coast, where I got the most lifers, not all of them avian.

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/birding-in...

#birds #birding #costarica #naturewriting 🪶
September 12, 2025 at 12:17 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
And couldn’t get the boys out of the water
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social Alexandra Hidalgo @the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social · Sep 8
This was just like the #beaches from my Venezuelan childhood, warm and full of fun and rambunctious waves! #CostaRica #Uvita #Nature #Nostalgia @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
One woman, Alexandra Hidalgo (middle), and two boys, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler (left) and William Hidalgo Bowler (Right) pose and smile for a picture on the beach. Behind them is the shoreline, and sand leading up to greenery. They are outside and it is daytime. One woman, Alexandra Hidalgo (middle), and two boys, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler (left) and William Hidalgo Bowler (Right) are on the beach. Alexandra is turning towards the water and smiling at the camera, Santiago and smiling at the camera, and William is turned around facing the water. Behind them is the shoreline, and sand leading up to greenery. They are outside and it is daytime. One woman, Alexandra Hidalgo (middle), and two boys, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler (left) and William Hidalgo Bowler (Right) pose for a picture on the beach. Alexandra has both her arms extended behind the boys, Santiago has his mouth open wide, and William has his eyes closed. Behind them is the shoreline, and sand leading up to greenery. They are outside and it is daytime.
September 8, 2025 at 4:35 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
Quetzal Quest! Big milestones! The third leg of our Costa Rica adventure.

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/birding-in...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶
September 5, 2025 at 2:32 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
First in a three-part writeup about our Costa Rica adventures!🇨🇷

Spoiler alert--We can't wait to go back 🦜

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/birding-in...
August 25, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Reposted by BillBowBaggins
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
Amazing podcast interview by my husband @billbowbaggins.bsky.social with @jessinthewild.bsky.social on all the ups and downs of rescuing birds and other animals, why you should wash your bird feeders, and why native gardens are the way to go. #Birding
billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...
Ten Birding Questions, with Jess Andersen
Birding with BillBow Podcast, Episode 4
billbowbaggins.substack.com
August 8, 2025 at 11:32 AM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
New episode of Ten Birding Questions is live! I had an amazing time talking to @jessinthewild.bsky.social about birds and her career in a wildlife rehab center. Give us a listen and enjoy!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶
August 7, 2025 at 11:10 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
New post! Summer birding doesn't have to suck if you make it about the babies. This year I observed two nests.

There was drama.

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/summer-bir...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶
August 1, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Reposted by BillBowBaggins
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
A delightful account of the great adventures a birder can have without even leaving their backyard! #Birding #Birds #WritingCommunity #ADayInTheLife @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/a-day-in-t...
A Day in the Life - July 24, 2025
Beauty! Action! Danger!
billbowbaggins.substack.com
July 26, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Reposted by BillBowBaggins
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
Talk about revisiting your own childhood through motherhood! #Motherhood #Fireworks #Childhood #Summer #Fun @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo, is holding a sparkler up above her head, and she is looking up at it. To her right, a child, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, holds a sparkler out in front of him and looks off to the left. They are both outside, with grass and trees behind them. It is nighttime. A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo, is holding a sparkler up above her head, and she is looking up at it. To her right, a child, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, holds a sparkler out in front of him that is a bright white, illuminating his face and body. He looks at the sparkler with his eyes wide and mouth agape. They are both outside, with grass and trees behind them. It is nighttime. A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo, and a child, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, look at the sparkler that the child is holding out in front of him. It is glowing orange and illuminating their faces and bodies. They are both outside, with grass and trees behind them. It is nighttime. A woman, Alexandra Hidalgo, and a child, Santiago Hidalgo Bowler, hold an orangey-yellow sparkler out in front of them, looking straight at it. They are both outside, with grass and trees behind them. It is nighttime.
July 27, 2025 at 6:34 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
I took a day to do nothing yesterday. I did absolutely nothing, and it was everything that I thought it could be.

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/a-day-in-t...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶
July 25, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Reposted by BillBowBaggins
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
My husband, @billbowbaggins.bsky.social, recounts his journey from young artist to media maker in this loving, funny, self-deprecating tribute to our restless creative spirit and, of course, to #birds! #WritingCommunity #Nature #Birding #NatureWriting
billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/why-i-do-t...
Why I Do This...
...and this, and this, and this...
billbowbaggins.substack.com
July 18, 2025 at 6:53 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
One day back in 1982 or 83, Dad came home from work with a pile of scrap paper. My BFF and I got right to work drawing monsters, including "laser bird."

Still have a creative itch, and I've launched a new project. Check it out!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/why-i-do-t...

#birds #naturewriting 🪶
July 20, 2025 at 12:30 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
In case you missed it! I had such a fun time talking birds (two times!) with Anuj Ghimire @thebirdguy.bsky.social on my podcast Ten Birding Questions.

Grab your earbuds and learn about birding in Nepal and North Dakota!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...

#birding #birds #nature 🪶
Ten Birding Questions, with Anuj Ghimire
Listen now | Birding with BillBow Podcast, Episode 3
billbowbaggins.substack.com
July 13, 2025 at 2:37 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
My new post is all about how our little native garden is coming along. You'll get to know our Garden Gnome, Angus, and there's some LOTR stuff too.

What I'm most excited about though is finding my spark bug, easily the coolest insect I've ever seen.

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/the-state-...
July 11, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Reposted by BillBowBaggins
thebirdguy.bsky.social
No plans for the weekend?

We've got you covered 😅
billbowbaggins.bsky.social BillBowBaggins @billbowbaggins.bsky.social · Jul 4
In my latest podcast I talk with Anuj Ghimire @thebirdguy.bsky.social about birding in Nepal and North Dakota, his ambitious research and birding goals, and many other things. I hope you enjoy the talk as much as I did!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶
July 4, 2025 at 6:26 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
In my latest podcast I talk with Anuj Ghimire @thebirdguy.bsky.social about birding in Nepal and North Dakota, his ambitious research and birding goals, and many other things. I hope you enjoy the talk as much as I did!

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶
July 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
New post just dropped. This one's about SPARK BIRDS! Spoiler: I have a ton of them. What about you?

#birds #birding #naturewriting 🪶

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/who-sparks...
June 27, 2025 at 3:43 PM
billbowbaggins.bsky.social
What does the world need now? Empathy. You can't listen to my podcast with @skwinnicki.bsky.social and not come away with a new attitude toward Canada Geese, cowbirds, and House Sparrows. (And maybe our neighbors too.) I hope you'll give it a listen ☮️ 🕊️ ❤️

billbowbaggins.substack.com/p/ten-birdin...
Ten Birding Questions, with Dr. SK Winnicki
Birding with BillBow Podcast, Episode 2
billbowbaggins.substack.com
June 23, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Reposted by BillBowBaggins
the-alex-hidalgo.bsky.social
Remember how annoying it was to stand in line to use a #payphone? To Santiago, who’s never seen one in person, the New York Library #phones were as fun as old #technology gets. Even if they had no ring tone! #Nostalgia #ILoveNewYork @billbowbaggins.bsky.social
A young boy (Santiago Hidalgo-Bowler) stands at a payphone that is mounted onto a gray wall and covered in stickers. He is looking at the camera over his shoulder while one hand holds the phone up to his ear and his other hand pushes the buttons on the keypad. He is inside and it is daytime. A young boy (Santiago Hidalgo-Bowler) stands at a payphone that is mounted onto a gray wall and covered in stickers. He is facing the camera and smiling while one hand holds the phone up to his ear and his over hand holds a clear umbrella. He is inside and it is daytime. A young boy (Santiago Hidalgo-Bowler) stands at a payphone that is mounted onto a gray wall and covered in stickers. He is facing the camera, frowning, and wrinkling his nose while one hand holds the phone up to his ear and his over hand holds a clear umbrella. He is inside and it is daytime. A young boy (Santiago Hidalgo-Bowler) stands at a payphone that is mounted onto a gray wall and covered in stickers. He is facing the camera and looking off to the right while one hand holds the phone up to his ear and his over hand holds a clear umbrella. He is inside and it is daytime.
June 18, 2025 at 7:35 PM