Laura Erickson’s For the Birds

One of Laura’s most memorable experiences happened when she was teaching in Madison, Wisconsin, and a Brown Creeper spent time in her classroom. (This was reworked from April 21, 2020.)

One of Laura’s favorite early spring migrants should be turning up any day now. (Much of the content is redone from April 17, 2020)

If we can’t find out how much energy and water are consumed by various AI and large database programs, how can we make good decisions about using them? IMPORTANT: I’ve Updated this program based on new information. This is the new, accurate version.

A great many things we do, including listening to this radio program or podcast, involve Big Data.

There must be a connection, right?

Laura used to be more wowed by the beauty of golf courses than by real wilderness.

What looks beautiful and natural to untrained eyes can have a very dark side.

Fishing line is still a clear and present danger for birds.

In George Clooney’s 2025 movie, Jay Kelly, his movie star character says, reviewing his life, “All my memories are movies.” It turns out just about all Laura’s memories are birds.

I don’t know if Alexander the Great paid attention to ducks, but three cool diving ducks share their name with his horse.

Laura went out with her husband Russ to search for owls Sunday. Their sightings were limited to a couple of owl decoys, but they still saw some cool birds, and Laura remembers a lifetime of owls she has seen with Russ.

Hummingbirds have a fascinating fossil record.

An overview of the hummingbird family

Laura reminisces about the second tropical bird she ever saw.

Laura talks about the orangest members of the exotic cotinga family.

We Minnesotans are banding together in an inclusive, cohesive, peaceful rebel alliance, just like chickadees.

Laura is honoring today’s “Get ICE Out of Minnesota” “Day of Truth and Freedom.”

Last month, Laura got to feast her eyes on her “Most Wanted Bird” in the world–an Andean Condor.

Today Laura celebrates the California Condor.

What does it mean when your first bird of the year is a pigeon?