These crowd-pleasing North American destinations are as perfect for bird-watching as they are for a good old-fashioned vacation.
COURTESY OF THE ATCHAFALAYA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
Perhaps youve heard about the bird-watching boom?
Newcomers are flocking to the hobby, which studies have shown has the power to boost happiness.
Atchafalaya National Heritage Area, in Louisiana.Credit:COURTESY OF THE ATCHAFALAYA NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA
Bragging Rights
The northern pygmy-owl is an adorable but ruthless carnivore that snacks on songbirds.
Rainbow-colored painted buntings are big on the island, as are wood storks.
They were a protected species, but now theyve bounced back dramatically, Ramey says of the long-legged wader.
A Round Haus villa at the Green O, in Montana.STUART THURLKILL/COURTESY OF THE GREEN O
Its a testament to conservation.
Bristols waterfront Blithewold estate has 33 acres of manicured gardens surrounding a historic mansion.
This is the land of crawfish and zydeco, where every meal is an occasion.
The northern pygmy-owl.blickwinkel / Alamy Stock Photo
The Lodge on Little St. Simons, a Georgia island known for its conservation efforts.Cassie Wright/Courtesy of The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island
Rainbow-colored painted buntings.HOWARD CHEEK/GETTY IMAGES
The Audubon Nature Center & Aquarium, in Bristol, Rhode Island.BUTCH LOMBARDI/COURTESY OF AUDUBON SOCIETY OF RHODE ISLAND
The saltmarsh sparrow.Cal Vornberger/Alamy Stock Photo
Wickaninnish Inn, in Tofino, British Columbia.SIMONE MONDINO/COURTESY OF WICKANINNISH INN
Western sandpiper.Don White / Alamy Stock Photo
The roseate spoonbill.ARTHUR MORRIS/GETTY IMAGES
