Meet the Mods: Birds

Poppy

Moderates Audubon Hog Island & Audubon Boathouse, Charlo/Montana and the Chesapeake Conservancy Cams
Favorite Animal: The Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and, of course, the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
Favorite Live Cam Moment: It is hard to choose, there have been so many special moments, since I joined Explore in Mai 2013. Most of all, I am intrigued by the fact that osprey couples return to their nest, often on the same day within hours, after migrating separately and living in solitude for seven months.

Why did you want to become a mod for Explore? Actually, did not apply to become a moderator. I was approached by Courtney, the mods’ supervisor and asked to become a mod at the beginning of the breeding season 2014. And here am I, glad to have the opportunity to give something back to Explore and the amazing opportunity this organization gives to so many people around the world, providing first class windows into the wonders of Mother Nature.

MIBDave mod

Moderates the Channel Islands National Park cams, the Sauces Bald Eagle cam, the Catalina cams (West End and Two Harbors) and any cams associated with the Institute for Wildlife Studies (IWS).
Favorite Animal: The Bald Eagle followed by the Island Fox.
Favorite Live Cam Moment: My favorite moment was the two male eaglets A-62 and A-63 on the Sauces Bald Eagle cam fledging on the same day May 30, 2016.
Why did you want to become a mod for explore.org? My wife (username Janntonne, also an Explore mod) and I have been moderators on the Channel Islands Live! Eagle Cam Discussion Forum (CHIL) since 2006 hosted by the Montrose Settlements Restoration Program, the Channel Islands National Park, Institute for Wildlife Studies, and the Ventura County Office of Education. We also moderate the IWS Bald eagle Chat. We have visited 4 of the 8 Channel Islands many times and we are capable of answering many of the questions asked on the cam chats.

GABear

Moderates Decorah North Eagle and Brooks Brown Bear Cams

Favorite Animal: For a domesticated pet it would be dogs. In the wild I’d have to say Bald Eagles and Brown Bears. What is your favorite moment you have seen on an Explore live cam? Two

Favorite Live Cam Moment: Two Favorite cams so I have two moments. On the Decorah North Eagle cam, my favorite moment was July 9, 2016, 6:27 AM, watching DN 1 take his first flight from the nest. After a rough season that saw the loss of two eaglets and the illness (temporary) of Mom North, watching this gorgeous flight into the early morning fog was more emotional than others I’ve watched.

My favorite moment (I have many, so had to make a choice…) on the Bear Cams would have to be on Sept. 5, 2014 when 435 Holly returned to Brooks Camp with her cub (719) and the cub abandoned by 402 (503 Cubadult). It was the scene that told us beyond a doubt that Holly had indeed adopted 402’s cub as she was seen nursing it shortly after this photo.

Why did you want to become a mod for Explore? I didn’t know I did…. Until Courtney contacted me asking if I would consider being one for Decorah North! I really enjoy sharing observations and things I’ve learned with others. I’m paying it forward from those who helped me learn to love the eagles and the bears. Helping to keep the comments a place where everyone feels comfortable and can share and learn is important to me. I really believe you have to learn to love animals and nature to begin to care about protecting it.

M.J.

Moderates Osprey Cams
Favorite Animal: Cat
Favorite Live Cam Moment: eggs hatching, feeding moments.

Why did you want to become a mod for Explore? Who [wouldn’t] love to be part of this huge lovely organization!

CamOp Kelly

Moderates bears, big cats, eagles and bats
Favorite Animal: I really love penguins, owls, and elephants (well, to name a few)
Favorite Live Cam Moment: It’s so hard to pick one favorite moment on any one cam for me. I’ve had so many great moments on different Explore cams. I love watching the kittens play on Big Cat Rescue’s Kitten Cabana; I love to watch the bears at beginning of the season all the way to the end to see how big they get; watching the owls and eagles care for their babies and then watching them fledge; Cayman cam because it’s so relaxing–but always hoping to get to see a shark or stingray; bats for how they interact with each other. You name an Explore cam and I can tell you why it’s great to watch!
Why did you want to become a mod for explore.org? I wanted to be a mod for Explore because I love what Explore does by bringing amazing views and knowledge to so many people from all over the world. I also like to be able to help others by answering questions for viewers. It makes me happy to share with viewers knowledge that I may have on anything from how our pages work to what is happening in the views they see.

See all community moderators for explore.org here!

Want to know how to identify a mod?

Each mod will have two identifying characteristics, one will be a “mod” badge next to their username and the other one will be a “mod” avatar. Here is an example: