Colorado Birding Adventures focuses on providing a comfortable and enjoyable birding experience for birders of any level. Colorado’s scenery AND bird life are equally spectacular and our friendly, relaxed, and knowledgeable approach to field trips will make your birding adventure productive and memorable. We pride ourselves on our commitment to professionalism, attention to detail, and prompt communications.
Joel Such is the owner and principal guide of Colorado Birding Adventures. Joel grew up in the ponderosa clad foothills above Lyons, CO where his intense passion for the avian world was sparked at a young age. Ever since, Joel has pursued birds with unwavering devotion and has dedicated his life to studying, protecting, and documenting the natural world. With both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in conservation biology, Joel’s commitment to conservation extends to community-based, multicultural projects aimed at garnering support for wildlife and their habitats. For the past seven years, Joel has predominantly lived in Colombia’s Western Andes where he is currently engaged in protecting and reforesting critical cloud forest habitat, documenting the region’s cryptic wildlife with his camera, and leading nature tours through WildVida Expeditions.
Carl Bendorf is the founder of Colorado Birding Adventures. Carl is an experienced birding guide, past president of the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union, former board member for the American Birding Association and is now serving as the ABA’s Director of Development. He has served as a guide for Birdwatcher’s Digest and the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival. In 2011, Carl founded Iowa Young Birders and served as Executive Director until 2015 and remains a member of the board. Carl shared his passion for encouraging new birders in Iowa Young Birders: Story of a Startup, published by the American Birding Association. Carl and his wife Linda (Director of Blue Sage Writing) live in Longmont, CO.
Bill Schmoker is a leading digital photographer. Since 2001 he has built a collection of photos documenting over 650 species of North American birds. His photography is widely published and, as a published writer, Bill wrote a chapter for Good Birders Don’t Wear White He is also a past Colorado/Wyoming regional editor for North American Birds and has been a member of the Leica Birding Team. Bill is especially fond of his involvement with the ABA’s Institute for Field Ornithology and Young Birder Programs. Bill is a popular birding guide, speaker, and workshop instructor, and teaches middle school science in Boulder, Colorado.
What Our Clients Are Saying…
“My son and I recently went on a fantastic two-day guided birding trip from Denver with Joel (31 March – 1 April). Day one focused on the Pawnee National Grasslands and Day two focused on the Rockies, with multiple stops on both days, including at places such as the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge and Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre. Across the two days we recorded more than 70 species of birds, including regional specialities such as Mountain Plover and American Three-toed Woodpecker. We also encountered a variety of mammals, such as pronghorns, coyotes, chipmunks, and bighorn sheep. Joel was an exemplary guide: he has an excellent knowledge not only of birds, but also local biodiversity, and made great efforts to ensure we saw a wide range of species and habitats. As visitors from the UK, the two trips offered a brilliant introduction to Colorado’s birds and the birds of the US more generally. We’d highly recommend Joel as a guide to anyone looking to explore Colorado’s birds.”
Siobhan K. – United Kingdom
“I had one day to bird while in Rocky Mountain National Park. Joel Such was my driver and birding guide. He really stepped up and was persistent finding the birds I was looking for. Ended up with 15 life birds and showed me a lot of the local wildlife too. Joel was very knowledgeable. Would not hesitate using Colorado Birding again. Great people.”
Richard M. – Indiana
“We spent 2 days with Carl; the first day started at the top of Rocky Mountain National Park and ended at the bottom. The 2nd day was in the foothills. I have never had a birding guide that worked as hard as Carl, from giving advice on finding birds the days before and after our 2 days with him, to sticking to it when searching for the particularly difficult to find birds. Our goal was the White-tailed Ptarmigan and the American Dipper. We got great looks at both, plus 7 other life birds. My wife and I both highly recommend Colorado Birding Adventures.”
Glenn & Michelle – Arkansas
“Carl is an excellent guide. We did a half day with him, starting in the early a.m. (6:30 a.m.) We started at Sheep Lakes and drove the Trail Road to Medicine Bow Curve and back. Carl knows all the great birding areas in RMNP and was able to help us see and photograph many life birds and mammals, such as Marmots and Least Chipmunks. The highlight of our trip was seeing two female Dusky Grouse that crossed Trail Ridge Rd. near the Endovalley turn off. Carl also knows when to instruct about birds and wildlife, and when to be quiet so his clients can just enjoy the beauty of Rocky Mt. National Park on their own. Highly recommended for local knowledge, ability to find birds and wildlife and personable and friendly guiding. Everything was perfect and as we expected.”
Mary & Bobby – Massachusetts
“Birding in Colorado was a “Rocky Mountain High” for me! Those two days were easily some of the best days of birding I’ve ever experienced. Carl Bendorf, lead guide and owner, made it an experience of a lifetime by getting me on practically all the birds I was desiring to see. (He even made a herculean effort in getting me on a White-tailed Ptarmigan in spite of striking out because of the difficult periods of snow and extreme winds at 12,000 feet. That effort was a reflection of just the kind of birding guide he is.)
I loved spending those two days with Carl, especially that very special moment between him, myself, and a Northern Pygmy Owl, which was my highest target bird on my list for the trip. The time with Carl solidified a birding philosophy of mine, that it’s not “just” about the birds, it’s also about the birding friendships developed along the way.
If you’re looking for experienced, expert, and personal birding…I HIGHLY RECOMMEND… Carl Bendorf and Colorado Birding Adventures.”
Doug G. – Indiana
“I was thrilled with how in-tune my guide, Carl Bendorf, was with helping me find the birds I was looking for. In my case, I was trying to see and photograph as many Colorado birds as possible in a few days, and Carl really went above and beyond to help me achieve that goal. He knows where to find the birds you are looking for. Be prepared for amazing birds and stunning landscapes (and if you are lucky, other critters as well!). This was a beautiful, unforgettable experience – highly recommended!! (one full day Pawnee Grassland, one full day Rocky Mountain National Park)”
Amy B. – Georgia