I’m really only just getting into it but I genuinely love birding as a hobby. The entire goal is to look at the bird. Is there a bird? There is a bird! Look at the bird! If you are very keen you can learn what to call the bird so that you can properly thank it for the joy you feel when you see it. 🪶
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Bird is the word!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSlB4eznXoA
Even works in finch feeders!
I could become a birder!
Strictly indoors, although we once had a wren get in the house some how. She was fascinated by it, but no harm and I finally got it to fly out a door.
But the scenery is usually lovely and I like to watch what birds do even if I cannot thank them by name.
Dang, those red wing blackbirds are fierce little bastards…
(obligatory 'hi amy' mumblings)
The 2024 'election' rocketed me straight past that gateway shit. 4 feeders, 4 cameras, 20 lb peanut deliveries...
Don't know what else to say.
(sips terrible coffee)
You just don't get many trolls coming back at you with "WHO THE @#!$& DO YOU THINK YOU ARE SPYING ON THAT TRICOLOR HERON!?!"
It's a pretty mild mannered group.
"The entire goal is to look at the plane. Is there a plane? There is a plane! Look at the plane! If you are very keen you can learn what to call the plane so that you can properly thank it for the joy you feel when you see it."
Another curiosity I've seen was a wagtail hovering at the corner of a building to watch out for a predatory magpie.
There’s a reason old birders are cynical, bitter and jaded…
I'm old & the symphony of frogs and birds and bugs that once filled the air is much muted now.
The poor babies. All I care about is them. Any effort I make to win over a human these days is with an agenda to promote awareness of non-humans. Humans are so self-centered.
Cut it close to the ground, cover with thick mulch, cardboard, and a heavy-guage, dark-colored plastic, being sure to overlap the edges. Weight the plastic down. It will take 3-5 years and you will likely have to
Nature makes me break out in hives...
He’s my sweet, adorable, noisy, little dinosaur friend!
When people who passed us asked if we were bird watchers, his reply was always "if we see a bird, then we're birdwatching. If not, we're just walking."
Can't wait for the walk I'm going on this evening!
I get so excited when I hear and see new birds.
My boy loves laying there watching too.
Global Big Day coming up May 10th.🪹
If not, here is her web site (which has link to her blog):
https://www.juliezickefoose.com/index.php
Her naturalist content (blogs/books, photos, speeches and paintings) is fantastic.
Wish I could post it here for you fine folks to take a crack at!
in middle age i am back to looking at the bird and being happy about it.
✌️🦅🐦⬛🐦🦉
That rabbit hole is addictive
wonder around the meadows & see/hear who & what are flying & chilling. 👁️
will check out ebird 💝 at sunrise.🌄
p.s. tis oddly amusing to hookup a bluetooth speaker 🔊 & play the mating calls of the birds 🦢 merlin 🧙♀️ hears! 🌻 seeds welcome 🤗
https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org
The next step in birding is when you adapt your garden for it: nest boxes, feeders, letting hedgerows grow, etc.
Both birds song and appearance characteristics can help you identify the bird, even if you can’t see it and also if you can, but don’t hear it.
https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-laws-guide-to-drawing-birds-john-muir-laws/12657553
https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-backyard-bird-chronicles-amy-tan/21055182
https://bsky.app/profile/avesbrasil.bsky.social
But as my walking is impeded, I have two bird feeders and bring them to me. I have heard their voices and watched their patterns.
Beautiful close up look of the birds
They're known as the Mexican Laughing Bird here.
And there are some quite astonishing birds out there (roseate spoonbills being my absolute favourite as they just seem to belong in a Disney movie... You really expect they will start talking to you! 🥰)