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| You know your birding is getting desperate when you are photographing crows behind branches in bad light. |
So, how does a birder deal with the birding blues? I can't say I'm an expert at dealing with these issues, but this is what I did the other day...and it helped!
Get outside! - I ditched out of work a little early to go birding at a nearby park while I waited to pick up my daughter from her after-school choir practice. That's where I digiscoped the pictures in this post. This little park isn't the best birding spot, but it's somewhat becoming a patch for me as I am able to visit it now and then. Finding a Cackling Goose amid the hordes of Canadas was a great pick-me-up, even if they flew before I could get a photo.
Cut off the negative self-talk in the ol' cabeza. Enjoy what you have instead of what you wish you had. - I took some deep breaths and decided - actually making the mental choice - to enjoy the abundance of American Robins and to be thrilled anew with their antics. The robin below posed for me on metal fence post, with wild rose bush buds blurred in the background. I chose to find beauty in this moment and my soul began to heal.
On the south-facing bank of a creek, the low-hanging winter sun had managed to warm and melt the snow providing forage for the flickers and robins. I paused to watch this Red-shafted Northern Flicker plunge his bill deep into the mud, wondering what in the world he was finding to eat in there.
Consciously choosing to slow down and enjoy the moment with each regularly occurring species was just the remedy I needed. I couldn't help but laugh when the thought struck me that male Red-shafted Northern Flickers have big red mustaches, just like Yomesite Sam from Looney Toons.
Later, as I sat parked in the school parking lot waiting for my daughter, I decided to carry out a very aggressive birding game called "The Big 5-minutes!". How many birds could I see in five minutes from where I was parked? Several American Robins, a female Northern Flicker, a murder of crows, a tiny song bird in the shadows the flitted away before I could i.d. it, and several Mourning Doves erupting out of stand pine trees. And that was it. It was fun!
Love the idea of a big-5 minutes!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I can't claim that I came up with the idea, but I maybe the name of it. Pete Dunne in a Birder's World article a few years back talked about playing this little game.
DeleteThat Big % Minute is great, as are your observations about the mustachioed mudflicker.
ReplyDeleteSometimes the little parks and their commonplace residents are all we have, but a bird is a bird, and we are compelled by birder law, even commanded, to look at it.
Thanks Laurence. It's all about making a conscious choice. And sometimes it takes some learning. Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
DeleteLaurence, you are funny as always! Robert, I well know that verse of which you speak but sometimes it's just hard when your soul is craving a reprieve! It's an easy thing to say; not always easy to do, but it looks like you found a way!
DeleteLiving in Wyoming at 7000+ feet I can feel your pain. For that matter, I would kill for something as simple as an American Robin right now
ReplyDeleteIf you killed, you might get a few Vultures too :)
DeleteWow.. I like the 1st picture!
ReplyDeletexoxo, Juliana | PJ’ Happies :) | PJ’ Ecoproject
Rob, I sympathize with you. I commute before dawn, study hard at school all day, and commute again after dusk. 0 species. 0 minutes to go birding. Every day.
ReplyDeleteIf I have a spare daytime hour, I conduct a massive bird chasing effort where I charge every local park with a good bird at high speed. Importantly, I've learned to change the way I see birds. I seem them more like a scientist and less like a bird lister. Like you said, that makes me feel better too.
What a fun way to tackle a subject that everyone suffers through. Whether you like birds, flowers or have a passion for fishers, there are always times of the year that are "off-peak." Wonderful reminder that we all experience it and some great fun ways to ease the need.
ReplyDeleteRobert.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to see photo's of Rooks, it isn't a bird we see many shots of. I like your idea of the 5 minute bird watch, I will give it a go.
Great reflections! Sometimes we need to look closer at the birds we take for granted to really see them.
ReplyDeleteI have been laid up after having foot surgery and it is hard not getting out like I want. I did go out a couple times and sort of over did it, but lucky for me, the 170+ Grey-crowned Rosy Finches that show up daily at my window bird feeder have kept me entertained.
ReplyDeleteOh Robert! My heart ACHES for you! I so wish you could join Chris and I on a birding adventure! However, I am so glad that you were able to make the best of things and enjoy the birds you DID see. I love it that you made a game of it too! I so remember the inversions form when I lived in Utah. YUK! I hope the sunshine and the birds return to cheer you again soon!
ReplyDelete