3/30/25. One of my readers gave me some feedback recently. Apparently, when reading the blog, it is not obvious to the reader when the blog was written. Good information for me to have, and I appreciate the feedback. The last bog was lengthy. This one will not be. I did want to follow up with a couple of brief points to consider.
First of all, I encourage you birding or not to get out there. But, if you are interesting in birding, or our natural world in general, you have to get out there. Even if only out there onto your porch. It seems pretty straightforward, but if you don’t step up to the plate, you can’t take a swing. And, if you don’t swing, there’s no chance for a hit, much less a home run. That is how I approach my photography of the natural world. I try to take the camera as many places as possible recalling that if I don’t have it, I can’t step to the plate. I take thousands of pictures. Few are worthwhile. Fewer still are what I would call “good”. But, if I’m not snapping, I’m not getting anything.
Getting out there is the most import thing. However, while you are stomping around looking for birds, if you are quiet, respectful of nature and its creatures, you never know what else you may run into. Birding takes you out, but our woodlands are beautiful and birds are not the only creatures that inhabit them. Take the time to enjoy your surroundings. But, be careful. Often we are not alone at the top of the food chain in the wildlife environment.
In my previous blog I mentioned a few free resources. I failed however to mention one enormous resource available to you. If you are reading this, then I assume you have internet access. There are a large number of birders and educational videos on Youtube. For instance, I follow a talented young man who has two channels; one called Bright-Eyed Birding (@brighteyedbirding) and an educational channel called Bright-Eyed Birding Learn. He is quite good, is focused mostly on the western U.S. and I find him educational and entertaining. Bright-Eyed Birding is not alone though. There are lots of other Youtube channels with fantastic information, beautiful video, photos and good entertainment. They include Badgerland Birding and Real Science when the channel focuses on birds (they do deep dives).
I am hoping that the beauty, diversity and ease of access to these amazing creatures will encourage some of you readers to venture out and pay attention to what’s around you. The hobby is relaxing, engaging, can involve moderate exercise, fresh air and exposure to nature’s beauty other than just birds. May you safely trek, bathe in the beauty that surrounds us and learn to appreciate the staggering beauty of our wild lands.
If you or someone you know is struggling, there is help. Call 988 or if you are in the Big Bend of Florida call 211. The 2nd Alarm Project has many resources available as well (2ndalarmproject.org). If you are interested in getting notified when a new blog is posted and are not subscribed, please consider subscribing by entering your email in the “subscribe” icon on the home page. Then you’ll get an email each time a new blog is posted. If you appreciate what you have read here, please feel free to share as you are led across your social media or via email. There just might be someone out there who needs to see this content. Thank you all and stay safe.
On Beyond Blue 