The birding addiction


Anne became a backyard birdwatcher one summer, and this is how the addiction progressed:
Step 1. Take part in a beginner bird identification course. It was a late cool spring, no leaves to block the view and plenty of warblers down low. We thought birding was easy; they just sat there in full view for long periods of time. Lots of time to look up in field guide
Step 2. There's a Robin and a Blue jay, but what's that one? Purchased a bird guide.
Next step: Can you see if that one has spots on the chest? Purchased binoculars. One pair.
Next step: Can I take a look: roll eye cups up or down depending on who had them last. Anne wears glasses I don't. Purchased second pair of binoculars.
Next step: THEY can see much more detail with their binoculars than we can. Purchased more expensive binoculars.
Next step: Can you tell what that bird is out on the mud flats? Purchased spotting scope and tripod.
Next step: I can't find that bird in the field guide. Purchase 6 or 7 different field guides.
Next step: Subscribe to Ont birds e-mail service. Drove 3-4 hours (one way) to see what ever oddity was reported.
Next step: We have seen quite a few of the species here (by all means not all) How about going to Cape May NJ for their birding festival? Plan all vacations around birding destinations.
Next step: subscribe to Bird Watchers Digest
That is how we became, according to our sons, eccentric bird watchers. It was all so innocent.

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