Enlight 21

Birds

Author: Shelly Gordon | Category: Lifestyle | Date: 11-13-2020

About 10 years ago I enrolled in a beginner's birdwatching class. I was immediately hooked. Since that time I moved to Arizona, which, despite it's many shortcomings in education, legislation, climate change mitigation, et al, it is also the most biodiverse state in the nation. AZ has 4 deserts, alpine forrest, tundra, glorious mountains and vast desert grasslands... some of the most beautiful volcanic ruins, i.e., the Grand Cyn, Cyn de Chelly (pronounced Shea), Monument Valley, Vermillion Cliffs, etc., etc. AZ also has the most birds species in the US, next to Texas. That's thanks to the southern border and all the birds that migrate here from Central America.

So since the pandemic started, I've stepped up my birding game. It's probably one of the safest activities since I go to places that are hardly frequented by humans. In addition to weekly field trips I started photographing these beautiful, magestic, adorable creatures. And that has definitely enriched my experience. Now instead of indentifying one bird and moving on to the next, I'm paying more attention, watching their behavior, their stillness, their tranquility, their flights of frenzy.. I love the sound of woodpeckers drumming, the complex songs of finches, the lyrical call of a robin, the high pitched warning of a bald eagle and on and on. The pandemic has also made it possible to join birding webinars sponsored by the various Audubon Societies. Tucson Audubon has done a great job of educating and entertaining us during this difficult time. I've even managed to take a trip to Southeast Arizona to Madera Cyn where we saw over 50 species. That was a great trip!

Here is a link to my favorite bird moments... along with a grandkid and some landscapes thrown in for fun:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/VCaks7EvyaoMHSNK7

If you'd like to start your own bird journey reach out to me at [email protected].

Hope you're all finding ways to feed your souls!

About: Shelly Gordon

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Sue C.

"watched dad show them how to get food." Wow! I would give anything to be able to observe this. I was just talking to Mary Buxton (another ESP alum) about how I am fascinated by group behavior among birds--the sociological dynamics. We should start a birdwatch group!

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Ariel L

This is a fascinating and very descriptive article on birdwatching! I had no idea that Arizona has the most bird species in the US next to Texas and that Arizona is so biodiverse. I also thought this essay was really engaging because you brought in how birdwatching has helped you during the ...Read more pandemic and how it is an opportunity to go outside and enjoy nature while also being safe. It seems like the perfect activity for people during COVID-19. In addition, I actually have a bird family living in my backyard birdhouse but never thought of going outside to watch and observe them. I think because of this compelling narrative, birdwatching is something that I might start doing myself now! Less

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Shelly Gordon November 16, 2020 2:57 am

Fantastic Ariel! And how exciting that you have a avian residents in your backyard! If you want to take a picture and email it to me I might be able to ID them for you. But having said ...Read more that you don't want to get to close and scare the mother into flying away. Since she's their source of food. If you want to take a picture from a safe distance you can email it to [email protected] Less

Jake Kim

As a teenager who hasn't experienced many of the wonders of this world, I couldn't imagine that something like birdwatching could be interesting. But after reading your description of these majestic creatures and the sheer diversity of them in Arizona, I can see why people immerse ...Read more themselves so deeply into birdwatching! Less

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Shelly Gordon November 15, 2020 9:06 am

Thanks Jake ... I hope you'll venture out and observe some birds. If you're in Silicon Valley or somewhere in the Bay Area you have several Audubon chapters: Santa Clara Valley Audubon ...Read more Society for one. Sequoia Audubon in San Mateo County. You can get decent binoculars for under $300 and a field guide - David Sibley is the master field guide author. And you're good to go! Less

Leo Lin

Wow, I didn't know that Arizona had many places to go to watch birds and as well as many different species of birds. I to find that birds are interesting to watch and are also very beautiful.

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Shelly Gordon November 15, 2020 9:08 am

Thanks Leo! Bird watching has really taken off during the pandemic. It's a wonderful escape and protecting them is also a great cause. Audubon does amazing advocacy work.

Sue C.

Shelly: I didn't know that AZ is the most biodiverse state in the nation. Your narrative of the various birds you've encountered is so vivid and dynamic, that the visual imageries evoked made it possible for me to enjoy your experience vicariously. Let me ask whether you've been ...Read more able to observe bird families. I have a friend who is an avid birdwatcher, and he tells stories of the ins and outs of what he characterizes as "family relationships," which I found totally fascinating. You've definitely piqued my interest! Less

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Shelly Gordon November 15, 2020 9:11 am

Thanks Sue... I've certainly watched mama birds feed their newborns; I've seen birds fledge the nest and then watched dad show them how to get food. Quails are very familial as are water ...Read more fowl and geese. Once I saw a raven preening its mate. That was a lovely site. The experts say photographing bird behavior is the ultimate bird shot Less