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Lots of Lifers for a Beginning Birder
by Tracy Smith, Marketing Manager
Birding is serious business.
I’ve barely dipped my toe into the birder pond, and I’m quickly learning, well … there’s a lot to learn!
I do not have what they call a “spark bird,” meaning a particular species of bird that serves as a catalyst for a lifelong passion for birding. Instead, I’ve been learning about the world of birds through the lens of my camera.
It’s always exciting to capture a photo of a bird I’ve never seen before. And for someone who is just starting to learn about birds, right now that’s happening often!
From the Northern Mockingbird to the Solitary Sandpiper to the Golden-crowned Kinglet, I’ve had lots of what they call “lifers” lately.
What is a lifer? A lifer is a first-time sighting for a birder.
For seasoned birders, it’s probably pretty rare – and pretty special – to see a lifer. Maybe that will be me one day “hunting” down those rare birds I haven’t yet shot with my shutter release button.
If that’s the case, I hope I still take time – and you do too – to enjoy all the birds in the avian kingdom as they all have something special to offer those lucky enough to observe them.
