Missed Opportunities

I've only been birdwatching for about five years, actually trying to identify birds and keeping track of where and when I see them. Prior to that I had bird feeders and I ocassionally took pictures of birds through the years in various places we lived - Bald Eagles and Snow Ptarmagin in Alaska, Brown Pelicans in Puerto Rico, Great Blue Heron on the Olympic Peninsual, WA, an unidentified hawk at my feeders, Grey Jays at Hurricane Ridge in Washington (they eat right out of your hand). But it was just casual interest and not in any way organized.

Looking back I regret all the missed opportunites. I had occasion to go back to Corpus Christi, TX recently to the Padre Island National Seashore and the birds were amazing. We were onlly there for a short visit, so I didn't get to see that much. But I actually lived there in the early 70's with my sailor husband and never took a single picture of a bird, I don't think I even noticed the birds. Boy did I miss out, I understand it is one of the most rich birding areas in the country - especially migrating birds. Darn!

I lived on Adak Island in the Alaskan Aluetion Islands two different times and the only birds I took pictures of were the Bald Eagles and Ptmaragin - all those missed opportunities. I don't even remember seeing any other birds, but I'm sure there were lots - a look at my field guide tells me I missed a lot of opportunites there.

My husband is from Texas and I'm from Washington and we have made the road trip from WA to TX or vice versa I can't even count how many times and I took pictures of Antelope and Prairie Dogs - no birds - all those missed opportunities. We did a road trip one year to the Grand Canyon via Crater Lake and Las Vegas and home through Bryce Canyon and Utah. I took ONE bird picture - a Raven at Crater Lake - more missed opportunities.

I lived in Memphis, TN for a couple years, Jacksonville, FL, a short time in Arkansas, a short time in San Diego and the three years in Puerto Rico. All those wonderful birds that I've missed over the years. I think it is Laura Erickson who calls the Cuban Toady the most adorable bird in the world or something like that - and there's actually a very similar bird in Puerto Rico living in the El Yunque Rain Forest - shoot I went there several times - never even thought to look for a bird - I was mesmerized by the orchids. Another missed opportunity.

I made two trips to Germany - never thought to take a single picture of a bird - not one. I don't even remember seeing any birds. Wow! Huge mistake - I'll probably never make it back there.

At least when I went to South Korea to visit my son, I had the sense to buy a Korean bird book and I actually visited a couple of bird sanctuaries. And my son, who told me there aren't many birds in Korea, was amazed at the birds we did find. And now on a recent trip to Australia, he took pictures of the birds he saw - just for me!

Cockatoos - Australia

Kookaburra - Australia

Loikeets - Australia

Grey Woodpecker - South Korea

Too late for regrets and I can't go back and change the past - I will just have to be sure to take advantage of all the opportunities ahead. I am going to San Antonio soon and then again to South Korea to visit my son - you can bet I'll be on the lookout for more birds to add to my list!  

 

• Posted at Friday, December 8, 2006 02:16 AM
• In General Category | Permalink