Bird Nerds

It's not exactly a new ritual but we're much more diligent about it.

We are not unfamiliar with the practice of waking up early to go for a hike a Mud Lake. For years, especially since the outbreak of COVID-19, we would hit this spot to see all sorts of wildlife and to casually capture any birds we could spy.

We weren't looking for any particular species: we would only stop and shoot whatever caught our eye as we walked. And because of our nonchalant approach, we would only capture chickadees, red-wing blackbirds, and the occasional nuthatch, cardinal, or downy woodpecker.

Every once and awhile, we'd luck out and run into a bona-fide birder, who would point out something out of the ordinary. A cooper's hawk or a black-crowned night heron.

And, of course, there was always the Canada geese, mallards, and wood ducks in the lake.

We started paying more attention to the birds when we were in our kayaks, as we'd be off the beaten trail and away from most other people. We'd spy flycatchers and kingfishers, among other birds, but because we were paddling, we didn't focus on photographing them.

That's when we also started using the Merlin app to identify birds.

At least, I didn't: DW acquired a Canon M50 and had a 55–200mm lens. It was small enough that she could keep it in a water-tight case, on her lap, and would whip it out when she spied anything.

It was only a year and a half ago that I decided I wanted to start taking serious photos of birds, inspired by what we captured on our first trip to Costa Rica, in 2024. That's when I bought the Nikkor 200–500mm f/5.6 lens for my Nikon D750.

On our trip to Peru, last year, and on our second trip to Costa Rica, this past January, I captured some great shots. But, as I mentioned upon our return, I found that lens heavy and unwieldly, and decided to sell it.

And as I've gone on endlessly, the past few weeks, I've upgraded to a Sony α6700 and a 70–350mm lens, which gives me greater reach than the beast lens. And I couldn't be happier.

For the past few weeks, DW and I have left the house early on the weekends—cameras in hand—and have made our way to Mud Lake. We've been going on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Depending on the mood, we park either on Howe Street, near the south end of the lake, or on Cassels Street, either near the northern trailhead or further along, closer to the water purification plant.

The first thing we do, if we go to the north end of the lake, is look for the seasoned birders. They often sport binoculars, rather than cameras, or have cameras with lenses like my old beast.

These folks follow birder chat groups and know where the uncommon birds have been sighted. They know the migration habits and the trees where you can find them.

DW and I just blend in, pretending we know what we're doing.

One weekend, the birders were all excited about the Blackburnian Warbler. It's a pretty, small bird with black, orange, and white markings.

This past weekend, it was all about the Bay-Breasted and the Cape May warblers. We saw both, not knowing what they were, but DW and I often shoot first, identify later.

There were also Wilson's Warblers and Black-Throated Blue Warblers. I spotted a Wilson's Warbler but it was deep in the brush and I couldn't get a focus lock on it before it darted off. I heard the Black-Throated Blue Warbler, thanks to my Merlin app but never actually saw one.

I managed to capture some Eastern Warbling Vireos and Merlin picked up a Red-Eyed Vireo, which was spotted by a birder near me, so it counts.

Though I don't display the enthusiasm that many of the birders exhibit, I am pretty pleased when I spot and am able to capture a new bird with my camera. I see myself as a photographer first, a bird nerd second.

I'll share some more of my photos tomorrow, for Wordless Wednesday. I'll see if DW wants to share, too.

Happy Tuesday!