Perchance to Dream

Roseate Spoonbill

So many wonderful birds out there......where does one begin?

Military Macaw

They come in every color shape and form.

I imagine standing in the grand vistas of the world.  The sunny bright arctic circle.  The snowy dark forests of Canada.  The Egyptian deserts. The Himalayan mountains. The Congolese rain forest.  How am I going to find some of these birds safely without getting hurt?  Several are in dangerous zones around Africa and Asia. To name just a few.....

Scarlet Ibis

I imagine that there are people who think the same things.  They would love to be in Arizona searching for "my" birds. For to them, it too, is foreign.   As a boy, I dreamed of these things.  In my twenties, everyday was different and crazy.  In my thirties, I paid for those twenties.  In my forties, I am alive again. There comes a time when you realize that there aren't as many days ahead of you as there are behind.  And so I wake up every day with the hope of discovering something new.

Rosy-billed Pochard

National Geographic magazines exposed me to the world at large.  I read my Ranger Ricks, Arizona Highways, and National Geographics the minute they arrived in the mail.

Red-capped Cardinal

With limited money, the birder has to be super choosy.......which place will give me the most bang for my buck? 

I love birding new locales because they have the potential for so many exciting finds.  I especially love birding spots that have never been birded before!   

Black-necked Swan

As a new year approaches, I am sketching out a North American route......Florida, Maine, California, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Utah.....and who knows where else?  Alaska may have to wait.

Greater Rhea

Nicobar Pigeon

I worry that some of these birds will not be around when I finally can afford the time and money to see them.  Afterall, 10,000 is a big number.  Could I see them all?

Then there is the photography part.  Having a nice stock photo in my files makes me breathe easier.  I like having detailed shots of all my birds, but as many of us know, lighting conditions, movement, or even the color of the bird's feathers can have an impact on the photo. Perhaps it's like collecting baseball cards?  I would just like to observe the birds without having to worry about getting the pics because carrying the camera around can also be an unnecessary weight.  Knowing I have a solid pic makes the birdwatching experience much better.

Spotted-thick Knee

So I went to our local zoo.  This time was different.  It was to study birds as a student again.  Learning new names.  Preparing new dreams.  New adventures.

Emerald Starling

The details.  Ugh the details.  It's easy to dream big.  But travel to the Congo or Senegal to find this Blue-bellied Roller?  It's possible.  But to dream is to plan and put thought into action. The details again.

Blue-bellied Roller

Islands of birds.  The greatest obstacle?  People.  Some are friendly.  Some are at war.  Some continue to kill the very birds sought.

Victoria-crowned Pigeon

I left the zoo with heavy thoughts.  Just because something is difficult doesn't mean it can't be done.  I've done it in countless other places.  While viewing a Hoatzin in the Oxbow lakes from the Amazon in Peru, we were careful of piranhas, large swimming anacondas or giant otters swimming around us.  But humans?  That's a different story.  What is Asia like?  Parts of Africa?  The Middle East?  For now, I will continue my studies on foreign and exotic birds.  For now I'll dream.  The details will come later.

Taveta Golden Weaver

I'm linking to Wild Bird Wednesday...the perfect place to check out birds from around our planet!