Connecting with Nature through Birdwatching: Reflections and Images
Male Northern Cardinal
Here are three images captured a few days ago of some common backyard birds found in our area. We have a feeder placed just outside the window in Ellie’s room and I noticed a flurry of activity in the bushes while getting Eleanor out of her crib.
These images were captured with my Fujifilm X-H2s and the Fujinon XF55-200mm lens. The X-H2s has an advanced artificial intelligence based autofocus system a bird detect setting that is smart enough to focus on a Birds Eye. It’s a big step up in performance from the X-PRO2 I used for the last six years. Since purchasing this camera in the summer there has been a sharp increase in my interest in birding photography.
The benefits of birdwatching.
Birdwatching in your backyard is a simple yet rewarding activity that can offer numerous benefits. Although backyard birds may seem mundane, they exist in a great variety of species, each with their own unique visual characteristics and behaviors. For example, New Jersey alone has over four hundred species of birds, with close to 150 of them residing in the Pine Barrens.
By developing an interest in the natural environment around us, we can gain a greater appreciation for where we live. Keeping a record of the birds we observe in our backyard allows us to better understand the changing seasons and our changing environment. Tracking migration patterns helps us to better understand our place in a changing environment. As researchers at Cornell University note, humans are part of, not separate from, nature, and we are connected to species and their habitats even in places as close to us as our own backyard.
Northern Mockingbird
Developing an interest in the local natural environment can lead to a greater appreciation for where we live, even in places like New Jersey, the most densely populated state in the country, which is filled with unique natural wonders. Furthermore, observing nature through birdwatching is a calming and mentally engaging activity that is a great alternative to doom-scrolling through social media. Increased screen time and manufactured experiences can have an adverse effect on our mental health, so it is important to engage in activities that allow us to connect with the natural world around us.
An interesting fact about the Northern Cardinal and closing thoughts.
Female Northern Cardinal
While referencing my birding field guide, I stumbled upon the fact that cardinals are typically not found in the western portion of the United States. I find it interesting that a bird, so common to us on the east coast, is a rare sight to a large part of the population that resides on the west side of the Rocky Mountains.
Overall, birdwatching is a wonderful hobby that offers physical and mental benefits while helping us to better appreciate and understand the environment we live in. I hope you’ve enjoyed these quick thoughts and images. Till next time…
