Used to think sunrise birding meant heading out before 5am. Now I just sit on my porch with coffee.

For two years I drove 20 minutes to a nature preserve every single dawn, rain or shine. Then last month I got a flat tire on the gravel road out there at 6:15am and just sat waiting for a tow. Right there in my driveway, I spotted a flock of cedar waxwings picking berries off my neighbor's holly bush and a pair of cardinals I'd never noticed. Now I just refill my little tray feeder, grab my mug, and watch from the steps instead of burning gas and rushing around. Has anyone else had a closer spot totally change your morning routine?

3 comments

3 Comments

kevin_west4d ago

No way, man. Getting out there early and walking the trails is half the fun for me, I feel like you miss the energy of the woods when you just sit still.

the_diana4d ago

(@kevin_west) Is it really that serious, though? I mean, I get liking the whole hike-in experience, but "missing the energy of the woods" if you sit still for a bit? That feels a little dramatic, no? You're basically saying the deer and the woodpecker and all that quiet stuff somehow don't count as "energy" just because they aren't moving at your pace. Seems like you'd actually miss half the show by walking right past it, but hey, different strokes.

clairen854d ago

Wait, don't you think you'd soak up even more of that energy if you just sat still for a bit? @kevin_west, I get the appeal of hiking in, but sometimes you miss the quiet stuff like a deer walking right past you or a woodpecker working a tree overhead. Walking makes noise and scares most animals away, so you're basically just seeing the leftovers. I've had some of my best woods moments just leaning against a tree for an hour not moving a muscle.