I am at my best with a camera in my hand, out in the world alone or with my wife. It’s the thing that defines the essential me. I take photos of the world around me, mostly for my own enjoyment, and then add them to my map of the world—usually in my journal.
This week, I had two encounters that moved me slightly out of my comfort zone. For once, I talked to people instead of simply taking a photo and moving on.
Encounter 1: A Barber in the Park
The first encounter happened during my daily retired-grandpa duties when I pick up my grandson from a park adjacent to his school. It’s a popular pickup spot for a few dozen parents and grandparents. Normally, I greet a little pug dog that sits protectively at a park table with an older Asian woman who doesn’t speak English. The pug hates me—it’s a work in progress. I say hi; he barks, guarding his master.
That day, though, the pug wasn’t at his usual spot. Instead, I noticed a young man getting a haircut from another younger man with clippers. It was a charming scene, so I thought about walking back to my car to grab my camera. But instead, I stepped out of my bubble and walked over to introduce myself.
I told them how much I appreciated the beauty of the scene they presented and how it had made my day. In just a few moments of conversation, I learned they worked together and that the barber was practicing on his friend to prepare for a job as a professional barber. He even offered to cut my hair for free, which I politely declined. We shook hands, and I moved on, stopping for my usual daily chat with the crossing guard. On my way, I passed the overprotective pug, who barked his usual disapproval of me.
Encounter 2: Birding at Irvine Regional Park
My second encounter occurred at Irvine Regional Park, where my wife and I had gone to hunt for new bird species for my 2025 Bird Nerd Project. My wife, the official spotter, was scanning the trees when we crossed paths with two younger people carrying cameras with big lenses. Their gear wasn’t particularly fancy, but different enough to catch my attention. I wondered if they might be birders, so I spoke up and asked if they’d seen any interesting birds.
They told us about spotting a quail in a remote section of the park. I mentioned I was looking for an acorn woodpecker. What followed was a friendly conversation about cameras and gear—they were Canon enthusiasts, while I’m firmly in the Nikon camp. The exchange was fun, friendly, and entirely typical of the birding community. All I needed to do was engage, and I learned something new.
Within moments of parting ways, my wife spotted the bird I was looking for—an acorn woodpecker perched in a tree just 30 feet away in the middle of a parking lot near the nature center. I circled the tree, trying to capture a photo good enough to be recognized for the 2025 Bird Nerd Project.
As I focused on my task, my wife noticed four young people standing beneath the tree. I was so intent on getting the shot that I didn’t initially see them shading their eyes and pointing up. My wife realized they were watching the woodpecker too, learning this made my day. My passion for birds had drawn their attention to something they might not have noticed otherwise.
A Productive Day
We ended the day with four new bird species and four upgrades. An upgrade is a better photo of a bird I’ve already encountered.
New species for the day:
- Acorn Woodpecker
- Common Raven
- Indian Peafowl
- California Towhee
A Lesson in Connection
At almost 64, it still amazes me how stepping out from behind my camera can lead to richer, more meaningful experiences. People are full of stories, and it turns out I enjoy learning about them. It’s a simple thing—smiling, engaging, asking a question—but it can transform a day of solitude into something much more interesting.
This week, I was reminded that my camera may capture the world as I see it, but conversations capture something just as valuable: connection.
Peanuts In My Pocket 
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