Peanuts In My Pocket

A few days ago, I had the good fortune of discovering several new bird species at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. I initially visited to see the nesting snowy plover near the end of the pedestrian bridge in the protected area, and I was not disappointed.

Thanks to two helpful birders, I was able to spot the snowy plover and also photograph a killdeer. Both were life birds, a term used for birds you’ve identified and photographed for the first time. I’d been searching for a killdeer for quite a while, so finally seeing one and capturing a decent photo truly made my day.

In addition, I photographed a beautiful least tern feeding its chick, yet another life bird.

While scanning the area for the killdeer, I also came across a Savannah sparrow and managed to snap a striking photo. This, too, was a life bird.

What made the trip especially memorable was the number of birders and naturalists I met. Most were focused on the rare snowy plover, while others were documenting all bird species in the area. I really enjoyed these interactions. Everyone I met was an enthusiastic supporter of my birding efforts, offering valuable tips on where to find certain species. One kind birder even gave me advice on bird identification.

After talking with my wife Florence, I decided to change my usual approach. Rather than rushing from one spot to the next in search of new species, I began lingering in each location for 15 to 20 minutes. This slower pace paid off, not just in terms of bird sightings, but also in the quality of conversations I had along the way.

At one point, I met a curious stoner who viewed the bird photos on my camera with a genuine sense of wonder that I found oddly entertaining. Later, I spoke with two volunteers from FLOW, a community-based research program preparing for a busload of fourth graders. They explained their work and encouraged me to get involved. I’m seriously considering it.