Hello Tweeters!

I've learned something about myself recently.

I love answering the question, "What bird is that?"

This became specifically obvious to me on a recent birding trip with four
of my colleagues. I've started monthly birding walks with members of my
team at work through the creek wetland that winds its way through our
office park. I work up in the North Creek area near Bothell.

I've only done two so far, in January and February, but my coworkers have
seemed to have great fun with them. One coworker in particular is
especially enthusiastic and asks lots of good questions.

Our most recent bird walk was today. Though in the low 40s and a bit breezy
and drizzly, my coworkers powered through. The birding was a little quiet,
even for a cold day. We still got 13 species for an hour's worth of work,
which is pretty much the average for this spot this time of year.

None of my coworkers is a birder, so the phrase "What's that?" is heard
pretty often. I have to say, I relish this opportunity. The chance to teach
someone something, even if it's as simple as saying "That right there is a
Ruby-crowned Kinglet" is priceless. Even if the lesson doesn't stick the
first time, it plants a seed. A seed of a interest and furthered knowledge
that I can only hope will grow through me continuing to share my passion
for birds with my coworkers.

It also brings me back to a time when I was inexperienced in the ways of
bird ID. When I was just starting out, I absolutely would not have been
able to consistently tell a kinglet from a sparrow, or likely any other
small bird, for that matter. Being able to answer this question, or even
admitting that I'm not sure what bird that is, makes me appreciate birding
all the more, and realize how far I've come in my own skills over the year
and a half I've been seriously birding.

When it comes to taking my coworkers out on birding walls, all I can really
ask for is a willingness to learn and an enthusiasm for the walk itself.
I'm glad to say I get that in spades. I am so fortunate in this regard.

Keep watching the skies!

Jeremy Schwartz
Lake Forest Park
jschwartz1124 at gmail dot com
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