Encroaching on #100

When I set the goal to identify 100 birds in 2025 I was a bit nervous, who would have thought that before the migration is into its full swing, I’d be sitting at 76 species!

When the year is over, I’ll be sure to write a post summarizing some of my favorite moments on getting to the big 1-0-0.

The Odd Couple | Fujifilm X-S20 | 750mm | f5.6

This year has been particularly fun. For starters, my better half has been behind me the entire way and ensuring I am able to get out and check out the local preserve almost daily while she wrangles the kids. Additionally, I’ve made a new friend. We’ve met up a few dozen times over the last couple of weeks and even did a road trip to the Horicon Marsh in the southern part of the state.

It’s not often I find a fellow bird-nerd who is similar in age and also into taking photographs, so here is to hoping it is a long-lasting and worthy friendship!

Calm Morning | Fujifilm X-S20 | f5.6 | ISO 3200

I’ve been making a point to try and elevate my photos. Sitting (and laying) on the ground to get eye level, hanging out blinds at 6:00 in the morning waiting for the birds and sun to arrive and just exposing myself to as much opportunity as possible. As I said above, my wife has been crazy supportive and I’ve been able to get out, at least for an hour or so, almost every day in April.

Like anything that you want to be good at, it takes practice, and lots of it. Additionally, I have found birding to be increasingly calming and frankly, I needed it. I was doing wayyyy to much doomscrolling with todays political climate and this has enabled me to put that aside. Whether it be sitting in my vehicle or the woods, I feel a sense of calm come over me when I am sitting there listening to the quacks, honks and songs of the birds.

Red & Green | Fujifilm X-S20 | f5.6 | ISO 2500

Somewhat of a rambling up this time, but I wanted to make a point to continue to post and update y’all on my journey. As always, I appreciate you reading.

Until next time…

-Nathan