So, there I was, in the middle of a vast wildlife preserve with sweeping views over wetlands.
Around my neck: High powered binoculars and a top notch camera with a zoom lens the size of a surface-to-air missile.
And I wasn’t seeing a damn thing.
1/
Around my neck: High powered binoculars and a top notch camera with a zoom lens the size of a surface-to-air missile.
And I wasn’t seeing a damn thing.
1/
Then behind me I hear the crunchety-crunchety-crunch of someone walking along the gravel road toward where I’m standing.
Friendly woman walks up. She’s just out for some exercise. Just out for a little walk.
I’m at least two miles into the preserve at this point mind you.
2/
Friendly woman walks up. She’s just out for some exercise. Just out for a little walk.
I’m at least two miles into the preserve at this point mind you.
2/
She looks at my camera and binocs as I turn back to scanning the horizon.
She could clearly see that I was both a Birder *and* a Photographer.
If there were birds to be seen, oh, I would see them. And I would take pictures of them.
3/
She could clearly see that I was both a Birder *and* a Photographer.
If there were birds to be seen, oh, I would see them. And I would take pictures of them.
3/
In fact, maybe I’d go right ahead and spot a lovely pileated woodpecker or northern harrier just to impress her.
So, I give the horizon a serious sweep, my brow knitted in concentration.
Prepare to be dazzled, madam.
4/
So, I give the horizon a serious sweep, my brow knitted in concentration.
Prepare to be dazzled, madam.
4/
And then, while I was seeing not a damn thing through *high-powered binoculars* she says, all nonchalant “There’s something on that tree over there…”.
And then she points off at a dead tree that had to be at least a quarter-mile away.
5/
And then she points off at a dead tree that had to be at least a quarter-mile away.
5/
So, I legit do one of these for a second… Look at her. Look in the direction she pointed. Look at her.
Something on that tree. The one a quarter-mile away. That you saw with your naked eye. Like you’re some kind of super-eyesight-haver.
6/
Something on that tree. The one a quarter-mile away. That you saw with your naked eye. Like you’re some kind of super-eyesight-haver.
6/
But it’s important to be polite so I train my binoculars on the distant tree and start scanning up from the ground.
It’s just a 50’ tall stump. Not a single branch. Nothing on it at all.
Well, except for this…
7/
It’s just a 50’ tall stump. Not a single branch. Nothing on it at all.
Well, except for this…
7/
A bald eagle.
8/
8/
So, I say “It’s an eagle.”
And she gets excited and says “Really?! I’ve never seen one here!”
And I say “Wanna see?” and hand her my binoculars.
She watched the eagle for a while through the binoculars while I snapped some pics.
9/
And she gets excited and says “Really?! I’ve never seen one here!”
And I say “Wanna see?” and hand her my binoculars.
She watched the eagle for a while through the binoculars while I snapped some pics.
9/
And then she went on her way and I walked back to my car.
I’ve gotta say, she straight up spotted that thing from a DISTANCE.
Cool moment.
People are always moved by seeing eagles for the first time.
Now I need to bump into her again so I can send her the pics.
//
I’ve gotta say, she straight up spotted that thing from a DISTANCE.
Cool moment.
People are always moved by seeing eagles for the first time.
Now I need to bump into her again so I can send her the pics.
//
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