I first discovered Grosbeaks in Picture Rocks, Pennsylvania sometime around 1980. I was a new mom sitting in the sun with my son and saw them flitting around in the rhubarb. I had no idea what they were having grown up in Miami. I ran next-door and asked the two elderly retired teachers if they knew what they were and of course they did and they gifted me with a bird book. That started my adventure with birds. I no longer have that book. Oh how I wish I did. But now I have the Internet and if I’m lucky enough to snap a picture, I can quickly identify most online. Thank you for your blog today. It brought back so many memories. I love your pictures and even more, I love your words.
I’m so happy to see these beauties in your letter today, even if the photos are from 2020.:) We’ve been living in rural Oregon for eight years ahd not until this spring did the Evening Grosbeaks make an appearance. And swarms of them! I counted 32 just yesterday, and though our birdseed budget has tripled, I’m happy they’ve stuck around, going on their third week now.
The boys all look like they have 80’s yellow tennis visors on. So retro.:)
There are worlds of experience beyond the world of the aggressive man, beyond history, and beyond science. The moods and qualities of nature and the revelations of great art are equally difficult to define; we can grasp them only in the depths of our perceptive spirit. - Ansel Adams
Thank you for introducing me to these beautiful Evening Grosbeaks! I've never encountered them before. Condolences for your camera, I can totally relate, as mine is also on the decline after six years of service. At this point I don't know what I would do without it. Hope you find a beneficial solution soon, because I love your pictures! Naturally your words too, but the right photo is worth a thousand of them.
Thanks so much, Cheryl! They really are fantastic birds, very sort of fluid and enchanting in person. And thank you for your encouragement! I'm interested to see how things unfold as I switch my focus to my archives instead of constantly producing current material. Hopefully a happy detour!
The experience you had with your old camera, i've had with my phones (The current phone i'm using is my third Samsung and my fourth phone so far). The day i bought my current phone a year and a few months ago, was THE BEST day of my life because it was the perfect time for buying it (I kept my previous phone for 8 years. I was HIGHLY ASHAMED of having such an old phone).
Anyway, despite being very old, my previous phone was the keeper of many memories.
Hi Sydney, thanks for the great post! I have decently had those picture moments were the camera didn’t corporate (or work at all for that matter) but like you I have learned not to give in to the missed shot pressure of life and just enjoy the moment. Sometimes the memory’s are worth more than a photograph.
I’ve been scolded a few times for using the camera or phone ‘too much’. But having it in hand does lead you to frame that image just right, to really SEE the light, to appreciate the beauty all around us. So I just smile and move on. Hard when the camera dies though. Ouch. All the best through this ‘grieving’ stage. Good on you for focusing on the good that comes out of it. All the best dear Sydney.
Thanks so much, Beth! 🤣 It’s true, it can be hard for non-camera-types to appreciate that this is not so much “screen time” as a way of studying and engaging your subject. Not everyone can see it that way, and that’s okay. You have such a healthy and grounded “smile and move on” approach to life, it’s very refreshing.
So we’re just heading into spring right now, and it made me think, what’s your fall transition like?
No transition yet. Still more like a mild summer. (I’m lucky enough to be on holidays in tropical Borneo! So exciting. My tour starts this afternoon. Hugs from afar.)
You're my favorite bird & life writer!!!!! I'm sorry I classified you, I mean it in the best way possible. I loveeeeee Nature Moments! You bring us soooo close to birds we may never see irl!
We really enjoyed the DSLR. But I would definitely looking at mirrorless cameras for next time. Since mirrorless is the latest direction of the technology, DSLR lenses, accessories, etc. are trailing off. And for me, the greatest improvement with mirrorless is that they are silent. I can’t tell you how many birds and other wildlife I’ve startled away with the DSLR’s shutter click! I always had to take into account that I basically had one chance at a shot - so being able to photograph without disturbing my subjects is enough by itself for me to look into mirrorless :) Of course, there are always pros and cons, and I haven’t actually used one yet, but that’s where I would start!
I first discovered Grosbeaks in Picture Rocks, Pennsylvania sometime around 1980. I was a new mom sitting in the sun with my son and saw them flitting around in the rhubarb. I had no idea what they were having grown up in Miami. I ran next-door and asked the two elderly retired teachers if they knew what they were and of course they did and they gifted me with a bird book. That started my adventure with birds. I no longer have that book. Oh how I wish I did. But now I have the Internet and if I’m lucky enough to snap a picture, I can quickly identify most online. Thank you for your blog today. It brought back so many memories. I love your pictures and even more, I love your words.
What an absolutely beautiful memory, Kim! Thanks so much for sharing this story with me, nature stories are my favorite 💕
I’m so happy to see these beauties in your letter today, even if the photos are from 2020.:) We’ve been living in rural Oregon for eight years ahd not until this spring did the Evening Grosbeaks make an appearance. And swarms of them! I counted 32 just yesterday, and though our birdseed budget has tripled, I’m happy they’ve stuck around, going on their third week now.
The boys all look like they have 80’s yellow tennis visors on. So retro.:)
How fun, Kimberly, you’ve got such a good crowd! And now I will also forever see them as 80s-fabulous 🤣
There are worlds of experience beyond the world of the aggressive man, beyond history, and beyond science. The moods and qualities of nature and the revelations of great art are equally difficult to define; we can grasp them only in the depths of our perceptive spirit. - Ansel Adams
Thanks for sharing, Bernardi!
Thank you for introducing me to these beautiful Evening Grosbeaks! I've never encountered them before. Condolences for your camera, I can totally relate, as mine is also on the decline after six years of service. At this point I don't know what I would do without it. Hope you find a beneficial solution soon, because I love your pictures! Naturally your words too, but the right photo is worth a thousand of them.
Thanks so much, Cheryl! They really are fantastic birds, very sort of fluid and enchanting in person. And thank you for your encouragement! I'm interested to see how things unfold as I switch my focus to my archives instead of constantly producing current material. Hopefully a happy detour!
Enjoy the new direction of flow!
Thank you for sharing such beauties, Sydney. 🙏🏽
The experience you had with your old camera, i've had with my phones (The current phone i'm using is my third Samsung and my fourth phone so far). The day i bought my current phone a year and a few months ago, was THE BEST day of my life because it was the perfect time for buying it (I kept my previous phone for 8 years. I was HIGHLY ASHAMED of having such an old phone).
Anyway, despite being very old, my previous phone was the keeper of many memories.
I totally relate to that, “the keeper of many memories”!
Yeah, we're more emotionally attached to some things than others.
A lovely visit with the grosbeaks. I used to see them where I live in southeast Iowa, but not for decades.
Hi Sydney, thanks for the great post! I have decently had those picture moments were the camera didn’t corporate (or work at all for that matter) but like you I have learned not to give in to the missed shot pressure of life and just enjoy the moment. Sometimes the memory’s are worth more than a photograph.
So true, Benjamin!
I’ve been scolded a few times for using the camera or phone ‘too much’. But having it in hand does lead you to frame that image just right, to really SEE the light, to appreciate the beauty all around us. So I just smile and move on. Hard when the camera dies though. Ouch. All the best through this ‘grieving’ stage. Good on you for focusing on the good that comes out of it. All the best dear Sydney.
Thanks so much, Beth! 🤣 It’s true, it can be hard for non-camera-types to appreciate that this is not so much “screen time” as a way of studying and engaging your subject. Not everyone can see it that way, and that’s okay. You have such a healthy and grounded “smile and move on” approach to life, it’s very refreshing.
So we’re just heading into spring right now, and it made me think, what’s your fall transition like?
No transition yet. Still more like a mild summer. (I’m lucky enough to be on holidays in tropical Borneo! So exciting. My tour starts this afternoon. Hugs from afar.)
How lovely, Beth, have so much fun!🤗
You're my favorite bird & life writer!!!!! I'm sorry I classified you, I mean it in the best way possible. I loveeeeee Nature Moments! You bring us soooo close to birds we may never see irl!
Thanks so much, Mohika! I couldn’t be happier with classification 💕 It means so much to me to know these connections are bringing you joy!
Thank you for your beautiful photography and beautiful wordsmithing Sydney. May the tools to continue both beauties flow your way soon.🙏🏼
Thanks so much, Ian!
Your pictures are beautiful. I am not a photographer but I do enjoy watching nature. It never fails to impress me. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much, Monica!
Thank you for sharing these photos and memories!
what a beautiful reflection, on birds and their past visits, on the camera and where it has 'taken' you. Thank you for sharing
Would you recommend the DSLR? I have been thinking about one for awhile.
Thanks so much, Janelle!
We really enjoyed the DSLR. But I would definitely looking at mirrorless cameras for next time. Since mirrorless is the latest direction of the technology, DSLR lenses, accessories, etc. are trailing off. And for me, the greatest improvement with mirrorless is that they are silent. I can’t tell you how many birds and other wildlife I’ve startled away with the DSLR’s shutter click! I always had to take into account that I basically had one chance at a shot - so being able to photograph without disturbing my subjects is enough by itself for me to look into mirrorless :) Of course, there are always pros and cons, and I haven’t actually used one yet, but that’s where I would start!
How beautiful! I've never seen those ...just the rose breasted here ... ugh, camera woes... thanks for sharing though!
Thanks so much, John!
Wonderful photos and commentary. Grosbeaks pass through rural northern New Mexico too, so the magical glimpses occur!
Thank you so much, Naima, magical is right!