Many of my blog friends find the idea of me, discovering the joy of observing nature, as a strange thing. Most of them either grew up with nature or are surrounded by it in one way or the other.
I am a city girl, grew up in the capital of the country. Smog, pollution, rubbish, noise, that's what you get instead of birdsongs and amazing landscapes. I always loved to travel. Peru is an amazing place to travel within, coast, mountain, rainforest, so many possibilities. I've been to some pretty cool places, but never really paid attention to my surroundings as I do now, and I'm sorry for that. I've been to places where most birders could dream of going, Arequipa (to find andean condors in their habitat), Cusco, JunÃn, Tumbes, Lambayeque, Ica, etc, etc, etc. and never noticed the FULL package, the beauty of it all.
Today, as I'm working on my thesis and have no job, I can only walk around some parks nearby and try to absorve like a sponge everything I see, hear, smell, touch.
I've been a little sad thinking about the 'wasted opportunities'. Even though I get to find (along with my love and sidekick Tommy) some nice looking fellows and observe pretty cool and sometimes funny behaviors, it feels like I've lost precious time and locations.
I'm thinking about going through old pictures (those that were taken with FILM instead of memory cards!!!) and try to find some hidden treasures, even if they are in the background. Maybe I could find one or two to scan and post here for you.
Anyway, I have to go back to thesis writing and later in the day, dive in old pictures ;)
2008/03/03
Taking a walk
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18 comments:
Sorry, I don't know anything about birdwatching but I am interested in what you learn, so I'll keep my eye out for you.
At my blog I ask people to tell me about their day in seven words or less. Just leave me a comment with your seven words, you can do it anonymously. If you'd rather not, then have a nice day.
Good luck with your thesis. I am sure you will have plenty of time to travel through Peru and other places in the future. And you will see many amazing birds. Including the Harpy Eagle (the most important reason why I want to go to South America).
By the way. have a look here: Great website about the Harpy Eagle.
http://www.aguilaharpia.org
Hi Markus! Thanks for the good wishes, thesis seems neverending!
I checked out the site you just left, looks like an awesome project for conservation of a beautiful and majestic bird! It must be exciting to see it close and in action!
Taking a walk is needed by all of us each day! Nature can do a lot and glad you do it . . . even in your park! Would love to see many of your "film" photos!
Hi Mel,
So many of your birds are different than my North American birds, but I looked at your last duck picture and it sure looks like a mallard to me (it took me a few minutes to ID though--never seen one from that angle!)
I look forward to visiting your blog again for more stories and pictures.
I also started birding as an adult (~26) and regretted that I had not paid more attention to birds when I was younger and visiting some pretty interesting natural areas. The good news is that there is still time to make up for it once you get done your education. (Though education can seem endless at times!)
Hello mon@rch, ruthiej and john!
mon@rch, I'll look for some old pics this week, will try to find birds on travel pictures or casual pics that I haven't noticed before. There's one that I can vividly remember: Arequipa! If I find it, you'll know what I mean.
ruthiej, the marvels of blogging include the opportunity of learning sooo many things! I'm learning more about your birds on that side of the world than about the guys on my side! Mostly because of so many people posting abroad and almost nobody around here :(
john, I started a little older... hahaha, 29 ;) but I'm confident that even if it is slowly, I'll keep learning and finding joy in it as I have had for the past year!
Thank you all for visiting!
Once a birder, always a birder. I feel bogged down with school sometimes, wishing for a day to go birding, even locally.
Good luck on your thesis writing and good luck to many wonderful future years of birding!!
Hi Mel,
I think we all regret lost time at some point in our lives. That's why tomorrows were created! :)
Good luck with your thesis. Your blog is great!
Hola Mel,
just wanted to let you know that your blog is featured in my latest news story at birdingnet.com. Check it out here:
http://birdingnet.com/birding/use-a-blog-to-improve-your-birding-skills
Mel, this is a sweet post. I can fully understand how you feel. I've always appreciated nature, but I was a city girl, too! Being in a city doesn't give you many opportunities to explore. Now I'm 50 something and have the time to make it priority to observe and really appreciate the wonder of it all. So, don't feel remorse. You are young and have a lifetime to learn your bird ID's and investigate.
Good luck on your thesis! I've only been ready your posts for a short while but I can tell you have the heart and mind to attain your goals.
Mary
Hi veery, dave, markus and mary!
veery, thanks for the good wishes, you are right, I don't think I can (or want) to 'scape' from this!
dave, thanks for visiting and for the motivation :)
markus! welcome back! thanks for the post in your site (blushing Mel types these words)
Dearest Mary!!! Your posts make me smile, think, laugh, remember, ENJOY. Your always kind words are like 'stamina pills' for the soul.
Thank you very much for spending time reading my thoughts and looking at my never-great-but-trying pics ;), for the kind comments and suggestions, learning in fun with such an amazing group of people (and their blogs and sites!)
Hi Mel - Bird and nature watching can be addictive and I'm glad to say I'm hooked. I only started nature watching later in my life so you have a better start than I and a great time ahead of you.
Good luck with the thesis and I look forward to hearing more about your wildlife.
Hi Tricia!
I think you picked the perfect word: addictive!
Thanks for the support, hopefully I'll manage to continue the writing and finish in the next couple of months :)
Ugh, I remember the pain of writing a thesis--back about a million years ago! (more like seventeen)
I was always outside but I didn't discover the joys of hardcore birding until just a few years ago. I try not to think of it as missed opportunities, though; I try to see it as an opportunity to enrich my life NOW. The past is gone, but today is here! I wish I were outside birding right now...
Hi dguzman!
This is actually my seconf thesis! First one done 10 years ago... not easy to go back to the books after working for so long :S
Yoy are right about the NOW, I'll follow your steps! Thanks :)
Don't give up girl!
I also feel wighed down by schoolwork sometimes. Who wants to sit in front of a computer when the sun is shining an the world is full of adventure?
But I guess we will have to try to see that studying helps us broaden and cultivating out minds in order better to appreciate what we will experience in life. Afterwards, when looking back, we will realize that the studies didn't last forever, they were just a parenthesis in life. And perhaps even rather interesting and rewarding sometimes....
Life has many exciting adventures waiting for us!
Hugs/ Your Lady in Red
My dear Lady in Red,
I know what you mean, thanks for the words!
Miss you around here! Hope we can travel together again, it was SOOO much fun!!!
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