June 3, 2024
Mindfulness and Birding
Mindfulness appears deceptively simple – immerse yourself in the present moment. Despite nearly two years of experimenting with various mindful practices, I’ve recently stumbled upon the realization that birding offers me a unique opportunity to dedicate 15-20 minutes each day to being fully present and attuned to my surroundings. While there are other methods to integrate mindfulness and activities, such as meditation, yoga, and sports, it is through birding that I can successfully detach from my tumultuous thoughts and concentrate on the enchanting melodies and the rhythmic clicks of my camera.
Over the past year, my weekends have been devoted to exploring Sauk County in Wisconsin in pursuit of my favorite avian subjects—the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle. Finally, during the first weekend of January 2024, I captured several photographs of the elusive Bald Eagle. At 8:00 am, I stood by the Prairie du Sac Dam, observing the unceasing flow of the river that had not surrendered to freezing temperatures. The chill in the air was bearable, and I shared the space with fellow birders. Eventually, I discovered a secluded spot on the left side of the viewing area and witnessed around four Bald Eagles soaring alongside various other bird species. This unexpected spectacle caught me off guard, as although I had encountered eagles previously, I had never truly embraced the moment to appreciate the sheer magnificence of a bald eagle.
Absorbed in my surroundings for nearly an hour, I suddenly realized that an eagle was perched in a tree only 20 feet away from me. I quickly adjusted my camera and lens and focused on this majestic creature observing us, fellow birders. At that point, none of the individuals around me had noticed the bird. Acting swiftly, I captured some photographs as it gracefully took flight. Heads turned as its wings unfolded, and the bird flew away.
Only after an hour did I finish my adventure, and I found myself with roughly 700 photos. Although most of them were unusable, the experience presented me with the opportunity to see these animals up close. It was a humbling moment to witness a bird only 50 feet away from me. I had never paused the chaos around me to genuinely appreciate the wonders that our Earth has conferred upon us. To fully understand the tremendous beauty emanating from birds of all kinds becomes a profound realization as you start to acknowledge their individual charm and be enlightened by their grace.
There are numerous birding communities; one that I encourage you to explore is ‘slow birding.’ Defined by Bird Ability as “birding quietly, intentionally, and gently, with the aim of deeply engaging with and enjoying the birds and nature around you (birdability.org),” slow birding encourages us to take a few minutes out of our hectic day to comprehend the significance of being present in the moment. Through mindfulness, one can gain a deeper understanding of peace, love, and community.
Author: Maxwell Ferguson – Member Event Liaison, BetterLife.
Sources Used:
Mindful: mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness; birdability.org/mindful-birding