My birding enthusiasm was inherited from my mother! She loves to care for the backyard birds. and I do as well. So when a different species shows up its a race for the field guides! I loved looking through them in my down time with the anticipation that when a new bird showed up I could name it instantly. A lot more difficult than it seems.

About three years ago a full blown male rose breasted grosbeak showed up and I was able to call it out. It was a great day! Then one day my mom came home with a hummingbird feeder and I laughed! I said "why did you get that? we don't have hummingbirds here!" low and behold one shows up to make me eat my words! Then grabbed her canon rebel xti to photograph one so my grandmother could see it. This is where both photography and birding started to take shape!