{"id":2185621,"date":"2025-02-11T09:38:21","date_gmt":"2025-02-11T08:38:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/?p=2185621"},"modified":"2026-07-14T18:32:45","modified_gmt":"2026-07-14T17:32:45","slug":"how-do-i-love-thee-birds-that-is-let-us-count-the-many-ways","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/how-do-i-love-thee-birds-that-is-let-us-count-the-many-ways\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cHow do I love thee\u201d – Birds that is – Let us count the many ways"},"content":{"rendered":"

I love birds, and bird watching. As I watch the birds, I can tune out all the city noise as I sit quietly in a green space, slowing my breathing so as not to disturb the birds. Would they even hear my breathing? Probably not!<\/p>\n

I try to relax, and let nature envelop me\u2026.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It was during one of these moments, as I sat \u201cbird watching,\u201d at Brackenridge Park in San Antonio that the words of a poem crossed my mind. I had heard the words countless times.<\/p>\n

But what did it mean, \u201cHow do I love thee?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

An online search for the meaning of the poem I was thinking of led me to one analysis, \u201clove transcends earthly bounds.\u201d But what does that mean?<\/p>\n

One definition for Earthbound is, \u201clocated on or restricted to land or to the surface of the earth.\u201d Birds as we know have a remarkable ability to fly, gliding through the air with grace and ease.<\/p>\n

\"Sandhill<\/a>
Sandhill Cranes Orlando Wetlands Jack Rogers Nature Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sandhill<\/a>
Sandhill Cranes Orlando Wetlands Jack Rogers Nature Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The poem that came to mind is, \u201cHow do I love thee?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
\nI love thee to the depth and breadth and height
\nMy soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
\nFor the ends of being and ideal grace.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sonnet 43 by Elizabeth Barrett Browning 1806-1861.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Read the poem in its entirety\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

What is Love? The definition for Love is: \u201cto like or enjoy very much!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I love and enjoy Birds – Bird Watching as do so many others that share their joy for our feathered friends with the world. Sharing the beauty of the birds through their photography, blogs, artwork, and films. If only I could travel the world like the others, but I must admit, embarrassingly, that I am afraid to fly!<\/p>\n

Perhaps in my next lifetime I will soar like a Great Egret to some destination far to the south. But for the time being I will enjoy the birds through the lens and stories of my fellow Bird Lovers.<\/p>\n

\"Great<\/a>
Great Egrets during their last breeding season at Brackenridge Park \u2013 2022 Alesia Garlock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Great<\/a>
Great Egrets during their last breeding season at Brackenridge Park \u2013 2022 Alesia Garlock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

According to research by Dr. Daniel Cox of the University of Exeter, \u201cresearch suggests that observing nature can lower the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress of an individual. Dr. Cox explains that \u201cbirds around the home, and nature in general, show great promise in preventative health care, making cities healthier happier places to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do we love thee\u201d- the Birds that is,
\nWell, we Bird lovers, AKA \u201cBird Watchers\u201d – we just dive in, camera gear and all! We walk, we hike, run – maybe, kayak, boat, swim…hmmm. We trudge into deep forests, wetlands, brave the rain and wander into places that most would consider \u201cscary or dirty.\u201d But, oh, the Birds we capture on film!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"Roseate<\/a>
Roseate Spoonbill Orlando Wetlands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Vermillion<\/a>
Vermillion Flycatcher Orlando Wetlands<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jack Rogers<\/b> – \u201cI have always loved nature and after being introduced to photography by a high school friend, I eventually began to combine these interests to capture images that I could share with family and friends. During my career as a college professor, I used my images to introduce my students to the beauty and wonder of the natural world. I have also donated the use of my images to conservation organizations to support the preservation of the beautiful places I visit to do nature photography.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Snowy<\/a>
Snowy Egret Black Point Wildlife Drive, MINWR- Jack Rogers Nature Photography<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jack continues, \u201cI have especially grown to love watching and photographing birds. They are beautiful subjects but also very interesting. It gives me great satisfaction to learn about them as I observe their activities, which also allows me to anticipate their behavior and be ready for the peak moment of action to capture \u201cthe shot\u201d. Today I continue to share my images through social media and in my online galleries and by speaking at local community groups and camera clubs. My goal is to show my fellow citizens how beautiful and precious the natural world around us is and how important it is for us to preserve these areas for future generations.\u201d Find more here<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Bird watching brings people together, and like birds of a feather, we flock together\u2026<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Resplendent Quetzal \u2013 Judy Lehmberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Resplendent<\/a>
Resplendent Quetzal with avocado seed! Judy Lehmberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Judy Lehmberg<\/b> is a former college biology teacher now following her passion for wildlife filmmaking. \u201cI want everyone to love, share, and protect all of nature as much as I do!\u201d You can follow her films here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

According to Judy, \u201cthe resplendent quetzal is a Central American bird in forested areas at around 7,000\u2019 and higher. Its favorite food is wild avocados that are not something farmers want to grow because they are much smaller than the grocery store variety. The neat thing about that is bird watchers, especially bird guides, will pay to see and photograph this bird so the farmers leave the wild avocados alone and make some money. I made 3 trips to Costa Rica and 1 to Panama before I saw one, so it is certainly the bird I paid the most money to see, and it was worth every penny.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Eared<\/a>
Eared grebes with newly hatched babies in some ponds in Benton Lake NWR near Great Falls MT-Judy Lehmberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Eared<\/a>
Eared grebes with newly hatched babies in some ponds in Benton Lake NWR near Great Falls MT-Judy Lehmberg2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Why love Birds?<\/h2>\n

Love Song to my Avian Kin<\/p>\n

Malmoud Darwish wrote,
\n\u201cWhere should the birds fly after the last sky?\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As I ponder his words, I pray,<\/p>\n

\u201cJust take me there\u2026\u201d
\nKamala Platt January<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Birds – They make our hearts flutter, and they ignite passion, and appreciation as we watch them do their thing, fluttering, squawking, or just perching quietly in a tree. All that colorful stuff packaged in a blanket of fluffy feathers that make them just too hard to resist watching and photographing, poop and all!<\/p>\n

Birds are vital to ecosystems, both wild and those managed by humans. We rely on birds for pest control, habitat maintenance, and plant pollination.<\/p>\n

Birds are a part of our life\u2019s work, our family heritage, our legacy. Birds are our subject we use to create art, mementos, and books. We have businesses to teach photography, guide fieldtrips and expeditions to find that \u201crare\u201d bird in other countries. The Birds give us an excuse to gather with our friends!<\/p>\n

Where can you find the Birds?<\/h2>\n

You can find up to date sightings of many species at eBird<\/a> \u201cHot Spots.\u201d \u201ceBird is among the world\u2019s largest biodiversity-related science projects, with more than 100 million bird sightings contributed annually by eBirders around the world. A collaborative enterprise with hundreds of partner organizations, thousands of regional experts, and hundreds of users, eBird is managed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.\u201d<\/p>\n

In fact, \u201cWildlife watching proves to be immensely popular; 146.5 million people viewed wildlife at home while 73 million traveled to watch wildlife,\u201d according to Martha Williams Director<\/a>, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.<\/p>\n

\"American<\/a>
American Flamingo by Art Madden of San Antonio<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"American<\/a>
American White Pelicans Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I visited Port Aransas Nature Preserve recently, a \u201cHot Spot\u201d where you can find a treasure trove of avian species, along with others like me, \u201cBird Lovers,\u201d photographers, educators, families with their children, and nature lovers all enjoying the view at Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center.<\/p>\n

According to Rae Mooney, City of Port Aransas\u2019s trail tracker shows that there are about 63,000 visitors a year! Mooney goes on to say that their major event is the Whooping Crane Festival in February.<\/p>\n

She stated that a report by the tourism bureau shows that birding and ecotourists are spending a lot of money in town. You can find out more about birding Port Aransas here:<\/p>\n

At the Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center there are shorebirds, waterfowl, and waterbirds-Egrets and Herons, Roseate Spoonbills, American White Pelicans, Cormorants, Black-necked stilt, Pied Billed Grebes, one infamous Flamingo, too many Birds to name!<\/p>\n

\"Roseate<\/a>
Roseate Spoonbill Leonabelle Turnbull Birding Center in Port Aransas – Alesia Garlock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We have so many thoughts to share on why we love the Birds!<\/h2>\n

Greg Hall is a former award-winning, small town Texas newspaper columnist\u2026who re-engaged his craft back in 2019. He uses a positive perspective, humor and personal observations to connect with readers from all walks of life. His uplifting short stories have appeared in journals, college publications, online and print magazines and throughout social media. He infuses his appreciation of the outdoors throughout his short stories and wild birds are often the major or minor theme in his writing. Along with his wife Stephanie, they have turned their property into a habitat for the many birds that visit their area of north Texas.<\/p>\n

In one blog, Greg shares how, \u201cEach year the Purple Martins transform my backyard into an aerial amphitheater\u2026a stage without boundaries. From my patio, I have a front row seat to one of the greatest shows on earth. With God as their playwright, my talented visitors act out their lives right in front of my eyes.\u201d Read his full blog here :<\/p>\n

\"Purple<\/a>
Purple Martin-Dwayne Flores<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bewick\u2019s<\/a>
Bewick\u2019s Wren-Dwayne Flores<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Greg Hall poetry,<\/p>\n

\u201cThe wild birds\u2026they always find me.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cWell above the hustle and bustle, a colorful Rock Dove stares back at me through the tinted glass of a twenty-story high, Manhattan hotel.<\/em><\/p>\n

Hopelessly trapped in an infamous Houston traffic jam\u2026my peace is restored by a majestic Red-Tailed Hawk soaring through the cloudless skies above.<\/em><\/p>\n

Perched just outside my Ellis County bedroom window, a brave Bewick\u2019s Wren sings me awake the morning after a terrible Springtime Texas thunderstorm.<\/em><\/p>\n

Untethered and free\u2026upon their feathered wings\u2026they carry peace to me in the most tumultuous of times.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Guinea<\/a>
Guinea Cock-of-the-Rock-Renate Grupp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Scarlet<\/a>
Scarlet Ibis by Renate Grupp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Renate Grupp loves to travel through the Americas to find new and different species. She is a Published Wildlife and Nature photographer using Canon gear!<\/p>\n

Renate Grupp<\/strong>, \u201cI have loved birds and all animal species since I was a little girl. Being in nature and watching its beautiful creatures gives me happiness and peace. The world would be empty to me without them. As a photographer I try to convey what I feel when I watch these wise and innocent beings.<\/p>\n

Kamala Platt<\/strong>, PHD of San Antonio, is a Professor- writer extraordinaire who shared how she found love in San Antonio, \u201cSoon after I first moved to San Antonio, I was invited to paint birds for San Anto\u2019s \u201cBarrio Jungle\u201d mural (at El Paso and San Jacinto\u2019s intersection) and I drafted white herons alongside quetzals and hummingbirds. After I\u2019d been in San Antonio long enough to know I was home.\u201d Read more here<\/a>:<\/p>\n

Poem by Kamala Platt, PHD<\/p>\n

\u201cLove Song to my Avian Kin, Malmoud Darwish wrote, where should the birds fly after the last sky?\u201d \u201cAs I ponder his words, I pray, just take me there\u2026\u201d January 23, 2025<\/em><\/p>\n

\"These<\/a>
These Sandhills are flying into Bosque del Apache NWR in New Mexico<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"I\u2019ve<\/a>
I\u2019ve always wondered why the sandhill has been so successful even with all the humans around. I don\u2019t have an answer for that. Judy Lehmberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A lifetime<\/strong>: I have \u201cwatched\u201d birds for most of my life, as have many of my newfound friends who are inspired by nature and the birds here in the United States and abroad.<\/p>\n

You can say I live vicariously through those that travel the world, such as Greg Lavaty, among a few.<\/p>\n

\"Red<\/a>
Red Warbler Photograph by Greg Lavaty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Orange-breasted<\/a>
Orange-breasted Bunting by Greg Lavaty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Greg Lavaty<\/strong>, \u201cThis Red Warbler is one of my favorite birds and is endemic to the mountains of Mexico.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Greg Lavaty<\/strong>, \u201cI\u2019ve been photographing birds for the past 25 years. I find birds to be beautiful in so many ways; from their vast array of colors to their beautiful curves and graceful way of moving and their stunning variety of vocalizations. I started doing photography because I wanted to share this beauty with others so they could see a little of these treasured creatures through my eyes. In the time that I have been paying attention to birds their numbers have been rapidly decreasing globally. I hope my photos can help inspire others to appreciate the richness that birds bring to our world and help move people to protect them and their habitats. It would be a horrible shame if my photos end up being a memorial to something we once had.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"Cedar<\/a>
Cedar Waxwings Renate Grupp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Always Watching<\/strong>: Bird watching is constant. We follow the birds through the changing seasons, following their life cycles, and watching them as they forage for food, perch in a tree or gather to breed. We watch them as they build their nests, sit on nests filled with eggs, then raise their young, and then we bid them farewell.<\/p>\n

During breeding season, we can witness nature at its finest as birds display for a mate. They show off their frilly feathers, bowing down to curtsy. I can almost hear them saying, how do you do my dear as they begin the courtship to successfully breed and to raise their offspring. We watch as the birds nuzzle and caress each other, and our love for them grows.<\/p>\n

\"Tricolored<\/a>
Tricolored Heron – Daniel Riddle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Yellow-Crowned<\/a>
Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron – Daniel Riddle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Daniel Riddle<\/strong>, a Bird Photographer loves Birds which he shares on his Facebook page<\/a>, \u201cBringing awareness to the public about the natural world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniel shared, \u201cI love all wildlife, but birds hold the top spot in my heart for several reasons.\u201d \u201cThey are the epitome of life; they go on each day no matter what. They can have a missing limb and still go on about their everyday business as if nothing\u2019s wrong.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Sadly, our birds are at risk of disappearing before our very eyes without our help.<\/p>\n

According to a United Nations report, \u201cOn at-risk fauna and flora, the study asserts that human activities \u201cthreaten more species now than ever before.\u201d World is \u2018on notice\u2019 as major UN report shows one million species face extinction | | UN News<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Endangered<\/a>
Endangered Whooping Crane family near Aransas Wildlife Refuge – Alesia Garlock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How do we love the Birds?<\/h2>\n

Through conservation of course. And it begins with you and me!<\/p>\n

This month is the 28th anniversary of the Whooping Crane Festival in Port Aransas that celebrates the recovery and conservation efforts to protect and save Whooping Cranes from extinction. This effort involves many partners from around the world. Information about the festival here:<\/p>\n

What is conservation?<\/h2>\n

Bird Conservation is a field in the science of conservation biology related to threatened birds.<\/p>\n

According to learnbirdwatching.com, \u201cBirds play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of ecosystems worldwide. Their conservation is not just about protecting individual species; it\u2019s about safeguarding biodiversity as a whole. Read the full article here<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\"Endangered<\/a>
Endangered Whooping Crane – Judy Lehmberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Whooping<\/a>
Whooping & Sandhill Crane – Judy Lehmberg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A legacy of Love:<\/h2>\n

The Whooping Crane is the tallest bird in North America and is among our rarest birds. The species declined to around 20 birds in the 1940s but, through captive breeding, wetland management, and an innovative program that teaches young cranes how to migrate. Find more here<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\"Whooping<\/a>
Whooping Cranes Aransas Wildlife Refuge<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Whooping<\/a>
Whooping Crane- Alesia Garlock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oh, how we love these Birds!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Endangered Whooping Cranes.<\/h2>\n

An Endangered species is any species that is at risk of extinction because of a rapid decrease in its population or loss of critical habitat. About ninety-nine percent of threatened or endangered species are at risk because of human activities. Some of the threats the birds face includes habitat loss and degradation, along with global warming.<\/p>\n

The Whooping Cranes breed in the wetlands of Wood Buffalo National Park in northern Canada and spend the winter on the Texas coast at Aransas National Wildlife Refuge near Rockport, about a 2500-mile journey. The Cranes summer and nest in wetlands in Canada’s Northwest Territories at Wood Buffalo National Park reported to be a 543 North America population (836 Worldwide 2022). You can learn more here<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\"Whooping<\/a>
Whooping Crane and friends near Aransas Wildlife Refuge – Alesia Garlock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

It takes a Village:<\/h2>\n

As the saying goes, it takes a village! And it will take a village the size of most of the world\u2019s population to protect our disappearing forest lands, wetlands and critical habitats that birds need for breeding, food and water sources and shelter.<\/p>\n

“The role of non-profit organizations has been key to raising human awareness of conserving bird populations since the formation of the National Audubon Society in 1905,” said Richard Gonzales, Founder of the Science and Spanish Club Network, SSCN, a coastal environmental education after school program targeting grades 6-8 based in Aransas Pass, Texas about 45 miles south of the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Non-profits happen when human energy comes together with like-minded individuals with the same end goal….for the SSCN, saving habitat for the migratory Whooping Crane has been our end goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn fact, the SSCN is one of a growing number of non-profits participating in both the Port Aransas Whooping Crane Festival and the newly established Northern Whooping Festival held in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, Canada, next to Wood Buffalo National Park.\u201d<\/p>\n

“It is most significant that the Thebacha Leadership Council of Fort Smith has decided to connect more people by following the migratory Whooping Crane North to South, Canada to Texas.”<\/p>\n

What can you do to help birds?<\/h2>\n

You can help birds by learning about conservation. Get involved as a citizen scientist, join a likeminded group or organization. It is important to protect the future of birds.<\/p>\n

With Love from the Birds and Bird Lovers of the World!<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I love birds, and bird watching. As I watch the birds, I can tune out all the city noise as I sit quietly in a green space, slowing my breathing so as not to disturb the birds. Would they even hear my breathing? Probably not! I try to relax, and let nature envelop me\u2026. It […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3103,"featured_media":2185620,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5,6984],"tags":[2290,1121,2285,872,11625,2749,2458,750,1901,374,1008,2009,33,2090,1184,1691,1116,5647,7819,4325,4326],"class_list":["post-2185621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wildlife","category-blogs","tag-american-flamingo","tag-american-white-pelican","tag-american-white-pelicans","tag-black-necked-stilt","tag-brackenridge-park","tag-cedar-waxwing","tag-cormorants","tag-great-egret","tag-great-egrets","tag-purple-martin","tag-red-tailed-hawk","tag-resplendent-quetzal","tag-roseate-spoonbill","tag-roseate-spoonbills","tag-sandhill-crane","tag-snowy-egret","tag-tricolored-heron","tag-vermillion-flycatcher","tag-white-pelican","tag-whooping-crane","tag-wood-buffalo-national-park"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2185621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3103"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2185621"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2185621\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2185620"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2185621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2185621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/focusingonwildlife.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2185621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}