What got him started: Ed has always enjoyed the outdoors and nature and hiking and camping. Some years ago Ed was on a bear viewing excursion and while waiting for the bears to show up at their “fishing hole,” he started watching the birds nearby. Since he had his camera in his hands, he started taking pictures of the birds to pass the time waiting for the bears to appear.
Favorite birding spots: While traveling, Ed is always on the look out for birds and has enjoyed seeing birds in other parts of the world. He keeps a list, mainly, he says, “because that is sort of in my character to keep track of things.” He likes the comfort of the list and it helps jog his memory about the birds he has seen, enabling him to relive the experience.
Birding at Rose Villa: Ed has seen 53 species of birds since moving to Rose Villa, and gets excited when he sees a new species here, even if it is one he has seen a hundred times elsewhere. Ed has greatly enjoyed the Rose Villa Audubon birding outings, saying “It is great to be with a guide who knows where to go, what to see, and what we are seeing. And the comradery is an added bonus.” Ed talked about birding at Rose Villa with Bill Scheible in Episode 5 of Rose Villa Today.
Solo or Group: Ed likes to go birding alone because it allows him to go at his own pace. He often just sits and watches, and he always has his camera with him so he can take his time, especially if he wants to take a hundred photos of that Great Blue Heron sitting on that log in the middle of the lake.
Natural Habitat: Ed enjoys observing birds (and all wildlife) in their natural habitat and attempting to capture some of their character through photography. He has taken several classes on birding, which have helped him build his ability to locate and identify birds in the field. And he always has his birding field guide with him on his phone or iPad. Four of Ed’s bird photos are featured below and you can see more on his SmugMug website. This link will open in a new window.
Favorite Bird: Ed says, “If I had to select one bird it would be the Western Tanager. They are so beautifully colored and their song is wonderful.”
Green Heron
Bald Eagle
One of Ed’s most memorable birding experiences was visiting the California Condor Breeding Facility in Clackamas. The story of the California Condor is an interesting one — how it is being brought back from the brink of extinction and to know that right here in Clackamas, Oregon is a facility with dedicated people helping in this fight to save the California Condor. “… to see these grand birds up close and personal was a wonderful experience.”
