Aloha Everyone,
When I talked to my friends about my interest in birding, some gently correct me by saying, "Ah you mean ornithology." Not quite. Ornithology is a branch of zoology that deals in the study of birds. Ornithologists engage in their work using formal scientific methods.
What I am getting involved is bird watching or birding. Most birdwatchers pursue this activity for recreational and social reasons. For me, being in the woods is also deeply meditative.
There are so many birding apps and reference books for beginners including hard bound field guides and free apps for iPhone and iPads. Choice of availability is simply overwhelming. While I continue my search and wait for responses to my email inquiries with some of the experienced birders I met in Texas, I am also trying to become familiar with some of the birds J.J. and I have spotted since this exciting new undertaking.
Using the trail maps produced by Texas Parks & Wild Life as reference, I hope to be able to identify some of the bird species with a quick glance.
Aloha -- Cathi