I don't usually frequent the Cafe so didn't realize this thread existed. My wife and I have been interested in birding for at least 40 years. We're members of NOU (Nebraska Ornithological Union) and also like to photograph birds. I have a file of about 300 different species. We've been on birding excursions to Texas, Arizona, Wyoming and California as well as Nebraska, South Dakota and Kansas. I would still consider my status as amateur even though I do have quite a lot of experience.
My avatar is a photo I took this last spring of one of a pair of Whooping Cranes that landed in a field next to my home. Not a lot of folks can claim a Whooper as a "yard bird"!
I rejoined NOU last year. whooper yard bird would be tremendous. I’m guessing I’d recognize your name IRL…pretty small birding community in NE. If you see any this spring, PM me PLEASE! Whooper is #1 on my wish list in 2022! I’ll send you my contact info if you wish. What is the best week for Whoopers? We havent gotten lucky the past few years in March, although we missed one at Rowe had we gone into the early blind in 2019.
I’m also about 95% to buy a camera and get into photography this year. Need the capability to ID and document. Definitely interested in recommendations. I’m thinking mirrorless..Canon R5, R6, Sony a7 iV type range…but welcome any recommendations for ultrazoom/bridge to mirrorless. I want a bridge to start, but the problem I keep hearing is AF isnt fast or good enough on those. Realized quickly that this is not a cheap proposition…
I ended the year #13 in Nebraska at 276 species for 2021. I moved up to #31 all time with 317. Of course, this excludes anyone who isnt on eBird or hides their lists. 89 new NE birds in 2021…far exceeding anything I thought would be possible, given the limitations of living out of state and having a full time job…most of the top birders are retired and can go out all the time.
My last lifer was a Winter Wren at Schramm the other day. #75th new lifer in 2021, #350 total! after i had gotten going, I was hoping to get to 250 total in NE, and exceeded that by 67. 291 year overall. Best year of birding ever.