https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/kerri/miles/lilac-breasted-roller/lilac-breasted-roller/i-went-to-kenya-with-a-friend-to-see-the-great-wildebeest-migration%2C-and-the-big-five%2C-of-course!-right-away%2C-i-started-seeing-brilliant-little-birds-called-cape-starlings.-i-asked-to-stop-and-take-a-photo.-my-guide-laughed-at-me%2C-since-they-are-very-common-there.-but-then%2C-on-a-branch%2C-i-saw-this-wondrous-array-of-color.-it-turned-out-to-be-the-lilac-breasted-roller.-in-african-culture%2C-the-lilac-breasted-roller-is-considered-the-bird-of-peace.-it-actually-changed-my-life.-i-hadn%E2%80%99t-really-noticed-how-varied-birds-were%2C-but-from-that-point-forward%2C-i-haven%E2%80%99t-stopped-searching-for-them!-it%E2%80%99s-a-bit-like-finding-pok%C3%A9mon-in-real-life.-gotta-catch-%E2%80%98em-all! 2025-07-17 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/kerri/miles/lilac-breasted-roller/lilac-breasted-roller/i-went-to-kenya-with-a-friend-to-see-the-great-wildebeest-migration%2C-and-the-big-five%2C-of-course!-right-away%2C-i-started-seeing-brilliant-little-birds-called-cape-starlings.-i-asked-to-stop-and-take-a-photo.-my-guide-laughed-at-me%2C-since-they-are-very-common-there.-but-then%2C-on-a-branch%2C-i-saw-this-wondrous-array-of-color.-it-turned-out-to-be-the-lilac-breasted-roller.-in-african-culture%2C-the-lilac-breasted-roller-is-considered-the-bird-of-peace.-it-actually-changed-my-life.-i-hadn%E2%80%99t-really-noticed-how-varied-birds-were%2C-but-from-that-point-forward%2C-i-haven%E2%80%99t-stopped-searching-for-them!-it%E2%80%99s-a-bit-like-finding-pok%C3%A9mon-in-real-life.-gotta-catch-%E2%80%98em-all! 2025-07-17 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/hank/kaestner/vermilion-flycatcher/vermilion-flycatcher/i-was-visiting-my-grandparents-in-mexico-city-when-i-was-10-years-old.-until-then-i-was-interested-in-collecting-butterflies.-as-a-budding-naturalist%2C-when-a-brilliant-colored-bird-flew-up-to-the-picnic-bench-where-i-was-sitting%2C-i-wondered-what-the-name-of-that-bird-was.-i-didn%E2%80%99t-have-a-way-to-find-out-then%2C-but-the-next-day-i-was-in-a-bookstore.-there-was-a-bird-book-with-a-photo-of-the-bird-i-had-seen-the-day-before-on-the-cover.-i-bought-the-book-and-identified-the-bird-as-a-vermilion-flycatcher%2C-common-in-the-western-and-southwestern-united-states%2C-but-not-so-much-in-my-hometown-of-baltimore.-i-was-hooked.- 2024-05-01 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/chris/bensley/chestnut-crowned-antpitta/chestnut-crowned-antpitta/i-was-in-rio-blanco-natural-reserve-in-colombia%2C-part-of-a-birding-tour-to-preview-birding-locations-in-the-central-andres.-my-companions-were-two-experienced-birders%2C-nate-swick-and-dorian-anderson%2C-and-they-were-excited-to-have-the-chance-to-see-the-endemic-species.-the-local-guide-took-us-to-a-feeding-area-in-the-dense-forest.-we-waiting-patiently-for-what-seemed-like-an-eon.---then%2C-below-the-bushes%2C-a-bird-darted-back-and-forth.-as-a-beginner%2C-i-didn't-have-the-equipment-to-get-a-good-look.-the-enthusiasm-of-nate-and-dorian-was-contagious%2C-and-when-nate-handed-me-his-binoculars%2C-i-could-see-why.-what-an-odd-looking-bird!-the-egg-like-shape-of-the-body-and-stick-like-legs.-it's-life-was-about-foraging-on-the-forest-floor%2C-darting-back-and-forth.-we-took-photos-and-when-i-looked-closer-at-the-chestnut-crowned-antpitta-i-was-struck-by-its-unique-characteristics.-that-moment-opened-my-eyes-to-the-peculiarities-of-birds%2C-each-with-their-own-features%2C-behaviors%2C-and-sounds.--i-was-hooked.-the-next-day-our-journey-continued-to-a-completely-different-ecosystem.-we-reached-the-high-elevation-of-los-nevados-national-park-and-were-treated-to-another-endemic-species%2C-the-buffy-helmetcrest%2C-species-of-hummingbird-found-only-the-paramo-of-the-central-andes-of-colombia.-i-recorded-nate-and-dorian's-reactions-and-later-posted-a-video.-it-was-an-eye-opening-experience-and-i-was-fortunate-to-have-experts-to-encourage-me.-my-companions-shared-their-stories%2C-their-used-of-ebird-for-tracking-and-listing%2C-and-their-tips-for-getting-started.-but-will-always-relish-the-sight-of-the-shy-chestnut-crowned-antpitta 2024-02-03 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/giovani/ortiz/eastern-bluebird/eastern-bluebird/my-spark-bird--moment-happened-in-michigan.-one-day-i-was-running-in-the-middle-of-a-park.-i-remember-a-blue-spot-following-me-along-the-trail.-i-was-kind-of-sad-at-that-moment.-and-then-i-realized-it-was-a-bluebird.-it-made-me-really-happy-and-sparked-my-interest-in-birds.-so-that-was-the-moment-when-i-realized-%22birds-are-very-cool%22.-i-really-love-to-keep-following-birds-and-learn-more-about-them-in-general.-i-realized-that-i-wanted-to-do-something-related-to-birding...--i'm-from-colombia.-so-i-was-interested-in-seeing-if-people-actually-traveled-for-birding.-i-joined-the-local-bird-club.-actually-and-i-was-surprised-to-see-how-many-people-are-actually-into-birding-and-traveling.-and-they-were-really%2C-really-happy-to-see-a-colombian-actually-join-in-their-birding-community-and-that-just-gave-me-a-lot-of-interest-and-momentum-to-just-keep-increasing-my-interest-in-the-local-births-in-the-us-but-also-in-birding-in-colombia. 2024-02-04 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/sharon/sorenson/snow-bunting/snow-bunting/as-a-kid%2C-i-watched-birds-out-the-kitchen-window-at-our-little-wooden-feeder.-since-we-didn't-have-a-%22bird-book%22-and-knew-almost-nothing-about-birds%2C-we-made-up-our-own-names%3A-wild-canaries%2C-red-birds%2C-rain-crows%2C-striped-headed-spatzies%2C-and-that-mysterious-leaky-faucet-bird.-gradually%2C-after-mom-bought-a-golden-guide%2C-we-put-accurate-names-to-birds%2C-but-we-still-knew-nothing-of-phenomena-like-migration.--after-i-married-and-hubby-built-and-mounted-a-wooden-feeder-outside-our-own-country-kitchen-window%2C-i-still-watched-only-casually%2C-noting-the-birds-i-recognized-and-passing-the-others-off-as-unknown-look-alikes.--then%2C-in-winter-of-1975%2C-a-blizzard-hit.-we-were-marooned.-while-i-had-ample-sunflower-seed-and-shelled-corn-in-the-garage%2C-a-serious-shoveling-job-from-nearly-two-feet-of-drifted-snow-awaited-anyone-who-ventured-out.-still%2C-i-cleared-an-area-about-10-feet-in-diameter-around-the-feeder.--but-even-filled%2C-the-feeder-could-barely-serve-a-half-dozen-birds%2C-so-i-scattered-buckets-of-seed-on-the-ground.-the-birds-flocked-in%2C-desperate.-dozens-of-cardinals%2C-doves%2C-chickadees%2C-sparrows%2C-juncos%2C-and-oodles-of-the-unknown-look-alikes-crowded-in%2C-squabbling.-i've-no-idea-what-the-little-birds-ate%3B-their-small-bills-prevented-them-from-cracking-open-shelled-corn-and-sunflower-seeds.-perhaps-they-foraged-among-the-crumbs-from-others'-feeding.-i-didn't-know-any-better.-i-thought-birds-ate-seed.-period.-never-mind-that-different-sized-birds-need-different-sized-seed-%E2%80%94-or-something-other-than-seed.-surely-birds-died-in-spite-of-my-well-meaning-but-ill-informed-efforts.--nevertheless%2C-there-came-the-spark.--one-mid-morning%2C-atop-the-rim-of-the-shoveled-open-space%2C-a-little-cluster-of-birds-foraged-together%2C-almost-as-if-for-safety-among-themselves.-three-were-streaky-brown-with-yellowish-chins%2C-black-bibs%2C-and-startling-little-horns.-horns%3F-weird%2C-i-thought.-the-six-others--well%2C-they-were-almost-all-white%2C-delicate-little-things%2C-unlike-any-i'd-ever-seen.-they-seemed-unreal.---curiosity-aroused%2C-i-scrounged-through-my-feebly-stocked-bookshelf%2C-looking-for-that-childhood-golden-guide%2C-and-thumbed-through-page-by-page%2C-looking-for-matches.-the-perky-brown-guys-with-miniature-horns-turned-out-to-be-horned-larks%2C-%22common-in-harvested-fields%2C%22-the-guide-noted.-but-the-white-ones%3F-oh-my!-near-the-back-of-the-guide%2C-i-finally-found-them%3A-snow-buntings.-birds-from-the-arctic-tundra!-creatures-that-rarely-come-this-far-south%2C-the-guide-said%2C-but-often-flock-with-horned-larks.---and-i-was-hooked.-these-little-guys-outside-my-window-had-flown-thousands-of-miles-from-the-arctic.-that-astonished-me.-i-had-to-know-more.-the-spark!--now%2C-of-course%2C-i've-learned-way-more-about-birds-and-have-seen-both-species-dozens-of-times--along-with-hundreds-of-others-around-the-world.-but-those-two-sparks-ignited-the-fire.-they're-special. 2023-11-08 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/heidi/rowe/atlantic-puffin/atlantic-puffin/-i%E2%80%99ve-been-looking-for-the-atlantic-puffin-for-nearly-40-years.--i%E2%80%99ve-always-loved-pictures-of-them.--to-me%2C-they-are-a-stunningly-different-bird-from-ocean-birds-in-the-northeast-with-their-colorful-beak-and-unusually-limited-time-ashore.-in-the-1980s%2C-i-learned-that-maine-islands-were-trying-to-reintroduce-them.--i-made-my-friends-sail-past-some-of-these-islands.-nothing.--on-another-trip%2C-i-was-on-a-boat-but-it-was-october-and-all-puffins-were-gone.--i-tried-to-visit-them-in-ireland%2C-off-the-western-coast-on-the-skellig-islands.--a-4-day-storm-prevented-any-boat-trips.--i-loved-seeing-them-recreated-on-the-%E2%80%98star-wars%E2%80%99-movie-filmed-on-the-skelligs.--finally%2C-a-puffin-trip-was-offered-and-i-saw-them-in-maine.-it-was-joy-to-watch-these-little-guys.--i-had-no-idea-how-fast-they-can-fly.--they-were-so-tiny-that-i-want-to-go-back-again-and-hope-to-see-a-few-more.---that-was-my-spark-moment-and-i-believe-any-time-i-have-an-opportunity-to-see-a-puffin%2C-my-heart-will-puff-up-with-joy. 2023-10-29 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/lillian/stokes/bald-eagle/bald-eagle/i-loved-raptors-and-was-hooked-on-hawks.-so%2C-i-took-a-hawk-watching-course-with-paul-roberts%2C-the-famous-birder%2C-and-we-went-up-to-mt.-wachusett%2C-in-ma%2C-as-a-class.-at-that-time-some-birds-were-rare-that-are-more-common-today.-i-was-standing-on-the-mountaintop-with-paul-and-the-class-and-i-went-off-and-looked-in-another-direction%2C-all-of-a-sudden-i-saw-this-incredible-dark-form-come-over-my-head%2C-and-it-was-a-bald-eagle.-bald-eagles-were-rare-and-exciting-at-that-time.-i-shouted-out-%E2%80%9Cbald-eagle!%E2%80%9D-the-class-all-came-over%2C-everybody-was-celebrating.-and-i-said-to-myself%2C-%E2%80%9Coh%2C-this-is-really-cool.-i-can-do-this.-i-want-to-do-this-for-my-life.%E2%80%9D--so%2C-i-said-i-want-to-become-an-ornithologist.---i-think-the-spark-bird-to-me-was-super-exciting.-i-did-a-180-turn-from-being-a-psychiatric-social-worker-to-want-to-become-an-ornithologist.--i-felt-that-i-discovered-my-true-passion.-i-could-lead-people-to-birds.-i-think-it-was-a-combination-of-my-early-interest-but-also-just-having-a-special%2C-magical-moment.-and-this-does-happen-to-people.-there-are-literally-life-changing-moments-in-time.-for-me%2C-at-that-moment%2C-i-knew-it.-i-said-i-want-to-become-an-ornithologist.-i'm-going-to-go-back-and-get-a-ph.d.-in-ornithology.---at-that-point%2C-i-took-one-more-course-on-bird-behavior-at-the-massachusetts-audubon-society.-my-husband-to-be%2C-don-stokes%2C-was-the-teacher.-the-rest-is-history. 2023-10-29 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/laura/markley/snowy-owl/snowy-owl/i-was-just-getting-into-birding-when-i-attended-a-morning-bird-walk-at-mt.-auburn-cemetery-in-mid-february%2C-2018.-as-i-marveled-at-all-the-bird-activity-on-such-a-cold-day---titmice%2C-chickadees%2C-nuthatches-and-jays-bustling-about-foraging-for-food---a-couple-people-mentioned-their-snowy-owl-sightings-in-east-boston.-they-said-you-could-find-them-at-the-airport.-after-the-walk%2C-i-took-the-train-to-orient-heights-and-spent-some-time-peering-at-the-runways-across-the-bay%2C-armed-only-with-binoculars%2C-but-at-that-distance-there-was-not-much-for-a-beginning-birder-to-find.--i-found-nothing-and-returned-home-to-my-2nd-floor-apartment-in-south-boston-(a-densely-populated-neighborhood-of-triple-deckers%2C-two-miles-from-downtown)%2C-feeling-a-little-disappointed.----it-was-about-5-p.m.-and-i-was-thinking-about-making-dinner-when-i-went-into-my-front-room-to-close-the-venetian-blinds.-through-the-horizontal-slats-i-saw-a-large%2C-white-shape-atop-the-condo-building-opposite-and-could-hardly-believe-my-eyes---a-snowy-owl-was-staring-back-at-me!--dusk-was-gathering-and-i-quickly-grabbed-my-camera-to-take-a-few-shots.----i-was-thrilled-to-see-this-life-bird-i-had-chased-for-hours-earlier-that-day.-it-struck-me-as-quite-a-coincidence.-i-imagined-the-bird-had-spotted-me-and-followed-me-home%2C-tracking-my-progress-on-the-t-and-then-as-i-walked-home%2C-using-its-supernatural%2C-harry-potter-esque-owl-abilities.--a-friend-later-told-me-it-was-probably-interested-in-rats-in-the-area-(it-was-trash-night-after-all)-and-that-a-snowy-was-once-spotted-in-chinatown%2C-keeping-a-close-eye-on-a-dumpster-in-an-alley.---seeing-this-beautiful-owl-made-such-an-impression-on-me-that-soon-i-was-birding-more-and-more%2C-almost-on-a-daily-basis%2C-mainly-in-my-county-where-to-date-i-have-amassed-2%2C475-ebird-lists-with-18-sightings-of-snowy-owl.-each-year-i-look-forward-to-my-next-chance-to-see-this-majestic%2C-unique-raptor-with-its-huge%2C-piercing-yellow-eyes-and-gorgeous-white-plumage-(often-darkly-speckled%2C-since-most-of-the-snowies-who-irrupt-into-our-area-are-females-and-immature-males).--i-can-hardly-wait-to-feast-my-eyes-on-one-again! 2022-12-23 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/susan/clark/purple-finch/purple-finch/we-had-the-standard-yard-birds-in-southern-ct%2C-a-short-list-of-robins%2C-blue-jays%2C-catbirds-and-starlings-are-all-i-remember.--but-one-day-my-father-suddenly-pointed-out-a-spectacular-raspberry-colored-bird-and-announced-excitedly-that-it-was-a-purple-finch.--i-was-amazed-that-there-were-'new'-birds-we-could-find.--that-was-the-beginning-of-my-bird-watching.--but-i-was-also-outraged%2C-as-only-an-11-year-old-could-be%2C-that-it-was-called-a-'purple-finch'.--it-was-clearly-raspberry-colored.-still-think-'purple'-is-the-wrong-color. 2022-04-23 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/cameron/cox/prothonotary-warbler/prothonotary-warbler/the-trip-that-was-destined-to-become-my-first-birding-trip-didn%E2%80%99t-start-out-as-a-birding-trip-at-all.-my-best-friend-and-i-were-dropped-off-to-spend-three-hours-hiking-in-pinnacle-mountain-state-park-in-central-arkansas.-he-was-already-an-avid-birder-and-i-occasionally-teased-him-about-his-hobby.-we-weren%E2%80%99t-birding-though%2C-no%2C-we-were-climbing-a-mountain.-we-were-kids%2C-officially-teenagers-for-just-a-few-days%2C-enjoying-some-first-tastes-of-unsupervised-freedom.---after-summiting-the-mountain-and-walking-back-down%2C-we-were-waiting-for-the-prearranged-pickup-and-decided-to-walk-a-short-trail-that-skirted-a-bald-cypress-lined-backwater-of-the-arkansas-river.-halfway-along-the-trail%2C-at-the-sudden-outbreak-of-a-sweet-sweet-sweet-sound-nearby%2C-my-friend-froze-and-said-excitedly%2C-%E2%80%9Cthat%E2%80%99s-a-prothonotary-warbler!%E2%80%9D-a-what%3F-my-friend-quickly-explained-that-there-was-some-bright-yellow-bird-singing-right-in-front-of-us-and-then-demanded%2C-%E2%80%9Ccouldn%E2%80%99t-i-see-it%3F%E2%80%9D-i-couldn%E2%80%99t.-i-couldn%E2%80%99t%2C-even-as-the-sound-rang-out-again-straight-ahead-and-right-in-front-of-us.-i-couldn%E2%80%99t-as-my-friend-explained-exactly-which-tree-and-which-branch-i-was-supposed-to-be-looking-at.-i-couldn%E2%80%99t-as-the-sound-rang-out-several-more-times%2C-as-my-friend-checked-the-old%2C-rocker-focused-binoculars-i-had-borrowed-for-the-hike.-then%2C-accompanied-by-a-sharp-intake-of-breath%2C-i-did-see-it!-i-simultaneously-couldn%E2%80%99t-believe-anything-could-be-that-yellow%2C-that-anything-that-yellow-could-blend-in-with-anything-other-than-a-banana-stand%2C-or-that-i-had-struggled-so-much-to-see-it.-i-was-entranced.--the-entrancement-led-to-stuffing-every-moment-of-free-time-in-the-coming-summer-with-looking-at-birds%2C-reading-about-birds%2C-or-thinking-about-birds.-it-led-to-spending-my-twenties-in-a-crappy-car-filled-with-bird-books-and-expensive-optics-traveling-the-united-states-as-a-professional-bird-bum%2C-latching-myself-onto-whatever-research-job-would-harness-my-desire-to-watch-birds-and-pay-me-enough-that-i-could-almost-survive.-to-sleeping-on-hundreds-picnic-tables%2C-to-more-encounters-with-the-u.s.-border-patrol-than-i-can-count%2C-to-watching-wild-horses-from-a-ridge-in-colorado%2C-to-counting-rivers-of-migrating-raptors-surrounded-by-sloths-and-capuchin-monkeys-in-panama.-it-led-to-an-obsession%2C-and-opened-a-gateway-to-the-natural-world-that-has-been-my-joy-ever-since.------ 2021-11-27 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/ken/klapper/northern-flicker/northern-flicker/when-i-was-eight-years-old-my-father-bought-me-the-%22golden-guide%22-to-birds%2C-one-of-the-classic-series-developed-for-children.-i-had-a-general-interest-in-nature-at-the-time-and-was-fascinated-by-seashells%2C-wildflowers%2C-and-reptiles...-as-well-as-birds.-one-day-i-saw-two-%22new%22-birds-on-a-branch%2C-facing-each-other-and-doing-a-%22dance%22.-i-was-fascinated-by-the-ritual%2C-as-well-as-by-the-appearance-of-the-birds.-they-were-exotic-looking%2C-with-bold-yellow-and-red-highlights%2C-black-spots%2C-and-a-%22mustache%22.---later%2C-i-pored-through-my-bird-book-and-discovered-they-were-northern-flickers.-they-captured-my-imagination-and-from-that-moment-on-i-took-an-interest-in-birds.-i-thought-their-display-was-a-mating-dance%2C-but-when-i-was-older-i-did-some-more-research-and-discovered-the-birds-were-two-males-competing-with-each-other-to-gain-courtship-advantage.-my-interest-in-birding-grew-over-the-years.-little-did-i-know-at-the-time-that-i-would-be-leading-groups-in-birdwatching-activities! 2021-08-21 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/christine/bensley/northern-cardinal/northern-cardinal/my-mother-was-a-lifelong-friend%2C-inspiration%2C-and-teacher-in-so-many-ways.-it-was-not-long-after-she-passed-when-a-female-cardinal-started-hanging-around-our-back-window.-i-felt-the-bird-wanted-to-show-me-something.-and-then-the-male-cardinal-appeared-and-the-two-were-dancing-on-the-porch-railing%2C-seemingly-playing-a-game.-to-me-they-were-my-parents%2C-my-mom-now-reuniting-with-my-dad%2C-having-fun-as-they-often-did.-from-this-moment-on%2C-i-began-to-watch-birds-more-closely%2C-noticing-their-behaviors%2C-traits%2C-and-habitats.-it-led-to-getting-birdfeeders-and-getting-to-know-many-different-ones.-my-other-favorite-is-the-common-loon-with-it's-dark-red-eye-and-eerie-cry.-so-many-more-now-too! 2021-08-21 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/ellen/emerson/american-robin/american-robin/the-bird-was-a-robin-in-concord%2C-seen-through-the-eyes-of-my-poet-brother%2C-alec.-his-words-brought-the-robin-to-our-house-one-night-in-the-fifties%2C-and-i've-loved-robins-ever-since.-living-again-in-concord-during-the-pandemic%2C-with-old-school--mate-peter-alden-nearby%2C-ignited-my-current-interest-in-all-birds.-my-story-includes-his-poem.--hi-there%2C-little-robin%2C-you-look-a-bit-surprised!-did-that-blustery-little-wintry-flurry-get-snowflakes-in-your-eyes%3F--harken%2C-little-robin%2C-and-see-the-snow-is-melting.-the-sun-is-soft-and-warm-and-skies-are-mellow.--hey-there%2C-little-robin%2C-did-you-get-enough-to-eat%3F-you've-got-a-little-peanut-butter-on-the-bottom-of-your-feet!--bye-now%2C-little-robin%2C-it's-been-a-two-way-treat. 2021-05-23 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/david/-gregg/bufflehead/bufflehead/my-father%2C-a-surgeon-at-falmouth-hospital%2C-on-cape-cod%2C-worked-long-hours-and-didn't-have-much-time-to-spend-with-us-kids.-one-hobby-he-pursued-with-his-meager-free-time-was-birding%2C-and-i-liked-it-too%2C-perhaps-mostly-because-it-meant-getting-time-with-him.-in-particular%2C-we-liked-to-drive-along-the-shoreline-of-woods-hole-in-winter%2C-preferably-during-or-just-after-a-storm%2C-and-look-for-ducks-in-the-coastal-ponds-and-the-sea.-the-first-bird-i-remember-being-able-to-reliably-identify-(besides-feeder-birds)-was-the-bufflehead.-my-brothers-and-i-called-them-%22bubbleheads%22-which-seemed-to-make-sense-to-us-because-the-male's-head-looks-like-it-has-a-white-bubble-on-top.-i-still-can't-see-a-bufflehead-without-thinking%2C-%22hey%2C-there's-a-bubblehead%22-and-remembering-cold-winds%2C-a-warm-car%2C-and-time-with-my-father.-- 2020-11-20 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/bill/thompson-iii/snowy-owl/snowy-owl/i-was-out-in-the-front-yard-of-my-family's-home-on-monroe-street-on-the-edge-of-town.-it-was-thanksgiving-break-from-school-and-we-were-raking-leaves-in-the-front-yard%2C-under-the-giant-oak-trees.-i-seem-to-remember-a-slight-dusting-of-snow-on-the-ground.-a-flash-of-movement-caught-my-eye-and-i-looked-up-into-the-heavy%2C-spreading-branches-of-one-of-the-old-oaks-to-see-a-large-white-bird-swooping-to-a-landing.-it-sat-there-looking-around%2C-oblivious-to-the-gawking-humans-on-the-ground-40-feet-below.--what-happened-next-is-a-blur.-i-remember-running-to-fetch-the-chester-reed-field-guide-and-the-ancient-wwi-binoculars-on-our-kitchen-windowsill.-we-identified-the-bird-as-a-snowy-owl.-wow!-i-was-pretty-excited.-this-was-a-cool-bird.--my-family-was-not-into-birds-at-the-time%2C-but-we'd-managed-to-see-a-bird-that-we-knew-was-fairly-unusual.-for-me%2C-however%2C-this-was-the-bird-that-started-me-on-my-lifelong-path-of-watching-and-seeking-out-birds.-it-did-not-happen-all-at-once%2C-of-course.-i-paged-through-the-reed-guide-and-tried-to-find-some-of-the-other-birds.-for-some-i-had-great-success-(northern-cardinal%2C-bobwhite%2C-%22purple%22-grackle)-but-for-others-i-was-to-find-no-joy-(painted-bunting).--the-snowy-owl-is-still-a-special-bird-to-me-and-i-try-to-see-them-whenever-winter-brings-them-southward.--source%3A-birdwatcher's-digest 2024-10-03 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/sharon/sorenson/snow-bunting/snow-bunting/as-a-kid%2C-i-watched-birds-out-the-kitchen-window-at-our-little-wooden-feeder.-since-we-didn't-have-a-%22bird-book%22-and-knew-almost-nothing-about-birds%2C-we-made-up-our-own-names%3A-wild-canaries%2C-red-birds%2C-rain-crows%2C-striped-headed-spatzies%2C-and-that-mysterious-leaky-faucet-bird.-gradually%2C-after-mom-bought-a-golden-guide%2C-we-put-accurate-names-to-birds%2C-but-we-still-knew-nothing-of-phenomena-like-migration.--after-i-married-and-hubby-built-and-mounted-a-wooden-feeder-outside-our-own-country-kitchen-window%2C-i-still-watched-only-casually%2C-noting-the-birds-i-recognized-and-passing-the-others-off-as-unknown-look-alikes.--then%2C-in-winter-of-1975%2C-a-blizzard-hit.-we-were-marooned.-while-i-had-ample-sunflower-seed-and-shelled-corn-in-the-garage%2C-a-serious-shoveling-job-from-nearly-two-feet-of-drifted-snow-awaited-anyone-who-ventured-out.-still%2C-i-cleared-an-area-about-10-feet-in-diameter-around-the-feeder.--but-even-filled%2C-the-feeder-could-barely-serve-a-half-dozen-birds%2C-so-i-scattered-buckets-of-seed-on-the-ground.-the-birds-flocked-in%2C-desperate.-dozens-of-cardinals%2C-doves%2C-chickadees%2C-sparrows%2C-juncos%2C-and-oodles-of-the-unknown-look-alikes-crowded-in%2C-squabbling.-i've-no-idea-what-the-little-birds-ate%3B-their-small-bills-prevented-them-from-cracking-open-shelled-corn-and-sunflower-seeds.-perhaps-they-foraged-among-the-crumbs-from-others'-feeding.-i-didn't-know-any-better.-i-thought-birds-ate-seed.-period.-never-mind-that-different-sized-birds-need-different-sized-seed-%E2%80%94-or-something-other-than-seed.-surely-birds-died-in-spite-of-my-well-meaning-but-ill-informed-efforts.--nevertheless%2C-there-came-the-spark.--one-mid-morning%2C-atop-the-rim-of-the-shoveled-open-space%2C-a-little-cluster-of-birds-foraged-together%2C-almost-as-if-for-safety-among-themselves.-three-were-streaky-brown-with-yellowish-chins%2C-black-bibs%2C-and-startling-little-horns.-horns%3F-weird%2C-i-thought.-the-six-others--well%2C-they-were-almost-all-white%2C-delicate-little-things%2C-unlike-any-i'd-ever-seen.-they-seemed-unreal.---curiosity-aroused%2C-i-scrounged-through-my-feebly-stocked-bookshelf%2C-looking-for-that-childhood-golden-guide%2C-and-thumbed-through-page-by-page%2C-looking-for-matches.-the-perky-brown-guys-with-miniature-horns-turned-out-to-be-horned-larks%2C-%22common-in-harvested-fields%2C%22-the-guide-noted.-but-the-white-ones%3F-oh-my!-near-the-back-of-the-guide%2C-i-finally-found-them%3A-snow-buntings.-birds-from-the-arctic-tundra!-creatures-that-rarely-come-this-far-south%2C-the-guide-said%2C-but-often-flock-with-horned-larks.---and-i-was-hooked.-these-little-guys-outside-my-window-had-flown-thousands-of-miles-from-the-arctic.-that-astonished-me.-i-had-to-know-more.-the-spark!--now%2C-of-course%2C-i've-learned-way-more-about-birds-and-have-seen-both-species-dozens-of-times--along-with-hundreds-of-others-around-the-world.-but-those-two-sparks-ignited-the-fire.-they're-special. 2020-10-04 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/sally/sunderland/common-loon/common-loon/i-experienced-my-spark-bird-roughly-10-years-ago-in-northern-new-hampshire.-we-were-at-my-in-laws%E2%80%99-cottage-on-a-little-lake-for-a-summer-visit%2C-and-i-heard-an-eerie-wail%2C-echoing-across-the-water.-%E2%80%9Cwhat-is-that!%3F%E2%80%9D-i-asked.-i%E2%80%99d-never-heard-such-a-thing%2C-growing-up-in-ohio.--%E2%80%9Coh-yeah%2C-that%E2%80%99s-a-loon%2C%E2%80%9D-they-replied-casually.-the-next-day-i-saw-it%E2%80%94this-gorgeous-bird-with-a-jet-black-head-and-red-eye.-during-that-whole-summer%2C-i-loved-watching-the-loon-dive-deep-into-the-lake-for-fish%2C-sometimes-staying-under-the-water-for-a-minute-or-more-at-a-time.-now-that-i-have-kids%2C-i-love-sharing-my-love-of-loons-with-them-as-well.-we-like-to-watch-it-dive-down-and-see-who-can-find-it-first-when-it-pops-up. 2020-10-03 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/peter/alden/wood-thrush/wood-thrush/my-first-bird-book-was-the-little-golden-guide-to-birds-by-herbert-zim.-i-was-helping-my-younger-brother-david-with-a-5th-grade-teacher-who-asked-every-kid-to-go-out-and-find-30-birds-in-town-(which-every-student-should-do).-we-were-in-a-concord-woodlot-when-we-saw-and-heard-a-bird-i-had-not-seen-before.-flipping-through-my-zim-there-it-was-in-full-color%2C-a-thrush-with-a-reddish-crown-and-bold-black-spots-on-a-snow-white-breast.--our-first-wood-thrush.-i-became-a-close-friend-to-roger-tory-peterson-for-years-and-was-pleased-to-have-his-wife-virginia-say-the-wood-thrush-was-her-favorite-bird.-to-come-full-circle-i-had-lunch-with-herbert-zim-at-the-cosmos-club-in-washington-dc.----i-still-love-hearing-the-ever-fewer-wood-thrushes-and-think-back-to-that-magic-moment-when-we-marveled-at-that-sighting-.-it-triggered-me-wanting-to-see-(and-hear)-every-bird-in-that-little-book-and-dozens-of-other-field-guides-worldwide. 2020-10-03 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/karen/hansen/red-tailed-hawk/red-tailed-hawk/in-the-early-2000s-i-lived-in-watertown%2C-ma.-the-house-behind-me-had-a-split-rail-fence-and-a-massive-oak-tree%2C-and-the-owners-would-be-out-feeding-birds-every-day.-to-be-honest%2C-the-rest-of-us-were-not-thrilled-with-this%E2%80%A6.-the-seed-attracted-critters-and-tons-of-pigeons%2C-who-left-droppings-everywhere.-they-roosted-in-the-oak-tree%2C-which-was-menacing-enough-since-it-had-pulled-apart-at-its-fork%2C-after-crashing-some-heavy-branches-on-a-neighboring-roof.--one-day-i-looked-out-my-window-and-saw-a-gigantic-bird-on-the-fence.-its-legs-were-like-trunks%2C-and-i%E2%80%99d-never-seen-such-a-large-bird-in-watertown%E2%80%94much-less-my-yard.-i-thought-it-was-an-eagle%2C-but-what-did-i-know%3F-i-watched-it-for-30-minutes-until-it-disappeared-into-the-oak-tree.-my-bird-loving-neighbors-said-it-was-a-red-tailed-hawk%2C-and-that-it-was-becoming-more-common-to-see-them-because-of-habitat-encroachment.-it-came-back-a-few-times-over-the-next-week%2C-and-i-was-always-excited-to-see-it.---after-that%2C-i-was-grateful-for-that-tree.-i%E2%80%99d-wake-up-every-morning-and-suddenly-be-more-attuned-to-the-birdsong.-on-weekends%2C-i%E2%80%99d-sit-on-my-deck-watching-the-avian-interplay%2C-discovering-a-new-source-of-calm.-it-was-years-before-i-took-my-first-birding-course.-but-i-never-looked-at-my-yard%E2%80%94or-any-place%E2%80%94the-same-way-again. 2020-10-04 https://www.sparkbirding.com/spark-bird-story-submission/chris/bensley/chestnut-crowned-antpitta/chestnut-crowned-antpitta/i-was-in-rio-blanco-natural-reserve-in-colombia%2C-part-of-a-birding-tour-to-preview-birding-locations-in-the-central-andres.-my-companions-were-two-experienced-birders%2C-nate-swick-and-dorian-anderson%2C-and-they-were-excited-to-have-the-chance-to-see-the-endemic-species.-the-local-guide-took-us-to-a-feeding-area-in-the-dense-forest.-we-waiting-patiently-for-what-seemed-like-an-eon.---then%2C-below-the-bushes%2C-a-bird-darted-back-and-forth.-as-a-beginner%2C-i-didn't-have-the-equipment-to-get-a-good-look.-the-enthusiasm-of-nate-and-dorian-was-contagious%2C-and-when-nate-handed-me-his-binoculars%2C-i-could-see-why.-what-an-odd-looking-bird!-the-egg-like-shape-of-the-body-and-stick-like-legs.-it's-life-was-about-foraging-on-the-forest-floor%2C-darting-back-and-forth.-we-took-photos-and-when-i-looked-closer-at-the-chestnut-crowned-antpitta-i-was-struck-by-its-unique-characteristics.-that-moment-opened-my-eyes-to-the-peculiarities-of-birds%2C-each-with-their-own-features%2C-behaviors%2C-and-sounds.--i-was-hooked.-the-next-day-our-journey-continue-to-a-completely-different-ecosystem.-we-reached-the-high-elevation-of-los-nevados-national-park-and-were-treated-to-another-endemic-species%2C-the-buffy-helmetcrest%2C-species-of-hummingbird-found-only-the-paramo-of-the-central-andes-of-colombia.-i-recorded-nate-and-dorian's-reactions-and-later-posted-a-video.-it-was-an-eye-opening-experience-and-i-was-fortunate-to-have-experts-to-encourage-me.-my-companions-shared-their-stories%2C-their-used-of-ebird-for-tracking-and-listing%2C-and-their-tips-for-getting-started.-but-will-always-relish-the-sight-of-the-shy-chestnut-crowned-antpitta 2023-11-08