Orange-crowned Warblers are so beautiful.

Lifer #243 is a Western Warbling Vireo, a newly recognized species and another step toward my goal of 300 birds this year. The pace has slowed, but with my wife as my spotter and birding partner, I’m still grinding.

Belted Kingfishers

Turkey Vultures

California Sea Lions - Monterey, Ca.

A Purple Gallinule

Long tails are beautiful too.

A visit to a Little Free Library led to an unexpected discovery: a slim book of poetry that had already touched other readers. After finishing it in one sitting, I found myself facing a familiar dilemma. Keep it for my collection, or pass it along for someone else to discover?

Ventura

I started carrying my camera on the passenger seat in hopes of photographing birds of prey during short drives. The gamble paid off when an Osprey landed on a solar-powered traffic camera, reminding me that wildlife often adapts to our world better than we do.

Wilson's Phalarope

Old photographs have a way of preserving more than faces. One image from my middle school graduation brought back memories of fear, pain, and survival, but it also reminded me of a quiet gift from my uncle that became a symbol of hope during difficult years

For more than 30 years, tying my shoes meant sitting down, tying them off my feet, and forcing them on. Last week, without thinking, I bent over and tied one while standing. It was a tiny moment, but one that reminded me just how much my life has changed.

A close encounter with a fearless Snowy Egret produced one of my favorite photos of the week and an unexpected realization. Sometimes all it takes to overcome writer's block is a camera, a bird with attitude, and a willingness to start writing again.

Black-Bellied Plovers

I took this trip to Chula Vista.

So many bluebirds.

Birding Lifers for June

My favorite bird.

Retirement has changed my mornings in ways I never expected. Gone are the alarms, rushed commutes, and constant stress. These days, my mornings begin with coffee, birds, gardening, and quiet conversations with my wife. Looking back, the difference between working life and retirement is striking. Instead of counting down the hours, I wake up looking forward to the day ahead.

During a 2,000-mile road trip across the American West, I noticed something missing: the political signs, flags, and bumper stickers that once seemed impossible to avoid. Whether it signals real change or simple fatigue, the difference was noticeable, and it left me feeling hopeful.

After losing more than 100 pounds, a hotel breakfast in Provo forced me to confront a former version of myself. Watching another diner pile food onto his plate stirred memories, shame, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to never return to where I once was.

I collect lifers.

The Yellowstone experience

Game night!

A visit by Swinhoe's White-eye

Little Norther Yellow Warblers.

Terns at Bolsa Chica.

A review of Pho May in Cypress, Ca.

This little guy was hunting and posing all morning.

A family of great horned owls

Moments in nature

Coffee Shop images

I stop without warning to take photos most people wouldn’t notice. Most of them don’t hold up later. Still, the act of seeing and capturing the moment calms my mind, even when it’s just a photo of a tree.

Beautiful trees

It's nesting season for our local Tree Swallows.

A job offer got me thinking about technical debt, not in IT, but in life. It turns out my garden, my tools, and even my habits carry their own backlog. The difference is, I actually enjoy paying this one down.

I’ve started reviving a neglected garden and quickly discovered two things: it’s more work than I expected, and I’m now at war with pill bugs. Turns out retirement includes weeding, learning, and a surprising amount of bug wrangling.

Little birds are beautiful too.

Matiz Wild Sardines deliver firm texture, light smokiness, and clean olive oil flavor. Not an everyday tin at this price, but an excellent weekly upgrade that feels satisfying, balanced, and worth revisiting.

A quiet Saturday walk at the Shipley Nature Center turned into a slow, meditative outing. Even without many birds, the experience offered fresh air, small discoveries, and time well spent together.

A 2026 music project focused on discovery rather than nostalgia. Using Music-Map, I’ll explore unfamiliar artists, build a shared playlist, and stay curious by moving outward from the music I already know.

My birding goals for 2026 build on a strong first year. With 170 photographed species and a life list that jumped to 205, I’m aiming higher: more birds, more travel, and a renewed focus on photographing every species I find.

The Bird Nerd Project returns with a new challenge: photograph any wild living creature between Thanksgiving 2025 and 2026. With new rules, bonus points, and plenty of friendly chaos, the adventure begins again.

Random shots from random days.

I found this shot terrifying.

A quiet morning at Oak Canyon Nature Center brought few birds but plenty of beauty. Thirteen species, one new lifer, easy trails, and a peaceful hike made the visit worthwhile despite a slow birding day.

The Bird Nerd Project for 2025 is officially complete. After photographing 170 species and learning more than I expected about fitness, photography, and birding, I’m already planning bigger goals for 2026 and beyond.

After losing my old Starbucks “third place,” I’ve started exploring local coffee shops with my son. The surprise has been how welcoming these small cafés feel, and how much I’ve missed sitting down with a good cup of coffee.

A long dirt path cuts between water and stone, stretching toward a horizon caught beneath restless clouds. If feels like a place between worlds.