Twenty-six years had passed since our team, the Warbler Wranglers, had competed in the inaugural World Series of Birding. Jenny, Peter, Kevin and I had remained friends over time, but distance and obligations did not allow for a repeat performance in this complex of woods, grasslands, marshes and coastline of New Jersey.
Non-birders might find it curious the excitement that builds for this grandest of birding events. Most of us are not professional birders, and many compete only in this event, which has raised over $8 million since inception for the New Jersey Audubon Society.We had decided to lodge in Medford with its close proximity to the Pine Barrens and Cape May. We would work our way north during the grueling, midnight to midnight competition. We planned to start in the southern Pine Barrens, and conclude in the wooded highlands of northern Sussex County. We had two weeks to scout and prepare our 'roadmap' to birding glory...
This post is my installment for this week's Saturday Centus, a weekly, prompted creative writing meme. The prompt is in italics. Please check out the wonderful writings from other students of Saturday Centus found at jennymatlock.blogspot.com...Peace and blessings
A "tweet" story for today! Hope they all find that bird glory.
ReplyDeleteOh I was thinking this was a real bird tale!!
ReplyDeleteI find birds fascinating...though I know nothing about so the thought of being one of these characters was interesting to me.
ReplyDeletewow, I never even knew there was a World Series of Birding. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteGosh - does this really happen? I suppose it must because of the details! I love watching the birds visit my garden but it's nothing like you have there!
ReplyDeleteI must apologize for my writing effort this week...I will say however that this is a real event that takes place in mid-May across the state of New Jersey...and that most of the details are accurate, save that I have never participated...although I think it would be intriguing to do so, especially the scouting part...
ReplyDeletejeff,
ReplyDeleteI'm an avid birder myself, have been for years. The photo is stunning. Oh, and thanks for your kind words about my entry this week. It was a hard one for me.
Oooh...birdies! Love the little twitters and tweeters. My favorite time of day is the early morning out on the deck with a cup of coffee, enjoying morning's chorus!
ReplyDeleteSeriously, Jeff, your story was for the birds! And who would have ever thought of New Jersey as a birders' paradise? I have learned something today! I enjoyed!
ReplyDeleteMalisa
Thanks for enlightening us on the *Bird* get together Jeff...
ReplyDeleteAnd how awesome that they've raised such a great amount of money!
I think, if we could get away from the noise in our lives, we could all learn a lot from our feathered friends.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that this was a real event - not sure that I'd have the patience to wait out the birds!
Fascinating story, Jeff! Like many others, I had no clue these types of activities were happening around us. It's nice that these creatures have such dedicated advocates on their side!
ReplyDeleteYou always have something to teach us, Jeff and I really enjoy that.
ReplyDeleteNow here is an unusual twist on the prompt! Loved it Jeff, and I learned something too. I hope you found your birds! Kat
ReplyDeleteGreat one! Really enjoyed the birding angle.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know there was a competition for birding. How do you win?
ReplyDeleteVery good, Jeff! Love the idea of a briding competition!
ReplyDeleteI love that whole area of the coast Jeff. I appreciate you writing the explanation below the story. I am fascinated by your life and interests.
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