I’m leeeeeeaving on a jet crane…. What do you mean you don’t know when you’ll be back again? For those staying behind, if you're curious about nature and want to learn more about what's around you, birding is a great skill and a fun hobby. Imagine being able to impress your friends when they ask, “Can you identity that bird?”, and you don’t have to respond with, “Yup, that’s a bird.” Amazing! When birdwatching, remember to be patient. While some birds sing and announce their presence continually, your more introverted birds tend to be quieter and blend in to their environments more than others. They might only become obvious when you stay still for a while. Don't be frustrated when you can't ID a bird; the challenge is partly why the activity is rewarding. Umm, that’s a chicken. You’ll get there. P.S. Don't walk with binoculars over your eyes - you could trip! Hawkward! Image: A sandhill crane takes off with a snowy ridge behind at greatsanddunesnps NPS/Patrick Myers #NationalBi...