Nature Journaling During A Lingering Winter
Preparations for the Great Backyard Bird Count
My dearest reader,
How are you? It’s the first day of the Great Backyard Bird Count! Are you participating this year? I hope you saw my email earlier this week in time to make your plans.
I thought it might be important to tell you why I’m participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count this year.
I feel raw.
Blame it on the seemingly never-ending winters in Maine. Blame it on the fact that as an artist I am at a crossroads. Blame it on world and environmental events, watching my mother age (she turned 85 this month!), or any host of factors true or imagined that result from living life. And I feel lousy about feeling this way given I’m okay with no real cause to complain.
So I’m joining the count because nature is healing.
When I immerse myself in an activity like the bird count or nature journaling or just going for a walk and observing my surroundings attentively, I begin to feel the rhythm and balance that is the natural world. It permeates my soul and lessens some of the burdens. I feel included in something large and profound. I’m a tiny dot in the larger fabric of the natural world, but I’m part of the cycle of it and feel less isolated because of that.
Plus birds are fascinating. I don’t presume to know what they are thinking, but the chickadees that visit the feeder this winter are hearty and tenacious even during some serious weather events. They are tiny, plump, and resourceful creatures. It inspires me to mimic their strength and steadfastness.
My Great Backyard Bird Count Prep
This week, I’ve been focusing on prepping for the Count: choosing where I will count, practicing my bird sketching, and choosing what materials I’ll take out into the field - because, of course, I’m turning this into a nature journaling expedition.
In terms of field sketching, the hardest part of working outside in the colder months is, well, the cold. Winters here can be brutal. The air is so dry and so cold that your skin cracks and water-based paints freeze. Mostly I work in my studio from photo or sketchbook references and specimens I’ve collected from my yard.
So any motivation to get out in the field is most welcome!
Where I’m counting
My goal is to get out in the field - for me, that’s Acadia National Park - at least once if not twice over the four days of the Count. I have bird feeders in my yard that attract an array of birds throughout the year - mostly Chickadees, Nuthatches, and Goldfinches - but changing locale may expose me to more species. But on the days I can’t go into the Park, I’ll sit near the feeders to observe and count.
If you are at a loss for where to find birds in your area, here are some resources I’ve found helpful:
The Audubon Society (one of the Great Backyard Bird Count sponsors) has a plethora of information about birding and where to find birds in your area.
The National Park Service (in the United States) also has a section on its website to help you find spaces within public lands to birdwatch.
And, of course, the Great Backyard Bird Count site.
My field kit
When it’s cold I have to adjust what I take with me out into the field because any water media may freeze. It’s going to be in the low 30s (Fahrenheit) and possibly freezing rain, so I’ve decided to take my favorite mechanical pencil (Graphgear 1000 .5mm HB), a couple of Micron pens (.01 in Black and Sepia), and a few of my Derwent Drawing pencils in case I want to add color to my illustrations (they are great in the field because of their soft, natural colors and ability to layer without getting muddy).
I also take a camera to photograph my subject to use as a reference later. I find that my iPhone camera is terrific in most cases. But since I’m observing birds, I’m taking my DSLR with a zoom lens this time.
My nature journal is a small Strathmore soft-cover mixed media book from their 500 series. One hundred percent cotton paper that can handle both wet and dry media beautifully. I like them because they have a sturdy binding and lay flat, and the texture of the paper is lovely - smooth enough to capture detail but with enough tooth to hold onto media.
Winter gear is also part of my “winter field kit.” I wear a lot of wool - hat, scarf, fingerless mittens, socks - leggings under my jeans, a down coat, and a pair of boots with gripper in case it’s icy. I’m not a hardcore hiker by any means, but I like to be prepared!
Something special for next time…
I’m going to try to make a video while I’m out in the field. Keep your fingers crossed that I’m successful (novice filmmaker here). I’ll post it in the Acadia National Park tab at the end of the month.
I am looking forward to getting outside for a bit of birding and nature journaling. Let me know if you are participating as well and we can chat in the comments over the weekend. I’d love to know where you are counting and what birds you’ve seen.
Happy birding!
Susannah