How many of you are bird watchers?

[Tattu]

Another bird watcher here although I would also consider myself to be fairly casual. I think overall I have a stronger interest in herping but I consider myself just as a generic naturalist. Lol I will focus on birds for awhile then suddenly switch to herps for a few months, then back to birds, and now I am thinking about doing some snorkeling and possibly getting scuba certified. So I am all over the place.

That sounds a lot like me! I was really into birdwatching until around March, but I lost interest once spring arrived. I still take my camera out occasionally, but I need to get back into it more seriously. With winter visitors arriving soon, I won't have any excuses left! I also had a long-running interest in freshwater fish and, at one point, kept three tanks, all set up to mimic different habitats from the Amazon tributaries. As much as I miss it, that hobby takes a lot of time and effort. Plus, my wife wouldn't be thrilled about me filling up what little space we have left! These days, dinosaur toys and action figures are what take up most of my time.

[GnastyGnorc]

Another bird watcher here although I would also consider myself to be fairly casual. I think overall I have a stronger interest in herping but I consider myself just as a generic naturalist. Lol I will focus on birds for awhile then suddenly switch to herps for a few months, then back to birds, and now I am thinking about doing some snorkeling and possibly getting scuba certified. So I am all over the place.

That sounds a lot like me! I was really into birdwatching until around March, but I lost interest once spring arrived. I still take my camera out occasionally, but I need to get back into it more seriously. With winter visitors arriving soon, I won't have any excuses left! I also had a long-running interest in freshwater fish and, at one point, kept three tanks, all set up to mimic different habitats from the Amazon tributaries. As much as I miss it, that hobby takes a lot of time and effort. Plus, my wife wouldn't be thrilled about me filling up what little space we have left! These days, dinosaur toys and action figures are what take up most of my time.

Same I have a few snakes and for a while dreamed I would have a huge reptile room with huge enclosures but now I am having to take serious inventory on what I want to keep for space and money reasons. And also the more animals or set ups someone has makes it more difficult to get outside frequently or go to cool places where you can actually see things in the wild.

[Mellow Stego]

So a few years ago my wife made friends with a Roadrunner while yard working at her parents. The Roadrunner loved the grubs she was digging up so it was out there with her every time she was out there.
She got some amazing pictures of it during that time. Now I just need to find them.

[Halichoeres]

I was in Chicago (well, Oak Brook) for two days for a quick work trip but managed to pickup a lifer in the American Tree Sparrow:

https://ebird.org/checklist/S201713452

@Halichoeres - it dawned on me too late I should have told you I was coming. Oh well, if all goes well, I will be in Chicago (proper) next July for work.

Oak Brook is a hike for me (haven't owned a car in 15 years), but definitely let me know when you're in Chicago!