We all know what it means when a person is being described as having a beautiful soul. But which euphemisms can be used to cover up some of the appalling experiences birders face all the time? Here are ten of them.
- “This trip was not about birds”
I did not get to see any interesting birds whatsoever. - “A historically interesting site”
Used to be amazing. Now it’s a parking lot. - “An opportunity to practice naked-eye skills”
Forgot to bring my binoculars. - “A full sensory experience”
Sweat, leeches, mosquitoes, and the smell of stagnant water. - “An auditory encounter”
Only heard the bird, wish I had seen it as well. - “An exercise in patience”
Waited forever. The bird did not show up. - “A learning opportunity”
Did not get to see the bird. Later understood why. - “An enthusiastic beginner moment”
A sighting of a snowy owl that turned out to be a plastic bag. - “Community engagement”
Saw the bird for a moment. Noisy birders arrived. Bird vanished. - “A character-building moment”
Everybody saw the bird except me.
Photo: Nanhui, Shanghai (see list item no. 2)
Kai has lived in Shanghai for 22 years. He only started birding after moving to China, so he is far more familiar with Chinese birds than the ones back in his native Germany. As a birder, he considers himself strictly average and tries to make up for it with photography, which he shares on a separate website. Alas, most of the photos are pretty average as well.
He hopes that few clients of his consulting firm—focused on China’s chemical industry—ever find this blog, as it might raise questions about his professional priorities. Much of his time is spent either editing posts for 10,000 Birds or cleaning the litter boxes of his numerous indoor cats. He occasionally considers writing a piece comparing the two activities.
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