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| Photo by Steve Nanz |
Dear readers
Its hard to fanthom that fifty years birding have finally arrived. From my first spring in 1975 at age 14, A spectacular male Scarlet Tanager became my spark bird in the shadow of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway in the Wallabout section of Brooklyn.
I remembered that Scarlet Tanager vividly. My mother - still with us- always fetched me to go to the backyard window to look at the bright bird. Most times it was a noisy Blue Jay. But on this particular mid May day, my eyes were mesmerized by the sight of the tanager on the ground. It was no doubt a divine gift a year after my fathers passing in 1974.
Through a lifetime of 50 years birding, I've met many great people and share and heard great stories,experienced tremendous moments ,primarily through the Brooklyn Bird Club that soon became my godsend, eventually becoming its president in the late 1990s,honored in leading the 2009 centennial celebration.
Time flew fast and we only have this moment. So it is with deep gratitude to all who met me and stopped for a conversation and talk about birds. I'll be grateful at my pace to appreciate all the wonderful moments,done multiple bird counts and countless field trips ,remembering past friends as well as current and new ones. But most of all I'll remember my very special bird my Scarlet Tanager setting me on my life's path.
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Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."
— Robert Frost
