I had my first introduction to bird watching while I attended a Mindful Outdoor Guide Certification class in Stockbridge, Massachusetts this past summer. A representative from Mass Audubon gave us a lesson on how to watch birds.
I decided to try out my new skills in October during a family trip to New Smyrna Beach, Florida. I brought along a pair of binoculars and a book from the library, Florida Bird Watching: A Year- Round Guide by Bill Thompson, III.
The night before, I made a list of all the birds that I might have a chance to see. I hoped to watch falcons and hawks migrating; merlins doing high speed aerial shows; ospreys moving southward; winter shorebirds arriving from the arctic, and songbirds stopping in the trees and brush just off the beach.
On Monday morning, just after sunrise, we walked along the beach to Smyrna Dunes Park. We entered through the dunes onto a maze of boardwalk that winds its way through more than two miles of natural habitat. It looked like a good place to observe some of the migrating birds that I had read about in my book the night before.
I enjoyed the easy walk on the well-maintained boardwalk. It has multiple covered sitting areas that makes it ideal for someone with physical limitations (as I have now while I recover from Lyme disease). Unfortunately, I didn’t see many birds.
I decided to try again the next morning.
On Tuesday morning, I had an entirely different experience. I was able to see many birds and other wildlife. I suspect the birds chose resting spots away from humans the day before because the beach was unusually crowded due to the Monday holiday.
I thought about how migrating birds can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual truths. Although birds instinctually follow the paths laid out for them, sometimes they need to make a slight change in course to avoid obstacles.
Smyrna Dunes Park is a wonderful place to encounter God in all his majesty. The winding path on the boardwalk is a reminder that life is a journey — not a single point-to-point destination.
Mary Kaeding