Birding is dope

OVERVIEW

Hey, you, come close, and I shall share with you a secret, fervently censored and suppressed by the ODC officer corps. Indeed, it is a blasphemous truth — yet, truth it nevertheless is: there is more to the outdoors than ‘sending it.’ Shred-culture may attempt to convince you otherwise — but when one walks slowly, attentively through the woods (or better yet, sits still in silence) they notice that which asks for no attention; in doing so, their soul exalts and rejoices in a way entirely inimitable by means of shredding on a bike, or sending on a cliff face. The forest is deeply, vibrantly alive. More than just a playground, this is the outdoors that the birders know.

Birding is only partially about the birds. It is just as much about conscientious observance, stillness; it is about the breathless rapture that one experiences in those fleeting moments shared with some living other. The world that birds inhabit is characterized by quiet, and wide variety of living things striving to remain unnoticed. Birds are careful, deliberate observers of this world. Birders attempt to enter into this headspace, or this world, of the birds.

The club has a handful of new binoculars (the one necessary piece of gear for this activity) and I have various guidebooks for anyone who’s interested. We’ll meet up at the Shred Shack and hike to Ohill, where we’ll hopefully find a productive spot, and then sit to watch the action. No skill or prior experience is needed, and I’ll hand out the binos when we meet up at the shred shacc.

Please bring:
Warm layers. You will need to dress warmer than usual, given that we probably will be sitting still for a time
Water