BirdwatchwithLina @linabirdwatchin - Tumblr Blog

From the Shadows to the Skies: My 8-Year Flight 🕊️

They say you have to be quiet to see the rarest birds, but sometimes you have to be quiet just to hear your own soul again.

If you’re new here, or if you’ve been following my journey through the lens, I wanted to pin this post to share the story behind the binoculars. My life hasn't always been about the peaceful "pishing" of thickets or the excitement of a Lifer.

The Broken Wing

At 19, my world went silent. I lost my Dad my real-life hero, my North Star. When he left, the light went out. Things with my Mom became a storm I didn't know how to navigate, and when the weight became too heavy to carry, I lost my way. I turned to drugs to numb the grief.

For 11 years, I was "grounded" in the worst way possible. Those years took my happy moments, my time, and my passion. I was a bird trapped in a storm with no sense of direction.

The Migration Back to Life

Eight years ago, I decided to find my way back. I chose sobriety, but I needed something to fill the silence. That’s when the birds saved me.

Birdwatching became my therapy. There is something about the resilience of a bird like this immature Golden-crowned Sparrow that mirrors my own life. They endure thousands of miles of migration, through storms and predators, just to find their way home.

Where I Am Now

Today, I am over 8 years clean.

Looking back at where I came from. I’m no longer running from the past; I’m walking into my future. My optics are my new way of seeing the world. I’m focused on the beauty that was always there, even when I couldn't see it. My dream is to become a top-tier resource for bird lovers. I want my love for these creatures to be a "savior" for others, just as it was for me.

The Journey Ahead

I am currently navigating this trail as a solo traveler. While I am single and deeply focused on my professional growth, I know that even the strongest birds benefit from a supportive tailwind. I’m looking for a community and supportive souls to join my circle people who value success, vision, and the beauty of a hard won journey.

Success to me isn't just a destination; it’s about taking my dream as far as it can go. Thank you for being part of my flock. Let's see what else is on the horizon. 🔭✨

velvetmasonry

Megaceryle alcyon, Belted kingfisher

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Walking in the woods during the New year season, so many little creatures

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American Robin (Turdus migratorius) and fledgling

New York, USA. June 2016.

4birds-entertainment

Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) and cygnets

New York, USA. May 2016.

2025 brought good birding in some beautiful spots with even better company! Most of these pics are scattered across Northern California, with a few honorable mentions from Madeira, Portugal. Excited for all the birds to come in 2026<3

#portugal #my art <3 #!!! <3 #bird #bird photography #birds of north america #birds of tumblr #california #birds of michigan #urban birding #birdblr #birdlovers #birdwatching #birding #birdies

In honor of my fall field season wrapping up, here are some highlight non-house wren characters that made their way into the mist nets this fall. California scrub jay was a surprising one, though acted as expected (was very loud and squawky).

This semester has been nonstop & I still have a couple more weeks until it feels like I can breathe again BUT feeling grateful for moments like these among the chaos. Sometimes you just gotta touch some grass (or in this case, birds) and remember all the work wlill get done and everything is fine and it not that deep

#california #central america #south america #orinthology #animals #flying #birding #birds of tumblr #bird photography #birdies #birb #birbs of tumblr #birds of michigan #birds of north america #!!! <3 #ok baii #ok bai #ok bai :3

herpsandbirds

Pink-headed Warbler (Cardellina versicolor), family Parulidae, order Passeriformes, Guatemala

photograph by ignacio_yufera

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✨its her✨

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(x)

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@c0rpseductor

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I went from "could you stop moving?" to "oh, yeah, do that" pretty quickly there.

Graureiher (grey heron) am Max-Eyth-See, Mühlhausen.

ostdrossel

It is nuthatch season, and this fall and winter, the Red-breasted Nuthatches are visiting again. they are feisty little birds that are a lot of fun to watch and listen to (think beatbox), and they love the peanut butter on the tree. They are not very shy of humans either, you can try to hand-feed them in your yard. The males have the black cap, the females are a bit lighter, more grey. No music because their bickering and screeches are fun too.

spinus-pinus

Common Raven Corvus corax

1/21/2024 Orange County, California

5 posts!

#5 posts #tumblr milestone

There is something hauntingly beautiful about the "Old World" giants this time of year. While most birds are heading south, the Cinereous Vultures (also known as Monk Vultures) are standing their ground in the mist-covered mountains of Iberia.

I captured these shots recently, and looking at them, you can see why they’re legendary. That thick ruff of feathers isn't just for show it’s survival gear for the high-altitude chill.

This Season’s Avian Highlights:

🇪🇺 Europe: Look for these vultures in Monfragüe, Spain. Also, keep an eye out for the "Butterfly of the Rocks" the Wallcreeper descending into the valleys.

🇺🇸 USA: The "Ghost of the North" (Snowy Owls) are currently being spotted across the Great Lakes, and the Sandhill Cranes are turning New Mexico skies into a symphony.

Nature doesn't sleep in the winter; it just gets more dramatic.

#vulture core #nature asthetic #birding #birds of north america #birds of tumblr #orinthology #winter 2025 #wildlife photography #wildlife

Hello fellow bird enthusiast! It’s a thrill to share the highlights of this season's avian wonders. Looking at the photos i shared, i’ve captured the Cinereous Vulture (also known as the Monk Vulture). These "Old World" giants are among the heaviest flying birds in existence, and seeing them up close is a bucket-list moment for any birder.

As we move through the winter of 2025, the landscapes of Europe and the USA are offering some truly spectacular sightings. Here is a guide to what’s rewarding right now.

In Europe, winter is the time of the "Raptor and the Waterbird." The Cinereous Vultures you photographed are currently stars of the show in the Mediterranean.

The Cinereous Vulture (Spain & Portugal): These majestic birds are often spotted in the Monfragüe National Park in Spain or the Guadiana Valley in Portugal. Their "monk-like" ruff of feathers clearly visible in your photos is a key identifier.

The Wallcreeper (Spain/France): Known as the "Butterfly of the Rocks," this elusive crimson-winged bird descends from the high Pyrenees to lower limestone cliffs in winter, making it much easier to spot.

The Kingfisher (Northern Europe): While many flee the cold, the Kingfisher stays near open water. Their electric blue against the frosty banks of Polish and German rivers is a flash of pure magic.

🇺🇸 USA: The Winter Spectacles

Across the Atlantic, the "Flyways" are in full swing, bringing millions of birds into warmer refuges.

The "Fly-out" at Bosque del Apache (New Mexico): If you want drama, this is it. Tens of thousands of Sandhill Cranes and Snow Geese take off at sunrise, turning the sky into a living, honking cloud.

The Ghost of the North (The Great Lakes): Keep your eyes peeled for Snowy Owls. They have been moving south into Minnesota and Michigan this season, perched like white statues on fence posts and rooftops.

The Rare Roseate Spoonbill (Florida): In the Everglades, the water levels are dropping, concentrating these pink, "shovelful-beaked" beauties into easy to see pools.

linabirdwatchin