How I Became a Birder (with a Big Lens and an Even Bigger Smile)
It all started in the Kruger.
In June 2024, we were on our last day in the park, driving out slowly, when a bateleur eagle landed on a tree right next to the road. I had the Nikon Z50 in hand—a mirrorless camera we’d picked up along with a second-hand Tamron lens off Facebook Marketplace. In that moment, everything aligned. The light. The bird. My excitement. I snapped away like I knew exactly what I was doing.
And somehow, I got it. Beautiful, crisp shots that made me pause and say, “Okay, I need to do this more.”
Hubby and I were sharing the camera at the time, which—as you can imagine—is about as much fun as a child having to share their favourite toy. So not long after, I got my own setup: a Nikon D850 (also found on FB Marketplace) paired with my trusty Tamron 150–600mm lens. The same lens I used that day in Kruger. It’s still a work in progress, learning the ins and outs of DSLR photography while juggling the rest of life—but I’m loving every moment of it.
I’ve officially started calling myself a birder. And while I’m no professional, I do take great photos. This hobby brings me so much joy. It gives me space to step away from the screen, slow down, and soak in God’s creation through a lens.
I’m still learning the lingo—aperture, ISO, shutter speed, focal length, white balance, depth of field, exposure triangle (yes, that’s a thing)—but what I know for sure is this: something shifts in me when I’m out in nature with a camera in hand. And I’m grateful for every bird, branch, and breath that reminds me how good it is to pause.
