Gratitude Post: In a Big Year, It’s the Little Things

By Cathi Bower

Daniel Bernard and Cathi Bower at Greenbank Farm

Meet Daniel/Danny/Dan Bernard. Earlier this fall, he quietly arrived on our island to find his 126th Washington bird, a Parasitic Jaeger. Back on January first this year, Dan set out from his home in Michigan for a unique type of Big Year, and not just the kind that comes to mind. He created a project for himself which he has titled People, Places, Birds. He's been blogging about his epic journey, sharing the ups and downs and highs and lows, which have included health, auto, and weather issues, as well as meeting all his birding goals.

To follow or support Dan, see his posts at About - People, Places, Birds. 

Actually beginning the trek down in Arizona, he has been crisscrossing the country, following the birds. As of September 23, upon seeing a Rhinoceros Auklet over on the Olympic Peninsula, Dan has now identified at least one hundred different birds in each of the lower 48 states! And he’s done it on a crazy shoestring budget, sleeping in his car and eating out of cans for months!  On top of seeing those 588 bird species this year, a number were lifers, the most recent of which was - drum roll–his final 100th bird of his 48th State, that Rhino Auklet!  

For someone who has been living this way for this long, he is practically shimmering with the joy of it all, full of the many stories of the trip and of his previous young years, and seemingly never tiring of meeting the birders and birds along the way. He’s collected photos of the birds and selfies with the birders, and most have signed his National Geographic guidebook on an entry of our choice. Mine was next to a black Merlin falcon, which we had encountered out at Deer Lagoon during a beautiful fall morning.vDue to the spontaneous, low key and fluid nature of his venture, few of us had advanced notice of his agenda, route, or timing. Dan is still following the weather, and hopes to make a more permanent home among family, possibly as a guide to visitors chasing the special birds of New Mexico.

We’ll be following along and look forward to seeing you again during your ensuing big, small, or average years, Dan. May that genuine gratitude and the birds continue to accompany you on all your travels and all the miles of your life.