Hi, I’m Marilyn!
My degree is in environmental science, but I didn’t “officially” get into birds until a couple years later when I was working with the National Park Service in southwest Texas. During that year, I had the opportunity to use the park camera and even documented a previously-thought extirpated species!
I’ve taken both solo trips and traveled with friends or family. I don’t consider myself to be an expert birder. In fact, I really struggle with birding by ear, even in the area I live. I don’t have a fancy camera, but I’ve gotten pretty good at taking photos through my binoculars. Maybe someday I’ll upgrade.
It’s funny looking back on trips I took before I was a birder and seeing how much birds played a role: from photographing a European Robin at the top of Montserrat, Catalunya to a Cometocino Patagónico in Coyhaique, Chile. The direct translation of that by the way is a Patagonian Bacon-eater, aka a Patagonian Sierra Finch.
I’m fully fluent in Spanish – I went to a dual-language elementary school (thanks, Mom & Dad!). I’m considering writing posts on commonly used words, phrases and slang in different Latin American countries. Is that something people are interested in or do we all just use Google Translate? Let me know!
Both in my day-to-day life and when I travel, I always try to minimize my impact by carrying a reusable water bottle, bamboo cutlery, reusable straws, and a packable shopping bag (to name just a few). They’re small things, but they add up when everyone does them!