Why I like birding

Just look at these Blue-and-Yellow Macaws. All bright and colorful and free to move wherever they want to. This is why I like birding.

In Paramaribo I only knew caged birds; the Seed finch and Seedeaters. No one in the city had taught me that there are so many different birds in Suriname. It was also something only men were supposed to do. When I started working in the interior of Kabalebo, 2009, I started to see other birds too; Macaws, parrots, hummingbirds and many more I didn't even knew they existed. 
In combination with books and photography I started to identify slowly but surely the majority of the birds seen in Kabalebo. While writing this, the bird count is now on 348. (only for Kabalebo)

Another reason why I like birding, is because I am fortunate to observe and follow them in their natural habitat. See here for instance a Black-throated Mango with 2 of her nestlings. I was able to observe them until both flew out of the nest.

And don't forget, they are always unpredictable. You can't always depend on nature, so I am always prepared for anything unusual, funny or new. Sometimes you see and hear a lot and sometimes it is pretty quiet and deserted.