Dear Friends,

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a year since I embarked on the journey to write my book, Flight through the Seasons: Discover Birding and Photography on Hilton Head Island. This book has been a labor of love, inspired by the incredible natural beauty and birdlife of the Lowcountry. If you’d like to learn more about what inspired me to write it, I invite you to check out my blog post.

Upcoming Event:
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ll be speaking at the Coastal Discovery Museum on Saturday, February 1, 2025. My presentation, Introduction to Lowcountry Birds, is in partnership with Hilton Head Audubon.

Click here to learn more and register or visit www.hiltonheadaudon.org/events.

A Cultural Birding Adventure – New Blog Series
This past year, I had the opportunity to explore the birdlife of Colombia, where birding, photography, and cultural immersion came together in a truly transformative experience. I’ve shared my journey in a three-part blog series below.

Backyard Birding in Winter
Inspired by the natural and rustic bird perches I saw in Colombia, my dear friend Lucy helped engineer a unique perch for our backyards. Long story short, she enlisted a talented carpenter from Asheville, NC, who used wood from trees felled by Hurricane Helene on the Biltmore Estate to create this special perch.

The carpenter came to our homes to construct it, notching little areas in the back of the logs to hold seed and bark butter. The birds love it—especially the Pine Warblers and Yellow-Rumped Warblers. Red-bellied Woodpeckers enjoy climbing the pole to reach the perches. It’s more than a feeding station; it’s also a perfect resting spot. Watching the birds interact with it has brought so much joy to my winter backyard birding.

Exploring Creativity with the Meyer-Optik-Görlitz Trioplan 100 f2.8 II
I recently added a new tool to my photography kit: the Meyer-Optik-Görlitz Trioplan 100 f2.8 II. Known for its distinctive soap bubble bokeh, this lens challenges me to rediscover the artistic soul of photography.

The lens is most striking in situations with an open aperture (f2.8) and backlight, where it creates sharp-edged soap bubble bokeh. It also excels in close-up photography with an extension ring, producing an incredibly fine resolution and amplifying the bokeh effect. I’m excited to explore its potential, from traditional bird photography to creative landscapes and nature shots.

I’ve already begun experimenting with this lens, using it to create abstract landscapes and test its capabilities close-up. One particularly memorable experience came after a coastal storm: with a windy day, choppy tides going out, and water up to my chest, I knelt in the shallows as Snowy Egrets came to feed. These graceful birds ventured within a few feet of me, allowing me to capture dreamy, ethereal images of them. The photographs have a completely different feel—soft, artistic, and filled with a sense of tranquility that reflects both the lens and the moment.

Story Behind the Image: Marbled Godwit
Today’s featured bird is the Marbled Godwit, one of the stunning overwintering shorebirds found on the mudflats of Hilton Head Island. I captured this image on a gray day as the tide began to recede. The Godwit, with its gorgeous plumage, was preening—an elegant pause amidst the rhythm of feeding and bathing that I often observe among shorebirds like Godwits and Willets. The soft, nondescript background of water and sand beautifully highlights the bird in this serene moment.

A Heartfelt Thank You
To everyone who purchased my book, attended one of my talks, or visited my website—thank you. I’m so grateful for the support and the wonderful new friends I’ve met along the way. It’s been especially rewarding to introduce new birders, including families with young children, to the amazing variety of birdlife here on Hilton Head Island.

Looking Ahead to 2025
I’m excited to share my upcoming adventures with you:

Spring: Searching for White Herons and warblers in the mangroves of the Florida Keys and exploring Blue Cypress Lake in Florida with Eric Horan.

Summer: Spending time in southern Appalachia and the mountains of North Georgia.

Fall: Embarking on a road trip to the southwest with extended stays in Santa Fe and Durango San Juan mountains.

Stay tuned for stories, photos, and reflections from these journeys.

Thank you for being part of this community. I look forward to sharing more about the birds and nature of the Lowcountry—and beyond—with you in the coming year.

Warm regards,
Patty

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