Can this please never end?
That was my thought during the final question of my interview with writer and field biologist Bryan Pfeiffer. We had gotten to talking about our favorite birds, and I was having the time of my life. It easily could have gone on forever.
I first encountered Bryan in the pages of Audubon. He’d written an article for the magazine’s 2024 summer issue about bridge cameras. Later that year, shortly after launching Birding with BillBow, I was on the prowl for birding Substacks to follow when I ran into Chasing Nature by Bryan Pfeiffer. I remembered Bryan’s name from the Audubon article, and his publication, though not specifically dedicated to birds, jumped out immediately as one of the most popular and best Substacks on the subject of nature. Thoughtful, playful, philosophical… the work of someone who has spent a life not just working and reveling in nature, but also thinking deeply about it. Reading Bryan’s work isn’t just informative, it’s edifying.
When it occurred to me Bryan would be a wonderful guest on Ten Birding Questions, I explained to my wife Alex that his words had a “sticky” quality unlike any nature writing I’d encountered on this platform. Aside from being beautifully written, Bryan’s articles linger, resonating long after you’ve read the final word. That’s an enviable quality I hope I’m able to cultivate in my own writing.
No surprise—same phenomenon in talking with him. Since our recording session ended last Sunday, I’ve been meditating on all the topics we discussed over the course of our lively talk, including—
Apps vs. books and the difference between identification and learning.
The ways in which birding and the birds have changed over the last half century.
Why a flatlander from Michigan settled in mountainous Vermont.
The tug of war between wanting to save the world and wanting to savor the world.
How he’s remained a boy explorer and life as a smokestack climber, journalist, pot washer, bread baker, firefighter, birding guide, and field biologist.
Aside from his writing, I wanted Bryan on the show because of his almost half century of birding experience, and it didn’t take long for him to flash his veteran birder card—he referenced Roger Tory Peterson’s famed LP A Field Guide to Bird Songs in his very first answer. I was almost tempted interrupt him and pull my dad’s copy from my record collection. I just hope my geeky reaction shines through in the recording.
There’s something about these analog learning tools that can’t be replaced, no matter how sophisticated our phones and their apps get. For more of Bryan’s thoughts on that, read his excellent essay, “The Triumph of the Book in Nature.”
When I extended my invitation to Bryan late last year, he readily accepted, but he also warned that birding was no longer the center of his outdoor life. That was fine with me. I wanted the full scope of his life in nature, including his obsession with butterflies. I was especially fascinated to learn about a little brown butterfly known as the Bog Elfin and Bryan’s decades-long quest to discover the species in Vermont.
Perhaps more than any other essay, it was a recent one, “Birdwatching’s Carbon Problem,” that compelled me to invite Bryan on the show. How can birders claim on one hand to be concerned with birds and their welfare, while on the other hand be so willing to burn fossil fuels in the pursuit of them? I’ve wrangled with this question ever since I started chasing birds, and I wanted to talk it out with Bryan.
Finally, Bryan has a podcast of his own, and he’s generously made his latest episode available for free. Give “A Songbird for Your Psyche” a listen—the opening music is the haunting song of the Black-faced Solitaire, a bird we discuss during question #10 and one I spent a magical few minutes with during our trip to Costa Rica last summer.
When the call ended, I was energized but not satisfied. There was more to talk about, more to think about, so here’s hoping Bryan will join me again on Ten Birding Questions somewhere down the road. Until then, I hope you too find this conversation not just satisfying, but also sticky.
Note—you can access the one-hour gull lecture Bryan references, “Gull Central,” with a paid subscription to his Substack, a great way to support his work and keep him chasing nature for the benefit of us all.
That’s all for this month. How have birding and birds changed over the span of your birding life? Has a curious spirit led you down myriad career paths? Have you had memorable experiences as a birding guide or with a guide? What are some of your most profound experiences outdoors? Comments are welcome, as always👇
Until next time, thanks for listening, and don’t forget to bird like Bryan!
nwb
Enjoy this conversation? Birding with BillBow’s monthly podcast will always be free, but you can help support my writerly, podcasterly, and birderly dreams in the form of a paid subscription (save $10/year by choosing the yearly plan!). As always, 5% of earnings donated to the American Birding Association.
Subscriptions not your thing? Buy me a microbrew instead. I hear they’re fantastic in Vermont. Same here in Pennsylvania.
Not ready to make a financial contribution? No worries! Sharing this podcast is a great and free way to help spread birding joy!
This post was human generated.
Developmental edits by Alexandra Hidalgo.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.