The Thing with Feathers: birds and hope with Courtney Ellis

Sarah L. Sanderson is the author of The Place We Make: Breaking the Legacy of Legalized Hate. We talk birding in Cameroon, the glory of bald eagles, and what it means to face down hard histories and work for justice. Links from Sarah's show: Sarah's book: The Place We Make Sarah on Twitter Sarah on Facebook Sarah's Website Birding links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠e-Bird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow...

Courtney's husband Daryl comes back to update us on his birding progress, chat about all things natural theology, and brings us the joy of a black-billed magpie. Birding links: ⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠e-Bird⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Thing With Feathers: ⁠⁠⁠TTWF on Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TTWF on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TTWF on Facebook⁠⁠⁠ The Thing With Feathers is produced by Courtney Ellis. Original music by Del Belcher...

Anita Peebles believes that wonder and curiosity are holy practices, that studying the ecology of a community can be a fascinating practice, and that chickadees can be messengers. Join us on this episode of The Thing With Feathers as we learn from this birding Baptist pastor. Links from Anita's show: New Directions for Holy Questions (Anita's book) Anita's website Birding links: ⁠⁠Merl...

Poet Jody Collins has a way with words and a love for birds! Hear a few verses from her new book, "Mining the Bright Birds," and the story of our favorite fan mail yet on The Thing With Feathers. Links from Jody's show: Jody's website & book Birding links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠e-Bird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Thing With Feathers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TTWF on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TTWF on Instagra...

Carol Pope Gordon is a Midwesterner with an eye for capturing the whimsical world of birds. From goofy puffins to soaring osprey, she takes us on a journey into the world of birding photography. Links from Carol's show: Carol on Twitter Carol on Bluesky The famous puffin photo Birding links: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠e-Bird⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Thing With Feathers: ⁠⁠⁠⁠TTWF on Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠TTWF...

Tigers! Tragopans! Tea! Birder and photographer Mohit Mehta reminds us of how birds help us to be present in the moment as he shares the beauties of the birds of India. Links from Mohit's show: Mohit on Twitter Mohit's blog Birding links: ⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠e-Bird⁠⁠⁠ Follow The Thing With Feathers: ⁠⁠⁠TTWF on Twitter⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TTWF on Instagram⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠TTWF on Facebook⁠⁠⁠ The Thing With Fea...

Laura Fabrycky is a theologian and birder interested in finding (and learning from!) the forgotten things. From female birds to female saints, we dive deep into the many intersections between the avian world and the world of faith. Links from Laura's show: Laura's website Laura's book (Keys to Bonhoeffer's Haus) Laura's article, The Birds and the Beguines (Comment Mag) Kenn Kau...

Ecologist Anuj Ghimire has PhD in Zoology with a focus on house sparrows. During his relatively short time in North Dakota he's seen over 500 owls. On today's episode of The Thing With Feathers, Anuj guides us through winter birding, the birds of the Dakotas and Minnesota, and the birds of Nepal. Links from Anuj's show: ⁠ ⁠Anuj on Twitter⁠ Anuj at NDSU Anuj's scholarly work Birding...

Author of Saints of Feather and Fang, Caryn Rivadeneira is a bird of prey aficionado who believes God plants reminders of grace and justice all around. Links from Caryn's show: Saints of Feather & Fang (Broadleaf Books) Caryn on Twitter Caryn on Facebook Caryn on Instagram Birding links: ⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠ ⁠e-Bird⁠ Follow The Thing With Feathers: ⁠TTWF on Twitter⁠ ⁠TTWF on Instagram⁠ ⁠TTWF o...

NYT bestselling author Margaret Renkl takes us through her new book, The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, why "we are not despairing creatures," her views on faith, where she's finding hope, and that story about the mouse in the pantry. Links from Margaret's show: The Comfort of Crows (Spiel & Grau) NYT Columns Margaret on Twitter Margaret on Instagram Margaret on Facebook...

BYU professor Steve Peck reminds us that faith and science need not be enemies. From discovering birding later in life to the delight of curiosity to his book, Evolving Faith: Wanderings of a Mormon Biologist, Steve is a wise and winsome guest. Links from Steve's show: ⁠Evolving Faith The Dance of the Blue Manakin Free Birding & Ecology Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-Bi...

Join teacher and nature journal guide Heather Lefebvre as we delve deep into a surprising spiritual practice. Plus: bald eagles, eastern bluebirds, and reconnecting to the inner child. Links from Heather's show: The Nature Journaler Website Free Birding & Ecology Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-Bird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iNaturalist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Thing with Feathers...

Birding guide Tiffany Kersten shares her harrowing story and how it started her on a mission to help birders create more safety in the field. Links from Tiffany's show: She's Birdie Alarms (And use code TIFF15 for 15% off!) ⁠Nature Ninja Birding Tours Meet the Birding Guide on a Mission (Audubon Magazine) Free Birding & Ecology Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-Bird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Join birding guide Eugenio Garcia on a learning journey about the amazing birding biodiversity of his homeland, what makes a good guide, and the adventure of jungle birding. Links from Eugenio's show: Journey South: Eugenio's Guiding Service Email Eugenio Free Birding & Ecology Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-Bird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iNaturalist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The...

Courtney talks to Rebecca Heisman about her brilliant new book, Flight Paths, including all things migration: from the history of its human discovery, to what we have yet to learn, to the fun science behind bird backpacks and feather isotopes. Links from Rebecca's show: Flight Paths Book Rebecca's Website Rebecca on Twitter Rebecca on Instagram Free Birding & Ecology Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Me...

Author of nearly a dozen nonfiction children's books, Annette Whipple has a knack for drawing people of all ages into wonder. On today's episode, Annette shares her love of owls, tips and tricks to connect with young readers, and how curiosity can be a powerful path toward hope. Links from Annette's show: Annette's books Annette on Twitter Annette on Instagram Free Birding & Ec...

Courtney chats with Dave Conrad, director of the Wild Program at the University of Iowa and pastor of Genesis Church about bird-banding, the hawk that got away, and why leaning into the natural world can have profound consequences for our faith. Links from Dave's show: Dave Conrads at UI Wild Hawk banding at the UI Raptor Program Free Birding & Ecology Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠...

In his 19-years of life, Jodhan Fine has served as an eBird regional reviewer for New Mexico, a co-compiler of NM's NAB regional reports, an author for ABA journals and Western Birds, and a Central New Mexico Audubon Society board member. This Occidental College student is passionate about all things birds and birding! Jodhan and I talk all things birding, including words of wisdom for young a...

Pastor and author of Consider the Birds, Debbie Blue joins us to talk about holy pigeons, being vulture apologists, and the fierceness of roosters. Together we travel from Genesis to Job to the Gospels, diving deep with the birds of the Bible and the kindness of God. Links from Debbie's show: Consider the Birds Book Debbie's website Free Birding & Ecology Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird I...

Courtney talks to children's book author Jessica Whipple about her new book - I Think I Think a Lot - and the many lessons birds have to teach us about mental health. Plus: flurries of snow geese, the delight of ruby-throated hummingbirds, and holding onto hope that makes a difference right now. Links from Jessica's show Jessica's books Jessica on Twitter Free Birding & Ecology Res...

Courtney chats with the man behind The Inept Birder, freelance writer Karl Mechem, on the gift of birding (even when we do it badly!). Links from Karl's show: Karl on Twitter Karl's piece on being an Inept Birder (Audubon Society) More of Karl's birdy writings Free Birding & Ecology Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-Bird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iNaturalist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Thing w...

Author of over twenty books, Patsy Clairmont is a lover of beauty, birds, and words. On today's episode, Patsy shares from her deep well of wisdom on where hope can be found, even in the throes of life's deepest griefs. Links from Patsy's show: Patsy's books Patsy on Twitter Patsy on Instagram Free Birding & Ecology Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠E-Bird⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠iNaturalis...

Aarik Danielsen is an essayist, poet, and pop-culture journalist in middle America. Join us for a journey through birds in songs, from Sheryl Crow to the Beatles Blackbird. BONUS: Check out the curated Spotify playlist Aarik made just for us! Links from Aarik's show: Birdsongs Spotify Playlist (or search "Birdsongs" and look for the list by Aarik) Aarik's website Aarik on Twitter...

Come learn from one of the most fabulous bird photographers out there - Jocelyn Anderson! From the woods and marshes of Michigan to perseverance in craft, we talk all things birds and hope. Links from Jocelyn's show: Jocelyn's website Jocelyn on Twitter Jocelyn on Facebook Jocelyn on Instagram Jocelyn on YouTube Free Birding & Ecology Resources ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-Bird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...

Courtney talks to author Aaric Eisenstein about his books of birding wisdom, his Jewish faith, and finding hope through interfaith dialogue. Links from Aaric's show: Aaric's books Aaric's website Twitter Facebook Free Birding & Ecology Resources ⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠E-Bird⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠iNaturalist⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Seek⁠⁠⁠ The Thing with Feathers is birds, birding, and hope with an obsessive newbi...