The Thing with Feathers: birds and hope with Courtney Ellis

Let's count some birds! Join Jenna Curtis from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Elaine Chen from the New York Times to learn about this important project, how you can help, and what they hope to learn. Links from this show: NYTimes Summer Birding Project ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Merlin Bird ID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠E-Bird⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Other great eco-resources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠iNaturalist⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Seek⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Thing with Fe...

Courtney speaks with Kyle Meyaard-Schaap, an advocate for creation care who came to environmentalism through his faith. (Turns out it needn't be a partisan political issue! Who knew?) Learn where he's finding hope amidst some alarming climate news, small steps we can each take to live more gently on the earth, how to talk to friends and neighbors about stewardship, and the role of curiosit...

Courtney speaks with Nate Swick, digital content manager for the American Birding Association. Hear what first got him into birding, making a living with birds, the birds of Colombia, and what's coming up for the ABA. Plus: have you ever seen a yellow-breasted chat? Links from Nate's show: Nate at the ABA The American Birding Podcast Nate's Books: Birding for the Curious and a Field Gu...

Courtney speaks with Traci Rhoads about her hope of finding middle ground with those who hold different viewpoints, her book Shaky Ground, and the joy of Michigan's cardinals. Links from Traci's show Shaky Ground Not All Who Wander (Spiritually) Are Lost Follow Traci: Twitter The Thing with Feathers is birds, birding, and hope with an obsessive newbie birder and a wide range of experts and...

Courtney talks to Portland-based acquisitions editor and author Paul Pastor, author of Bower Lodge: Poems and The Listening Day about surprising places to find hope, the importance of untamed spaces, and avian nature of hope. Plus: the most charming Stellar's jay story you'll ever encounter. Links from Paul's show: Bower Lodge: Poems The Listening Day Free Birding & Ecology Resourc...

Courtney talks to Wisconsin birder Molly Jasinski about how the grace of backyard birds when you're stuck indoors, the beauty of cardinals, the delight of birding photos, and why tufted titmice seem straight out of the mind of Disney. Links from Molly's show Birds & Blooms Magazine Tufted Titmouse Info and Pictures Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Fol...

Courtney learns from Birding Magazine's Frank Izaguirre about what makes a good bird book, his work with Birding Magazine and the American Birding Association, and the joy inherent within different seasons of birding Links from Frank's show Birding Magazine The American Birding Association Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Follow Frank: Twitter The Thing w...

Courtney talks to Jason Myers about his new poetry collection, Maker of Heaven &, the organization Eco Theo Collective, spark birds, celebrating wonder, and who should get to enjoy beauty. (Hint: it's all of us.) Links from Jason's show Jason's poetry collection: Maker of Heaven & Eco Theo Collective Wonder Festival Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist See...

Courtney talks to Bob Bell about how birding gave him a new lease on life in the midst of a fraught diagnosis, difficult illness, and early retirement. The connections between birding and hope for those suffering from acute or chronic illness. Links from Bob's show Bob's book: Out of the Lyme Light and Into the Sunlight Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Fo...

Co-founder of Field Inclusive, Lauren Pharr, on the importance of increasing access to the natural world to everyone. Plus: the beauty and fascination of the red-cockaded woodpecker. Links from Lauren's show Field Inclusive Red-Cockaded Woodpecker Info Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Follow Lauren: Twitter Instagram The Thing with Feathers is birds, bird...

Courtney talks to Bekah McNeel about birding and better mental health, spiritual metaphors, recovering from church hurt, and the ABA Bird of the Year. Links from Bekah's show Bekah's author website Bekah's book: Bringing Up Kids When Church Lets You Down Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Follow Bekah: Twitter Facebook The Thing with Feathers is birds, bird...

Courtney talks to Janet Hill, professor of microbiologist at the University of Saskatchewan about how to get started in birding, developing a love for the natural world, the joy of spring migration, and the basics of bird photography. Plus: the wonder of magpies (and giant anteaters!) and a bird-banding adventure. Links from Janet's show The Story of Mary the Blue Jay Follow Janet on Twitter Free...

Courtney talks to David Johnston about how to see the most birds (fast!), the connections between mourning and birding, Mississippi kites, and the birds of West Virginia. Links from David's show A History of Birding's Big Year Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Follow David: Twitter The Thing with Feathers is birds, birding, and hope with an obsessive newbi...

Courtney talks to Amy Nemecek about the birds of Michigan and the spiritual practice of reading and writing poetry. Plus, a sweet story about a wren and the encouragement of God from her husband Sean. Links from Amy's show Amy's book: The Language of the Birds and other poems Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Follow Amy: Twitter Facebook The Thing with Fea...

Courtney talks to Dale Gentry about the connections between discipleship and science. Links from Dale's show The Audubon Society Dale's Audubon Page Disciple Science: Connecting People to God Through Nature Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Follow Dale: Twitter The Thing with Feathers is birds, birding, and hope with an obsessive newbie birder and a wide r...

Courtney talks to pediatrician and co-author of "The Good Guy's Guide to Great Sex," Keith Gregoire about how birding keeps him hopeful while doing spiritually and emotionally heavy work. Plus: how clear, thoughtful theology can guide us in our care for the natural world, the church, and one another.  Links from Keith's show Keith's book: The Good Guy's Guide to Great Sex Barrow's Goldeneye Free B...

Courtney talks to Dr. Christy Hyman about the magic of migration, the tenderness of birding in grief, how to spot the most birds, and the fascinating world of human geography.  Links from Christy's show Random Nature Pod Christy Hyman's Website Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Follow Christy: Twitter Instagram The Thing with Feathers is birds, birding, an...

Courtney talks to Susie Finkbeiner about her book The Nature of Small Birds and the interplay between patience, creativity, and birding. Plus: we get a great idea for a t-shirt. Links from Susie's show Susie's Author Website Susie's books Preorder The All-American Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Follow Susie: Instagram Twitter Facebook The Thing with Fea...

Courtney talks to Fernando Ortega about his new book: Fernando's Birds: Photographs and Tales , the place of listening in songwriting (and birding!), his current album-in-progress, and the hope that sustains. Links from Fernando's show Fernando's Website (discography, book, and tour dates) Follow Fernando: Twitter Instagram Facebook The Thing with Feathers is birds, birding, and hope with an obses...

Courtney talks to Paul Foth about the birding church fathers, getting outdoors as a spiritual practice, Eastern Orthodoxy, and all things Canada. Links from Paul's show Paul's Birding Guide Site: Go Pishing! Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Follow Paul: Twitter The Thing with Feathers is birds, birding, and hope with an obsessive newbie birder and a wide...

Wisdom on cultivating backyard bird habitats, what we can learn from nesting studies, and an invitation to join us for the upcoming Great Backyard Bird Count (THIS weekend!) with the brilliant Becca Rodomsky-Bish. PLUS: what should we feed our hummingbirds and what's another name for an American woodcock? Links from Becca's show: The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) Nest Quest Go! The Cornell Lab...

This week: Courtney talks to Tim O'Connell about ecology, conservation, cultural beliefs about eagles and vultures, and Tim offers up the best bobolink impression we've ever heard. The Thing with Feathers is birds, birding, and hope with an obsessive newbie birder and a wide range of experts and special guests. New episodes every Monday!  Links from Tim's show: Wilson Ornithological Society The Am...

Courtney talks to brilliant biologist and author Joan Strassmann about the gifts of paying attention, the under-appreciated blue jay, citizen science, and why mockingbirds might just blow your mind.  Links from Joan's show Joan's book - Slow Birding: the Art and Science of Enjoying the Birds in Your Own Backyard Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Follow Joa...

Courtney talks to Paul Wallace about expansive faith, the gift of wonder, barred owls, and A Bird from the Lord. Links from Paul's show Paul's books - Love & Quasars and The Stars Beneath Us Free Birding & Ecology Resources Merlin Bird ID E-Bird iNaturalist Seek Follow Paul: Twitter The Thing with Feathers is birds, birding, and hope with an obsessive newbie birder and a wide range of expe...

Welcome to The Thing With Feathers! This preview covers the story behind the show, how birds can unite us, Badly Drawn Birds, #ABirdFromTheLord, why Twitter is the best birding social media, and why Courtney is constitutionally unable to replace the toilet paper roll.  The Thing with Feathers is birds, birding, and hope with an obsessive newbie birder and a wide range of experts and special guests...