As sports were cut off early due to Covid 19 this year, many of us have had to find new things to keep us busy and active.  I shifted back to shooting wildlife pictures. There are multiple benefits. 

• One, it gives me a way to practice shooting moving targets (and let's face it, if I can learn to track a barn swallow, I will be able to follow any athlete.  For the record, I cannot yet track a barn swallow, but I am getting close - still kind of like a blind squirrel with nuts.)
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• Two, it allows me to be out in the fresh air and get some exercise and still maintain social distance from people.  Excercise is good, as I have also worn a path to the refridgerator when I am inside.
• Lastly, it is good for my soul.  I have already discussed being at my happy place, so this comes as no surprise.  
• Still lastly, it allows me to feed another addiction I may have - collecting things.  I do believe I am a closet hoarder whose need to organize also means I generally need all kinds of matching tupperware containers.  But, for *this* kind of hoarding, all I need is my phone or a computer!  
  • Using a phone app and program called "iNaturalist," I can keep track of all things nature that I get pictures of.  This has really upped my game.  

This app/website is also a great source of information. Every time I enter a new photo, iNaturalist helps me identify it and then I also learn a bit about whatever it is.  Never in my life have I learned so much about birds or any of the other creatures I have found.  I strive for new species every single time I am out (There is another article topic here, but I will save that one til next time.).

For now, my new game is using iNaturalist to increase my new species count and learn about nature.  It's my own "Pokemon Go" and I love it.