I'm not exactly a tree hugger (although have been known to give one the odd pat, or thank it for being there) but when someone asked me years ago 'What makes you happiest" I blurted out the answer "Being in the bush" without any thought or consideration. If I'd thought about it I'd probably have struggled to come up with an answer. It was an answer to myself that I've never forgotten, & the amazing thing is that it absolutely true.
Having taken up bird-watching & photographing as a bit of a hobby, I can only agree with the findings of the research published in 'Nature'. Non bird lovers may well s mirk, but seeing a new, not before seen bird is something I get quite excited about & the opportunity to observe birds to learn something of their behaviours & routines is a privilege, (just as any relationship with any animal is). But more than anything bird watching is just a fantastic reason for getting out into the bush.
If I need cheering up nothing beats a walk in the bush.
-- Edited by Cuppa on Saturday 14th of January 2023 08:04:47 PM
Bicyclecamper said
07:36 PM Jan 14, 2023
We are lucky Cuppa, we are in a bird flight path when they are heading south or back north, plus we live in a tiny village and our house is right in a secluded bush spot on the side of a hill, on the very edge of the village with wildlife and birds aplenty. Inside and outside you can hear them, does wonders for us
86GTS said
05:09 AM Jan 15, 2023
Excellent post Plain Truth, we're waiting for the school holidays to finish as well, we're heading off to Gippsland soon.
We've always felt that being out in the bush replenishes the soul. Some folk call it being ''in the middle of nowhere'', we call it being ''in the centre of everything''.
As you know we are birding enthusiasts but we have always been quite casual about it. We've never gotten mixed up with birding fanatics.
Birding circles are full of snobs/nerds that think that think they know it all. They can be a real pain in the ar$e & totally boring.
Thats interesting PT, we've see Mallee Ringneck Parrots & Spotted Pardalotes nesting in power poles. That tool would save a lot of mucking around with nesting boxes.
Ivan 01 said
07:58 PM Jan 15, 2023
I wake up every morning to the sound of a variety of birds starting their day as well. It is very relaxing and therapeutic.
Thank you 86 (Keith) for your pic, and here I thought those prefects were extinct.
Can't wait till the schools go back and things go quiet again in the camping spots,back to nature.
I'm not exactly a tree hugger (although have been known to give one the odd pat, or thank it for being there) but when someone asked me years ago 'What makes you happiest" I blurted out the answer "Being in the bush" without any thought or consideration. If I'd thought about it I'd probably have struggled to come up with an answer. It was an answer to myself that I've never forgotten, & the amazing thing is that it absolutely true.
Having taken up bird-watching & photographing as a bit of a hobby, I can only agree with the findings of the research published in 'Nature'. Non bird lovers may well s mirk, but seeing a new, not before seen bird is something I get quite excited about & the opportunity to observe birds to learn something of their behaviours & routines is a privilege, (just as any relationship with any animal is). But more than anything bird watching is just a fantastic reason for getting out into the bush.
If I need cheering up nothing beats a walk in the bush.
-- Edited by Cuppa on Saturday 14th of January 2023 08:04:47 PM
Excellent post Plain Truth, we're waiting for the school holidays to finish as well, we're heading off to Gippsland soon.

We've always felt that being out in the bush replenishes the soul. Some folk call it being ''in the middle of nowhere'', we call it being ''in the centre of everything''.
As you know we are birding enthusiasts but we have always been quite casual about it. We've never gotten mixed up with birding fanatics.
Birding circles are full of snobs/nerds that think that think they know it all. They can be a real pain in the ar$e & totally boring.
We enjoy finding/photographing animals, reptiles, insects, native plants & orchids too.
We have field guides to ID what we've encountered. Knowing what's around us gives us a greater appreciation of the bush.
Both of us are keen fishermen & we love catching Yabbies.
We love being out there, even just sitting around the campfire with a glass of wine reading a book.
Meanwhile I'm sorting through my tackle box & servicing our reels.
Might see you out there one day.
-- Edited by 86GTS on Sunday 15th of January 2023 05:45:14 AM
This article might interest you. N.S.W. National Parks has a new tool for creating tree hollows for nesting birds.
I wake up every morning to the sound of a variety of birds starting their day as well.

It is very relaxing and therapeutic.
Thank you 86 (Keith) for your pic, and here I thought those prefects were extinct.
The one in the photo certainly is.