I’ve been rubbing my left shoulder and stretching my neck, trying to ease the pain caused by a recurring birding injury. When I explained to a friend recently that I had a birding injury, she asked if I fell out of a tree. I did not. As it happens, I do a lot of birding in my car, and quite often my spotted bird of prey has passed me by before I can pull over to the side of the road and grab my camera. This means I’m often required to look back over my left shoulder and heft my camera, which is quite hefty, and crane behind me to get the shot. Though I stretch and apply Arnica to my shoulder and neck at least twice a day, the twinges linger. There are occupational hazards to birding. Last month, as I was cozied up to the sea wall at the Watch Hill Lighthouse, I realized moments too late that I didn’t have a shot of the Raptor that was now headed away from me. It was a new bird, so I wanted it. When I flung open my car door, it hit it the rocky sea wall and ricocheted back, landing me smack back in the driver’s seat. Another day, again cozied up to the sea wall, as it was stormy, I had just rolled my car window up when a huge wave came crashing over the wall. I don’t remember why I rolled it up, but the timing was miraculous – my car was soaked. But I was not. Still, I called it a day. Occupational aches and pains not withstanding I still love The Chase. Birding is not without hazard, but it’s worth it. I win!
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