Lessons from a Birdbrain: Summer, Ohio

by Laura McDermott, Katie Risor (Illustrator), John Byram (Editor)

Lessons from a Birdbrain combines beginning birdwatching, photography and mindfulness. My hope is readers will encounter a concept or a visual they may have heard or seen before that will resonate differently based on the combination. “When the student is ready, the teacher appears” and I hope that outcome will be encouraged by this book...and/or the teacher is a bird :). How to Use This BookI intend for this book to be read daily for 21 days to help readers create a new habit in mindfulness. This correlates with the length of time it takes for a habit to take hold. I also include a “birding hacks” chapter that covers everything I wish I knew and learned through trial and error about birding and bird photography.Who Is My Target Audience?Ohio residents, beginning birders, young people, old people, and anyone who is open to personal growth will benefit from hearing these simple lessons in a new way.Why Did I Write This?I find birdwatching and bird photography enjoyable and rewarding as a hobby. At first, though, I found it overwhelming. The material I found about birds I encountered in Ohio was extensive. Um, do I need to know how many eggs they lay and what their breeding rituals include to spot them in the field?. So, this book is a beginner’s guide to some of the birds you would commonly see in Ohio.I have also been studying mindfulness and the pursuit of serenity. For me, there are direct connections between birdwatching and mindfulness. When I am outdoors with my binoculars and camera, I have quiet time to slow down, be present and enjoy the amazing natural world. Plus, I get the chance to work through challenges in the background while I break from my normal breakneck pace.So, if you enjoy this book, tell your friends, buy more books, and for heaven’s sake, enjoy this very moment. The present is the gift we have today.“The best way to capture moments is to pay attention. This is how we cultivate mindfulness.” Jon Kabat-Zinn

77 pages, Hardcover

Published October 24, 2021

Reviews

[Cheryl Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a pleasant and educational book! I appreciate learning about things that affect my everyday life... like birds. The author has a witty way of describing each of the Ohio birds depicted, and her method keeps you engaged (along with her inspirational quotes). Every time I see a turkey vulture eating a carcass, I will wonder how long it took the vulture to smell and then find its feast. The pointers about birding are a good way to wrap things up. I am so glad my friend gifted me this delightful book!

[Christy Fenzl · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's voice is both informative and encouraging. I learned a lot about some of my favorite topics: birds (great photos!), mindfulness, and personal effectiveness and productivity. Great stories! Will happily monitor for follow-up books with more seasons and locations.