After growing up and living in Minnesota and then at 2,400 feet on MounbtAdams in Washington for a total of 38 years, I love living where it doesn’t snow massive amounts all winter long. I have never had to shovel rain!

That said, I don’t totally love the rain when I want to bird. Keeping binoculars and eyeglasses free of water can be a real issue, as was the case last month when I was hunting for the pine grosbeak at Fort Clatsop.

My husband bought me a terrific hat with a wide brim to keep rain off my glasses and the back of my neck (I don’t like drips down my back and I can’t wear a hood because then I can’t hear the birds!) So this hat really serves a great purpose and makes me look quite dapper as well!

The third or fourth trip out to Netul Landing at Fort Clatsop, was one of the rainiest days we have had at 3.38 inches. As I often do, I was wearing my fabulous hat and binoculars (with a harness — another comfort gift from my loving husband) and holding a handkerchief over the lens of my binocs. It was raining so hard! Visibility was low and I thought my chances of seeing the bird were minimal. But wait, I heard it and there is was only 25 feet from me. I glanced down at my binocs to remove the cover and SPLOOSH, all the water that had been collecting, unbeknownst to me, on my hat flushed over my visual aids. UGH! Luckily the bird was cooperative and hung out until I slipped my camera out, got a few shots and a video! (very cooperative).

I did my happy “saw a new bird” dance, learned a lesson about my hat and for once didn’t mind about being wet!

Five people walked around the north Cannon Beach neighborhood in February. Join the group for more birding adventures in the Cannon Beach area. We meet the first Sunday of the month at the Lagoon Trail parking lot on Second Street at 9:00am. As a group, we decide where the best birding is and bird until about 11. Bring binoculars and wear appropriate clothing. Everyone is welcome! Upcoming dates are March 6 and April 3. Join us!

Also, please mark your calendars for April 9 — the fourth annual North Oregon Coast Birdathon, an event inspired by Cannon Beach’s 12 Days of Earth Day (April 11-22). Together we will raise much needed funds for the rehabbing birds and wildlife at the Wildlife Center of the North Coast. Information on the birdathon can be found on the 12 Days of Earth Day website at TwelveDaysofEarthDay.com.

Susan has spent her life enjoying the great outdoors from the lakes and woods of northern Minnesota, Mt. Adams in Washington and now the Oregon beach environs. After spending many pleasurable hours driving her avid birder parents around, she has taken up birding as a passion, to the mixed emotions of her husband Scott. The Boacs reside on the Neawanna Creek in Seaside where their backyard is a birder’s paradise.