Getting ready for a Birding Road Trip after two years of mainly staying put at home

 In the last two years of pandemic contraints there have been no birding roadtrips for Susan, Jane or me.

My last birding trip was to New Mexico in January 2020 with the Fort Worth Audubon and my birding friends there.  We had several days of super birding in New Mexico.  This was just when a virus was identified in China.  After this trip, our California friends visited with us in Fort Worth.  The four of us went digging for diamonds in Arkansas' Crater of Diamonds State Park.    Then Norm and I drove home from Texas to Ottawa via a stop in Windsor to see the kids.  I was home only 8 days and flew back to Fort Worth to give a hand again.  I made it home back to Ottawa the third week of March via Fort Worth and Windsor stays.  It was surreal coming home.  There was so little we knew about the virus and it was worrisome.  

So now fast forward two years.

It feels weird to be planning a birding trip with the easing rules with respect to the pandemic.  I decided to get my fourth shot, my second booster two weeks ago.  So right now and for the next six weeks I should be at my highest strength of protecion from covid 19.  

At this time there is also an outbreak of bird flu virus so one is advised to not handle any birds in distress or dead birds.  

So I have a couple of days yet before we leave on Thursday.  I wanted to set this blog up before hitting the road.   I have yet to make up a packing list but aside from the binocs, camera and laptop, it will be my birding clothes and jackets for all kinds of weather.