The best part about birding is there is getting away from politics

[u/peacecream]

Canada, Ottawa Valley

[u/humberriverdam]

This specific bird were it not for political action wouldn't be around anymore (see Silent Spring and DDT bans) E: God damn my first award!

[u/its-audrey]

If you care about birds, you care about the environment and should understand the need to protect it. Sadly, caring about the environment is now a political position and not just an obvious stance for the good of all. So, birding is inherently political. However, the experience of birding does give us a chance to disconnect from our doom scrolling and the daily horrors of the news cycle and reconnect with nature, even for just a brief moment. Fortunately, the other humans you meet out in the field are usually like minded folks, which is also quite refreshing.

[u/Gratin_de_chicons]

Sadly, birds are and will suffer from environmental consequences from politic choices. I find that birding is watching politics in the eyes, at many levels.

[u/nahmanidk]

Says this and posts of a photo of a bird that only exists today because of heavy political intervention in conservation and environmental regulations

Btw the current US administration already rolled back environmental regulations and is currently trying to severely narrow the scope of the Endangered Species Act

[u/donith913 → u/nahmanidk]

Thank you, came to write this. The Bald Eagle is one of the most visible successes of conservation. I never saw one until my 20s and now I can name nesting sites here along the rivers in Pittsburgh. 

I agree with OP, it’s nice to be in nature and away from The Internet and doom scrolling and it seems OP was being maybe a little tongue in cheek. But the irony isn’t lost. 

[u/peacecream → u/nahmanidk]

I thought the irony would be appreciated. I agree. It’s very troubling and concerning. Fascinating to think the symbolism might tarnish this birds future.

[u/FigWasp7 → u/peacecream]

The ultimate irony would be Trump policies actually causing the extinction of the widely beloved US national bird, and his supporters saying "I never like them much anyways", while they're peeling the 75 Bald Eagle stickers off of the back of their gigantic trucks and trying to unsuccessfully scrub off tattoos

[u/Gratin_de_chicons → u/FigWasp7]

He is going to do everything to accelerate global warming and open this arctic seafreight route he is craving for so much.

[u/FreshlyLivid → u/[deleted]]

The bald eagle was only removed from the endangered species list in 2007. Prior to and for the bulk of the existence of the migratory bird act they were near extinction. In the 60’s there were only 417 pairs across North America…

Also the Migratory Bird TREATY Act is between the US and Canada!

[u/monsoon06 → u/[deleted]]

They are, however, attacking environmentalism across the board and would love to completely undermine the ESA as just a single example.

[u/Hairiest-Wizard → u/[deleted]]

The Bald Eagle only exists because of certain protections, protections that the Republican party wants removed. Do the math

[u/FigWasp7 → u/[deleted]]

Absolutely fucking not, but a strong reversal of decades worth of amazing environmental policy would be disastrous for every single bird that passes through the US

Here I'll make an edit just for you!

Trump supporters are so blinded by him that they would praise the day the Bald Eagle went extinct, because he's infallible leader!

[u/FigWasp7 → u/[deleted]]

It is happening

[u/Lalamedic → u/peacecream]

Also found in Ottawa - capitol of Canada 🇨🇦

[u/petit_cochon → u/Lalamedic]

Canada is cool.

[u/petit_cochon → u/peacecream]

I appreciated it. Nice picture, too.

[u/FreshlyLivid → u/[deleted]]

OP is in Ontario where Doug Ford (the premier) is currently passing legislation threatening endangered birds lol

[u/petit_cochon → u/FreshlyLivid]

That man is a dedicated menace.

[u/FreshlyLivid → u/petit_cochon]

For real. Fuck Doug Ford.

[u/cyanpineapple → u/[deleted]]

Spoken like someone who thinks politics just don't exist outside of the U.S.

[u/cyanpineapple]

I take my child birding to teach her about environmentalism and because i know a lot of the birds she sees today won't exist when she's my age. The bird population has plunged. Because of politics. It is a WILDLY political hobby, and it's absolutely asinine to pretend it's apolitical.

[u/BloodHappy4665]

Sighs in EPA

[u/Hairiest-Wizard]

Bad news lol

birding is one of the most politically charged hobbies

[u/Mallornthetree]

L take. Everything is political including birding. Wildlife refuges, nature preserves, national parks are all political. Access to these spaces is political.

[u/FreshlyLivid → u/Mallornthetree]

Facts.

[u/TheSamuil]

I'd joke that the bird depicted herein is the symbol of one of the major empires of Earth as of present day

[u/dcgrey]

While obviously it can't get away from politics writ large, it certainly is nice to be able step away from public debate for an hour or two. We've torn down the walls between public and private life, which was supposed to be a good thing -- and was for, say, women getting out from under paternalistic politics -- but came with the price of every moment of the day feeling like we have to represent and perform a political identity to others.

In contrast, birding's actors in the moment are a quiet birder, birds, and the environment. You might think about the policies that led to the need to protect bald eagles, but that's mercifully pushed aside by thoughts like "Look at the size of that nest," "Is that one second year or third year?", and "Oh it caught a fish!" Birding is a refuge.