Last year when we were all stuck at home, I started doing long walks around Central Park as exercise. As the spring approached, I noticed more and more people with binoculars always looking up at the trees. Curiosity quickly made me join those strangers and I became a birder.

Birds migrate as season changes. They fly thousands of miles in search of better environment for food sources each spring and fall. Seeing them moving around looking for food or mate was a great pleasure.

Initially, I wanted to take photos of every bird I could get close to. Then, I realized that the excitement of photographing birds actually stopped me from seeing them with great attention. I decided to change course and focused on observing the birds- their spirit, movement, and the lighting condition.

I also decided that I could use some time to practice watercolor, which requires me to concentrate on the activity for an hour or two each time. This series of birds was born out of these decisions. While I do not have any formal art training and skills, I would like to think that each painting captured my encounter with a bird.