Who am I?

Living in Belgium, actively trying to support 2 small humans becoming the best version of themselves together with my husband. I spend my professional time in the medical devices industry enabling surgeons to give their patients a healthier life.

How I became a birder (because I guess that’s what I am now)

When life takes a turn, it’s your chance to change direction.

About a year ago, I read the book The Song of the Dodo by David Quammen. This book transformed the way I spend my any minute of my free time today.

There is a me before the book: interested in nature but never spent a lot of time in it, growing up as a city apartment child, followed by boarding school and later a university dormitory. My childhood holidays were spent uncovering every single corridor of the major museums of history and warfare in Europe.

When I was recommended this book by a colleague of mine, I was just curious to learn more about island biogeography. As the chapters passed, I became more aware about the aspects of variation in species, dispersion, why the chance that we will ever see the new birth of a large mammal species is highly unlikely and also… what happened to the Dodo.

After finishing the 700+ pages, I became determined: I wanted to see island biogeography and endemism with my own eyes. And I did. Within 4 months after finishing the book, I bought a backpack, a pair of qualitative binoculars, studied the birds of the Indonesian archipelago and found an agency that organised a 3-week tour for me with a guide and a driver through 4 Indonesian islands. It was the most rewarding and eye-opening experience, beyond anything I could have imagined beforehand.

Since then, I strive to spend as much time outdoors as my work and family life allow, learning about birds and wildlife and learning on top how to photograph the beauty I see around me. I try to visit as many nature domains and parks as possible and in my blog I share my stories and progress I make.

Why I share my story

• You can start to appreciate nature and wildlife at any point in your life
• Birding/ ecotourism is not only a hobby for retired people or for those who grew up surrounded by nature.
• If you would have asked 100 people to share a characteristic about me, the words “adventurous” or “daring” or “bold” would never have popped up. If I can do it, anyone can.
• As the number for species that become endangered grows rapidly , now is the time. Enjoy their beauty while we still can.
• Your time is yours, but it’s limited. Just like for all of us. The earlier you make the memories, the longer you can enjoy them. Don’t wait till you retire because maybe you won’t get that far.