Peeps from the President

By Darcy Thomas

Because there is much in this world to concern us, we need to take time to find the beauty and good around us. As my first term serving as Flathead Audubon President comes to an end, I want to share what I have found to be both beautiful and good.

Of course, birds win the prize for being beautiful. That goes without saying. Such flashing color! Such detail in the feathers! I could gaze at a Mallard for hours, just looking at the beautiful feathers! Yet, there is so much more.

Seeing friends who are new to birding increase their skills, as they learn more and more about birds, has been a thing of beauty. They are growing into decent birders and now know what they are seeing. Their gift of discovery has been wonderful to watch. Driving along Flathead Lake has, and always will, taken my breath away, with its mesmerizing waters reflecting the mood of the sky, from vibrant blue to green, turquoise, and steely gray. And of course, Spring blooms and all the twitterpation amongst the birds around us is beautiful. It really makes me smile when I see their breeding displays.

Flathead Audubon has seen a lot of good things happen over the past two years, such as Jess taking off as our Education Coordinator with gusto! Everyone around her feels her good energy, and she has proven how much she has to offer. We have also received some wonderful grants and donations, enabling us to expand our education program, and even have an office space. After years of effort, a conservation easement was placed on the Owen Sowerwine area, protecting bird habitat for the future. That was undeniably a good thing.

During my first term Flathead Audubon donated and installed a bench at Tally Lake. We also began making and selling merchandise, and finding other ways to make ourselves more visible in the community.  We have had great success filling vacant spots on our committees. And we are welcoming new members!

I would love to continue as FAS President for a second term, if you will have me. I have found great purpose and joy in doing this job. It has been my honor, in fact.

I am hoping one more beautiful, good thing will come my way, a special person to fill the FAS Vice President position. That would be the most beautiful gift of all!