In this reflective episode, Bryan and Brad sit back down after their conversation with Kevin Burrell, author of Considering Sparrows, to linger a little longer in the world of birds, beauty, and attention.

From the everyday entertainment of backyard bird feeders to the surge of birding during COVID, they explore how these small, winged moments invite us to notice something deeper. Bryan shares how even a simple sighting can offer a glimpse into the Creator’s design, while Brad recalls a memorable duck hunt in the rice fields of Arkansas—rich with species, history, and the echoes of early birders who once hunted as their only means of close observation.

The conversation drifts offshore as Bryan tells the story of spotting a Magnificent Frigatebird in the Caribbean—a “lifer” moment made possible with a little help from the Merlin app and a downloaded regional guide.

Along the way, Brad and Bryan reflect on birding as a mindful practice—one that slows us down, pulls us into the present, and gently shifts our focus away from ourselves. Whether it’s spotting birds along the roadside in winter when the trees are bare or giving full attention to a fleeting moment of movement, they consider how this often-overlooked hobby can be both restful and eye-opening.

They also celebrate the encouraging return of bald eagles to their region—something rarely seen in their younger years, but now a shared joy they get to experience with their children.

Rooted in their conversation with Kevin, the episode weaves together nature’s metaphors and spiritual insight—from the persistence of a kingfisher to the care God shows even to sparrows—reminding us that time outdoors can lead us not just to observation, but to worship.

In a world that keeps our eyes down, birding invites us to look up—and in doing so, draws us out of ourselves and back into wonder.