December 9, 2025 • 16 mins
Maria chats with author and co-founder of the BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, Dexter Patterson, about his book Birds of the Great Lakes! A "mighty book" as Dexter calls it filled with photos, info, and fun facts about birds of the Great Lakes, many of which can be seen across the country!
It's a perfect stocking stuffer!
Learn about Dexter, birding, and more plus you can get the book too at WISCOBIRDER.COM.
It's a perfect stocking stuffer!
Learn about Dexter, birding, and more plus you can get the book too at WISCOBIRDER.COM.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
It's Maria's MutS and Stuff.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
What a great idea. On iHeartRadio, Welcome to Maria's Mutts
and Stuff. And with me is Dexter Patterson, who is
the co founder of the Bypoc Birding Club of Wisconsin
and the author of the most Adorable Informative. I love
this book, Birds of the Great Lakes, So Dexter, thank
(00:28):
you for taking some time out. I really do love
this little book because it's physically little. So this is
this your first book, by the way.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
It is, wow, my first book. I always tell people
it's small but mighty.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Yes, that little book is over three hundred and sixty pages.
Yeahs over one hundred and fifty different birds from forty
different bird families. So yeah, it is meant to be
small but mighty and in a campaign.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yes very much, Yes, it very much is. And I
just love the fact that it's you know, it gives information,
and it gives a fun fact about birds about that
particular bird. I mean the fact that it is birds
in Wisconsin. But I mean, like, I live on the
East Coast and it has taught me a lot because
(01:22):
I see many of these birds where I am, so
you know, I mean It's not just for someone who
is living in Wisconsin. I feel like this could be
for anyone. And I think we all really do need
to appreciate birds more because I think sometimes they get
taken for granted.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
They do.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
We're not promised to have them, you know. So I
think a lot of times people don't think about the
loss of birds that we've had over the last fifty years,
the loss of habitat. I mean, at one point, the
passenger pigeon was the most dense populated bird in the world,
and we.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
No longer have that bird.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
I always tell people we have to appreciate the birds
that we have, and we have to do some work
to make sure that they're still here for generations to come.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Absolutely, and I think that your book is like a
stepping stone in helping people to appreciate the.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Birds it is. You know, I'm a firm believer. You know,
my grandpa always told me the best advice I've ever
gotten in burden was from my grandpa. I used to
just pay attention, because it's amazing, Maria, what we see
when we just pay attention. That's right, It is mind blowing.
You're just like, wait a minute, all these birds have
been around me the whole time.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
That's right. No, that's right. It's so true. No, it's
so very true because I feel like, well, I think
the way people are because there's so much like overstimulation.
I don't think people pay attention to anything, you know,
let alone birds, just because of their attention span. But
I feel like the easiest and most simplest exercise in
(03:00):
the world is to go for a walk outside. Right,
It's something we can all do. And I think if
you just pay attention, like you know, like your grandma
told you. But what's common sense? Uh, there are so
many different like I think, if you pay attention and
really take it in. And I mean you can tell
me there are so many different sounds, meaning so many
(03:22):
different birds.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Yeah, and when you're taking that walk. I like to
do this, you know, when I go out in the morning,
I don't bring any devices or anything. I'm walking, walking
my dog Teddy, and I'm just activating my conscious mind
early in the morning, right, and simply breathing and looking
around and listening, like you said, And it really does
(03:46):
set you up. The research is clear just being outside
is good for you. That's right, right, you're getting getting
that vitamin D from the sun. You're hearing water running
and bird call, and you're getting fresh air and your
you know, and it's really good for you. And I
always tell people that birds bring me so much joy.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
And value in my life. But there are three main
buckets that.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
I say are game changers. And that first one is
mental and physical health benefits. It's just as good for you,
it makes you feel better. That next one is this
idea of understanding your place in the environment and understanding
your connection to everything around you, and paying attention does
that as well, because you start to realize that you
(04:32):
are literally just one piece of this giant, beautiful puzzle
we call the world's right.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
And that last one is community and connection to people.
I can't tell you how many just wonderful people I've
been able to meet through birding, through hiking, just being
in nature. Some of my best friends I've met through birding,
some of the nicest people I've met, what I like
to say, in the wild. So those three buckets are
(05:02):
game changers for me.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yeah, No, that's huge. So were you always into birds,
like from when you were a little kid.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
I was, you know, And I always tell people I
always liked them, I just never gave them.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
I never gave them the attention they deserved. I'd been like.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Red bird, bluebirds, right bluebirds, right, black birds.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
You know, I didn't care what bird it was. But
my grandpa was a birder. He had bird feeders and
he had binoculars, so I kind of knew what it was. Sure,
So as I started getting older, I started to pay
more attention, and I started learning their names and really
wanting to know more about the birds that.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
I was seeing. And the rest is kind of history.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Sure, No, I think it's terrific. I think it's terrific.
How long did it take you to put this whole
book together? Like, to do all the research and put
everything together?
Speaker 1 (05:51):
You know, I was kind of lucky the photography. I've
been taking pictures of birds for quite a while, so
I had a lot of pictures already, so that was
a blessing. I'd say, as far as the research and
putting putting it together, it was about a little over
a year for me.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Okay, that's not bad at all. And honestly, the fact
that you took all these photos, I mean, the photos
are stunning. That's you know, you're very multi talented. No,
for real, these are like, these are all your photos.
These are beautiful photos.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I think the photos and the fun facts are are
the way that I really wanted to hook people on
these birds. The fun facts in particular. I feel like
when you can give somebody that fun fact about a bird,
is gonna they'll remember.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
That that's true.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
They can remember that, they can remember.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
The bird that's true.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
So that was that's kind of the philosophy I took
with that.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
No, that was a really good idea because that's the
favorite that's my favorite part of the book, or all
the fun facts, because I felt like I learned so much.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
You know, and then you're just like, birds do that right?
Speaker 2 (06:58):
No, it's true, it's I mean, there was one. It
was I believe it was a crow that doesn't screech.
I just I don't know why that stood out in
my mind from like months ago when I read the
book about a crow that doesn't screech, and it's like, well,
you always think crows screech, but no they do not.
That's a fun fact. That's so funny. It's great though.
(07:19):
Well I think it's also I mean the fact like
you say it is small, but it's mighty. And you know,
it's that time of the year when we're all looking
for stocking stuffers. Your book is perfect. It's really perfect.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Oh yeah right, Yeah, it's meant to fit in your
pocket or your little hoodie pocket or back pocket.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
Yeah, so it will fit nicely in a stocking.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
That's true. And like I said, it's not just if
you are in with the Wisconsin area. I believe, you know,
for people who are living rather listening nationwide. Wherever you're
living is what I was thinking. I think this book
is perfect. And I think also, I mean I live
in a city, so the fact that you live in
a city, I still see plenty of these birds. You know,
(08:05):
I live in New York City, so I see these birds,
and I think, wherever you are, this book is like
the perfect little companion.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Yeah, the great I mean, when you think about the.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Great Lakes region as a whole, it is a vast area, right, so,
so a lot of these birds, and with migration and
different things, no matter where you might be, a lot
of these birds in this book you probably have a
good opportunity to see. And some of them may just
encourage you to come visit us. In this in these
(08:35):
neck of the woods.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Well, that's true, right, because I'm sure there are birds
in this book that are just in that area of
the Great Lakes.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Never, it may be some if you're on the West
coast or you're on the East coast.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
That maybe you don't see them as much. Sure, if
you do see it, it's more of a rarity, right.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
So, yeah, there are definitely some birds in there that
are unique to the region.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Sure, No, I think I think it's too horrific. What
was your favorite part of this book? Like do you
have a favorite or of the book, as well as
do you have a favorite bird?
Speaker 1 (09:08):
You know, Maria, people ask me that question a lot,
and I always tell them picking a favorite birds like
picking a favorite kid.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
I knew you would say, oh my goodness, okay, and
a dog. So that's like you have five kids, right exactly. Yeah,
Oh that's so funny. I so knew you were going
to say that too.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Yeah, it's hard, but yeah, one birdy.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
I always tell people there's one bird that really kind
of they call it your spark bird.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Okay, this bird that you see or an encounter with
the bird that kind of likes that fire in you
makes you want to pay attention more, get you to
pay attention, And for me, it was the osprey okay,
And I.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Remember just this is kind of when social media videos
were taken off, and I was watching this video of
this bird.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
At the time, I had no clue what it was, okay,
and it's flying.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
It's fast that I have ever seen a bird fly
from the sky and it's flying directly towards the water.
And I was just kind of like, you know that
the emoji on your phone where your head's blowing up.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Uh huh, yes, yes, that was.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Me because I was watching this bird and I was like,
what is happening. I mean, I was literally glued to
the screen and I'm watching this game closer and culser
and closer to the water, and eventually it hits the
water and it's completely submerged.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
I'm like freaking out.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Sure, I'm like what, I'm.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
Like, birds do this stuff like similar to the fun Facts.
I'm like, this is crazy, Like this bird is crazy
and it's completely submerged, and I find myself getting a
little anxious, like this bird's.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Gonna drown of course, yeah, yeah, And.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
All of a sudden, it's little osprey head pokes out
of the water, and.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
I was like, oh, oh, so relieved. Yeah, it's not
it's not dying, gonna die. No, it's wings come out
of the water and it starts flapping its wings and
flapping its and it flies away. Maria holding a huge fish.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Wow, I was done. I was done like that that moment. Sure,
what is that bird?
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Right?
Speaker 3 (11:09):
I need to know what that bird is?
Speaker 1 (11:11):
And I was like, I want to know as much
about that bird and every other bird possible.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
That was the day I became a bird nerd.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Well, no, I get it. I get it because I
mean I would be fascinated by that too. Here you're
you probably thought the bird's gone, right, drowned. What are
you doing in the water? You're a bird, right, yeah, what.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
Are you doing?
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Like?
Speaker 3 (11:29):
What is wrong with you?
Speaker 1 (11:30):
Right?
Speaker 2 (11:31):
That's fascinating those But I love the fact that you
have that. So it's okay to say that that one
is kind of your favorite. It's okay. It's not like
choosing one of your kids or your dog. It's totally okay.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
I just say, don't tell the yellow headed blackbird.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
That, don't tell the snow we aw, don't tell the
blackbirding and warbler.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
I want them to.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Still like me, right, and well, they love you and
they don't communicate that that precisely right, Yeah, they you
never know, you never know.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
You good luck with the birds, you know, I just
you do. I want to keep that energy.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
No, I get it right, Yes, I get that. It's
like having you have the good juju they say with
the birds. So no, they're not going to write you out.
Don't worry about it. I think you're still good. I
think you're good. So all right, trust me on this one.
I haven't in with the birds. I'll make sure you're good.
So I know, like you said, it took you about
a year and this book is still pretty new. But Dexter,
(12:28):
you have another book thinking about or like, what's your
next project?
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Yeah, I'm actually I am working on book two.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
So I've started that and it.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
Will be called bird Joy and it's going to be
more memoir based and really kind of telling my bird
nerd journey and how birds have been a part of
my life since Little Decks all the way up to now.
I'm really excited to kind of tell that story and
show how birds have shaped and influenced my life along
(13:02):
the way.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Wow, I love it. And when do you think I mean,
like a projection, when do you think you might be.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
I would say, I'm looking to get the first submission,
the first draft turned in this summer. Okay, so maybe
fall of twenty.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Seven, oh okay, okay twenty seven or twenty six, twenty seven,
twenty seven, yeah, because it takes me.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
It takes them about a year or of course.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
To do all the make it look pretty and get
all everything situated. So yeah, I would I would think
fall twenty seven is realistic.
Speaker 2 (13:37):
Well, I love it. I love it. I mean we'll
definitely be talking again when that one comes out. But
that's good. I love that you're you're working on that.
So and I think this is probably you know, a
no brainer question and answer. But what would you say,
in your experience, is the biggest threat to birds period?
Speaker 3 (13:58):
It's us?
Speaker 2 (13:59):
Yeah? Cool, I knew you'd say that. Yeah it is.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Yeah, you know, it's us not understanding that we're just
one piece to the puzzle.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
Sure, and not having not having.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
That environmental awareness and knocking down trees and destroying their habitats.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Sure, you know, littering everywhere and.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Over hunting, and it's just there's so many things that
we do as human beings where we just we cause
a lot of problems and for our for our little
feathered friends, we are definitely definitely an issue.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Yeah, no, I get that because you know, humans, we
think that we're all that, and uh we're not. You know,
we can all live together and be happy together, and
we need our birds just like we need insects and
I think everything else that's in nature.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Yes, yeah, yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Yeah, so I guess I mean for someone who's listening
now and we're not being critical of you, but since
we're all a little bit guilty, but just I guess
it's like, be mindful of what you do. And you know,
if you but fertilize, are down and stuff like that,
like just be mindful.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Yeah, A lot of people don't think about, you know,
the little things that we can do to.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Make a difference.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
They all matter, and it's not we're not asking people
to drastically change their lives or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
But sure those little things. You know, if they say
power comes in.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Numbers, that's right, that's right. Yeah, it takes a village,
So do in little little spurts here and there, Like
we can all take a part in it and protecting
and saving our birds. So Dexter, tell me where can
my listeners pick up your book, Birds of the Great Leaks.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
You can get it and all major book retailers.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
So I just tell people google Birds at are Great
Lakes Dexter Patterson, you'll.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Be able to find a place where you want to
get it.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
They can check me out on my website Withscobirder dot
com and on social media at wisco Birder across all
the platforms.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Perfect. Well, that's perfect. Thank you for taking the time out.
I know you're busy, you have a lot of stuff
going on, and rightfully so, but I really appreciate your
time and I really do love your book, and I hope,
I hope my listeners buy it and use it as
stocking stuffers and also for themselves because there's lots that
they can learn and it really, like you said, it's
(16:17):
it's mighty. It's a perfect little book. So Dexter Patterson,
thank you so much. It's great to talk to you,
and I would love to talk to you when bird
joy happens.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
All right, we'll make it happen. Thank you. Real
It's Maria's MutS and Stuff.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
What a great idea. On iHeartRadio, Welcome to Maria's Mutts
and Stuff. And with me is Dexter Patterson, who is
the co founder of the Bypoc Birding Club of Wisconsin
and the author of the most Adorable Informative. I love
this book, Birds of the Great Lakes, So Dexter, thank
(00:28):
you for taking some time out. I really do love
this little book because it's physically little. So this is
this your first book, by the way.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
It is, wow, my first book. I always tell people
it's small but mighty.
Speaker 1 (00:45):
Yes, that little book is over three hundred and sixty pages.
Yeahs over one hundred and fifty different birds from forty
different bird families. So yeah, it is meant to be
small but mighty and in a campaign.
Speaker 2 (01:00):
Yes very much, Yes, it very much is. And I
just love the fact that it's you know, it gives information,
and it gives a fun fact about birds about that
particular bird. I mean the fact that it is birds
in Wisconsin. But I mean, like, I live on the
East Coast and it has taught me a lot because
(01:22):
I see many of these birds where I am, so
you know, I mean It's not just for someone who
is living in Wisconsin. I feel like this could be
for anyone. And I think we all really do need
to appreciate birds more because I think sometimes they get
taken for granted.
Speaker 3 (01:38):
They do.
Speaker 1 (01:39):
We're not promised to have them, you know. So I
think a lot of times people don't think about the
loss of birds that we've had over the last fifty years,
the loss of habitat. I mean, at one point, the
passenger pigeon was the most dense populated bird in the world,
and we.
Speaker 3 (01:58):
No longer have that bird.
Speaker 1 (02:00):
I always tell people we have to appreciate the birds
that we have, and we have to do some work
to make sure that they're still here for generations to come.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Absolutely, and I think that your book is like a
stepping stone in helping people to appreciate the.
Speaker 1 (02:17):
Birds it is. You know, I'm a firm believer. You know,
my grandpa always told me the best advice I've ever
gotten in burden was from my grandpa. I used to
just pay attention, because it's amazing, Maria, what we see
when we just pay attention. That's right, It is mind blowing.
You're just like, wait a minute, all these birds have
been around me the whole time.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
That's right. No, that's right. It's so true. No, it's
so very true because I feel like, well, I think
the way people are because there's so much like overstimulation.
I don't think people pay attention to anything, you know,
let alone birds, just because of their attention span. But
I feel like the easiest and most simplest exercise in
(03:00):
the world is to go for a walk outside. Right,
It's something we can all do. And I think if
you just pay attention, like you know, like your grandma
told you. But what's common sense? Uh, there are so
many different like I think, if you pay attention and
really take it in. And I mean you can tell
me there are so many different sounds, meaning so many
(03:22):
different birds.
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Yeah, and when you're taking that walk. I like to
do this, you know, when I go out in the morning,
I don't bring any devices or anything. I'm walking, walking
my dog Teddy, and I'm just activating my conscious mind
early in the morning, right, and simply breathing and looking
around and listening, like you said, And it really does
(03:46):
set you up. The research is clear just being outside
is good for you. That's right, right, you're getting getting
that vitamin D from the sun. You're hearing water running
and bird call, and you're getting fresh air and your
you know, and it's really good for you. And I
always tell people that birds bring me so much joy.
Speaker 3 (04:06):
And value in my life. But there are three main
buckets that.
Speaker 1 (04:09):
I say are game changers. And that first one is
mental and physical health benefits. It's just as good for you,
it makes you feel better. That next one is this
idea of understanding your place in the environment and understanding
your connection to everything around you, and paying attention does
that as well, because you start to realize that you
(04:32):
are literally just one piece of this giant, beautiful puzzle
we call the world's right.
Speaker 2 (04:39):
Yeah. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
And that last one is community and connection to people.
I can't tell you how many just wonderful people I've
been able to meet through birding, through hiking, just being
in nature. Some of my best friends I've met through birding,
some of the nicest people I've met, what I like
to say, in the wild. So those three buckets are
(05:02):
game changers for me.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yeah, No, that's huge. So were you always into birds,
like from when you were a little kid.
Speaker 1 (05:08):
I was, you know, And I always tell people I
always liked them, I just never gave them.
Speaker 3 (05:12):
I never gave them the attention they deserved. I'd been like.
Speaker 2 (05:15):
Red bird, bluebirds, right bluebirds, right, black birds.
Speaker 1 (05:19):
You know, I didn't care what bird it was. But
my grandpa was a birder. He had bird feeders and
he had binoculars, so I kind of knew what it was. Sure,
So as I started getting older, I started to pay
more attention, and I started learning their names and really
wanting to know more about the birds that.
Speaker 3 (05:40):
I was seeing. And the rest is kind of history.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
Sure, No, I think it's terrific. I think it's terrific.
How long did it take you to put this whole
book together? Like, to do all the research and put
everything together?
Speaker 1 (05:51):
You know, I was kind of lucky the photography. I've
been taking pictures of birds for quite a while, so
I had a lot of pictures already, so that was
a blessing. I'd say, as far as the research and
putting putting it together, it was about a little over
a year for me.
Speaker 2 (06:08):
Okay, that's not bad at all. And honestly, the fact
that you took all these photos, I mean, the photos
are stunning. That's you know, you're very multi talented. No,
for real, these are like, these are all your photos.
These are beautiful photos.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I think the photos and the fun facts are are
the way that I really wanted to hook people on
these birds. The fun facts in particular. I feel like
when you can give somebody that fun fact about a bird,
is gonna they'll remember.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
That that's true.
Speaker 3 (06:39):
They can remember that, they can remember.
Speaker 2 (06:41):
The bird that's true.
Speaker 3 (06:42):
So that was that's kind of the philosophy I took
with that.
Speaker 2 (06:46):
No, that was a really good idea because that's the
favorite that's my favorite part of the book, or all
the fun facts, because I felt like I learned so much.
Speaker 3 (06:52):
You know, and then you're just like, birds do that right?
Speaker 2 (06:58):
No, it's true, it's I mean, there was one. It
was I believe it was a crow that doesn't screech.
I just I don't know why that stood out in
my mind from like months ago when I read the
book about a crow that doesn't screech, and it's like, well,
you always think crows screech, but no they do not.
That's a fun fact. That's so funny. It's great though.
(07:19):
Well I think it's also I mean the fact like
you say it is small, but it's mighty. And you know,
it's that time of the year when we're all looking
for stocking stuffers. Your book is perfect. It's really perfect.
Speaker 1 (07:31):
Oh yeah right, Yeah, it's meant to fit in your
pocket or your little hoodie pocket or back pocket.
Speaker 3 (07:40):
Yeah, so it will fit nicely in a stocking.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
That's true. And like I said, it's not just if
you are in with the Wisconsin area. I believe, you know,
for people who are living rather listening nationwide. Wherever you're
living is what I was thinking. I think this book
is perfect. And I think also, I mean I live
in a city, so the fact that you live in
a city, I still see plenty of these birds. You know,
(08:05):
I live in New York City, so I see these birds,
and I think, wherever you are, this book is like
the perfect little companion.
Speaker 3 (08:12):
Yeah, the great I mean, when you think about the.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
Great Lakes region as a whole, it is a vast area, right, so,
so a lot of these birds, and with migration and
different things, no matter where you might be, a lot
of these birds in this book you probably have a
good opportunity to see. And some of them may just
encourage you to come visit us. In this in these
(08:35):
neck of the woods.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Well, that's true, right, because I'm sure there are birds
in this book that are just in that area of
the Great Lakes.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
Never, it may be some if you're on the West
coast or you're on the East coast.
Speaker 3 (08:47):
That maybe you don't see them as much. Sure, if
you do see it, it's more of a rarity, right.
Speaker 1 (08:54):
So, yeah, there are definitely some birds in there that
are unique to the region.
Speaker 2 (08:58):
Sure, No, I think I think it's too horrific. What
was your favorite part of this book? Like do you
have a favorite or of the book, as well as
do you have a favorite bird?
Speaker 1 (09:08):
You know, Maria, people ask me that question a lot,
and I always tell them picking a favorite birds like
picking a favorite kid.
Speaker 2 (09:14):
I knew you would say, oh my goodness, okay, and
a dog. So that's like you have five kids, right exactly. Yeah,
Oh that's so funny. I so knew you were going
to say that too.
Speaker 3 (09:25):
Yeah, it's hard, but yeah, one birdy.
Speaker 1 (09:28):
I always tell people there's one bird that really kind
of they call it your spark bird.
Speaker 3 (09:34):
Okay, this bird that you see or an encounter with
the bird that kind of likes that fire in you
makes you want to pay attention more, get you to
pay attention, And for me, it was the osprey okay,
And I.
Speaker 1 (09:47):
Remember just this is kind of when social media videos
were taken off, and I was watching this video of
this bird.
Speaker 3 (09:53):
At the time, I had no clue what it was, okay,
and it's flying.
Speaker 1 (09:57):
It's fast that I have ever seen a bird fly
from the sky and it's flying directly towards the water.
And I was just kind of like, you know that
the emoji on your phone where your head's blowing up.
Speaker 2 (10:07):
Uh huh, yes, yes, that was.
Speaker 1 (10:09):
Me because I was watching this bird and I was like,
what is happening. I mean, I was literally glued to
the screen and I'm watching this game closer and culser
and closer to the water, and eventually it hits the
water and it's completely submerged.
Speaker 3 (10:22):
I'm like freaking out.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Sure, I'm like what, I'm.
Speaker 4 (10:25):
Like, birds do this stuff like similar to the fun Facts.
I'm like, this is crazy, Like this bird is crazy
and it's completely submerged, and I find myself getting a
little anxious, like this bird's.
Speaker 2 (10:37):
Gonna drown of course, yeah, yeah, And.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
All of a sudden, it's little osprey head pokes out
of the water, and.
Speaker 3 (10:44):
I was like, oh, oh, so relieved. Yeah, it's not
it's not dying, gonna die. No, it's wings come out
of the water and it starts flapping its wings and
flapping its and it flies away. Maria holding a huge fish.
Speaker 1 (11:03):
Wow, I was done. I was done like that that moment. Sure,
what is that bird?
Speaker 2 (11:09):
Right?
Speaker 3 (11:09):
I need to know what that bird is?
Speaker 1 (11:11):
And I was like, I want to know as much
about that bird and every other bird possible.
Speaker 3 (11:15):
That was the day I became a bird nerd.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
Well, no, I get it. I get it because I
mean I would be fascinated by that too. Here you're
you probably thought the bird's gone, right, drowned. What are
you doing in the water? You're a bird, right, yeah, what.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
Are you doing?
Speaker 2 (11:29):
Like?
Speaker 3 (11:29):
What is wrong with you?
Speaker 1 (11:30):
Right?
Speaker 2 (11:31):
That's fascinating those But I love the fact that you
have that. So it's okay to say that that one
is kind of your favorite. It's okay. It's not like
choosing one of your kids or your dog. It's totally okay.
Speaker 3 (11:42):
I just say, don't tell the yellow headed blackbird.
Speaker 1 (11:45):
That, don't tell the snow we aw, don't tell the
blackbirding and warbler.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
I want them to.
Speaker 2 (11:50):
Still like me, right, and well, they love you and
they don't communicate that that precisely right, Yeah, they you
never know, you never know.
Speaker 3 (12:01):
You good luck with the birds, you know, I just
you do. I want to keep that energy.
Speaker 2 (12:05):
No, I get it right, Yes, I get that. It's
like having you have the good juju they say with
the birds. So no, they're not going to write you out.
Don't worry about it. I think you're still good. I
think you're good. So all right, trust me on this one.
I haven't in with the birds. I'll make sure you're good.
So I know, like you said, it took you about
a year and this book is still pretty new. But Dexter,
(12:28):
you have another book thinking about or like, what's your
next project?
Speaker 1 (12:34):
Yeah, I'm actually I am working on book two.
Speaker 3 (12:37):
So I've started that and it.
Speaker 1 (12:39):
Will be called bird Joy and it's going to be
more memoir based and really kind of telling my bird
nerd journey and how birds have been a part of
my life since Little Decks all the way up to now.
I'm really excited to kind of tell that story and
show how birds have shaped and influenced my life along
(13:02):
the way.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
Wow, I love it. And when do you think I mean,
like a projection, when do you think you might be.
Speaker 1 (13:08):
I would say, I'm looking to get the first submission,
the first draft turned in this summer. Okay, so maybe
fall of twenty.
Speaker 2 (13:18):
Seven, oh okay, okay twenty seven or twenty six, twenty seven,
twenty seven, yeah, because it takes me.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
It takes them about a year or of course.
Speaker 1 (13:28):
To do all the make it look pretty and get
all everything situated. So yeah, I would I would think
fall twenty seven is realistic.
Speaker 2 (13:37):
Well, I love it. I love it. I mean we'll
definitely be talking again when that one comes out. But
that's good. I love that you're you're working on that.
So and I think this is probably you know, a
no brainer question and answer. But what would you say,
in your experience, is the biggest threat to birds period?
Speaker 3 (13:58):
It's us?
Speaker 2 (13:59):
Yeah? Cool, I knew you'd say that. Yeah it is.
Speaker 1 (14:02):
Yeah, you know, it's us not understanding that we're just
one piece to the puzzle.
Speaker 3 (14:07):
Sure, and not having not having.
Speaker 1 (14:09):
That environmental awareness and knocking down trees and destroying their habitats.
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Sure, you know, littering everywhere and.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
Over hunting, and it's just there's so many things that
we do as human beings where we just we cause
a lot of problems and for our for our little
feathered friends, we are definitely definitely an issue.
Speaker 2 (14:32):
Yeah, no, I get that because you know, humans, we
think that we're all that, and uh we're not. You know,
we can all live together and be happy together, and
we need our birds just like we need insects and
I think everything else that's in nature.
Speaker 3 (14:47):
Yes, yeah, yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (14:49):
Yeah, so I guess I mean for someone who's listening
now and we're not being critical of you, but since
we're all a little bit guilty, but just I guess
it's like, be mindful of what you do. And you know,
if you but fertilize, are down and stuff like that,
like just be mindful.
Speaker 3 (15:02):
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (15:03):
Yeah, A lot of people don't think about, you know,
the little things that we can do to.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
Make a difference.
Speaker 1 (15:08):
They all matter, and it's not we're not asking people
to drastically change their lives or anything like that.
Speaker 3 (15:15):
But sure those little things. You know, if they say
power comes in.
Speaker 2 (15:19):
Numbers, that's right, that's right. Yeah, it takes a village,
So do in little little spurts here and there, Like
we can all take a part in it and protecting
and saving our birds. So Dexter, tell me where can
my listeners pick up your book, Birds of the Great Leaks.
Speaker 3 (15:36):
You can get it and all major book retailers.
Speaker 1 (15:40):
So I just tell people google Birds at are Great
Lakes Dexter Patterson, you'll.
Speaker 3 (15:45):
Be able to find a place where you want to
get it.
Speaker 1 (15:48):
They can check me out on my website Withscobirder dot
com and on social media at wisco Birder across all
the platforms.
Speaker 2 (15:56):
Perfect. Well, that's perfect. Thank you for taking the time out.
I know you're busy, you have a lot of stuff
going on, and rightfully so, but I really appreciate your
time and I really do love your book, and I hope,
I hope my listeners buy it and use it as
stocking stuffers and also for themselves because there's lots that
they can learn and it really, like you said, it's
(16:17):
it's mighty. It's a perfect little book. So Dexter Patterson,
thank you so much. It's great to talk to you,
and I would love to talk to you when bird
joy happens.
Speaker 3 (16:28):
All right, we'll make it happen. Thank you. Real
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