Spilled my coffee right as a rare warbler showed up last fall

I was sitting on my back porch with my binoculars and a mug of coffee, finally getting a clear view of a black-throated blue warbler in my oak tree after a week of rain. My hand shook and the whole cup tipped onto my lap, and by the time I cleaned up and looked back, the bird had flown off into the neighbor's yard. Any tricks for staying still and quiet for those quick visits without getting too stiff?

2 comments

2 Comments

nina18024d ago

The 12 ounce mug theory is real, I swear. Try switching to a smaller 6 ounce cup or a travel mug with a tight lid so if you do jolt, you don't lose the whole thing. Another trick I use is to set the mug on a side table instead of holding it, that way your hands are free to brace on your knees or the chair arms. I also do a quick 2 minute shoulder roll and neck stretch before I settle in, loosens up the trap area that gets stiff first. And pick a specific focal point in the tree to stare at, not the whole branch, keeps your head from wandering and your body from shifting.

flores.tessa23d ago

Yeah but the real trick is just accepting you're gonna spill sometimes. You can do all that prep and still jerk at a squirrel. The 12 ounce thing is legit though, bigger mugs are a trap. I use a thermos now, not even a mug. Keeps it hot and even if I knock it over it doesn't go everywhere. Honestly the neck stretch thing sounds like too much work for sipping coffee. Just commit to the spill and move on.