By Carla Miller
Craig
Craig’s grey flat cap and black and grey coat look chic as they contrast with the green grass and golden leaves of autumn at Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Birding in a pair of climbing pants, he manages to stay dry and relaxed during a brief sun break. Layering is the key to Craig’s comfort and obviously the black Columbia jacket can be used in any season! Craig’s birding super power is misidentifying birds, which this author knows is not exactly accurate.
Ken
This fall Ken is dressed in his camo green rain top to fool the birds and hold off the Northwest rain. Jeans are his go-to bottoms as getting a little wet or cold doesn’t seem to faze him. The highlight of his rainy day birding gear is the Outdoor Research Seattle Sombrero which can be used brim-down to keep the droplets off one’s neck or like many an outdoor fashionista, brim-up when the drizzle stops. Ken’s birding super power is “You have to imagine it to see it.”
Winter Pandemic Birding
In the additional photo of Ken and Craig in late winter, 2020, they managed to match during the throes of the pandemic, both sporting moss green with fashionable hats; Ken with a traditional watch cap that stands the test of time, decorated with one bird feather for the occasion. The strap around his chest hooks to an Audubon bag that holds his Sibley book, a hat, a cleaning cloth, and a snack.
Craig’s multi-colored winter coat blends perfectly with his snazzy brown scarf and tan mask. His Vasque boots have held up after 40 years and many hiking trips with his sons in the Olympics and Cascades. Craig tops off his style with his one-of-a-kind flat cap purchased in Scotland to commemorate a memorable trip.
