In this week's episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally meet with Christina Baal, a birder and artist whose story began not with a sighting, but with the quest to find a 'dandelion-colored' Yellow Warbler.

That golden spark launched a lifetime of birding and the dreams she’s been chasing ever since. Inspired by Ken Kaufman’s memoir, she set herself the goal of painting 10,000 birds, saying, "Ken Kaufman can do it. So can I." Today, Christina blends art and birding in joyful, unexpected ways.

Left: Christina’s stunning painting of an Osprey in flight. Right: A snapshot from Christina's bird-inspired wedding, featuring her in-laws dressed as Trogons.

Resources & Links from This Episode

🖌️ Visit Christina’s Website to learn more about her art and birding adventures.

🎨 Check out Christina’s Art to see her whimsical paintings and bird illustrations.

💌 Support Christina on Patreon and gain access to her bird trading cards and exclusive artwork.

📚 Read Kenn Kaufman's Memoir Kingbird Highway: The Biggest Year in the Life of an Extreme Birder, the book that inspired Christina’s birding journey.

Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally are joined by Mike Sacopulos, an attorney and publisher of Bird Watcher's Digest (BWD) Magazine. Mike shares how birding brought him comfort during a challenging period of his childhood, carrying him through big life transitions and eventually leading him to BWD. They also discuss the magazine’s global artwork, the letters that remind Mike of its lasting impact, and how birding with BWD creates connections across generations of readers and birders alike.

Resources & Links from This Episode

🌿 Learn more about Bird Watcher’s Digest and subscribe at the BWD website.

📘 Connect with the BWD birding community on the BWD Facebook page.

🎁 Give the gift of birding! Surprise someone with a BWD subscription here.

🦆 Explore conservation efforts with Ducks Unlimited.

ℹ️ Read more about their mission on the Ducks Unlimited About page.

Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

On this week’s episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally meet with celebrated naturalist and author Kenn Kaufman, whose fascination with birds began in early childhood and never faded. Inspired by richly illustrated wildlife books, Kenn developed a passion for the natural world that took him hitchhiking across North America as a teenager. He shares stories from the road, his work writing and illustrating about nature, and why community is such a vital part of birding.

Resources & Links from This Episode

🌎 Check out the Kaufman Field Guides website for more resources and inspiration to fuel your next outdoor adventure.

📖 Get to know Kenn Kaufman and the journey that’s made him one of the most beloved voices in the birding world.

🚗 Take a ride through Kenn’s teenage adventures in his memoir Kingbird Highway, a must-read for any nature enthusiast.

📚 Explore the Kaufman Field Guides series to sharpen your skills and see the world through fresh eyes.

🎨 Follow Kenn on Instagram for stunning art and a closer look at his creative process.

Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski