Bird Watching

Equipped with binoculars and bird bingo cards like true avian adventurers, we set off on our birding quest—to South Philadelphia’’s John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge. With every rustle or chirp, the team would pause like detectives on a trail—then Jerome, our resident bird whisperer, would swoop in with the species name and drop some feathered fun facts. By the end of our journey, we walked away not just knowing the winged wonders of the Philly area, but with a newfound appreciation for the rich symphony that nature performs.

Jerome might be a still-life and flats photographer but don’t let that title fool you—he’s also our resident birding guide. When he’s not behind the camera, you’ll find him scanning treetops and trails with the same eye for detail he brings to every shoot. Jerome first caught the birding bug in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, where a need to escape a tiny apartment turned into a full-blown passion (helped along by the Merlin Bird ID app and a trusty camera). Since moving to Philly in 2017, he’s made the Wissahickon and local green spaces his birding playground, tuning into the seasonal rhythms and swooning over everything from Indigo Buntings to wintery Wood Ducks. For Jerome, birding isn’t just a hobby—it’s a creative outlet, a mindfulness practice, and a beautiful excuse to unplug and be present. Whether he’s snapping shots or simply soaking it all in, Jerome reminds us to slow down and look up.