I don't remember how or why I first stumbled upon Merlin Bird ID, but it's one of the coolest apps. As a kid, you think there couldn't be anything more lame than bird watching. Then you grow up, and the fascination weirdly starts to take hold. At least, as a supreme lover of the wilderness, it did for me.
Hiking is always an experience for the eyes—the wildflowers, the wildlife, the vibrant sky, the changing leaves, the grand vistas—but I never really realized just how much I was missing with my ears. Sure, I love the sounds of nature as much as the next hiker, but there was a part of that aural field that had been totally lost on me. Using the app on hikes is so fun! It feels like I'm geocaching or treasure hunting for birds.
You enter your area, and it will show you all the birds that live in range. Then you just start recording, and anytime it hears a bird, it pops up on the screen with the name, the pic, and other info. It's so much fun anytime, even just sitting in the backyard, but bringing it along on hikes gives me a cool look at who else is out on the trail with me! I can't recommend enough for all the nature enthusiasts out there!