MEET JESUS GARZA-NORIEGA!
Jesus and his son peer through binoculars at a BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin outing at Picnic Point (photo by Jeff Galligan).
My name is Jesus Garza-Noriega. I was born and raised here in Madison, Wisconsin. I am a husband and a father of two awesome kids. In addition, I am a non-traditional student that attended the University of Wisconsin—Madison and will be pursuing a Ph.D. In counseling psychology this fall at the same institution.
What is your ‘spark story’—how you got into birding?
Really, it was Dr. Jeff Galligan that got me into birding. He was a big piece in helping me see my worth and help me create spaces for myself and for others like me. Since I've known him, he's always been into birding and I always thought it was different and in some ways, odd. That's because I never heard of or saw someone of color being represented as someone that would birdwatch. That's when it made sense—I saw that Jeff was putting the lessons he taught me into practice. He was creating a space for us! He invited my wife and our two kids to a bird outing; I thought it was the coolest thing and our kids enjoyed it too! Jeff always says (I might be paraphrasing just a tad), "We're all here together, in the same spaces, sharing this big rock we call home, why not have us learn from and build from each other?"
If you could encounter any bird in the world, what would it be?
I used to say a hawk, really just any kind of hawk but now, now I'd really like to see the Great Horned Owl! A few years ago, my wife and I were walking our dog in the late evening when we herd an owl’s call. We turned around and there it was with the moon to its back. Casting only a large silhouette was a horned owl. It was the coolest but also eeriest thing I've seen.
Favorite places to bird?
I don’t have “favorite” spots, anywhere is great. However, I do like the trails near Baxter Park. There's always a lot to look at there.
What advice would you share with new birders?
Ask someone how to focus your binoculars and stick to someone that knows a lot about birds (that way you can cheat and spot the good stuff!). In all seriousness, just be there for the process. Take the time to enjoy the outdoors, reconnect with yourself and others.
Remember, birding is for everyone! Know someone (maybe you!) who’d like to be featured in our Meet a Birder series? Send an email to Kaitlin at ksvabek@madisonaudubon.org.
Cover image: A Great Horned Owl perched on a branch as the sun rises. (Photo by Kaitlin Svabek)
