Professional photo of a kingfisher, left. On the right, a squirrel shaking its head? No, my photo of a kingfisher. Seriously. You can't even tell it's a bird.
After our trip to the Danube Delta, home to over 300 species of birds and one of the best bird-watching places in the world, I have a new appreciation of bird photographers.
It's hella hard to get a good photo of a bird. However, I now know that herons cooperate better than kingfishers.
We took the bird-watching "party" boat out to visit nuns who live at the Saon monastery (shouldn't it be the Saon convent then?) They tend bees, ostriches and a flock of peacocks. They also sell honey, wine, candles and little wooden bracelets. And judging by the number of men hanging out with their shirts off in the sunshine, you can rent cottages and stay on the peaceful grounds. One young nun's family was visiting.
Our little group did not stay with the nuns. For $75 a night, we roughed it at the five star Delta Danube Resort. We enjoyed the gorgeous pool and the dining room's large balcony with constant entertainment: great egrets circling and landing in the water below us and sunset and moonrise over the delta. When I close my eyes now, this is what I see.
The Danube Delta has been given World Heritage status. I think bird photographers deserve the same.
twenty-something years of "what have you been up to?" 
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