Stuck at home during the pandemic, Tarik Trad found an unusual escape to wildlife – in his backyard
When COVID-19 restrictions were at their peak, Tarik Trad was like most people in the country – stuck inside, staring at the walls, with nowhere to go out of fear of contracting the virus.
As a digital content strategist in the Los Angeles area, Tarik realized how blessed he was to be able to continue to work from home during the worst pandemic to strike in more than 100 years. However, the anxiety generated from the uncertainty of it all, combined with the claustrophobia of not being able to leave his home except for nervous runs to the grocery store, were a bit more than he expected.
“I was going stir crazy,” said Tarik. “I clearly wasn’t myself.”
Finding an Outlet
In 2018, Tarik and his wife started Focus Relief Photography for Charity. As a seasoned nature photographer, they sell his photographs and donate the proceeds to community food banks. Clearly, photography is more than a passion to Tarik – it’s his purpose. However, it was particularly frustrating not being able to head out to the mountains or the desert. Without photography, he felt like he had no outlet to escape – mentally or physically – from this unforeseen tension.
A friend suggested getting a tiered, running-water fountain for his modest courtyard as the sound of flowing water would soothe his nerves, something he so desperately needed. So, last summer, Tarik took his friend’s advice.
His friend was right – and then some. Along with the soothing sounds of flowing water came the added sights and sounds of birds. Lots and lots of birds.
It started with hummingbirds, followed by a variety of local and migrating birds, including finches, doves, robins and sparrows. “Before being confined to the house, if you asked me what kind of birds I’d find in my neighborhood, I couldn’t say anything other than basic, nondescript birds. Sure, I could tell the difference between crows and hawks, but not between a house finch and lesser goldfinch. Now, by paying closer attention through the viewfinder on my camera, I can.”
All told, Tarik has been able to identify more than 40 different species of birds – including a few rarities, such as a red-whiskered bulbul – all literally within the confines of his suburban Southern California home. He has since added two small bird baths, a bird blind for photography, and an assortment of bird- and butterfly-friendly plants throughout his yard.
The Benefits of Birding
Other than photographing penguins on his 2019 expedition to Antarctica, Tarik never understood the fascination or health benefits that came along with photographing – or merely observing – wild birds. “I’ve discovered the correlation between birding and one’s health is well-documented, Tarik said. “Getting closer to nature has not only improved my mental and spiritual outlook, I found it has helped hone my work skillset to do my job better. I find I am much more patient, agile and focused, which has positively impacted the quality of my work.”
Because of COVID-19, more than 40 percent of Americans experienced food insecurity for the first time. In 2020, working with community food banks, Focus Relief was able to provide more than 18,000 meals to local families in need.
With an abundance of new photographs, he feels blessed that not only have the birds been able to help him during this difficult time, but also the sale of their photos has been able to help others in need.
Despite all the challenges of the past year, it’s safe to say Tarik is coming out of this pandemic in the right frame of mind. “I really feel like I’m a better person. Hopefully, we’re making a difference.”
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This article was also published with permission in the Montrose (CA) Patch Newspaper.
Photos by Tarik Trad. All rights reserved.