Photo: Joni James field sketching in the winter.
BY JONI JAMES
Tell us a little about yourself. Family? Where do you live and work?
I’m a retired school educator, having worked as a speech and hearing therapist and gifted-and-talented teacher for grades 3-9. Later, I worked at the local Soil and Water Conservation District and DNR Fire Headquarters. I continue to offer educational nature workshops and presentations for various organizations, clubs, and groups. Currently, I live in Morgan County, where I enjoy documenting and deepening my relationship with local wildlife—especially birds.
What got you interested in birds and birding?
As a child, I was always interested in nature through reading, bird watching, and observing the natural world in my neighborhood. I roamed frequently with my maternal grandfather walking the woods. My father took me bicycling to a local fish hatchery, where I was awestruck as a Great Blue Heron flew low overhead. This encounter led to me spending thousands of hours learning about nature from the wetlands at these fish hatcheries.
Have you had any mentors or role models in your birding journey, and what did you learn from them?
My early role models were the nature writers I admired, including Edwin Way Teale, Jean Craighead George, and Gene Stratton-Porter. At 23, I was introduced by James and Amy Mason to Tom Potter who became influential in my growth as a birder and naturalist. I often traveled with Tom and his group throughout North America and locally. I learned a great deal about birds, plants, wildlife, and nature photography. I will always be grateful for the impact of his mentorship on my journey.
How has nature journaling impacted your relationship with nature and the birds you observe?
I have kept written journals since the 1980s, and was a nature photographer and marketed my photos. By 2015, I began adding sketches and color to my journals. Nature journaling allows me to be less encumbered by equipment and computer time. Now I can foster my curiosity and wonder by slowing down and really focusing on my subjects. I love observing behaviors of birds and wildlife, documenting them in my journal, and then researching my questions. Journaling leads to a more intimate relationship with nature.
Where is your favorite birding destination, both in Indiana and outside the state?
Beyond Indiana, I have a special interest in northern locations such Maine, northern Michigan, Minnesota, etc. There is so much to learn and experience in North America. I love wetland areas, so I always enjoy Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge in Indiana. My favorite haunts are locally here in my county. My “job” is documenting and bearing witness to my local wildness here. I am fortunate to live in a wildlife rich area at my home and am diligent in documenting the phenology here.
Joni James will lead a Nature Journaling Workshop on Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to noon ET at Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary. This workshop is part of the 2025 Discover Mary Gray Workshop Series. Sign up now at mgbsnaturejournaling.eventbrite.com.
Tags: meet a member Q&A
