- The Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation
MOOR Director Paul Jahnige interviews Michael Bryant AKA Nature Man Mike, who shares about his love of birding, photography, and bringing communities together outdoors.
To kick it off, tell us who you are, and where you're from.
My name is Michael Bryant, AKA Nature Man Mike, and I'm born and raised in Boston, MA.
How did you first get involved in photography and birding?
So it all first started with nature photography. That's my first love. That's the reason why I picked up a camera and the reason I purchased my camera. From landscape to macro [photography], wildlife, and anything involving nature. I eventually started photographing humans at some point. But this all started because of nature.
What came first, your interest in photography or the outdoors?
It was actually about the outdoors first. As you get older, you get your camera and you're now capturing it [wildlife] and capturing that moment. For me, it was about capturing the moments I would appreciate when I was younger. I would see a bird, and I'd say "Oh, let me get that photo. This is a nice look or this is a nice mountain area. Let me get a photo." Later on in life, my interest shifted more toward photography and cameras. But it's always been about the outdoors and animals.
What experiences or memories during your childhood drew you to the outdoors?
We would always go catch frogs. When I was a kid I used to come here to Franklin Park looking for turtles and things of that nature. Turtles are still my favorite animal to this day. It was all about reptiles and amphibians for me— snakes, turtles, and frogs.
How and when did you specifically become interested in birds?
I've always loved everything related to nature, but it was around 2017 that I got interested in birds. The thing about birds is they're very interesting and you can go birding year round. During the summertime, you have insects and flowers for macro [photography].
But once winter comes, the birds and the landscape are here.
Do you have favorite places in Massachusetts for birding?
One of my favorite places to go is Mass Audubon's Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary.
I love it there. Franklin Park is my go-to spot. I like Millennium Park however, there are a lot of unleashed dogs there. I like Arnold Arboretum because it's close, and believe it or not, the Forest Hills Cemetery. During spring migration, I have a birding circuit that I do, it's Franklin Park, Forest Hills Cemetery, Arnold Arboretum, and Millennium Park.
How do you encourage others to get outside and spend time in nature?
I lead bird walks and hikes. The work that I do is about coming outside and getting people together. It's about bringing people from different communities to the outdoors, to enjoy each other's company and explore the birds.
How have you been able to engage communities of color in connecting with wildlife and nature through birding and photography?
When I first started leading the walks, people would attend because they felt like "Hey, the guy who is leading it looks like me." It all started here in Franklin Park, where they were trying to encourage people to get outside. When I do walks with Black birders, I always make a joke and say "I don't know why they want me to lead this walk." It's important for me to create a space where everyone's welcome. This is why I enjoy this work. I want everybody to come and have a good time.
What value do you get from being outside and what do you think other people get from being outdoors?
Birding is stress-free. It's therapy for me. It's quiet time. It's time for me to disconnect from everything. That's what I like about nature. [For others] I think it's similar, it's about getting out, associating with like-minded folks, and getting some exercise. People coming together, talking, hanging out and it's just a social thing. So I think birds bring folks together and nature brings folks together.
Do you have favorite times of year to go out and why?
Springtime! Birders love spring migration! During this time, birds are coming from Central America, South America, and the southern US, and they're traveling further north to breed. You're going to see different birds you typically never see and it's only during that time.
What are three important things you look for when birding?
Birds, birds, and birds [Laughter]. I just like to enjoy the moment and I try not to add so many complicated variables while I'm outdoors. So I want to say birds, birds, and birds.
If that's the answer you can accept.
Learn more about Nature Man Mike's work
