A bird in the lens is worth two in the bush

Another first experience--a guided bird walk.  We were with Paul and Lucille, from Nakusp, B.C., at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco, TX.  Paul taught in the same school district as Terry and Gary, but I didn't know he was a committed bird watcher.  We were at the park, ready to start the tour right at 8:30 a.m.with a group of at least 20 birders.  Soon the guide was calling out species one after another.  Everyone's binoculars were trained on the bird in question.  Some people had spotting scopes set up on tripods, and they would graciously allow others to peer in the lens to get a closer view.  This worked well for the shore birds which didn't move much, various egrets and herons.  A Roseate Spoonbill and Red-crowned Parrots flew overhead.  The guide knew his birds, and carefully explained differences in similar species.  He would always ask if everyone had seen everything, or had any questions before we moved on.  For a novice like me it was all rather mind boggling. How could I remember all those different birds?
After lunch we moved on to another bird site nearby.  Some people from the morning were there,   hauling cameras with huge lenses and tripods to record their sightings.  Birders would meet on the trail and compare notes.  "We're looking for the Crimson-collared grosbeak"  (This bird is not even in the book) "It was sighted here an hour ago!"  They were also looking for a Golden Crowned Warbler.  This bird is a tropical species from South America, seen only casually in south Texas. Two hours later it was sighted in the bushes.  Fourteen birders followed the movements of this bird for at least an hour, cameras clicking.  By then Lucille and I were tired, but couldn't find our way out of the maze.  I have learned to enjoy birding, but this level of intensity was a bit obsessive.  We ended the day with 82 species recorded on our list.  Not bad, for a winter's day.