A Backyard Story by Sunny Demi
If you ask me what greets me first each morning, it's not an alarm clock or a to-do list.
It's birds.
I live in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, where days begin quietly and nature is never far away. For me, mornings don't start with rushing; they start at the window, waiting to see who arrives first in my backyard.
I've loved birds for as long as I can remember.
They were never something I consciously chose as a hobby; they simply became part of my life. Over time, I learned that when you slow down and truly pay attention, birds open the door to a different rhythm of living.
A Backyard That Never Feels the Same
My backyard is full of life, yet no two days ever feel the same.
Chickadees, wrens, blue jays, cardinals, goldfinches, tufted titmice, and woodpeckers appear, sometimes alone and sometimes in noisy groups. Some are calm, others impatient; some linger, while others pass through in a flash.
I don't have a favorite. Each bird has its own character, and that individuality is what makes watching them so rewarding.
Some mornings are quiet, with just a few birds pausing at the birdbath.Other days unfold like a small play: birds competing for seed, parents feeding their young, tiny dramas playing out one after another.
Even the birds I see every day never behave in quite the same way twice.
Birds aren't the only visitors. Deer wander through, chipmunks race along the ground, and I've spotted raccoons, squirrels, groundhogs, and skunks, and occasionally even bears appear.
It often feels less like I live beside a backyard, and more like I share space with a small forest.
From One Camera to Seven
My journey with cameras didn't start with a big plan.
It started with hummingbirds.
The first day I saw one, I immediately bought a hummingbird feeder and spent hours on the porch trying to photograph them. They were impossibly fast, beautiful and fleeting, gone almost as soon as they appeared.
I wanted to be close, but I didn't want to disturb them. That's when I bought my first hummingbird camera.
Everything changed.
For the first time, I could see the details I had always missed — the motion of their wings, the pauses between visits, the quiet patterns in their behavior. That one camera opened a door. I suddenly realized that every corner of my backyard had its own story to tell.
One camera quickly became two. Then three.
Not because I wanted more devices, but because my curiosity kept growing.
Every corner had different visitors. I wanted to see them all.
Today, I've set up seven cameras in my backyard.
Two focus on birdbaths. One watches a deck feeder. Several are placed throughout the garden. One is dedicated to hummingbirds, and another is positioned close to the ground to observe wrens, chipmunks, and other small visitors.
This isn't surveillance; it's a curated observation network. From the sky to the ground, I quietly watch life unfold.
COOLFLY: My Backyard Control Center
Managing seven cameras might sound overwhelming, but for me, it's simple. That's because everything runs through the COOLFLY APP.
It has become my backyard's control center. From one place, I can switch between cameras, check battery levels, and adjust camera settings as needed, without friction or frustration.
More importantly, it allows me to focus on what truly matters: the birds.
Several of my feeders are connected through the COOLFLY APP, and together they've transformed how I experience birdwatching. I'm able to notice subtle behaviors — tiny movements, familiar routines, patterns that would be easy to miss with the naked eye.
The interface is clean, the connection is fast, and whether it's morning, afternoon, or evening, I can return to my backyard with a single tap.
To me, the COOLFLY app isn't just a tool. It's a quiet, dependable companion to a daily ritual I treasure.
What Brings Me Back Every Day: Pure Joy
I check my cameras every day, many times.
They've become part of my daily rhythm.
Sometimes the birds seem to announce themselves. A light tap on the window. A sound that feels just a little different. When that happens, I open the app immediately to see who has arrived.
Those moments always make me smile.
What motivates me to record and share my bird videos is simple: pure joy.
The joy of watching birds. The joy of feeling close to nature.
These small, quiet moments bring me peace, and sharing them lets that feeling extend beyond my own backyard.
I also love watching and engaging with other people's posts, especially the simple, everyday moments. Honest observations, without drama or exaggeration. Those are the ones that resonate with me most.
Watching birds alone is calm and deeply personal. But seeing others notice similar moments in different places creates a subtle, meaningful bond.
Being part of the community has changed the way I observe, too. I pay closer attention now to seasonal shifts, to behavior patterns, and to small details I might have overlooked before.
Sharing the Joy
I often share my videos with my husband, and with my 90-year-old friend Shirley, who loves birds just as much as I do. Sharing these moments with the people I care about makes the experience even sweeter.
If I had to describe the community in one sentence, it would be this: a group of people quietly connected by their love for nature.
Looking ahead, I hope to make my garden even more welcoming — adding more flowers, water features, and cozy spaces where birds can feel safe.
Will I add more cameras someday?
Who knows! With birds, new ideas always pop up.
If You're Just Beginning
If someone asks me how to start their own birdwatching journey, my answer is simple: start now.
Place a small feeder in your yard. Be patient. Let the birds come to you. You don't need expensive equipment or special skills, just a little space and an open heart.
If I had to sum up my experience in one sentence, it would be this: "Watching birds in my backyard feels like living with a little piece of magic every day."
This is a true story from Sunny Demi of the COOLFLY community, sharing her daily life of birdwatching in her backyard and the peaceful moments in nature she captures and enjoys.