If you’re on Fizz, you’ve probably come across Erik Rankin’s bird photography. What started as a fun ritual to share with their parents back home has now grown into a full-fledged passion for birding. Rankin, junior computer science major, considers themself a hobbyist birder and has become known on campus for spreading awareness about the birds around campus. 

While keeping their distance, Rankin uses a Nikon COOLPIX P950 camera to take pictures. At first, Rankin used their phone’s camera, pressing up a pair of small binoculars to enhance the camera’s focus on their bird of choice. The habit of carrying around a camera to capture the birds is new to Rankin. 

“It’s down to Trinity’s beautiful and very bird-friendly campus. Before arriving here, I couldn’t tell you much about birds beyond pigeons and stuff,” Rankin said. “Since coming here, I’ve … sent photos of the birds to my friends and family, and it became my comfort ritual from there.” 

Their favorite spot to go birding varies. Regardless of where they set their sights, Rankin can always be found taking pictures in between classes or even off-campus, like at Brackenridge Park. This bird-motivated exploration has led them to make unlikely connections, according to Rankin. 

“On more than one occasion, people have spotted me taking pictures of the birds, and they asked what I was up to, and I explained [that] I’m taking photos of the birds,” Rankin said. “It’s always a treat to see people come by and say, ‘Awesome, have fun with that.’” 

Although they wouldn’t consider themself an activist quite yet, Rankin has joined the growing number of concerned students raising awareness about birds on campus. Beyond their photography, Rankin hopes to collaborate with Cat Alliance Trinity to help protect the birds from the Trinicats, especially during fledgling season in the spring. Rankin also wishes the school would mitigate bird deaths caused by campus windows, given that bird populations in the U.S. are experiencing a significant decline.

“We used to have our own native parrot in the United States, but they were hunted for their colorful feathers and also because they were a bit of a nuisance to farmers at the time, which is really upsetting,” Rankin said.

Although birds on campus aren’t hunted for on their plumage, they are still subject to unnecessary deaths. Rankin has a solution to mitigate some of the unfortunate accidents. Though some bird activists on campus have suggested stickers on the windows, Rankin offers another idea: tinting them.

“Especially for the migratory birds, they’re more at risk because they don’t know the campus in and out like the local birds,” Rankin said. 

Rankin plans to continue to take photos, advocate for and educate others about birds. You’ll find them respectfully appreciating birds at a distance or posting photos on Fizz. 

*This article was updated Feb. 11, 2026.