I have sensitive skin. I can simply look at a grassy lawn and break out in hives. I have to watch what I put on my skin, including fabrics, lotions, and cosmetics. For sun protection, I rely on wide-brimmed hats and a long-sleeved sun shirt, applying sunscreen only to the few remaining spots that still hit the sun. I can look rather over-dressed in the summer, but it lets me avoid slathering on icky sunscreen.

But what does this have to do with birding? One word: Mosquitoes.

Last summer was our first in San Joaquin County. In addition to the miserable triple digit heat for days on end, we were exposed to a level of biting bugs that we weren’t accustomed to in the Bay Area. So we generally just stayed home to avoid both the heat and bugs. But now with a Big Year competition in progress, we have to figure out how to deal.

Years ago, we tried natural mosquito-repellent bracelets during our Oregon road trip. A fine idea, but we went home with more than a few mosquito bites. A couple years later when we went to Texas, I tried the regular OFF! bug spray, and I found it miserable. I was so fixated on this chemical on my skin that it made it hard to fully focus on the birds. Earlier this summer, we tried a botanical-based OFF! spray, and while it did work, I noticed that it irritated my skin a bit. So far the options I’ve tried have not been ideal.

Time to try another approach: my husband bought nets to put over our hats. I dreaded the idea of wearing this highly visible thing over my head to parks where everyone else is in their summer clothes and lathered in bug spray. We were certainly going to look very silly.

One late spring morning, we gave the nets a try at Caswell State Park, which is often not terribly crowded but offers a lot of biting insects during the non-winter months. I put the net over my hat and, as predicted, felt completely embarrassed. I wouldn’t make eye contact with the few people we saw in the park. But after a few minutes of walking around, we noticed dozens of mosquitoes hanging off our clothes and bouncing off the nets, unsuccessfully penetrating our armor. Aha! Suddenly I was feeling better about our new gear, and especially excited to have found a non-chemical solution to the bugs.

While it was unnerving to hear the mosquitoes buzzing around our heads, I was able to mostly focus on the birds and I was feeling quite happy – that is, until we walked past a family just entering the park. One of the parents loudly commanded, “Look at those weirdos!” It made my heart sink. My excitement wore off and I felt embarrassed again. But also angry. Why would someone say something so mean, and at that, loud enough for others to hear?

We were feeling pretty upset at the comment as we drifted to another part of the park. I tried to distract myself with the birds, but the shame lingered. It really bothered me to have a quick assessment of my needs culminate into a proclamation of being a weirdo by a complete stranger.

After a few minutes of silent brooding, I heard a sudden commotion and loud yelling. I turned around to see that same family racing back to the parking lot yelling, “I’m a [beeping] mosquito magnet!” They scrambled into their car and bolted out of the park. Yup, that’s why we were wearing the nets! We shared a good chuckle at the turn of events.

I have sensitive skin and this silly thing is allowing me to go into nature during the summer. Does that make me a “weirdo?” It’s a reminder to be kind to one another. We may think that someone is doing something “odd,” but let compassion take over your commentary, whether silently or out loud. Everyone is going through life with invisible stories that inform their decisions. Let us be kind.

Later that morning another lady commented that I had a nice hat and asked about the net, which she said made me look like a beekeeper. I told her it was for mosquitoes. After presenting her leg full of mosquito bites, she said the nets were a good idea. That was a pleasant interaction and I appreciated her gentle curiosity.