A Guide to Spring Migration & Field Photography
From an Engineer's Perspective · By David R. Hoffman, P.E.
What if a retired engineer turned his analytical mind toward the mystery of bird migration? Dave Hoffman did exactly that — building predictive models to track spring migratory patterns along the Gulf Coast, then turning that data and those field experiences into this book.
Equal parts field guide, photography showcase, and scientific deep-dive, Fowl Obsession brings together thousands of hours in the field, from High Island to Sabine Woods to the Rio Grande Valley, with the precision of an engineer and the heart of someone genuinely in awe of what they're watching.
"I'm not a professional author. I'm retired and looking to keep life interesting — and birds have done exactly that."
Also available at CLVR Mall and through select conservation partners.
Dave Hoffman spent his career as a professional engineer — and then retirement gave him the time to pursue an obsession he'd been building for years. He's an avid birder based in Houston, Texas, and the Gulf Coast spring migration corridor is his backyard laboratory.
What makes Dave different from most birding authors is the engineering framework he brings to observation. He's not just watching birds — he's building predictive models for when and where specific species will appear, using weather data, geography, and decades of field notes to triangulate the optimal moment to be in the right place with a camera.
The results are the photographs in this book and on this site — captured by someone who shows up prepared, patient, and genuinely delighted by what he finds.
He's also the author of Birding Sanibel, a complementary guide to the species and hotspots of Sanibel Island, Florida.
Bird identification cards and field reference sheets — free for anyone who loves birds.
Both of David's books are available through the CLVR community marketplace — a curated storefront for creators, educators, and makers.
Visit CLVR Mall →Follow @FowlObsession on Instagram for new field photographs, migration alerts, and behind-the-scenes moments from Dave's ongoing expeditions.