North Charleston, South Carolina –
For Samantha Eikenberg and her husband, birdwatching began during the pandemic with a friendly competition. Whoever correctly identified the most birds in their field guide got out of doing the dishes.
What began as a game quickly became something much more.
As Samantha puts it, they've been happily "bird noticing" ever since.
Their Happy Place
"We have a feeder set up on our fence which overlooks a saltwater marsh along the Ashley River in Charleston. It is our happy place, whether we are watching the comings and goings of birds on their morning commutes (usually vibrant cardinals, sassy wrens, and curious eastern bluebirds) with our coffee in hand, or sneaking a peek through the camera during the work day. Such an oasis, and birds make the best neighbors!"
A Backyard Lesson
One of the reasons Samantha's entry stood out wasn't simply because her backyard is beautiful.
It was because she shared what the birds have taught her.
"One of my favorite things is when I look out the window and see a smattering of birds taking turns at the feeder. House finches, bluebirds, mourning doves, and wrens all chirping together, patiently (at least it looks that way) waiting to get some seed and mealworms.
It's a nice reminder that we can all come together, different as we might be, and that's what makes our communities stronger."
It's a beautiful reminder that some of life's simplest moments often leave the biggest impression.
What Keeps Them Coming Back
When asked which Happy Birdwatcher product has been the biggest hit, Samantha didn't hesitate.
"Mealworms! They're spooky to me, but the birds love them."
She also shared:
"The quality of seeds are just unparalleled."
One Unexpected Visitor...
Not every guest has feathers.
Fortunately, her bird feeder camera was there to capture this curious raccoon stopping by for a snack.
We're guessing he wasn't interested in identifying birds... or doing the dishes.
Congratulations, Samantha!
Congratulations on being our very first featured Happy Backyard!
As our first Spotlight winner, Samantha received a $50 Happy Birdwatcher Gift Card and is now entered to win our Annual Grand Prize: a FREE one-year HappySeed Box subscription, which we'll award this spring.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful marshside backyard and the story behind it. We hope your backyard inspires others to slow down, notice the birds around them, and discover a little more joy just outside their own back door.
Samantha's Backyard at a Glance
| 📍 Location | North Charleston, South Carolina |
| 🌿 Setting | Backyard overlooking a saltwater marsh along the Ashley River |
| ☕ Favorite Way to Start the Day | Coffee while watching the birds |
| 🐦 Regular Visitors | Northern Cardinals, Eastern Bluebirds, Carolina Wrens, House Finches & Mourning Doves |
| 🪱 Favorite Happy Birdwatcher Product | Dried Mealworms |
| 🎉 Birdwatching Began With | A friendly competition to identify birds and get out of doing the dishes |
Think Your Backyard Could Be Next?
If you're a Happy Birdwatcher customer, we'd love to see your backyard too.