Captain's Spotlight: Carol Tepper and Her Journey as An Unbalanced Birder
Carol, smiling brightly at the camera while birding at Sweetwater Wetlands in 2019. She is wearing a light-colored cap, dangling earrings, and a dark green shirt with embroidered detail. A camera strap is visible around her neck. She has light eyes and dark eyebrows. Behind her, tall green wetland plants and a large, lush tree fill the background under a clear blue sky. Photo courtesy of Carol Tepper.
At Birdability, we celebrate the incredible birders who are making the outdoors more inclusive and accessible. One such birder is Carol Tepper, a Birdability Captain whose journey has taken her from musical theater to the National Park Service and, ultimately, to a deep love of birds. Carol's story is about adaptation, resilience, and the joy of discovering new ways to engage with birding as her access needs changed - and we are delighted to share more about Carol and her work to create accessible birding!
From the Stage to the Grand Canyon
Carol grew up in Tucson, Arizona, after moving from New Jersey as a child. Her early career was a blend of performance and outdoor education—she studied musical theater at the University of Arizona but also had a deep love for national parks. Wanting to combine her passion for storytelling and nature, she became an interpretive park ranger, spending 15 years with the National Park Service, including almost 10 years at the Grand Canyon’s North and South Rim. There, she led nature walks, campfire programs, and engaged visitors in the wonders of the natural world.
Discovering Birding
Carol’s introduction to birding came through her work as a park ranger. One day, a visitor asked her to identify a bird, and she realized she only knew a handful—sparrows, robins, and cardinals. Determined to expand her knowledge, she picked up a Peterson field guide and began learning. What started as a job requirement soon became a passion. Over the years, she built her life list, seeking out birds near and far.
Birding Through Challenges
In 2012, Carol’s life took an unexpected turn when she developed a neurological condition that impacted her balance and coordination. Once able to trek through dense jungles and rugged landscapes on birding tours, she suddenly found herself struggling with everyday movement. Walking on uneven trails became dangerous, and standing still to use binoculars became a challenge. “I have a really hard time keeping my equilibrium, so walking on trails is dangerous because I could fall either on the trail or off the trail and hurt myself—and that’s really scary.”
A Great Egret strutting through the yard at Carol’s home. Sometimes the birds come to you, making birding even more accessible! Photo courtesy of Carol Tepper.
Rather than giving up birding, Carol adapted. She began finding new ways to enjoy birding, like using a rollator (a walker with a built-in seat) for stability, birding from porches and overlooks, and car birding—using her vehicle as a mobile bird blind. Birding by ear also became a more prominent part of her experience, allowing her to engage with birds even when visual identification was difficult.
Hope and the Joy of Birding
For Carol, birding is about more than just spotting species—it’s about hope. “For me, it’s about hope… if you see birds, then you know that the environment is somewhat healthy and the future might be able to be healthy too.” Seeing birds thriving in their natural habitats reminds her that, despite challenges, there is resilience and beauty in the world. One of her most memorable birding experiences was the first time she independently found and identified a Yellow-billed Cuckoo—a bird she had long wanted to see. The experience of discovering it on her own, in the middle of an Arizona summer, was exhilarating and a terrific reminder that adaptive birding brings empowerment and joy.
Advocating for Accessible Birding
Carol’s journey led her to Birdability in 2023 after reading about our work in Audubon Magazine. She became a Birdability Captain to connect with other birders with disabilities, advocate for more accessible birding locations, and share her experiences. Her blog post, "An Unbalanced Birder," reflects her journey of adjusting to birding with balance challenges and finding new ways to enjoy the hobby she loves.
Read Carol’s Blog Post: "An Unbalanced Birder"
Advice for Other Birders with Mobility Challenges
Carol encourages others facing mobility or balance challenges to do their research before heading out, use assistive devices without hesitation, and not let fear of judgment stop them from enjoying birding. She’s also a strong advocate for expanding accessibility in the birding community, ensuring that physical spaces and programming are designed with inclusivity in mind. “I just know that, you know, if somebody who knew me before probably would think I’m a little bit less capable—like, what happened to poor Carol? But it’s okay. It’s just the way life is. There are new ways for me to explore the world.” As each of us ages or is faced with a new illness or injury, birding can be an outlet for physical and mental health and well-being, and Carol’s example helps show us the way!
Looking Ahead
Carol continues to explore birding-friendly locations, including her beloved Madera Canyon in Arizona. She hopes to take international birding trips again with proper support and remains committed to making birding more welcoming for people of all abilities.
A view of the canyon from above, with the road winding down the mountain and a building with a parking lot in the far distance. Photo by Jasmine Goodin via Unsplash
We’re grateful to have Carol as part of the Birdability community, sharing her knowledge, experiences, and enthusiasm for birds with others. If you're a birder facing balance challenges, Carol would love to connect with you!
Want to learn more about Birdability Captains or how to get involved? Check out more information here and join the movement for more accessible and inclusive birding!
