While I was out in the West Desert of Utah yesterday I thought about my friend Billy Fenimore and his family as I photographed this adult Gray Flycatcher. Billy unexpectedly and suddenly became ill and was hospitalized last month, was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and sadly he passed away on May 5th.
Gray Flycatcher perched in junipers – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Billy was a true friend, a father, grandfather, husband, brother, son and a bird lover. Like his father, author Bill Fenimore, Billy spread his knowledge about birds freely and would talk to anyone about birds where he worked at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center at Farmington Bay WMA, the Wild About Birds Nature Center in Layton or in the field. Billy always had a smile on his face.
Several years ago I helped Billy create his website, ChasingWildFeathers.com, where the goal was for Billy and his friends Dan Sachse and James Hoffman to bird in every county in Utah and raise funds for Youth Impact while they birded. When Billy was hired to work at the Eccles Wildlife Education Center he had to slow down his birding adventures in the field and his work on his site. Billy continued to educate and share his knowledge of birds while he worked at the nature center. Billy touched so many people’s lives.
Adult Gray Flycatcher in spring – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As my friend Billy enriched my life personally as and as a bird photographer. I don’t get stumped with bird identification often but when I have Billy was one of my two “go to” friends that I knew I could contact for help. I struggled with empid flycatchers and would seek Billy’s input with them. It seemed fitting that I would find a Gray Flycatcher in the field yesterday while I thought about Billy.
When I found rare birds or birds that Billy loved I could count on a call or a text from him. More often than not it was a phone call and we’d talk about the birds that I was finding and that he was seeing or about our latest adventures. We talked about our families, kids, dogs, birds, the weather and life in general.
Billy was a great and true friend. Yesterday I thought about him a lot as his friend Dan Sasche and I texted about the birds I was seeing. I like to think that Billy would have enjoyed our conversation too. I had always wanted to show Billy the West Desert through my eyes. I guess I did yesterday. I miss you Billy. The world was brighter with you in it.
As always, I plan on living life today. We aren’t promised a tomorrow.
Mia
If you would like to donate to help Billy’s family donations are being accepted here.
Click here to see more of my Gray Flycatcher photos plus facts and information about this species.
Mia,
Beautiful tribute. My brother was my go to too. Whenever anyone asked me a question about a bird they saw I passed it on to Bill. He was an amazing birder. I loved your wonderful words about him.
Maria (Bill’s sister)
Sorry for you loss. I read a verse recently about passing on that you might like:
The sun sets;
The moon sets;
Neither is gone.
What kind words about a kind human being. My condolences.
Sucks!
Beautiful.
Our connection with people is what life’s all about.
Sincerest sympathy.
This is a beautiful eulogy of an incredible man. Thank you. And the illustration is perfect too.
“No one is actually dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away,” attributed to Terry Pratchett, an English writer. Your friend lives on in his good works and in your memory. I extend my condolences.
That was a moving tribute to a wonderful person and good friend. I’m sorry for your loss but can tell that he will live on in the memories of many.
Oh my goodness, I had no idea, he was so young! I only met him when he went to work at Farmington Bay, but he was so friendly and outgoing you couldn’t help but like him! I am so sorry for his family and the Utah birding community.
Billy, sounds like a wonderful human being. He brings to mind many cherished mentors now gone: but they live on.
Oh Mia – how sad to lose your live connection to such a dear friend. I have no doubt that Billy will remain with you in spirit as you are in the field though. Thank you for sharing such a delightful glimpse of Billy and his impact – on you, the Utah birding community – and beyond. So sorry for your loss, but so so grateful for the wonderful friendship that you had – which will remain with you in your heart and soul forever.
I’m sorry for your loss, Mia. Billy definitely sounds like a true friend.