> I'm sure I've angered some of you, and alienated a lot of
>others

If it's a flamewar you want, I'm certain I could oblige...do you
like to be toasted lightly or burnt deep black?

I've got a lifelong supply of anecdotes regarding locals and their
vaunted knowledge of wildlife and their concern for the land.

I'm sure I could match your "city-slicker follies" tales at least
two to one with tales of idiocy on the part of country folk, such
as Ed Davis, manager of the Alvord Ranch, who once told me "I've
lived here most of my life, and NOTHING lives out there!" when he
stopped me and an ODFW biologist who were out there conducting our
share of the annual springtime snowy plover survey. Why do us poor
city-slicker liberal effete nylon-wearing birders conduct annual
surveys in an area where this pillar of local society knows
nothing lives, because he's lived in the area his entire life?

Wearing bright t-shirts and REI shorts rather than the drab,
practical clothing smelling of last year's cow carcasses favored
by local cowboys, who when drunk entertain themselves by roping
traffic signs to their pickups and yanking them out, unless they
decide to blast them full of '06 holes instead?

We do so because the Alvord is home to a couple hundred pair of this
declining species.

I'm sure he still tells tales of those city slickers looking
for birds where every local knows no birds live.

We didn't bother educating him.

Nor is it worthwhile trying to educate you. Not over your claims
that locals know more about conservation and wildlife than us
big city, liberal environmentalists. This is true of some locals
and some big city, liberal environmentalists. For others, it is
entirely false. Rather, it is not worthwhile trying to educate
you on the futility of preaching divisiveness over a false dichotomy.
You clearly think it's a productive use of your time.

I've met locals who know a lot about the land and wildlife. Curiously,
these are the very locals who often quietly disagree with their
neighbor's views towards "city liberal" environmentalists and
the conservation movement. On the other hand, I've met locals
whose ignorance is stunning, making Mr. Davis (mentioned above)
look like an expert on the avifauna on his ranch, in comparision.

And I've met birders who are idiots.

SO WHAT?

It proves nothing. Even if the dichotomy were real, do you truly
mean to suggest that it's a valid excuse for boorish behavior on
the part of assholes with big pickup trucks, who take pleasure
in flipping off strangers? If so, I'm certain you'd approve
of my boorish response (I've never been harassed twice by a
any local).

>I apologize for preaching, and hope you don't mind my continued lurking,
>because I like knowing where the birds are, and I know that I can go out
>and watch them live, not just add 'em to my life list.

If you think that's what the average tweeters inhabitant does, then
it just shows you need to spend some more time following the various
discussions in this group.

I know I'm coming down on you a bit hard, but your post comes
across as a troll, and like most city folk I'm so *bleeping*
ignorant that I can't help rising to your bait.

Yes - you've offended me. Rather than posting offensive trolls
followed by an apology, why not either post a useful contribution
or shut up? Display some of that local knowledge you've picked up!

Oh ... I've yet to meet a fulltime nature photographer who bothers
with camo except under the most exceptional of circumstances. I
never bother. Check my web pages - I get damned close to my
subjects, effete city-slicker heritage and all. When photographing
dangerous critters such as grizzlies, most professionals don't
wear camo for the simple reason that they WANT to be seen, it's
a lot safer to let the subject choose whether or not to allow
an approach to shooting distance. In general, a good wildlife
photograph requires such close approach that camo is irrelevant,
you'll be recognized as human regardless of what you wear. When
concealment is necessary, a blind is far more useful. Consider
this my nature photography tip of the day.

I'm not angry yet - do you want to see me angry? Or would you
rather talk about birds and natural history and conservation
issues, rather than speak offensively about your fellow citizens
who happen to live in Seattle and Portland?


- Don Baccus, Portland OR <donb at rational.com>
Nature photos, on-line guides, more at http://www.xxxpdx.com/~dhogaza