David,

I don't think your argument is based on many false assumptions, and quite
frank, it just don't hold water.

On Tue, 20 Feb 1996, David P. Anderson wrote:
>
> First, as far as my credentials, I lived for 7 years in
> Stanwood, and 5 years in Yakima, during all that time I have been an
> avid birder and nature photgrapher, and never once been harrased or
> hasssled by "locals". Mainly because I looked like I belonged.
>
> Whenever "city folk" came to the flats ( as In Skagit ) they
> were immediately noticeable because of their brightly colored Eddie
> Bauer jackets and wind pants, day packs, and hats, all clustered
> together and chatting loudly as they rustled their way down the trails.

I grew up in rual South Carolina. I have been a birder and nature lover
since I was 13 years old. I don't wear bright colors. I usually bird
alone or with one other person. I never chatter loudly. I have lived in
Seattle for over four years and before that I lived in Philly for ten
years. Am I a "red neck" or a "city folk"?

> Now the locals, don't dislike city folk for how they dress, they
> just know that you won't see much, because everey creature for miles
> around knows you're coming! And they know, because they live there,
> that that kind of clothing ain't worth a hoot in the woods( or
> swamps, or desert, tide flats ) Look at the farmers and ranchers, their
> clothes are strong, but soft, waterproof, but drab colored, and when
> they walk they don't make a lot of noise ( a nylon jacket will scare up
> ducks for a 1/4 mile around, just from the noise your arms make when you
> walk ).

There are local residents that fit that discription, they are good people
They are probably not the ones that act like butts.

> To people who view these areas as there home, and these animals
> as part of their home this becomes very annoying. If all your neighbors
> came in your house and stood in front of your T.V. when your favorite
> show was on, and only let you see the commercials, you'd be annoyed too.
>
> Sure the locals want to scare you away. If there wasn't a road
> full of tourists the snow geese would be in the locals front yard, where
> they've been for generations, not cramped up in the middle of a picked
> clean field constantly flying in alarm, instead of getting the rest they
> need to survive their flight home.
>
> I'm sure I've angered some of you, and alienated a lot of
> others, But don't blame right wing politics, or parochial atitudes, for
> all the abuse you might receive. If you dress quietly, walk quietly,
> socialize in restaurants, not mud flats, treat the wildlife tenderly,
> and try to feel like you are part of the environment you're in, the
> abuse will go away.

Before there roads, dikes, houses and fields there was a beautiful river
delta that Snow Geese wintered on for thousands of years. So what is your
point? Should we have gaurd post at the entrance of the Skagit and Samish
flats and only let those who live there in? Should we beat and torture
those who don't dress the way we do? If I wear camouflage, drink Bud from
a can and smoke unfiltered Camels, will everything be okay? I don't want
to socialize in restaurants, here, there or anywhere. I treat wildlife
tenderly and I am apart of the environment - regardless, no person has the
right to abuse me or any other person for any reason.

--------------------------------------------------------
Russell Rogers
4510 Glenn Way SW
Seattle, WA 98116
(206) 935-6280
rrogers at halcyon.com
--------------------------------------------------------

> 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.
>
> Thanks,
> Dave
> Knowledge comes only from Information. From Knowledge comes
> Understanding, and only Understanding produces Love.
>