Jerry Broadus:
>When I lived in the Rio Grande Valley we used to line all the country roads
>with hunters during the three day white winged dove hunting season.

They did a few years ago, because I remember President Bush dashing down
to Texas to hunt white-winged dove. In his case, though, it was probably
20 year old scotch, not a Dixie longneck, soothing his parched throat.

>One comment about your "look" while birding-- I have noticed that during duck
>and goose season the birds react much more quickly, and with many more alarm
>calls, to me when they see me walking with my tripod mounted scope laying
>across my shoulder. I have noticed this especially at Nisqually, and have
>experimented with folding the legs of the tripod and walking with it in a
>more concealed position, which is dramatically less alarming. I am quite sure
>geese and ducks equate the tripod with a gun. Something to think about when
>you are out birding that time of year and don't want to needlessly stress out
>critters that are already under pressure.

Yes, I think you're right about this. At that time of year they just
rise randomly, too. Human hunters shouldn't feel picked-on (or, we
shouldn't pick on them), though - shorebirds act exactly the same way
when there are peregrine or merlin in the neighborhood. Their nervousness
is obvious.

Also, most birds simply don't like being looked at. A big camera lens,
even when everything but the tip of the lenshood itself is enclosed
in a blind, looks like a great big, reflective eye. Swing that puppy
over and train it on a bird, and most will begin reacting.

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