Richard Rowlett asked

>Speaking of which, does anyone have any favorite "fake and fraudulent" birds
>you've encountered leading up to some sudden and embarrassing stops, only to
>discover that these are decoys or the works of clever artists or residents, or
>malicious birders which turn up in unexpected places. ...

>It's a dangerous world out there; you just can't be too careful! Any more or
>favorites you'd like to add? Some of your favorites could make for
>interesting subject material for a photo guide or book sometime down the line

As far as birds go, goose decoys in the Willamette Valley have momentarily
"thrown" me a time or two. Duck decoys tend not to look natural to me even
at first glance (scaup hunters on Quilcene Bay don't help their cause by
setting them out in straight lines, either!), but those "flatties" and
shells out in a field can be momentarily convincing.

However, my vote for favorite "fake and fraudulent" would go to a plywood
moose some local wag set out in the marshy area where the Pack River flows
to Lake Pend Oreille in Idaho. IDFG(?) has posted signs along Hwy 200 near
there, alerting motorists to the liklihood of seeing moose. Moving at
highway speeds, you look for dark shapes with one eye, and pullouts with
the other. In such a case, even a cutout in the shape of Bullwinkle will
make you catch your breath! A year ago I was there for the first time in a
couple years, and was disappointed so see the fake moose had disappeared --
perhaps to the ravages of winter?

-- Janet Hardin
wings at olympus.net
Port Townsend, WA