>On Sat, 22 Feb 1997 14:14:25 -0800 (PST) Burton Guttman
> These are fascinating living creatures, and the challenge is to
identify them, >enjoy their beauty, learn about their lives, and stop
people from destroying them < and their habitats.

I love to see a rare bird as much as the next birder, and occasionally
one passes through my yard. (Actually, I think the rarity isn't that the
bird was in my yard, but that I was there to see it. ) I spent this
afternoon working in the yard, pruning trees and stuff, but most of my
attention was focused on the local birds. Here in urban Ballard we don't
get much variety, but I love watching Crows, Starlings, Robins (They've
been here all winter), House Sparrows, Black Capped Chickadees, House
Finches, Gulls, Bush Tits, etc. It was clear that my presence in the
backyard for a few hours was disturbing their routine, but to watch them
interact, and listen to the calls -like the alarm calls when my
neighbors cat wandered through the yard - and all that, that's what
birding is about for me. I don't always know what they are, but I love
being around the feathery little turds. :-)
=================
Cliff Drake
Ballard, Seattle, WA
Birder at Juno.com


On Sat, 22 Feb 1997 14:14:25 -0800 (PST) Burton Guttman
<guttmanb at elwha.evergreen.edu> writes:
>
>Rick Romea wrote:
>
>> My impression is that the professionals
>> (like Dennis Paulson) believe that chasing rare birds has very
>little
>> to do with ornithology or natural history at all, and is some kind
>of
>> only marginally related 'sport'
>
>Exactly. Years ago, Peterson mentioned one ornithologist who referred
>to
>it as ornithogolfing. It's always exciting to see new birds or other
>animals, but if your only interest is in getting a longer list you
>might
>as well take up stamp or Barbie doll collecting. These are
>fascinating
>living creatures, and the challenge is to identify them, enjoy their
>beauty, learn about their lives, and stop people from destroying them
>and
>their habitats.
>
>Burt Guttman guttmanb at elwha.evergreen.edu
>The Evergreen State College Voice: 360-866-6000, x. 6755
>Olympia, WA 98505 FAX: 360-866-6794
>
>