Hi Tweeters!

So, exactly what is a naturalist? According to a local paper, *I* am! They
published an article on a nature trail we have developed at my elementary
school (http://www.seanet.com/~borealis/Trail.htm). A sentence quoting me
begins, "Brown, a naturalist...." This came as quite a revelation to me.
Even the definition in my beat up paperback edition of the American Heritage
Dictionary qualifies me as one. I'd never thought of myself as one. Bird
watcher* yes. Interested in native plant life yes. Naturalist no. Weren't
all those famous folks we read about naturalists? Don't you need formal
scientific training to be a naturalist?

*I can't call myself a "birder". I completed Tahoma Audubon's Master Birding
course and I cannot find it within myself to say, "I am a master birder".
Sounds too much like something you wouldn't want to admit in polite company.

So, what does Tweeterland think it takes to be a naturalist?

Michael B. Brown
Puyallup, Washington
H-253-841-4281
W-253-841-8733
C-253-208-9588
borealis at borealis.seanet.com

"...I found myself suddenly neighbor to the birds; not by having imprisoned
one, but having caged myself near them."

-Thoreau
_ _
(o!o)
((___))
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