I was going to write just about this most enjoyable, simple pleasure
this morning...

Sitting in my office at home, slaving over hot software, I was distracted
by the most beautiful little Pacific-slope Flycatcher at the edge of the
dense woods and shrub just outside the window. This pretty little guy was
doing the most energetic and diligent job of being a feeding flycatcher.
The feeling was of watching a child you love do something well.

Then I handed a pair of binos to my wife, who is NOT a birder -- I mean,
she is conscientious about NOT being a birder.

After she enjoyed the show, I then got out the Peterson's West,
National Geographic 2nd Edition, and National Geographic 3rd Edition, and
asked her which was right. (Judy does have good eyes, and a good eye for
detail.) Her independent opinion...

Peterson's misses the shape mostly, but the colors are right on.

The 2nd edition of NG misses the shape ~completely~ but the color is
close, although a little dark.

The 3rd edition of NG gets the shape right on, but the colors are much
too brown.

(My opinions -- Peterson makes all the Empids look the size of robins!
Probably because the eyes and heads are too small. And I agree with Judy
on the NG guides.)

I guess that's what makes the world go 'round, and what sells multiple
field guides.

Jerry Blinn
Silverdale


E-mail from: Jerry Blinn

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