Tweeters,
I'm taking a risk here, offering a comment that could start a flame war
or deteriorate into something else.
Not my intention, but I would like to offer that our hobby or avocation
seems to be suffering from success.
Yesterday I was on the Skagit flats looking at a very interesting bird
that I had not seen in the area before. I was off on the side of a two
lane road with scope and binoculars in hand. Within a few minutes the
first car showed up - stopped in the middle of its travel lane and the
occupants jumping out to see what I was looking at. This was followed
by two more cars, both stopping in the travel lane, the last close
enough to the interesting bird that it flew.
Not the first time this has happened - it will not be the last. I am
not saying that I have not stopped to see what was interesting to a
fellow birder - I do it all the time.
It just seems that as birding is getting more popular, there may be less
understanding by the newer or more competitive birder as to the safe or
respectful distance for optimum enjoyment by all.
What is the point? As birding becomes increasingly popular, we have the
opportunity to educate the newer birder, and remind some of us that have
been around for a few years, that this non consumptive way to enjoy
nature should also show respect to the other players, both birds and
bird watchers.

Jeff Osmundson
Arlington, WA