A 2007 Challenge: BIRD WALKING/WHEELING

Tweeters,

Two things impressed me during last year?s splendid birding adventures.
First, I?ve never put so many miles on my car, nor have I spent so much
money on gas. Second, it was the first time since I got Scleroderma that
I actually gained weight without trying, and it was really tough trying
to get the excess off while still going the distance for birds. Also,
I?m sure that I?m not the only one who has mixed feelings about the
pollution I add to the atmosphere just so that I can see a particular
bird in some far off location.

I?m not planning to only look at the birds that I can see in my
neighborhood this year. However, perhaps I can appease my conscience by
also focusing on good birds closer to home, work, and visits with family
and friends. For instance, I might have been able to walk a few miles
through Seattle to see the Discovery Park area?s Hooded Oriole, and I
really wish I had at least tried. One of the many things I appreciate
about Ed Newbold?s Yard contest is that it presents the alternative that
we can stay off the roads and still enjoy birding. For the last year
I?ve wanted to offer a slightly different challenge along the same vein:
Bird Walking. Here it is:

A 2007 Challenge: BIRD WALKING/WHEELING

PRIZES:
1st Prize: Better Health
2nd Prize: The Physique You?ve Always Wanted
3rd Prize: Savings on Gas and Transportation Expenditures
4th Prize: An Appeased Environmental Conscience

TERMS:
1. All bird species counted must have been seen without the use of any
motorized vehicle. Bird species seen on any birding trip involving
motorized vehicles do *not* qualify.
2. Bird species seen on any motorized trip that was scheduled entirely
for another purpose, such as work, or visiting family and friends, *do*
qualify. However, if the trip was scheduled in order to see birds, birds
seen do not qualify. In other words, those of us who have to travel by
motorized vehicle to get to work can count birds according to Term 1
while we?re at the workplace. However, we can?t travel by motorized
vehicle, even if it?s a bus, to our workplace for the purpose of birding
it. Of course, if you live close enough to walk or bike to work, do
count birds seen when you go to your workplace by un-motorized means
just to bird it.
3. Bird species seen from indoors do qualify.

CATEGORIES:
WALKING
? from Home
? from Work
? while Visiting Family/Friends
WHEELING?manually driven wheelchairs only
? from Home
? from Work
? while Visiting Family/Friends
BIKING
? from Home
? from Work
? while Visiting Family/Friends

TIPS:
? Take enough water to drink at least ? a gallon before noon.
? Give your snack bars to your favorite professional athlete.
? Eat regular healthy meals.
? Sleep at least 7.5 hours every 24. (Preferably 8 or 9 hrs.)
? Think clean thoughts and do good deeds.


Enjoy!

Patricia S. Lott
Seattle, WA
mail to: VariedThrush at comcast.net