I spent a wonderfully rare sunny Saturday afternoon with what seemed like all my
neighbors today at Nisqually. There were young people and old people, people
with families and kids running wild, people who couldn't give a hoot about birds
and were just out for a walk and serious birders. Some had cameras and a couple
of scopes were seen, along with a lot of wonderful birds. I even got a great
picture of the Bittern with my little point and shoot.


Sure I prefer days when there aren't so many people around but like everyone
else I chose to be there. Noisy kids drive me a lot more nuts than
photographers and they drive birds away from the trails but how are you going to
get down on people who are sane enough to take their kids out to look at nature
on a pretty afternoon. It's a big world and we share it with lots of people who
have different interests. The birds aren't "our" birds after all.


Personally the idea that there are "pure birders" and photographers offends me.
If by "pure" you mean serious, I would debate with you that someone who may
spend $10,000 on photography equipment isn't serious about birds. Binoculars,
scopes, and cameras are just tools that are extensions of our eyes in the
expression of our hobby and unless you are a professional doing research, that's
what it is, a hobby.


Personally I travel light. I carry pocket binoculars everywhere. I have the
big expensive ones but they are usually at home unless I'm actually planning to
go birding. But birds are everywhere and and I don't believe you have to go to
a certain spot to see them. I keep my eyes open and can't not see birds. They
don't care if I'm toting Swarovski-ED, Nikon, or Bushnells so I actually see
more birds with the little 8x25s and just as close as with the 8x42s. I have a
point and shoot camera I rarely use and a dinky 20x50 scope that is light and
cheap enough that I can leave it in the truck where it's handy and not worry
about someone stealing it. But that's just me. Maybe I'm not pure enough or
too pure or whatever. When I'm not out actually looking at birds I very much
appreciate beautiful bird pictures and when I am out in the field I've gotten
some pretty nice looks by pointing my binoculars to where some guy is pointing
his long lens.


I'm sure that rare bird sightings can turn into a scrum but that's just part of
the territory. Otherwise it's a big world and there are lots of birds and
places to see them. I have places to go were I rarely see anyone with or
without a camera and when I don't want to compete with the crowds I have
options.