I joined all of you through the Tweeter network in April of last year and I
wanted to take a moment to thank all of you who have responded to my
requests for location and information regarding our wonderful pastime. I
want to also thank all of you who contribute to our community with detailed
information of sightings, photographs documenting your experiences and
notices of events and opportunities to join each other on trips and outings.
With honesty and well intentions I will share last year and lately there
have been times when I have become frustrated and even irritated with the
plethora of postings regarding opinions of behavior, regardless of which
side is being addressed.
Of late, and in reflection of my feelings I could not understand why I was
taking an emotional position regarding someone?s heartfelt opinions. And
failing to find a way to filter email by subject lines, I sat back and
reviewed the comments regarding the stereotyping of dog owners,
photographers, and other genera of our species. Wait?don?t get frustrated
with my comments just yet?after all I titled this Finding Solutions?how can
we be effective communicating our concerns. Confrontation in the field is
not the answer, not in this day and age. People do not read, or if they do,
do not heed signs or postings. Every day people break the law and behave
badly because they think they have the right to?or are just ignorant of
their impact to their surroundings. My goodness just look at how people
drive today!

There is a vehicle in which we can effectively communicate our caring for
the Nature around us ? education!
Many of you belong to groups and organizations: Lions, Rotary, Eagles, Red
Hat Society, Toast Masters, and the Masons, to name a few. Let?s take our
thoughts to organizations?even schools to educate people, and more
importantly children about Nature?not just the latest angst regarding
behavior around the Snowy Owls; what about the serious decline of the shore
bird nesting sights. Without frustration we can share our thoughts with
others who simply do not understand the impact we have on nature. Take a
look at Dr. Terry L. Root, 2007 Nobel Peace Prize recipient?s wonderful work
on the effects of climate change on migration. There are some decent folks
like the well intentioned parent, who really does not understand disturbing
nesting birds and how a few minutes off of the nest in cold weather can kill
the eggs...the nurturing act of showing their child the wonders of nature?
I could go on with many examples of subjects we can address to a
well-meaning public, but I believe I have made my point. After all the
posting of our frustration of people?s behavior on this site addresses who?
With deep respect,
Marty
Port Orchard
Marty at www.martykramerstudio.com <www.martykramerstudio.com>