Re: Mistakes, flubs, and other stomach-turners
Norm Saunders (osprey@ARI.Net)
Wed, 23 Sep 1998 18:52:37 -0500
Ellen Paul writes:
> I find that there are some extremely skilled birders who share their
> knowledge and for them I am grateful, but most are highly competitive and
> gloat when you make an error.
I'm really sorry to hear you think this, Ellen. I've been birding in Maryland
and elsewhere for about 16 years now. I regularly make some outstanding
mis-identifications, often in the presence of some really outstanding birders.
None of those birders has ever gloated at my errors. In fact, most of them
have been a bit embarrassed about pointing them out. I agree that birding
alone is a lot easier on the ego, but I have learned far, far more when
birding with the really top birders!
Just to give you a feel for some of my better bloopers, about 6 months ago
in the company of several excellent DNR birders and Paul Baicich of ABA I
saw a distant bird chugging toward us. Immediately I yelled out BALD
EAGLE! Of course the damn thing turned out to be a Great Blue Heron.
Sigh.....
For those of you concerned about soothing Mike Collins' bruised feelings,
please note that he has signed off the list so you'll have to contact him
directly.
Best,
Norm Saunders
===============
Norm Saunders
Colesville, MD
osprey@ari.net