Re: Mistakes, flubs, and other stomach-turners
BlkVulture@aol.com
Wed, 23 Sep 1998 19:23:25 EDT
I must agree with Norm. Most of the good birders I have screwed up in front
of seldom gloat at the opportunity to make me aware of my mistake. Unless
they are good friends. Then they R E A L L Y let me have it. Many times I
have called out a raptor at Snickers Gap, only to enjoy tons of ridicule about
the fact that I was quite wrong. But, I know it is in jest, thus, my ego
remains undamaged.
What often does amaze me however, is when you will run into other people doing
exactly the same thing you are doing, which is birding, and barely a
pleasantry is exchanged. There is often this feeling of competition to see
birds that the other person may have missed. Many times Kurt and I have
walked away from an odd exchange of hellos, and maybe pointing out a sighting
we just had, wondering why the person seems annoyed at the concept of sharing
information. To that degree, I think there can be a tremendous amount of
competitiveness among birders.
Todd Day,
Jeffersonton, VA