If you are trying to find (or get a better look at) a bird close to the 
direction of the Sun, move so that you are in the shadow of a 
substantial tree trunk.  Of course, this doesn't always work (for 
example, on pelagic trips, or in much of the central part of the U.S.).

	Bob Hartman
	

Rick Sussman wrote:

> Hi all,
>  I have come up with what I think will make an interesting short  column for 
> The Yellowthroat but need input and ideas from members here on  MDOsprey, if 
> Norm doesn't mind. The column would be very short, probably just a  paragraph 
> in each issue as filler at the end of longer articles or columns. It  would be 
> in the nature of a "hints from Heloise' for birders, or a "tips of the  trade" 
> for birders. 
>  
> If you have an interesting tip, something that makes your birding easier,  or 
> an idea of something which you do while birding, or something you have made  
> or fashioned from something inexpensive which works as well as a more 
> expensive  store-bought item, this is what I am looking for. A  couple of very bad  
> examples would be making a scope eyepiece cover from a used 35mm film canister,  
> or making a squirrel guard for your feeder from a pie tin. What I need is a  
> brief description of your idea, how it is made or used, or whatever, and I 
> will  write it up (unless you'd like to submit it yourself) and give you credit 
> at the  end of the column).
>  
> Other examples; 
>  
> -a friend whose scope didn't come with a peep sight fashioned one from a  
> plastic cable tie from the hardware store (less than $1), so that it fits around  
> the end of his scope and sticks up like a peep sight on a gun. With practice 
> he  can aim his scope so that a distant bird is right above the tip of the 
> sight and  get the bird in view much faster.
>  
> -making your own field bag from an old pair of blue jeans, with pockets  left 
> on for small items (OK, I admit stealing this one from a recent Bird  
> Watchers Digest).
>  
> Anyway, these are just examples, I'm sure you folks have better and more  
> practical ideas than these. I already have 3 very good ones in mind (from Gail  
> MacKiernan, Matt Barr, and Bob Augustine, though they may not be aware).
>  
>  So please email me with your ideas, and leave me your email address  or 
> phone number in case I have questions. Email them to me privately at 
>  (mailto:[log in to unmask]) 
>  
> This will be something we can all benefit from, and I plan to share  the 
> ideas here on MDOsprey, after they appear in The Yellowthroat. We'll see how  this 
> goes...
>  
> Thanks, 
> Rick Sussman
> Ashton,MD
>  (mailto:[log in to unmask]) 
>  
>  
>  
>  
> 
>