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])
|