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Subject:

input and ideas needed

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Rick Sussman

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Tue, 22 Nov 2005 18:03:42 EST

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])