I for one, who has lived and travelled extensively abroad, do find such
talks of interest.  Although I may never bird Peru, an evening learning
about the country, culture and avifauna is appealing.  And, being a visual
kind of guy, I have always enjoyed looking at photographs of exotic birds
from afar.  I guess it all boils down to different strokes for different
folks.

Tom Marko
Olney, MD
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Maryland Birds & Birding
To: 
Sent: 3/16/2006 12:08 PM
Subject: [MDOSPREY] State of the ABA

Norm, I hear you...and agree wholeheartedly.

Today's birders may be more affluent than in the past, hence they are
doing more international travel.  These world travelers might consider
local (i.e. North American) species to be rather mundane. I suspect the
international flavor of the articles has a lot to do with meeting the
expectations of this segment of birders.

Actually, one can see the same influence in the content of many talks
and slide shows at local bird clubs.  Since I have little interest in
"Birds of Peru, etc. etc.", I opt out of most meetings on the Montgomery
Bird Club, for example.