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New news is somewhat slow and I'm again hearing some grumbling among the ranks out there, so I'll pause a moment to persist in preaching the policy of patience with a capital P!! While solid definitive evidence remains elusive, there are continual rumors of either visual or auditory IBWO encounters out of Florida and S. Carolina, and M. Collins continues his endeavors in Louisiana as well. With Cornell's tight grip over news releases in Arkansas it is difficult to know exactly what if anything may be happening there until well after the fact. Searching also underway in Texas and Georgia. In short, IBWO buzz is on the increase (as would be expected this time of season) not the decrease, and come May we should have some better idea what all has been found this first search season. If some want to call it 'faith-based ornithology,' then hey, keep the faith folks! Amen...
On a completely unrelated but entertaining, upbeat note, deep in the jungle of Manhattan both Pale Male and Lola, and Pale Male Jr. and mate Charlotte (NY city's FAMOUS Red-tailed Hawks) are currently actively nesting high up in their concrete townhouses -- NOT something, by the way, that any PhD. ornithologist would've believed or predicted awhile back. ; - )
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Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Sunday, March 12, 2006
-- Think Of It This Way... --
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This is a post for the skeptics out there... Suppose you come and tell me you saw a Summer Tanager in your backyard, and I say no you didn't, you saw a Cardinal. Next week you tell me you saw the Summer Tanager again, and I say you're mistaken it was more likely a Cardinal. Eventually you bring me a photograph, I say you doctored it, it was originally a photo of a Cardinal. You bring me a video, I say it was taken in another state, not in your backyard; when your 2 birding friends see it with you, I call it 'groupthink' -- nothing you say or show me can 'prove' you've ever had a Summer Tanager in your backyard -- on the 20th occasion of you're reporting a Tanager, I say, how in the hell can I believe you when you've given me 19 false, mistaken, unconfirmed, or doctored reports in the past. In simplistic terms this is essentially the scenario with the Ivory-billed Woodpecker over decades, earlier unconfirmed reports becoming a priori a basis for discounting future reports. It is nothing less than an unrecognized close-minded form of circular or self-fulfilling-prophesizing, or self-reinforcing groupthink, if you prefer. It's amazing that in popular press skeptics still get away with saying the Ivory-bill hasn't been seen for 60 years when all the evidence indicates otherwise. Again I'll reiterate that the potential damage already done by overblown skepticism (and the stigmatization that follows) far exceeds any potential damage from overblown optimism -- we're talking about the life or death of a species here!
In the meantime, many of those same skeptics will be running around in a few weeks doing "spring bird counts" and generating some of the most wholly imprecise and non-valid data to be published anywhere in biological science. But so be it. (I don't want to get into a debate here about the meaningfulness of notoriously poor-quality single-day count data, but simply find it interesting that skeptics will so persistently aim their scientific guns at Ivory-bill sightings, while giving other common birding activities a free pass.)
On a different note, a BirdForum poster has called attention to the following article on prospects for the Ivory-bill in Alabama:
http://www.al.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/sports/1142158807270070.xml&coll=1
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This is a post for the skeptics out there... Suppose you come and tell me you saw a Summer Tanager in your backyard, and I say no you didn't, you saw a Cardinal. Next week you tell me you saw the Summer Tanager again, and I say you're mistaken it was more likely a Cardinal. Eventually you bring me a photograph, I say you doctored it, it was originally a photo of a Cardinal. You bring me a video, I say it was taken in another state, not in your backyard; when your 2 birding friends see it with you, I call it 'groupthink' -- nothing you say or show me can 'prove' you've ever had a Summer Tanager in your backyard -- on the 20th occasion of you're reporting a Tanager, I say, how in the hell can I believe you when you've given me 19 false, mistaken, unconfirmed, or doctored reports in the past. In simplistic terms this is essentially the scenario with the Ivory-billed Woodpecker over decades, earlier unconfirmed reports becoming a priori a basis for discounting future reports. It is nothing less than an unrecognized close-minded form of circular or self-fulfilling-prophesizing, or self-reinforcing groupthink, if you prefer. It's amazing that in popular press skeptics still get away with saying the Ivory-bill hasn't been seen for 60 years when all the evidence indicates otherwise. Again I'll reiterate that the potential damage already done by overblown skepticism (and the stigmatization that follows) far exceeds any potential damage from overblown optimism -- we're talking about the life or death of a species here!
In the meantime, many of those same skeptics will be running around in a few weeks doing "spring bird counts" and generating some of the most wholly imprecise and non-valid data to be published anywhere in biological science. But so be it. (I don't want to get into a debate here about the meaningfulness of notoriously poor-quality single-day count data, but simply find it interesting that skeptics will so persistently aim their scientific guns at Ivory-bill sightings, while giving other common birding activities a free pass.)
On a different note, a BirdForum poster has called attention to the following article on prospects for the Ivory-bill in Alabama:
http://www.al.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/sports/1142158807270070.xml&coll=1
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Saturday, March 11, 2006
-- M. Collins Endorsement --
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For what it might be worth to some, Rob Tymstra, a Canadian birder and cinematographer who recently ran into Mike Collins in the Pearl, just wrote the following endorsement of Mike's efforts in a BirdForum post:
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For what it might be worth to some, Rob Tymstra, a Canadian birder and cinematographer who recently ran into Mike Collins in the Pearl, just wrote the following endorsement of Mike's efforts in a BirdForum post:
" .... I wanted to throw in a vote of confidence for what Mike's doing in the Pearl. I had the good fortune and delight to actually meet and paddle around the Pearl with Mike. Having met with him on a number of occasions, I can vouch for the fact that he is a reliable and reputable level-headed observer in full command of all of his faculties! He’s persistent and dedicated to the cause of finding and preserving IBWO. Mike’s a competent birder, scientist, and student of nature. He’s also personable and has a good sense of humor and was very generous with sharing information. On top of that, I got to see his intriguing video with personal commentary. If anyone can find this bird, it’s Mike. Give him some support folks!"
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-- More of Same...? --
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Mary Scott is reporting another IBWO sighting along the "Mississippi flyway" but without much comment or info:
http://www.birdingamerica.com/Ivorybill/ivorybilledwoodpecker.htm
Unfortunately, skeptics have promoted their viewpoint so well at this point, that these reports of Ivory-bills without details or video are becoming meaningless to many at this point (and there are always more reports floating around than those that show up on the internet). Maybe Mike Collins will be able to get better video in La. or have other credible observers confirm his find before he departs the region. With about 45 days remaining in the prime search season time's a'movin in Ar., La, Ms., Fl., S.C., Tx., Ga.....
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Mary Scott is reporting another IBWO sighting along the "Mississippi flyway" but without much comment or info:
http://www.birdingamerica.com/Ivorybill/ivorybilledwoodpecker.htm
Unfortunately, skeptics have promoted their viewpoint so well at this point, that these reports of Ivory-bills without details or video are becoming meaningless to many at this point (and there are always more reports floating around than those that show up on the internet). Maybe Mike Collins will be able to get better video in La. or have other credible observers confirm his find before he departs the region. With about 45 days remaining in the prime search season time's a'movin in Ar., La, Ms., Fl., S.C., Tx., Ga.....
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Wednesday, March 08, 2006
-- Ivory-bill Habitat --
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Bill Pulliam has been diligently, patiently employing Terraserver to search out areas of Ivory-bill potential in the 9 primary southern search states. He has now summarized his results at his website below. Good reading (especially if you live in one of these states):
http://bbill.blogspot.com/2006/03/potential-ivory-billed-woodpecker.html
This is just one person's attempt operating from a computer screen -- as he indicates in his post Bill won't mind hearing ideas from other folks directly familiar with these areas; if you think he's left a prime locale out somewhere let him know, or included an area that actually is much poorer, inadequate habitat than might appear on Terraserver, let him know that. The importance of such surveys (besides suggesting areas of interest) I think is in conveying just how much potential little-explored habitat is out there which easily explains how this species could stay out of frequent sight for 60 years and still be with us.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Pulliam has been diligently, patiently employing Terraserver to search out areas of Ivory-bill potential in the 9 primary southern search states. He has now summarized his results at his website below. Good reading (especially if you live in one of these states):
http://bbill.blogspot.com/2006/03/potential-ivory-billed-woodpecker.html
This is just one person's attempt operating from a computer screen -- as he indicates in his post Bill won't mind hearing ideas from other folks directly familiar with these areas; if you think he's left a prime locale out somewhere let him know, or included an area that actually is much poorer, inadequate habitat than might appear on Terraserver, let him know that. The importance of such surveys (besides suggesting areas of interest) I think is in conveying just how much potential little-explored habitat is out there which easily explains how this species could stay out of frequent sight for 60 years and still be with us.
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Monday, March 06, 2006
-- Congaree --
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A nice article on the Ivory-bill search now underway in the Congaree National Park of S.C.:
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/14027457.htm
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A nice article on the Ivory-bill search now underway in the Congaree National Park of S.C.:
http://www.thestate.com/mld/thestate/14027457.htm
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Sunday, March 05, 2006
-- Jaded or What??? --
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Over the years there have been 100's of Ivory-bill reports turned in, including outright hoaxes, innumerable mis-identifications, and many simply unconfirmable claims. With the advent of the internet any such report can now shoot around the birding community in lightening speed. But with all the current controversy have we now arrived at such a jaded "boy who cried wolf" state that sightings no longer command much attention unless accompanied by a close-up/clearcut photo or video???
I ask because I confess to being surprised at the paucity of interest shown across the Web in Mike Collins' Pearl River IBWO claims, especially the lack of coverage on the Louisiana and Mississippi Bird listserv groups (instead there have been a few harsh, caustic comments)? Because of previous historical IBWO claims for the Pearl and the Stennis region it makes sense for this area to be of interest, and one would think many involved with the unsuccessful 2002 Pearl search in particular would love to see that past effort vindicated. Are individuals who might otherwise show an interest simply too involved with the current Arkansas endeavor to divert attention to Louisiana right now? Or has the lack of minute detail in Mike's accounts hurt his credibility? The video is weak and ambiguous, but on close examination has enticing elements, or do doubters find it worthless??? Or, is there possibly more interest/activity being shown locally in the area than I am aware of?
I'd be interested to hear (either comment section or email) from folks, especially those closest to the scene in LA. and MS., as to the seeming shallow degree of follow-up to Mike's report, or correct me if there IS more happening -- (and I don't want simplistic verbal slamming of Mike, just civil, thoughtful opinions, please).
Here, BTW, is another one of Mike's ('cinclodes') posts from BirdForum this weekend:
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=540235&postcount=3080
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Over the years there have been 100's of Ivory-bill reports turned in, including outright hoaxes, innumerable mis-identifications, and many simply unconfirmable claims. With the advent of the internet any such report can now shoot around the birding community in lightening speed. But with all the current controversy have we now arrived at such a jaded "boy who cried wolf" state that sightings no longer command much attention unless accompanied by a close-up/clearcut photo or video???
I ask because I confess to being surprised at the paucity of interest shown across the Web in Mike Collins' Pearl River IBWO claims, especially the lack of coverage on the Louisiana and Mississippi Bird listserv groups (instead there have been a few harsh, caustic comments)? Because of previous historical IBWO claims for the Pearl and the Stennis region it makes sense for this area to be of interest, and one would think many involved with the unsuccessful 2002 Pearl search in particular would love to see that past effort vindicated. Are individuals who might otherwise show an interest simply too involved with the current Arkansas endeavor to divert attention to Louisiana right now? Or has the lack of minute detail in Mike's accounts hurt his credibility? The video is weak and ambiguous, but on close examination has enticing elements, or do doubters find it worthless??? Or, is there possibly more interest/activity being shown locally in the area than I am aware of?
I'd be interested to hear (either comment section or email) from folks, especially those closest to the scene in LA. and MS., as to the seeming shallow degree of follow-up to Mike's report, or correct me if there IS more happening -- (and I don't want simplistic verbal slamming of Mike, just civil, thoughtful opinions, please).
Here, BTW, is another one of Mike's ('cinclodes') posts from BirdForum this weekend:
http://www.birdforum.net/showpost.php?p=540235&postcount=3080
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Saturday, March 04, 2006
-- Georgia --
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Georgia and Alabama don't get as much publicity for potential Ivory-bill habitat as other southern states, yet both are almost certainly possibilities. The following article reports on plans that have received Federal funding for an upcoming search of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, likely the bird's last known habitat in the state. Interestingly, it is also suggested that searchers will be on the lookout for Bachman's Warbler, another presumed extinct species -- it has often been suggested previously that ANYone searching for Ivory-bills should be on the listen and lookout for the Bachman's which formerly shared the IBWO's habitat.
http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/13995061.htm?source=rss&channel=macon_local
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Georgia and Alabama don't get as much publicity for potential Ivory-bill habitat as other southern states, yet both are almost certainly possibilities. The following article reports on plans that have received Federal funding for an upcoming search of Georgia's Okefenokee Swamp, likely the bird's last known habitat in the state. Interestingly, it is also suggested that searchers will be on the lookout for Bachman's Warbler, another presumed extinct species -- it has often been suggested previously that ANYone searching for Ivory-bills should be on the listen and lookout for the Bachman's which formerly shared the IBWO's habitat.
http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/news/local/13995061.htm?source=rss&channel=macon_local
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Friday, March 03, 2006
-- Ultralight Use --
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Interesting article here on the employment of ultralights in the Big Woods area to fly over and attempt to flush/photograph Ivory-bills from above (an idea initiated some time back by Bob Russell of U.S. Fish & Wildlife).
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Interesting article here on the employment of ultralights in the Big Woods area to fly over and attempt to flush/photograph Ivory-bills from above (an idea initiated some time back by Bob Russell of U.S. Fish & Wildlife).
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Thursday, March 02, 2006
-- Cornell Update --
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Cornell has posted another update on their IBWO site, quoting AR. Deputy Sec. of the Interior Lynn Scarlett as thanking Cornell for helping "confirm the sighting of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker," and mentioning the $2+ million of Federal funds that the recovery effort may get for the new fiscal year beginning next Oct. 1.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/latest/DOIgrants
Another recent news article on the search is here:
http://www.arktimes.com/Articles/ArticleViewer.aspx?ArticleID=9da2f0c9-8471-4e92-9ba1-e5046e194b23
In the meantime, Cornell's Ron Rohrbaugh is scheduled to speak tonight in Annapolis, Md. on Cornell's findings, and Jerry Jackson, who has recently searched in both Florida and Arkansas, will be speaking in Memphis, TN. on March 15.
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Cornell has posted another update on their IBWO site, quoting AR. Deputy Sec. of the Interior Lynn Scarlett as thanking Cornell for helping "confirm the sighting of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker," and mentioning the $2+ million of Federal funds that the recovery effort may get for the new fiscal year beginning next Oct. 1.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/latest/DOIgrants
Another recent news article on the search is here:
http://www.arktimes.com/Articles/ArticleViewer.aspx?ArticleID=9da2f0c9-8471-4e92-9ba1-e5046e194b23
In the meantime, Cornell's Ron Rohrbaugh is scheduled to speak tonight in Annapolis, Md. on Cornell's findings, and Jerry Jackson, who has recently searched in both Florida and Arkansas, will be speaking in Memphis, TN. on March 15.
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Wednesday, March 01, 2006
-- Ivory-bill Art --
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If you're into both Ivory-bills AND art, Mary Scott is now offering at her site the long-promised print by artist Wil Goebel commemorating Mary's 2003 sighting of an Arkansas IBWO ($175, approximate size 22" x 34):
http://www.birdingamerica.com/goebelprint.htm
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If you're into both Ivory-bills AND art, Mary Scott is now offering at her site the long-promised print by artist Wil Goebel commemorating Mary's 2003 sighting of an Arkansas IBWO ($175, approximate size 22" x 34):
http://www.birdingamerica.com/goebelprint.htm
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-- Mike Collins Update --
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Mike Collins has possibly another month or so to explore in the Pearl River area, while working at nearby Stennis Space Center -- he continues to post occasional updates at his own webpage, where he has also summarized all his February Ivory-bill encounters to this point (or, if you want to view his many world birding reports over the last 10+ years go here.) This recent entry (response) of his ("Cinclodes") on BirdForum, describing search techniques, is also worth reading.
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Mike Collins has possibly another month or so to explore in the Pearl River area, while working at nearby Stennis Space Center -- he continues to post occasional updates at his own webpage, where he has also summarized all his February Ivory-bill encounters to this point (or, if you want to view his many world birding reports over the last 10+ years go here.) This recent entry (response) of his ("Cinclodes") on BirdForum, describing search techniques, is also worth reading.
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Tuesday, February 28, 2006
-- Zickefoose Cover Art --
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Julie Zickefoose's blog today has a final installment describing how she completed her painting of an Ivory-bill for the cover of the Jan. "Auk" issue. I guess the only question remaining is whether her bird is flying over the Cache River or the Pearl!???
http://www.juliezickefoose.com/blog/2006/02/everything-but-bird.html
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Julie Zickefoose's blog today has a final installment describing how she completed her painting of an Ivory-bill for the cover of the Jan. "Auk" issue. I guess the only question remaining is whether her bird is flying over the Cache River or the Pearl!???
http://www.juliezickefoose.com/blog/2006/02/everything-but-bird.html
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Monday, February 27, 2006
-- March SCIENCE --
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Rumor has it that one of the upcoming March issues of Science Magazine will carry the long awaited/postponed rebuttal by David Sibley et.al. to Cornell's original IBWO Science article, and one would assume to the latest online Luneau film analysis as well. Indeed it will be interesting to see just how much time is spent in rebuttal of the film clip, which I still consider to be of only tangential importance anyway, versus the rest of Cornell's body of evidence.
At least the month ahead probably won't be boring... and the phrase "March Madness" just might refer to more than b-ball this year!!
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Rumor has it that one of the upcoming March issues of Science Magazine will carry the long awaited/postponed rebuttal by David Sibley et.al. to Cornell's original IBWO Science article, and one would assume to the latest online Luneau film analysis as well. Indeed it will be interesting to see just how much time is spent in rebuttal of the film clip, which I still consider to be of only tangential importance anyway, versus the rest of Cornell's body of evidence.
At least the month ahead probably won't be boring... and the phrase "March Madness" just might refer to more than b-ball this year!!
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Sunday, February 26, 2006
-- Pearl Video --
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The following article talks about the official Ivory-bill search due to get underway in southeast Texas late this year:
http://www.southeasttexaslive.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16197293&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=512588&rfi=6
For any who haven't been following the IBWO discussion on BirdForum (...if you missed the weekend posts you'll have L-L-LOTS of catching up to do -- around 200 entries over the weekend), a couple of folks have posted renditions of part of the video which Mike Collins took at Pearl River that has been the subject of much discussion, and I believe folks over at LSU are currently working on it as well. Take a gander and manipulate as needed to get your best looks, depending on what sort of screen and software options you have available -- people can certainly state their opinions, but I'd like to avoid drawn-out back-and-forth verbal matches from people seeing different things with different pieces of equipment and software; nothing will be definitively resolved here; but if you feel you have an important or new insight to make by all means bring it up! :
http://home.att.net/%7Efangsheath/mike2.avi
http://www.birdwatch.plus.com/cinclodesflight.htm
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The following article talks about the official Ivory-bill search due to get underway in southeast Texas late this year:
http://www.southeasttexaslive.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16197293&BRD=2287&PAG=461&dept_id=512588&rfi=6
For any who haven't been following the IBWO discussion on BirdForum (...if you missed the weekend posts you'll have L-L-LOTS of catching up to do -- around 200 entries over the weekend), a couple of folks have posted renditions of part of the video which Mike Collins took at Pearl River that has been the subject of much discussion, and I believe folks over at LSU are currently working on it as well. Take a gander and manipulate as needed to get your best looks, depending on what sort of screen and software options you have available -- people can certainly state their opinions, but I'd like to avoid drawn-out back-and-forth verbal matches from people seeing different things with different pieces of equipment and software; nothing will be definitively resolved here; but if you feel you have an important or new insight to make by all means bring it up! :
http://home.att.net/%7Efangsheath/mike2.avi
http://www.birdwatch.plus.com/cinclodesflight.htm
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Thursday, February 23, 2006
-- White Pileated In Big Woods --
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As if the waters weren't muddy enough (metaphorically speaking) Cornell has documented a mostly whitish (leucistic) Pileated Woodpecker at the White River Refuge in AR. as well as at least one other PIWO with additional white on a wing as had been reported earlier.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/field/from_field_html/whitePIWO
Worth reading for both the pictures and interesting commentary. While these birds don't look anything like an Ivory-bill they will certainly open the question among skeptics of whether there might exist a sibling or offspring (among the MANY Big Woods' PIWOs) that is marked in a more IBWO-like manner.
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As if the waters weren't muddy enough (metaphorically speaking) Cornell has documented a mostly whitish (leucistic) Pileated Woodpecker at the White River Refuge in AR. as well as at least one other PIWO with additional white on a wing as had been reported earlier.
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/ivory/field/from_field_html/whitePIWO
Worth reading for both the pictures and interesting commentary. While these birds don't look anything like an Ivory-bill they will certainly open the question among skeptics of whether there might exist a sibling or offspring (among the MANY Big Woods' PIWOs) that is marked in a more IBWO-like manner.
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Wednesday, February 22, 2006
-- Searching Tips --
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Today a BirdForum participant posted a list of tips for searching in IBWO country that I thought was interesting and worth passing along (in very slightly edited version below):
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Today a BirdForum participant posted a list of tips for searching in IBWO country that I thought was interesting and worth passing along (in very slightly edited version below):
"1.Move slowly 10 steps... look around with your eyes - then your head.... then move again.. Don't bother looking around while you are moving.. LOOK WHILE YOU ARE STILL - you will see more..... WHEN YOU are moving look at where and what you are putting your feet on.. ie. branches, leaves etc...don't splash... walk in 3 or 4 step patterns.. ONLY humans walk in 2 step patterns...... 2 step walking alerts ALL animals to human presence.... It is painstaking to move like this.. particularly if you have never done it... BUT.. it is necessary...you'll be amazed at how much closer to birds and other wildlife you will get....
1.A.. when you stop it is best to have your sillouette broken up by a large tree or bush... stop in the shadows if you can..
1 B. before you move.. Locate your next stopping point.. and closely analyze the steps to getting there..... look for and plan for obstacles..
1.c.IF you are patient... you can step through weeks worth of dry leaves and still sound natural. poke your foot in with your toes..slightly wiggle your foot and CREATE A HOLE... DON'T go traipsing through sounding like a frosted flakes commercial...
2.wear a hat.... doesn't have to be camo.. but NO bright colors...
3. minimize unneccesary movement.. smoking, pointing with your hands at everything you see... describe it... sort of like... 2 o clock midway up that gum tree....
4. do the scratch test on everthing you wear..... scratch it with your fingernail... if you can hear it... YOU HAVE THE WRONG CLOTHES>> forget them.. start over.....
5. lay out all of your gear in the sunshine.... anything reflective.. replace it or leave it.. unless you can paint it.... this includes paddles.......
6. you may get wet.. but wear shoes that you can walk comfortably and quietly..... what's a little water? I mean really above 65 degrees is not at all uncomfortable....
7. whisper... don't talk loudly..... if at all. the human voice carries a great great distance.... and despite how much you like them... few wild animals/birds like us.....
8. tape loose ends of your clothing and gear... an untimely snag can ruin a lot of hard work..
9. if you have light skinned cheeks... camo face paint... in vertical stripes.....forehead and the backs of your hands too.... or better yet.. wear like mesh gloves....
10. and most importantly MOVE INTO THE WIND......looking back at nearly every reliable IBWO sighting..... the people were moving into the wind or across the wind.. why.... well... ALL predators move into the wind... the reasons are many.. but in our case here... sound is carried away from our target and not TO them... so moving into the wind minimizes your sound and scent pollution.(Based on what I know... ..about waterfowl and IBWOs... they use their sense of smell MUCH MUCH MORE THAN WE REALIZE...) additionaly.. if you are moving into the wind..you will see MUCH More wildlife than you usually do.. trust me....that always cracks me up when i see birders.. they generally just amble off..... hunters on the other hand... always approach from the downwind side....(well good hunters anyway)..
If you are paddling.... sound proof your paddle... have a towel to place your paddle down on so that it doesn't clang everytime you stop... also put foam pipe insulation at the points where it may hit the boat... and.... while paddling through prime zones.. ONE PERSON PADDLES WHILE THE OTHER PERSON LOOKS.. if by yourself.. 3-5 strokes.. drift and watch........
now.... a couple other points..... some things I always bring with me....
1. a whistle.... IF by some chance you need to contact other people.. whistles work much better than you screaming... and you expend a lot less energy.
2.a clean pair of socks......
3. a roll of duck tape.
4. a SHARP knife.
5. brush cutter shears (make blinds, shelter and clear paths).
6. hunter orange vest( I only wear it if I know there are deer hunters or hunting in the area and generally.. I see other hunters LONG before they are aware of me, I am an exception and not the rule......) but in an emergency hunter orange may save your life if people are looking for you...
7. bug spray... don't have it don't go.. even in winter.......
8.10 feet of rope.......
9..OH>. and your camera..... in a zip loc bag.. also ziploc your wallet, phone and always keep an extra zip loc....."
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-- 'nother Get-together --
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"The Call of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker Celebration" begins tomorrow for 3 days in Brinkley, AR. with several of the now usual IBWO presenters participating. We'll see if anything new or noteworthy emanates therefrom.
If you're not already following the discussion of Mike Collins' ("Cinclodes") efforts in the Pearl at 'BirdForum' you may wish to check it out at:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=33968&page=1&pp=30 (may need to 'refresh' page)
info, updates, and general thoughts are more frequent there than at Mike's own webpage (also worth checking daily).
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"The Call of the Ivory-billed Woodpecker Celebration" begins tomorrow for 3 days in Brinkley, AR. with several of the now usual IBWO presenters participating. We'll see if anything new or noteworthy emanates therefrom.
If you're not already following the discussion of Mike Collins' ("Cinclodes") efforts in the Pearl at 'BirdForum' you may wish to check it out at:
http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=33968&page=1&pp=30 (may need to 'refresh' page)
info, updates, and general thoughts are more frequent there than at Mike's own webpage (also worth checking daily).
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