Great topic idea. There was something similar recently on the NYT Blog.
http://t.co/176ZAWXE8s I agree with the idea that anyone out looking at birds is a birder whether they have a camera, binos, or are just out walking and listening to bird song. There are two points I would like to add to the discussion though: 1) Pro Cameras: A camera has nearly become mandatory for many birders. As birding has become more popular, fewer birders actually know each other and as a result the level of "trust" in a reported sighting or ID is diminishing. This is not meant to criticize anyone, but how many birders will jump in their car and drive across the state to see a bird reported by someone they don't know and without some sort of photographic proof? Cameras also allow birders to take photos of hard to ID species (peeps, fall warblers, etc..) and get input from others or to allow further study later on. Another more obvious benefit of bringing cameras while out birding is the proliferation of amazing shots on blogs, Flickr, MOU, etc... Being able to see a Cliff Swallow scooping up mud or warblers gleaning insects off a leaf in all it's 500mm glory is something I think most people appreciate. 2) Against Cameras: Personally, I worry that some birders are becoming far too reliant on cameras for purposes of IDing birds. They risk never developing a basic level of ID skills (appearance, song, actions) that I feel enhance the birding experience. I've been on walks before where someone with only a camera is snapping away and then asking people to help ID the birds in the photo. I have no problem with that - everyone is entitled to enjoy life their own way - but I feel like they are missing out on half the fun. As the NYT article mentions, it won't be too many years in the future when binoculars can ID the bird for you just by looking at it. There is already an app due this summer that will allow birders to ID bird calls similar to the Shazam! app that ID's music. The rapid growth in portable technology has the potential for both positive and negative consequences. I hope birders and all lovers of nature continue to have discussions like the one Jim is considering writing about. To update a bible verse: Technology giveth, and technology taketh away. -- Derek Bakken [email protected] iowagreatlakesbirding.blogspot.com ornitholature.blogspot.com Please contribute your sightings to our list; it is only as good as members make it! Also, please report your bird sightings to eBird and/or the IOU/MOU. The information gathered is vital to the future of birds. ---- Join or Leave mou-net: http://lists.umn.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=mou-net Archives: http://lists.umn.edu/archives/mou-net.html
