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Index of Subjects
--------=_MBC7A2683A-BAE8-45F9-BEB3-68DA2EFAE82C
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Hi Lance & All,
I understand why other than expert birders would want to get a=20
picture; needed now to validate the sighting. And technology is great=20
but it can lead to a form of blindness if used as a substitute for first=20
hand observation.
Some years ago the notion was floated (seriously) that soon one=20
would be able to identify any plant or animal just by pointing this=20
hypothetical gizmo at it and the name would pop up. I expect it sunk in=20
a flood of laughter. For tenderfeet, taking mandated inventory of a=20
park, such an approach might be of use but otherwise it would be=20
pointless.
Names are just convenient labels by use of which one can keep track=20
of things (animal, vegetable or mineral) one has encountered and learned=20
about. The process of learning; properties, diagnostic features--and=20
eventually appreciating, is what counts.
To end this sermon I will quote from an insect book (Brues et al.,=20
1954); "... nor can any comprehension of the infinite variety of nature=20
be acquired except by close observational contact with the things=20
themselves."
Yt, DW, Kentville
------ Original Message ------
From: "Laviolette, Lance" <lance.laviolette@lmco.com>
To: "naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
Sent: 5/22/2018 2:35:18 PM
Subject: RE: [NatureNS] Acadian Flycatcher on Brier Island
>Hi,
>
>
>
>Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on your point of view),=20
>photographic equipment has become so advanced and taking photographs so=20
>inexpensive that =E2=80=98shoot first, identify after=E2=80=99 is a techni=
que that is=20
>gaining favor. I know a number of birders who have hung up their=20
>binoculars and now carry only a camera with long lens. Their gear=20
>allows them to shoot many photos a second so they point, shoot and look=20
>through the photos on their camera=E2=80=99s view screen to identify what=
they=20
>photographed.
>
>
>
>The obvious plus is that they always have photographic evidence of a=20
>sighting. The negative is that I=E2=80=99m seeing more people starting out=
=20
>their birding =E2=80=98career=E2=80=99 by taking photographs without learn=
ing the=20
>basics of bird identification. They repeatedly submit photographs of=20
>the same common bird to Facebook pages or web sites asking others to=20
>identify it for them.
>
>
>
>Cheers,
>
>
>
>Lance
>
>
>
>Lance Laviolette
>
>Glen Robertson, Ontario
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>From:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca=20
>[mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca] On Behalf Of Eric Mills
>Sent: Monday, May 21, 2018 5:35 PM
>To: nancy dowd <naturens@chebucto.ns.ca>
>Subject: EXTERNAL: Re: [NatureNS] Acadian Flycatcher on Brier Island
>
>
>
>Hi Nancy,
>
>
>
>One-observer rarity reports bedevil rarities committees. =E2=80=8EAs a com=
piler=20
>and monographer of Brier Island birds, my principle is to accept well=20
>documented single-observer reports by reputable observers. What to do=20
>about my own reports? I rely on my co- author Lance Laviolette to keep=20
>my toes to the fire.
>
>
>
>As for eBird, its arbiters will speak for themselves when I submit the=20
>report. I'm sure they would like a photo, but rather than grab my=20
>camera my instinct is to study a bird rather than shoot first. Many new=20
>birders shoot first and then study the photo rather than the bird. I=20
>deprecate this. Field skills are hard-won.
>
>
>
>All the best,
>
>
>
>Eric
>
>
>
>Eric L. Mills
>Lower Rose Bay
>Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia
>Canada
>
>(on Brier Island)
>
>From: nancy dowd
>
>Sent: Monday, May 21, 2018 14:49
>
>To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
>
>Reply To: naturens@chebucto.ns.ca
>
>Subject: Re: [NatureNS] Acadian Flycatcher on Brier Island
>
>
>
>That is quite a sighting! Hope it sticks around for you or others to=20
>get a photo and/or recording. Is a detailed description, like yours,=20
>enough for it to be confirmed or does this species require more?
>
>
>
>Nancy
>
>Sent from my iPad
>
>
>On May 21, 2018, at 11:57 AM, Eric Mills <E.Mills@Dal.Ca> wrote:
>
>>A convincing Acadian Flycatcher was along the roadside of Gull Rock=20
>>Road about 10am. I glimpsed it from the rear first, saw striking=20
>>greenish colour from head down the back, and thought I had a=20
>>Yellow-bellied. Then it turned and I could see whitish throat and=20
>>light malar, white extending down mid- breast to the belly and very=20
>>pale yellowish breast sides and flanks. It was a big bird, with long=20
>>tail and wing extension. The bill, which was substantial, had a=20
>>conspicuous yellowish- orange lower mandible.
>>
>>
>>
>>At this point, before I could even raise my camera, a car, the first I=20
>>had seen all morning, came banging down the road and the bird took=20
>>off. I could not find it again, but I did locate a Least Flycatcher,=20
>>which was useful for comparison.
>>
>>
>>
>>Eric L. Mills
>>Lower Rose Bay
>>Lunenburg Co., Nova Scotia
>>Canada
>>
>>(on Brier Island)
>>
--------=_MBC7A2683A-BAE8-45F9-BEB3-68DA2EFAE82C
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<body><div>Hi Lance & All,</div><div>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 I understand why oth=
er than expert birders would want to get a picture; needed now to validate=
the sighting. And technology is great but it can lead to a form of blindnes=
s if used as a substitute for first hand observation.</div><div>=C2=A0 =C2=
=A0 Some years ago the notion was floated (seriously) that soon one would b=
e able to identify any plant or animal just by pointing this hypothetical =
=C2=A0gizmo at it and the name would pop up. I expect it sunk in a flood o=
f laughter. For tenderfeet, taking mandated inventory of a park, such an ap=
proach might be of use but otherwise it would be pointless.=C2=A0</div><div=
>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 Names are just convenient labels by use of which one can kee=
p track of things (animal, vegetable or mineral) one has encountered and le=
arned about. The process of learning; properties, diagnostic features--and=
eventually appreciating, is what counts.=C2=A0</div><div>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 To e=
nd this sermon I will quote from an insect book (Brues et al., 1954); "...=
nor can any comprehension of the infinite variety of nature be acquired exc=
ept by close observational contact with the things themselves."</div>
<div>=C2=A0 =C2=A0 Yt, DW, Kentville</div><div><br /></div>
<div>------ Original Message ------</div>
<div>From: "Laviolette, Lance" <<a href=3D"mailto:lance.laviolette@lmco.=
com">lance.laviolette@lmco.com</a>></div>
<div>To: "naturens@chebucto.ns.ca" <<a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.=
ns.ca">naturens@chebucto.ns.ca</a>></div>
<div>Sent: 5/22/2018 2:35:18 PM</div>
<div>Subject: RE: [NatureNS] Acadian Flycatcher on Brier Island</div><div><=
br /></div>
<div id=3D"x23037dd3e858479"><blockquote cite=3D"990B3EE94E8A61448C998FEBAE=
AFC0242332861A@hcxdspm2.ca.lmco.com" type=3D"cite" class=3D"cite2">
<div class=3D"WordSection1">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Hi,<o:p xm=
lns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p xmlns=
:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Unfortunat=
ely (or fortunately depending on your point of view), photographic equipmen=
t has become so advanced and taking photographs
so inexpensive that =E2=80=98shoot first, identify after=E2=80=99 is a tec=
hnique that is gaining favor. I know a number of birders who have hung up t=
heir binoculars and now carry only a camera with long lens. Their gear allo=
ws them to shoot many photos a second so they point,
shoot and look through the photos on their camera=E2=80=99s view screen to =
identify what they photographed.
<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p xmlns=
:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">The obviou=
s plus is that they always have photographic evidence of a sighting. The ne=
gative is that I=E2=80=99m seeing more people starting
out their birding =E2=80=98career=E2=80=99 by taking photographs without l=
earning the basics of bird identification. They repeatedly submit photograp=
hs of the same common bird to Facebook pages or web sites asking others to=
identify it for them.<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p xmlns=
:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Cheers,<o:=
p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p xmlns=
:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US">Lance<o:p=
xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p=
></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ba=
skerville Old Face",serif;color:#1F497D">Lance Laviolette<o:p xmlns:o=
=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ba=
skerville Old Face",serif;color:#1F497D">Glen Robertson, Ontario<o:p x=
mlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p=
></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p xmlns=
:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p></span></p>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><span style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Ca=
libri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D;mso-fareast-language:EN-US"><o:p xmlns=
:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p></span></p>
<div>
<div style=3D"border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in=
0in 0in">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><b><span lang=3D"EN-US" style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;fo=
nt-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">From:</span></b><span lang=3D"EN-=
US" style=3D"font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif">=
<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca">naturens-owner@chebucto.ns=
.ca</a> [mailto:<a href=3D"mailto:naturens-owner@chebucto.ns.ca">naturens-o=
wner@chebucto.ns.ca</a>]
<b>On Behalf Of </b>Eric Mills<br />
<b>Sent:</b> Monday, May 21, 2018 5:35 PM<br />
<b>To:</b> nancy dowd <<a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca">nature=
ns@chebucto.ns.ca</a>><br />
<b>Subject:</b> EXTERNAL: Re: [NatureNS] Acadian Flycatcher on Brier Island=
<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Hi Nancy,=C2=A0<o:p xmlns:o=
=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=
=C2=A0</o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">One-observer rarity reports =
bedevil rarities committees. =E2=80=8EAs a compiler and monographer of Bri=
er Island birds, my principle is to accept well documented
single-observer reports by reputable observers. What to do about my own re=
ports? I rely on my co- author Lance Laviolette to keep my toes to the fire=
.=C2=A0<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=
=C2=A0</o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">As for eBird, its arbiters=
will speak for themselves when I submit the report. I'm sure they would lik=
e a photo, but rather than grab my camera my instinct
is to study a bird rather than shoot first. Many new birders shoot first a=
nd then study the photo rather than the bird. I deprecate this. Field skill=
s are hard-won.<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=
=C2=A0</o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">All the best,<o:p xmlns:o=
=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=
=C2=A0</o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Eric<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknow=
n"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=
=C2=A0</o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">Eric=C2=A0L.=C2=A0Mills=C2=
=A0<br />
Lower=C2=A0Rose=C2=A0Bay<br />
Lunenburg=C2=A0Co.,=C2=A0Nova=C2=A0Scotia=C2=A0<br />
Canada<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"background:white"><span style=3D"font-famil=
y:"Calibri",sans-serif;color:#1F497D">(on Brier Island)
<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<table class=3D"MsoNormalTable" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" width=3D"100=
%" style=3D"width:100.0%;background:white;border-spacing:0px">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style=3D"padding:.75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;font-size:initial;text-align:i=
nitial">
<div style=3D"border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in=
0in 0in">
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><b><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"=
;Tahoma",sans-serif">From:
</span></b><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",s=
ans-serif">nancy dowd<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><b><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"=
;Tahoma",sans-serif">Sent:
</span></b><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",s=
ans-serif">Monday, May 21, 2018 14:49<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span=
></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><b><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"=
;Tahoma",sans-serif">To:
</span></b><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",s=
ans-serif"><a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca">naturens@chebucto.ns.=
ca</a><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><b><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"=
;Tahoma",sans-serif">Reply To:
</span></b><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",s=
ans-serif"><a href=3D"mailto:naturens@chebucto.ns.ca">naturens@chebucto.ns.=
ca</a><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><b><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"=
;Tahoma",sans-serif">Subject:
</span></b><span style=3D"font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",s=
ans-serif">Re: [NatureNS] Acadian Flycatcher on Brier Island<o:p xmlns:o=3D=
"#unknown"></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">That is quite a sighting! Hope it sticks around for=
you or others to get a photo and/or recording. Is a detailed description, l=
ike yours, enough for it to be confirmed or does this species require more?
<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></p>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"margin-bottom:12.0pt">Nancy<o:p xmlns:o=3D"=
#unknown"></o:p></p>
<div id=3D"AppleMailSignature">
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">Sent from my iPad<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></p=
>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal" style=3D"margin-bottom:12.0pt"><br />
On May 21, 2018, at 11:57 AM, Eric Mills <<a href=3D"mailto:E.Mills@Dal.=
Ca">E.Mills@Dal.Ca</a>> wrote:<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></p>
</div>
<blockquote style=3D"margin-top:5.0pt;margin-bottom:5.0pt">
<div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">A convincing Acadian Flycatcher was along the roadsi=
de of Gull Rock Road about 10am. I glimpsed it from the rear first, saw str=
iking greenish colour from head down the back, and thought I had a Yellow-b=
ellied. Then it turned and I could
see whitish throat and light malar, white extending down mid- breast to th=
e belly and very pale yellowish breast sides and flanks. It was a big bird, =
with long tail and wing extension. The bill, which was substantial, had a=
conspicuous yellowish- orange lower
mandible.=C2=A0<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">At this point, before I could even raise my camera,=
a car, the first I had seen all morning, came banging down the road and the =
bird took off. I could not find it again, but I did locate a Least Flycatc=
her, which was useful for comparison.
<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal"><o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown">=C2=A0</o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">Eric=C2=A0L.=C2=A0Mills=C2=A0<br />
Lower=C2=A0Rose=C2=A0Bay<br />
Lunenburg=C2=A0Co.,=C2=A0Nova=C2=A0Scotia=C2=A0<br />
Canada<o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></p>
</div>
<div>
<p class=3D"MsoNormal">(on Brier Island) <o:p xmlns:o=3D"#unknown"></o:p></=
p>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote></div>
</body></html>
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