Re: NANFA-- Size of NANFA

Bruce Stallsmith (fundulus_at_hotmail.com)
Sat, 15 Sep 2001 19:44:09 -0400

<x-flowed>
>I've bird watched much more in my life than I've watched fish and I frankly
>prefer the fish world. On the East Coast, especially in New England, bird
>watchers are constantly combing every nook and cranny and its practically
>impossible to just go out and get the nature experience there as a bird
>watcher, its more of a social experience. Even in Minnesota they have to
>keep the locations of some rare birds breeding birds (Burrowing and Barn
>Owls) secret so that people don't go disturb them. A lot of bird watchers
>are listers and all they want to do in check off a bird on a particular
>list
>and some won't let anything get in their way. They'll trespass and or play
>tapes during the nesting season in order to get another check for their
>lists.
I at least agree with you, Mark, in your assessment of New England birders.
While living in Boston I went out on some trips with friends who are birders
(but not the obnoxious kind...). We repeatedly came across people in need of
a serious attitude adjustment. Sometimes I think about trying to write a
list of native fishes I've seen, but I can't bring myself to do it because
of the geeks I've met with their bird checklists.

Even so, I hope more people become (responsibly) interested in native
fishes!

--Bruce Stallsmith
Huntsville, AL, US of A

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp

/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
/"Unless stated otherwise, comments made on this list do not necessarily
/ reflect the beliefs or goals of the North American Native Fishes
/ Association"
/ This is the discussion list of the North American Native Fishes Association
/ nanfa_at_aquaria.net. To subscribe, unsubscribe, or get help, send the word
/ subscribe, unsubscribe, or help in the body (not subject) of an email to
/ nanfa-request_at_aquaria.net. For a digest version, send the command to
/ nanfa-digest-request_at_aquaria.net instead.
/ For more information about NANFA, visit our web page, http://www.nanfa.org
</x-flowed>