Being a majority of one is something that I've gotten used to - it seems that no amount of fancy packaging can get me away from the "Non-conformist" tag that I chose for my original blog. It isn't too much of a surprise - I'm still that same guy, unable to accept what I'm told without a desire to prove it to myself.
Being slagged off is a situation which comes with the territory - it's like being at work. Any bloke, of 58, who wears beads, bangles and ethnic, wooden, jewellery is setting themselves up for a hiding.
Similarly, within the ridiculously unimportant concept of birding, I find myself at odds with the mainstream. My blog statistics have gone off the radar as members of Birdforum have joined the party - maybe I should have done this earlier?
I travel along life's pathway with a very simple brief - enjoy the natural world in which I live. I have opinions on many subjects that are for the ballot box, not a silly blog, so steer well clear of religion, immigration and ethnic intolerance.
When I look at any bird I want to be able to identify for myself; I don't think that this is a particularly radical concept. To this end, I will not accept the verdict of any one else. If I'm looking at a Herring Gull? Then I'm well within a comfort zone; the Yellow Wagtail conundrum I ain't buying into that simplistic "Chanel Wagtail" gig!
I possess no great wisdom, nor am I a particularly talented birder, yet I do have the ability to look and see for myself. My perspective being if you can't be true to yourself - then you're a fool! How many individuals have made efforts to get an image of the "Ramsgate Warbler" - big lenses = excellent photos. My question is how many of them attempted to id the bird, or were they happy to accept the consensus and snap away regardless? A symptom of modern birding - BOOM!
The images that accompany this post are of very familiar species - but are they?
Hang on in there Dyl - your blog is one of the few that has a bit of 'real life' behind it, a good helping of opinion and one that isn't as dry as a cream cracker. Carry on, son...
ReplyDeleteSteve,
DeleteI ain't going anywhere. This present situation will run its' course and disappear without a ripple on life's pond. Quite why my stance causes so much reaction is rather puzzling, but as I say, I will cope with that. Teachers getting offended by my voicing an opinion? I had very little respect, for the majority, whilst I was in education and nothing has changed in the forty years since I left.
I am still enjoying my blogging ans, for as long as that remains true, I will continue to air my views via this medium. I certainly don't go out of my way to seek controversy; somehow it just happens. What those who find my views offensive, or contrary to their own, should remember is that reading my nonsense is not mandatory and everyone has a choice. Good to see that you're enjoying your new found freedom - long may it continue. All the best - Dyl
Is that long legged buzzard Dylan? I've seen them in Turkey. Theyre longer winged and more 'orange' than our Buzzards...
ReplyDeleteStewart,
ReplyDeleteOh, how I wish it was. The top photo is of a Common Buzzard which was breeding near my daughter's village (in East Kent) - I took the photo in March 2012. The lower Buzzard is from Turkey and is (as far as I'm aware) a Steppe Buzzard. My use of these images was purely to demonstrate how little we know about the common species we encounter, yet all of a sudden everyone's an expert when something rare turns up.
Many thanks for taking the trouble to comment - all the best Dylan
No probs Dylan, yes I agree viewing a 200th of a second of a birds life can be tricky to id! I saw Steppe Buzzards in Turkey too, more obvious ones with tails like a redstart....
ReplyDeleteNice blog, I used to fish too but only very rarely these days. I like reading about it though...
Cheers Stewart