As I see it!

Recently, many birders in Malaysia have taken a hard look at this hobby called "Bird Watching" or "Birding". What's bugging them? Many new people are posting up beautiful pictures of "hard-to-spot" birds. Well, birders need not get that worked up. Nothing had changed! The reason for the concerns is the result of the doings of few newer people that share the same birding grounds. It may seem that they are giving a new interpretation to this on-going pass time.

See, in the past we watch birds. With limitations, we seriously spent most of our time getting to know the birds better. Then again, where else can we afford that much of time? Most likely on birds nearer to our house. Making sure that we could recognize them properly. On rare occasions, we venture out to meet up with the more experienced hobbyists to see something "not so common".

Today, the new people with their cameras wants to outdo the traditional birders. By capturing pictures of birds that most of us seldom see. In so doing, they too, have each accumulated in their collection pictures of a long list of "seldom seen" birds. An enviable situation and a state that we too a much longer time to achieve.

All these new norms because digital cameras are changing that. The traditional photographers will also moan about that scenario. As the years past, high end cameras with greater possibilities are falling within reach of an average wage workers. [Or the other way round, these people are pushing beyond their means to owe a piece of the "state of the art" equipments.] Anyway, it become quite common to see a few weekenders carrying these so-called heavy artilleries at the favorite birding spots. When asked? These new breed of cameras lugging personals would claim themselves as "Birders". Not prepared to declare themselves as "Nature Photographers" yet.

While the controversies are going on fine, I have the chance to ask myself  that sensitive question as well. How much of a birder am I? A  second look into what I am doing! I have also being drawn into this frenzy of recording birds pictures. Counting the numbers!

With this new consciousness, I started looking at the pictures I have, quite differently now. I want that collection to mean something. Why not assemble them is sets. Same species of Birds seen in varying lightings and pose. Looking beyond the existing pictures collection, what should I do when I am in the field in future? How to enhance the collection? What else I can do more?

One more idea. I could to tap into those occasions where I encounter some unusual happenings, with birds involved. Write on topics featuring birds as theme. Document my observations and feelings then. Now I truly do record my experiences with birds rather than just doing plain talking.

Here is a list a of subjects that I have thrown in my views.