[texbirds] Re: Spring Migration and Paranoia
- From: Cameron Carver <c.o.carver@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: Danny Hoehne <hoehneintexas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, TexBirds <texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, "leasbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <leasbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 6 Apr 2014 15:38:26 -0500
I am used to getting attention. As I stated, one of the other neighborhoods
in town is one that I frequently visit (others do as well). I have been
stopped by police officers and asked what I was doing. They had no problem.
I have been approached by many residents. They have almost always been more
than happy to chat with me. They usually want to show me their cardinals or
Blue Jays after I explain what I am doing. If a person still wants to
follow you and threaten violence after getting a rational and respectful
explanation, then "faux-zimmerman" is more than appropriate. And I don't
think that it was a political statement. I was drawing a parallel to my
situation through a cultural allusion. I'm just glad I wasn't wearing a
hoodie....
Cameron Carver
Lubbock, TX
On Sun, Apr 6, 2014 at 3:25 PM, Danny Hoehne <hoehneintexas@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:
>
> Being a retired cop and a lifelong birder, I can assure you that
> being a stranger in a strange neighborhood (especially if affluent) with a
> pair of binoculars around your neck will most assuredly get you some
> attention. Don't take is personal, and certainly don't make it political
> with comments like "faux-Zimmerman."
>
> Danny Hoehne
> Harlingen, Texas
>
>
>
> Cameron: I had such a day in Gonzales back in Feb. (plus a near wreck with
> a herd of hogs on the way down and forgetting my wallet)..3 different cops
> stopped to ask me as to what I was doing on a Sunday morning walking the
> streets in the historic part of town. I was even wearing nice jeans :-) I
> feel sure people had been calling me in. One even said something to the
> effect that "folks don't know you" There was no one else on the streets
> and no reason for the law to be in the area otherwise..But they were all
> nice once I explained.
>
> **********************************************************************
> Brush Freeman
> 503-551-5150 Cell
> 120 N. Red Bud Trail. Elgin, Tx. 78621
> http://texasnaturenotes.blogspot.com/
> Finca Alacranes., Utley,Texas
>
>
> On Sun, Apr 6, 2014 at 2:29 PM, Cameron Carver <c.o.carver@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> > Greetings,
> > This morning looked like it was going to be a decent day for migrants in
> > the area, so I thought I would try out a new birding spot. There are
> > several old, affluent neighborhoods in Lubbock that also happen to have a
> > great number of large deciduous trees. Tech terrace is one of those
> > neighborhoods and a place I bird often. Rush is another one of those
> > neighborhoods. The trees here are much taller and numerous than Tech
> > terrace. This is seemingly a great place to find migrants. I parked my
> > truck at Higginbotham Park and started walking around the neighborhood.
> > Lots of Northern Cardinals out and singing. Since Lubbock should be a
> flat
> > grassland, lots of Northern Cardinals is a good sign. I had a Brown
> Creeper
> > crawling up a trunk and some American Goldfinch singing in a tree. I
> heard
> > a Curve-billed Thrasher calling. This species is often difficult to find
> > within the town.
> >
> > As I was trying to find the thrasher, a man drove up in his big white
> > diesel truck and asked me what I thought I was doing. I responded that I
> > was bird watching. He explained that I looked like I was being suspicious
> > and that it would be a great way to get shot. I reminded him that I was
> on
> > a public road and was doing nothing wrong. I also explained that I
> > regularly birded other neighborhoods and have not had any problems. He
> > became more aggressive with me - perhaps he hadn't yet drank his morning
> > coffee. I told him that I was going to continue what I was doing. He then
> > asked me if I wanted him to call the cops to which I responded with a
> > definite yes. As I was walking away, he yelled "Well, if this is a public
> > road I am going to follow you." I enjoyed the company. With him in tow, I
> > heard another Curve-billed Thrasher and saw a Great-blue Heron fly over.
> >
> > Soon, not one. Not TWO. BUT THREE police cars arrived on the scene. They
> > asked the man (still in his truck) why he was following me while another
> > officer made small talk with me. Paranoid, delusional man drove off and
> all
> > three officers chatted with me. As I explained to the faux-Zimmerman, I
> was
> > doing nothing wrong. However, the officers encouraged me not to provoke
> > people by birding neighborhoods. They also said that this man wanted and
> > was fully intending to beat me up. I can understand that from their
> > perspective this is a hassle. BUT I have every right to be at this
> location
> > and I will continue to bird this location as it has great potential. I
> > will, however, likely bird THAT neighborhood with a birding buddy from
> now
> > on. Safety in numbers.
> >
> > I birded some local playas after that. Nothing exciting, just some
> American
> > Avocets and Black-necked Stilts trickling in.
> >
> > I decided that I wanted to cleanse myself of idiocy and go to a
> > neighborhood that was acceptive of birders. Ransom Canyon was hopping.
> > Swallows everywhere on the lake (could only pick out Cliff, Barn and
> Tree +
> > Purple Martin). A whopping 24 American White Pelicans were on the lake. I
> > believe that is a Lubbock County high count in eBird. My first
> > Black-chinned Hummingbird of the year was near a feeder. Common Grackles
> > have returned to their trees in which they breed. A Twonsend's Solitaire
> > was near the chapel parking lot and allowed me to get some decent
> > digibinned photos. My first Green Heron was in the spillway pond and an
> > Orange-crowned Warbler was below the pedestrian bridge (a bird that has
> > been scarce so far this year).
> > On the way out, a brilliant Scissor-tailed Flycatcher was sitting on the
> > wire.
> >
> > I still have managed to miss all of the Swainson's Hawks in Lubbock
> County,
> > but I have already seen them well north of here.
> >
> > Chickens are lekking where chickens lek. They are a Threatened species
> now.
> > Doesn't that make you want to see them even more? No one has reported
> them
> > to eBird yet in the state of Texas. All other states (CO, NM, OK, KS)
> have
> > reported them this year. What are y'all waiting for?
> >
> > Cameron Carver
> > Lubbock, TX
> >
> >
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