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Re: advice sought from boating birders
- To: Ginger@athena.dev.unc.edu, carolinabirds@duke.edu
- Subject: Re: advice sought from boating birders
- From: Burnetted@aol.com
- Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2001 18:24:24 EST
- Sender: carolinabirds-owner@acpub.duke.edu
Hi Ginger,
I doubt that color really matters on a boat. Not that I'm a boating expert,
but I have considered the same question when thinking about birding vehicles.
My wife and I purchased a four wheel drive vehicle some years ago with the
idea that we would be doing a lot of birding and photography from it, which
we did. We got a beige color that sort of blended in with winter foliage and
wasn't too bright (to human eyes) even in summer. However, on birding trips
out West we have rented cars in nearly every color of the rainbow, and the
color never seemed to make a difference. I now believe that lack of noise and
slow movements are more important than color.
That being said, I read an article a few years ago about a study that showed
that some birds, specifically Mourning Doves in that study, do react more to
blue than any other color. One suggestion was to avoid wearing blue jeans and
other blue clothing when trying to approach birds. On birding field trips,
which I lead a lot, people often wear blue, though, so again, I would say
that a low level of noise and reduced movements are more important than color
alone.
One last thought. A famous and successful nature photographer, Leonard Lee
Rue III, usually wears camo clothing while out in the field. When asked about
whether he thought camo was essential, he replied that it probably wasn't. It
just made him feel better to wear it; it was just a little extra edge that
might help.
That's my two cents worth.
Dennis
Dennis Burnette
Greensboro, NC
burnetted@aol.com
In a message dated 3/1/01 12:56:31 PM, Ginger@athena.dev.unc.edu writes:
<< Fellow canoeists, kayakers and johnboat birders:
I'm about to buy a new kayak for longer, more efficient birding trips in
swamps and on lakes and estuaries.
My question: How much does color matter, if I want to get as close to birds
as possible?
I'm looking at a heavily discounted bright-yellow kayak. Will it scare the
wildlife?
If I pay more, I can get a new boat in a color of my own choosing, such as
green or light blue. I'm willing to pay -- up to a point. I just want to
know: Does color REALLY matter? If so, which color is best for a close
approach?
Probably best to reply to me privately.
Thank you for any advice you care to give.
Ginger_Travis@unc.edu
Chapel Hill, NC