Bobby [Harrison] is the kind of guy who does bizarre things that crack me up--like wearing only one contact lens, so he can have one eye for distance and the other for close-up vision, or spitting into his hand and putting the hand to his eye to lubricate his contact lens. "You know, Bobby, they have a special solution you can buy for that," I told him once. "Yeah, but this is just as good and the price is better," he said.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Still questioning all those Harrison naked-eye sightings?
If you're still not completely comfortable with all of Bobby Harrison's naked-eye glimpses of flying presumed-extinct birds, this paragraph (from page 34 of The Grail Bird) may not help:
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9 comments:
They key for acceptable IBWO photos is poor quality, especially blurriness.
The key for an IBWO sighting is firstly believing, and secondly a poor quality sighting.
Two contact lenses are very useful for the latter because you can simply use the blurriest eye for IDing the bird.
Just an Ivy Leaguer making fun of those southern good ole boys. Adding some local color to his book.
But, you know, Bobby didn't have far to fall. But those Nor'easterners, they have reputations. Who was the fool here?
Bobby doesn't have to do that contact lens trick anymore since he is sponsored by Eagle Optics. He can use the popular "IBWO Binocs" that have rose-colored lenses, allowing you to remain optimistic when searching, which then go into "blur mode" when you think you have an IBWO - providing an image similar in quality to the Luneau video.
The binocs are also cumbersome enough to prevent you from easily getting to your camera, even if you are an "award winning photographer".
No point in getting an image when you can have your own blurry memories.
Can anybody think of an example of a rarity that was seen only as glimpses dozens and dozens of times over a period of years before it was finally solidly confirmed? It seems that if the IBWO exists in any of these locations, it would be unique among North American birds.
I never have put much faith in Harrison, but even so, I reckon he is probably innately sharper than than his Cornell compadres. The packaging is just different.
Even with all that, says here the bird still flies and in the end, y'all will prove to be the real dummies.
Hooyah, yeehaw, and later. Going to the creek, and then to a wedding. (first cousins are marryin' each other)
Thanks for the update, Cletus. You have innate woodsy wisdom.
Beautiful day here at Cornell...a little on the brisk side though...
Will be sailing for the rest of the day. Then will be at the Cornell Club of Boston tonight. Please do visit sometime. I'd love to introduce you around at the club.
It would be a hoot.
Ta ta.....
you know, there are a bunch of flakes in the search. the search kinda attracts them. kinda like the nut case who swears there's a giant ground sloth in Argentina. they're also the most likely to find the IBWO first since they're so dogged. when's Amy's bet deadline?
.. they're also the most likely to find the IBWO first since they're so dogged
Please start holding breath now.
I think the brain is blurrier than the eye in this case.
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