Birding is an activity that requires remarkable vision, even beyond the obvious implications of that expression. Besides sight, a birder must be gifted with foresight, the determination to plan ahead and arrive not where the birds were but where they’re going to be. In addition, the enthusiast must be possessed of great insight; the ability to apprehend the true nature of a thing is de rigueur when the thing in question bears a marked similarity to various other things flapping around in the vicinity. Finally, when the moment is passed and the birds have flown, hindsight really comes in handy to isolate fact from false impressions.

On the subject of sight, what goes for naturalists goes double for nature photographers. That’s why it’s obvious that Kevin Doxstater is a man of remarkable vision. Just look at his fantastic photos, his NaturalVisions. He’s certainly got the the vision to put together an fabulous, festive I and the Bird #39A Visit from Sandy Claws.

How’s your vision? Look ahead to 2007, a new year bursting with exciting possibilities and beauteous birds. Can you see yourself viewing said birds, blogging about it brilliantly, and contributing your wild bird writing to I and the Bird? See that you do! Send a link and summary to me or our next host, Craig (pluvius AT mac DOT com) of Peregrine’s Bird Blog. The next edition will be presented on January 11, so get your submissions in by Tuesday the 9th.

Written by Mike
Mike is a leading authority in the field of standardized test preparation, but he's also a traveler who fully expects to see every bird in the world. Besides founding 10,000 Birds in 2003, Mike has also created a number of other entertaining but now extirpated nature blog resources, particularly the Nature Blog Network and I and the Bird.