The proselytization gene:Why we birdwatchers are driven to turn nonbirders into birders

摘要

She was standing on the hawkwatch platform at Cape May Point State Park. Her husband, by all appearances a budding nature photographer, wasn't far away. Not by any means the only person on the platform that morning, she nevertheless stood out.As the only person on a hawkwatch platform not wearing binoculars might."Here," I said, handing her a pair of Swarovski 8x32s. The timid way she grasped them made it plain she'd never held binoculars before."Like this," I counseled, guiding her hands. "Don't need to baby them. Keep your finger on the focus wheel. That's right. Now look at the swan. Keep youreye on the bird. Raise the binocular to your eyes until it falls in line with you and the object of your attention, then spin the focus wheel until..."