Ryan,
This is my own, personal, thank you, as well. I was just on B&B, and read the posts to and from Snoogs and the others. This has nothing to do with their feelings on the birds. I just wrote to Jean to tell her I probably won't returning to B&B for various reasons.
But, to you, Thank You. You have given all of us a great site that we can come to, to feel comfortable on, discuss any aspect of birds/birding on without being judged or attacked. We may have disagreements, but they are quickly dispelled. It's just a good, comfortable place to be, and I, speaking for myself, really appreciate what you've begun here.
I wrote this analogy to Jean recently, concerning the B&B board. I feel like we, who frequent this site, are the human form of Bluebirds, and the others are House sparrows. Example: if you've ever seen a squabble between sparrows, two males are doing the fighting, but others come from everywhere to watch/get in on the action. Bluebirds will simply flap at each other, do a little biting, scratching, whatever, then go their separate ways. Fight's over. But a sparrow, it is out to destroy its competitor, biting, gnawing, pecking until death.
That's how I've felt. I've made a few comments on my methods, and suddenly, here's an entire forum of people pecking and gnawing at me until I leave, never to return. Draw your own conclusions to this analogy.
Anyway. Thank You, Ryan. I'd love to meet you face to face some day.
With Best Regards,
Monty
