The Thing With Feathers

I enjoyed how in this article the author was able to vividly describe what would normally be considered a dreary and boring place. Having been through this part of Arkansas I can relate with how there is little to see, yet the author was able to describe it in a way that made it seem interesting. In addition, I find it fascinating how one bird was able to create an entire tourism market for a small town. I found it interesting how the author chose to describe the farm fields and explain how cyprus swamps used to be there. This in a way shows how human intervention led to the destruction of the birds habitat.  Personally, if I were to have spotted the bird, I would report it with only a description. By describing the animal as a large woodpecker with a red crest, large white beak and white stripped wings, I would be able to imply what I saw without opening myself up for accusations. In addition, I would personally be afraid of causing a frenzy that would result in large numbers of people invading the swamp and warding off more birds. Despite this, I feel that sparling did the right thing and as a result was able to spark further conservation efforts.