[CINC] a story on How we Make a Difference - (on Condor today)

[Kevin Bailey]

Fellow Naturalists,

 

I thought I would share an experience I had today on the Condor . . .

 

As I was talking with 2 young guys,  I was thinking of what Russell said at
the meeting last week about how we make a difference and often don't know
it.

Today I was standing nearby 2 young guys (early 20's) and one says to me
"Sir, Can you verify for me what my friend is saying about seals that wave
their arms up out of the water?"

I said "Sure, actually they are Sea Lions and they raise their flippers out
of the water to increase their body temperature - it's called thermo
regulating". His jaw dropped to the ground in total amazement that his
friend had most of the story right!

I went on to explain the difference between a seal and a sea lion and this
young, somewhat cocky, yet pleasant guy was again amazed by these simple
facts that we all take for granted.

I saw his attitude change from the young "yeah, right, whatever 20-something
attitude" to one where he was very interested in learning about the Channel
Islands area

His friend had seemed to convince him to go on this trip with no
expectations other than a cool boat ride. They both had recently moved here
from Boise, ID so this was an entirely new experience.

After talking to him for a bit he said "I have always been afraid of the
ocean, ya know the sharks and all". I explained briefly what is happening to
the worldwide shark populations with shark finning and shark fin soup and he
had never heard anything about this topic. Nothing. I could actually see an
attitude adjustment and even told him that this was why I was on the boat -
to educate people about the natural resources we have here but also how
things that happen here affect the entire planet.  He became more
inquisitive and continued to ask more questions. After I realized he was not
just being a smart *** kid but really was listening and taking to heart what
I was saying I told him that he can take this new knowledge back to Idaho
and share what he had learned. He then said "I'm diggin' this, this is kinda
cool!"

As I was talking, a couple pelagic cormorants flew by in front of the boat.
I pointed them out to these guys and some other birds as we were cruising
along SCI. Then came another response: "You even know about the birds here!
Wow" 

We also asked about getting on the island and we talked about hiking and
camping and how he could explore in more depth each of the Channel Islands.
I think we will have a repeat customer here! 

He probably went home and wrote a blurb on his Facebook page but there won't
be any pictures to upload because he was bummed he forgot his camera.

I guess it will be my little secret about what I still don't know but was
happy to make such a positive impression on this young mind today.

 

Kevin Bailey

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