In Oklahoma City, you can try urban birding by kayak every Tuesday at Lake Hefner via the fantastic OKC Kayak. For the definitive source of kayaking in Oklahoma check out the Kayak Oklahoma blog.



One of my "missions" as I travel around the world for my livelihood is supporting responsible travel and ecotourism, supporting sustainable development, and helping travelers and travel providers understand the impact they have on the cultures and environments they visit.
Those of us who traveler, by either trade or pleasure, can make an enormous difference by being open, informed, and willing to immerse ourselves in other cultures.
Here are some simple guidelines to remember, reprinted from Ethical Traveler:
1) BE AWARE OF WHERE YOUR MONEY IS GOING, and patronize locally-owned inns, restaurants, and shops. Try to keep your dollars (or baht, or pesos) within the local economy, so the people you are visiting can benefit most directly from your visit.
2) NEVER GIVE GIFTS TO CHILDREN, only to their parents or teachers. When giving gifts to local communities — from schoolbooks to balloons, from pens to pharmaceuticals — first find out what's really needed, and who can best distribute these items.
[See: "A Fistful of Rupees: Coping With Begging on Third World Trails"]
3) Before visiting any foreign land, TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN BASIC COURTESY PHRASES: greetings, "please" & "thank you," and as many numbers as you can handle (those endless hours in airport waiting lounges are a good time for this). It's astonishing how far a little language goes toward creating a feeling of goodwill.
Photo © Timothy Ryan
5) BARGAIN FAIRLY, and with respect for the seller. Again, remember the economic realities of where you are. The final transaction should leave both buyer and seller satisfied and pleased. Haggling for a taxi or carpet is part of many cultures; but it's not a bargain if either person feels exploited, diminished, or ripped-off.
6) LEARN AND RESPECT THE TRADITIONS AND TABOOS OF YOUR HOST COUNTRY. Each culture has its own mores, and they're often taken very seriously. Never, for example, pat a Thai child on the head, enter a traditional Brahmin's kitchen, or open an umbrella in a Nepali home!
7) CURB YOUR ANGER, AND CULTIVATE YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR. Anger is a real issue for westerners — even the Dalai Lama remarks on this. It's perversely satisfying, but it never earns the respect of locals, or defuses a bad situation. A light touch — and a sense of cosmic perspective — are infinitely more useful. As Wavy Gravy says: "When you lose your sense of humor, it's just not funny anymore."
8) It makes an enormous difference if you ARRIVE WITH A SENSE OF THE SOCIAL, POLITICAL, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES faced by the people you are visiting. Our site will direct you to good profiles of most travel destinations; we also recommend you read the political and historic sections of your guidebook (Lonely Planet, Moon Publications, and Rough Guides are especially good for this), as well as a country's English-language newspapers.
9) LEARN TO LISTEN. People in other nations often feel underestimated or dismissed by American society. Such convictions lead to anger and resentment. As an American traveler, be aware that many people believe that having the ear of an American is tantamount to having the ear of
10) LEARN TO SPEAK. People from developed nations often express their opinions as if they are the absolute truth. We suggest tempering conversations with phrases like "I believe," or "My view is," rather than, "Everybody knows..."
11) The single most useful phrase any traveler can learn: "CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME?" Rarely, in any country or situation, will another human being refuse a direct request for help. Being of service, and inviting others to reciprocate, is what the phrase global community is all about.
12) LEAVE YOUR MASS MEDIA-BASED PRECONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE WORLD AT HOME. The inhabitants of planet Earth will continually amaze you with their generosity, hospitality and wisdom. Be open to their friendship, and aware of our common humanity, delights, and hardships.
17 comments:
...an absolutely gorgeous photo. Love the crisp white against the deep, rich green. Beautiful.
She's a beauty against all those trees and limbs. She seems peaceful hidden away from the everyday. Hope all is well. Have a great day.
Great capture, love those long-legged wading birds! Thanks for the Oklahoma Road trips link, too.
Hope to see you on the water sometime!
You have a great eye, Tim. The bird stands out so clearly against the green.
Very pretty. I love Egrets and the color is beautiful.
Beautiful photography, and you storm pictures at prairie are great.
I like the white bird against those trees - and certainly agree that kayaking gets you up close to birds.
So, so so glad you coould get out and enjoy the water.
I picture you gliding around a quiet cove, handy camera capturing those rare moments.
Such a great way to spend time--and thank you for passing your discoveries along to us!
Wonderful. I had never heard of kayaking on Lake Hefner.
Kayaking and canoeing must be the best way to see water birds up close T.R. I am trying to get together with my brother to go down the Sacramento River in his canoe on a bird photography excursion.
What an excellent photo of the Great Egret out on a limb. Make sure you click on it to get the full effect.
The Egret looks like it is suspended in the air...
I love getting out in a boat..great in areas like that!
Beautiful photo of the Egret kayaking is the way to go.
The Egrets are so showy against a dark background. Nice shot.
Beautiful shot, TR! I haven't been kayaking since college, but what fun it always was. I can't believe you get to do it on a weekly basis. And it looks like you've got a wonderful place to enjoy the water!
TR, this sound like it is right up my ally! My how that white bird stands out against all of that green. Definately NOT camoflage! This bird is a stand out and a show off!
Spectacular image with the white of the Egret standing out against the darker foliage. Yes, a shot best taken without the long lense.
Arresting image. Less is more, right? Your photos always seem so effortless, but I know that several decades' worth of practice go into that grace.
Thanks for the tip on kayaking in O.K. It looks like a lovely vacation to me.
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