Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Why am I still blogging?

Like many other bird bloggers, I am answering the question that Mike from 10,000 Birds has posed to us to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of I and the Bird: Why the heck am I still bird blogging?

If I started by saying that I do it for my throngs of readers and their adoration of my writing, I'd be fibbing a bit. While I do cherish each reader and enjoy interacting with them, I also can see that I don't get a huge amount of hits compared to many other bird blogs. My reader count has been relatively steady since I started this blog in April 2006. I continue to blog, despite it being a bit of a chore sometimes, for several reasons:

First, I've most enjoyed the people I've met through blogging. I have met in person several bloggers from other states and other countries and have found them all to be great company. The "blog pals" I've made have been great too. When I started the blog, my goal was to network but I never thought I'd end up hiking a NY mountain to view Bicknell's Thrush with other bloggers or having dinner with a fellow blogger and his family in Oregon. The bird blog world has become a community that I want to stay engaged in and I actually feel like I'm missing out on something when I'm having a "slow period" on my blog.

Second, blogging gives me an outlet to help feel like I'm contributing to the birding community in some way - even if it's minimal. It helps motivate me to go birding, to research new birding finds, to stay abreast of the latest developments, and to help with conservation. My desire to stay involved with these things helps keep me engaged in my blogging.

Third, one of the reasons I started the blog was to learn - both from others and by writing and researching my posts. This has really worked for me and continues to work for me. Many of my posts require research that helps me to learn new natural history information while writing.

So, I hope to continue posting on this blog into the distant future and I can't wait to meet more of my readers. Thanks so much for reading, especially to the few faithful folks who always leave comments!

10 comments:

Susan Gets Native said...

Well, I for one am glad you still are blogging (even if I don't make it over here nearly enough...bad Susan)

I think I blog because I am sadly lacking in approval from "real" people.
: )

John B. said...

I haven't been as active in face-to-face meetings as you have, but interacting with the larger bird blogging community has been one of the benefits. It's one of the things that keeps me writing.

Anonymous said...

You don't mention the benefit of leaving a written record for yourself of your doing and thinking as a naturalist.

Would you be keeping a diary if you were not blogging? And, if you were, would you be working as hard on the quality of writing?

P. Ollig said...

As one of your adoring readers, keep it up, Patrick! I have a very short list of blogs that I both check regularly and look forward to reading. Yours is at the top of that list.

Dave Dorsey said...

Patrick, like Susan I don't make the rounds often enough. However, I do enjoy reading your blog. Hits isn't what it's about. If it was I would have folded a long time ago.

Patrick B. said...

Thanks for all the comments folks!

Susan, you are right! It is a great record-keeping and diary tool.

Owlman said...

Patrick I totally agree with you. I started bird blogging and I'm actually surprised at how much fun it's been. We had the opportunity to hang out in 'real' life and it was a blast. Keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

I'm not a blogger, but Patrick has inspired me to be one; inspired and aspired. I think to be a good blogger, one has to include photos, which Patrick does. I don't yet have the means to do so, so I've delayed my inspiration (for now). But I have to say, I check your blog daily for updates and love that you manage one almost every day. Keep it up! Jeff in Massachusetts.

Beth said...

You are my favorite blogger and my favorite birder!

Anonymous said...

Hi Patrick,
Your answer to Mike's question sounds a lot like mine. I never thought I would enjoy writing but the community of birders is a great one and we are proud to be part of it. Great job on your site. Keep it up!