And to think I almost missed noticing it.
You might call it a personal quirk but I pay attention to numeric milestones in my life. Some are positive and others… not so much. I’ll turn 75 on my birthday this year and that’s one I have mixed feelings about. I have vivid memories of my mother’s reaction to turning 75 – she simply did not want to acknowledge it or talk about it. Or even have it commemorated.
Hopefully my reaction will be different. Presuming I actually reach that milestone I hope to view it as an accomplishment.
On December 17, 2017 the Ford F-150 Ecoboost I had back then turned 100,000 miles. At the time I was on a bird photography trip in a remote area in northern Utah, very close to where we found Galileo the Short-eared Owl hung up on barbed wire. I’m usually laser-focused when I’m looking for birds but it was important enough to me to accurately document the occasion that I allowed myself to be distracted for a while so I could get all six “0”s in the photo. Don’t ask me why it was that important to me, but it was.
Earlier this month Feathered Photography hit a significant numeric milestone but this time the timing of my documentary graphic wasn’t quite so precise.
Jetpack stats for Feathered Photography
A few weeks ago I noticed that the “total views” in my blog stats were approaching 3 million. It’s taken me a very long time to reach that number so it was my intention to document the occasion by getting a screen shot of that stat when it was as close to 3 million as possible. But then I just spaced it out and didn’t notice until last night that I’d already passed 3 million views. So this graphic is as close as I came to hitting that momentous number right on the button.
I don’t know why the photo of my pickup odometer was important to me but I know why this stats graphic is. I’ll try to explain.
One of my primary goals with Feathered Photography has always been to promote an appreciation and respect for birds, wildlife, nature in general and this incredibly fragile planet we all live on. I’m not so naïve that I don’t realize that most of those 3 million views came from folks who believe largely as I do when it comes to ecological and environmental matters. So yes, I do a lot of “preaching to the choir”.
However, it’s logical to assume (and I have evidence of it in my other stats) that a significant number of my blog views have come from folks on the fringes, folks who find my blog using search engines or direct links from social media and elsewhere. I know for fact that countless students around the world doing research for class assignments, research papers and the like, find Feathered Photography while researching their subject.
Many, perhaps even most, of those folks don’t belong to ‘the choir’, or if they do they don’t attend choir practice very often. So it’s my hope that Feathered Photography might contribute to having them singing a different tune, and maybe even considering joining the choir. And the more total views I have the more of those fringe folks I reach.
So I’ll continue to preach, to the choir and to the fringes. My blog stats help by providing feedback. And motivation.
Ron
Congratulations!
I too have been a silent reader for a couple of years. I believe I found the original link to your blog on Facebook, where I post on Birding New Mexico. Even though I have been a photographer most of my life (first camera was a Brownie when I was 6) I have found your critiques and tips very useful for improvements in my photos. They have been very helpful after I finally acquired a Canon DSLR a couple of years ago. My main difference is that I rarely do burst shots, but try to get the “decisive moment” when I push the shutter, as I was taught. My father was a professional photographer and a notable birder who helped me at first, but then I went on my own learning path. Your strong stand on ethical photography is inspiring. Keep at it!
Hello, Mr. Dudley! I’m a longtime silent reader from another continent entirely (East Asia). Congratulations on a huge milestone!
I wish I had worked up the courage to show my appreciation earlier. The superb quality of your images, the interesting and informative descriptions of bird behavior, and the frank discussions of the realities behind bird photography have been a joy to follow.
You haven’t been preaching to the choir in my case – I had been quite unaware of ethical photography or ecological concerns when I first got into your blog. Your posts have made me a lot more concerned for wildlife and made me a lot more mindful of ethics when I picked up photography later on.
In my country in East Asia, wildlife photography and birding have been gaining a lot of popularity in recent years. I’m pleased to say that the vast majority of the newer bird watchers are very conscious of ecological issues and have been active in calling out and correcting unethical behaviors. I don’t think such a shift in public perception would have been possible without people like you raising awareness and making such issues engaging to the wider public!
Thank you so much for your work!
HC, your comment alone made the work of this post and all it represents worth it. I mean that sincerely.
If you ever comment again, and I hope you do, please call me Ron. I left Mr. Dudley behind when I retired from teaching… 🙂
Wow! I tried to grasp what 3 million views was by thinking astronomically – its like the miles we’d need to go to the moon and back 6 and a half times. Congrats.
Very interesting analogy, Kent. Made me appreciate that stat, and the viewers responsible, even more.
Most people I know don’t have much interest in observing wildlife. They’re too busy with work, or wondering what’s for lunch, or what’s going on with their friends/family, or their eyes are glued to their screens.
It’s just a bird. Who cares? Why do you even care about this stuff?
So if I spot a bird, I tend to keep it to myself and smile on the inside.
So I’m glad you have been and still are “preaching to the choir”, to respect and enjoy wildlife *responsibly* consistently through the years. It makes us feel a little less alone. 🙂
There are far too many people like those you describe, Amy. Thank you.
Congratulations on your truck’s odometer reading…and yours(although at my age, your still “cute Baby Ron, photographer extraordinaire”…I don’t even know how long I’ve been in the choir, singing your praise…I was just trying to find facts about eagle’s eyes color changes as they age…but becsme hopelessly hooked…immediately…and stayed so, through good times and bad…Happy Birthday, Kid!!! (What do you want to be when yougrow up?)
.
Patty, your first comment on my blog was on “2013/05/16 at 9:11 am” (copied and pasted from my stats). And yes, it was a Bald Eagle post.
When I grow up I want to be a teacher. Again. It went pretty well the first around. Although I’m going to put growing up off until the worst of the pandemic is over. I sure as hell wouldn’t want to be in the classroom right now. I feel so very sorry for both teachers and students.
Me,too..Special Ed..and it was “special”…very..the kids were GREAT AND VERY special….👍Thankful not to be in classroom now, it must be very difficult! …teachers are AMAZING to be willing able to deal with this mess…snd very challenging and even scary. God bless all of you who are still teaching…(in and out of a classroom)….this includes YOU. Mr.Dudley!
I was one of those who came here via a link from another website to do a little research. And I was hooked! Lurked for a while and then started commenting and I’m so glad I did. I absolutely love being a part of this wonderful community — no, FAMILY — you’ve created here, Ron. And am doing my part to help you hit 100K comments soon! ❤️ (BTW, 75 is the new 55. 😉)
“BTW, 75 is the new 55”
If it were only so! Thanks, Marty.
If I had the power,I’d reset your personal odometer to 271/2…PS.AS A GREAT BONUS, I’ve become friends with some WONDERFUL fellow “blog buddies”
Thanks for preaching to the choir. It is most appreciated!
Thanks, Catherine.
I’m hot on your heels with the age thing.
Way behind on the odometer reading.
Not even within sight on blog viewership.
Thank you for being a consistent choir master. We should all aspire to a fraction of your zeal, persistence and success.
Thank you, Wally.
I’m adding my Amen to the choir, Ron. ( And I admit that your post has got me singing… If i were a bird I’d probably be a house wren!)
Made me smile, Nina.
Well done – wise words and excellent intentions, and I suggest, some modicum of success in your efforts.
Thank you, Gary.
I had to laugh because of a thought I had when I read Gina’s first few words on her post “Congratulations on your odometer”. The vision and thought that popped into my head was what if humans had a visible odometer just behind an ear? My vision was the old fashioned turning wheel type where numbers would roll and be in between numbers at times.
Congratulations on your blog viewership reaching new numbers! I believe it was my daughter, while researching raptor poses for art work, who first found you blog. Was your blog up as far back as 2007 when she was in the 8th grade? If not then later while she was in high school. But I did not become a regular follower til later. I followed you from a birding site on social media, FB . I was a late comer to the FB birding site, as my time from 2007 to 2014 besides working a full time paying job, was taken up with wildlife rehabilitation at the time (20+ hours a week during the school year and during summers 40+ hours a week). My friend Linda added me to the FB birding site 2012 and that is when I started to follow you regularly. I wanted new camera equipment and to be active in wildlife photography as I cut back on time spent rehabbing wildlife. Your blog helped encouraged my pursuit and helped immensely in how to use my new 7DMII, I purchased in 2016. I love the stats and the camera info you post! I have shared your site with many friends and family who I know follow but don’t comment. Thank you for your knowledge, hard work, interesting information, beautiful photos and friendship. May your odometer behind your ear reach 100!
I photographed my car odometer at 191919. If it makes it to 202020 will it implode to back to the future, I hope not!
April, sorry I’m late responding to you. Internet went down so I took a nap.
I didn’t start blogging until October of 2010 so your daughter must have been in high school.
Good to know I encouraged you to get into photography more seriously. I get the impression you’ve really enjoyed it, at least most of the time.
Keep on preaching Ron. 🙂
Thank you for what you do.
That’s my intention, Patrick. Thanks.
First: Congrats on your blog doing so well. It’s easy for personal blogs to get lost in all the internet noise, so this serves as definite proof that yours stands out from the crowd. I know I sure enjoy and learn from it.
Second: I totally get where your Mother was coming from regarding the B-Day. When I turned 50 I felt the same as your Mom, and didn’t even want the day acknowledged.
Here’s to many more milestones in your birding adventures!
René, my mom let it be known that she was serious about not wanting any attention directed to her birthday. She was nearly always good natured about everything but that subject, that year, was an exception.
Wow! And almost 100,000 comments too. Well done, Ron.
Thank you, Neil.
Hey OLD friend, Congrats.
I can attest to the fact you will indeed survive turning 75. Remember my Bday is 12-26-46!!!!!!!
Thanks, Dennis. I do remember that you were among the oldest, perhaps the oldest, in our graduating class. And I believe the first to be married. To my old girlfriend, you cad!
Each morning I try to guess from your title what wonderful things I’m about to look at or learn about. You stumped me today! So much fun – though the old-fashioned odometers where the numbers actually “rolled” over were maybe more exciting than today’s digital ones. Congratulations on all those numbers (your daily number is pretty impressive, too!)
I found FP when I was looking up “Magpie Nests”. I’m so glad to be part of your statistics and daily choir.
Thanks, Carolyn. My magpie and Bald Eagle posts have been some of the biggest avian draws to my blog over the years.
Congrats on the great numbers! Hope to see the next 3 million even sooner. You know we’re in the same camp but you reach a much bigger choir than I do and therefore have a much greater chance of finding converts. How can anyone not be attracted to the beauty of the world when seen through your lens. keep up the good work. The world needs more choir directors like you. We all appreciate your contribution to this planet.
Thanks very much, Dan. I’m sure your knowledgeable contributions in your comments have attracted viewers to FP.
I have not much new to add to the well-deserved congratulations and kudos you are receiving for your milestones, photography and work ethic — but I have been a fairly constant daily visitor to this blog for a number of years and thank you for being so generous with all of it!
Re odometer milestones, I’ve snapped shots of 99,999 on my last three cars (and just bought a new one, so it will be a few years before that happens again). Re your stats, I was curious about that “best ever” 2,576 views, and noticed that your Jan 3 “Near Iconic View of an Adult Bald Eagle and a Rough-legged Hawk” entry came close! What could possibly grab more eyes than that?! 😎
“What could possibly grab more eyes than that?”
Sometimes it’s hard to tell where a big jump in views comes from, Chris. It used to be easier but google reports differently now so tracking down the source can be difficult.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!!!
Congratulations, that is a remarkable achievement! I’m sure 4 million is right around the corner!
The Choir
Thanks for your confidence, Ken. But the last million took quite a while to get.
It was a fortuitous day for me and I have been more than happy to steer other people in your direction. I am a creature of habit and this is one of my better ones.
” I am a creature of habit”
Yet another thing we share.
I am not a singer but this is a choir I am very, very happy to be part of. Somedays I even sing (quietly) along. And I learn each and every day. I have no idea how I found your blog, but a day without a visit is sad. And bad.
“I have no idea how I found your blog,”
EC, I don’t either but I do know it was a very long time ago. Your first comment on my blog was on “2012/06/14 at 6:03 pm” (copied and pasted from another portion of my blog stats). Thanks for your loyalty!
Such a fun, positive post! Congratulations on over 3 Mmillllliooonnn hits on your blog! That is a huge milestone! And as for your odometer, I had to smile as I too wait for the precious moment when all the 9s turn to 0s. Who doesn’t do that? There must be something patently wrong with a person who doesn’t get a kick out of watching “as the odometer turns”. Finally, I just turned 72 and hope I make it to 75! My Mom insisted she was 39 (like Jack Benny) until just before her 80th birthday when she called me and said, “I think I will turn 40 this year.” I surprised her with a 40th birthday party! Here’s to growing up with humor and grace.
“There must be something patently wrong with a person who doesn’t get a kick out of watching “as the odometer turns””
Thanks for that, Melanie. Maybe I’m not as weird as I thought I was.
I like your mom’s sense of humor.
$3M+ and growing!! That IS a milestone to celebrate. Found you by researching hawk art – so am certainly fringe – and also one of your biggest fans. Every morning for the last couple of years you are with my husband Brian and me at the breakfast table.
Kathleen, I was thinking about you and Brian a couple of days ago when I stumbled across the file I kept your print photos in. Now that was a project!
In 2009 I got my first iPhone. My very first screenshot was a Bald eagle wings out talons down over water. I’m not sure how I found your blog about 5 years ago but remember thinking that name looks familiar. So I guess I’ve been a fan longer than 5 years😊 Your talent and ethics to bird photography is very much appreciated.
PS Congrats on both your odometers 🎂🚘hitting milestones❗️
Diana, one of my odometers still has a long way to go. Not sure about the other one.
Congratulations, mister!
I am proud to be in your choir.
And I’m proud to have you, Art.
I’m not surprised that you hit 3M because FP is a singularly wonderful creation. That so many people visit is encouraging that at least part of humanity has good taste. However, I am surprised that the photo of your truck dashboard displays nary a speck of dust. Something doesn’t add up.
Old Abe said “It’s not the years in your life but the life in your years”. Unfortunately, he died relatively young (56); not sure he would have said that had he live to his 70’s like us geezers.
“However, I am surprised that the photo of your truck dashboard displays nary a speck of dust. Something doesn’t add up.”
You hit that nail on the head, Lyle. I cheated. I distinctly remember grabbing a sweatshirt I keep in my back seat and wiping down that part of the dashboard, repeatedly, before I took the photo.
As I often do, I got a kick out of your comment. But if it makes you feel any better, at the moment I could plant, and grow, potatoes on my dashboard.
As another “choir preacher”, I thank you for pursuing your mission with such diligence! You make a difference! Besides that, it’s such fun to check in with you every morning to see what you’ve found.. Amen, Brother Ron!
” Amen, Brother Ron!”
Now that made me guffaw, Mikal. Literally.
Preacher, professor, photographer. You are a Triple P Threat. No idea what that is, but it sound kinda cool. 🙂
Here’s to your next million. And that Golden Eagle shot…
Arwen, if I remember correctly you were the originator of that “professor” moniker.
Gotta admit, it gives me a slight case of the willies to be thought of as a preacher. Especially these days.
Grin. I did tag you as professor! And Preacher is a bit scary. How about Pastor? I think it’s a bit more gentle.
Congratulations on reaching and surpassing that 3 million mark. 👍👏🥳 Whether it comes to one as a choirmaster, parent, teacher or activist seeing that light bulb moment and that fresh spark of awareness is a joy that never pales and is definitely a sign of a life well lived. Aging is indeed a shock (I myself had to ask this year how it was possible to wake up next to an 80 year old man – who is also a teensy bit OCD about numbers) but this is one instance in which quality trumps quantity and those you have reached and influenced are more important than the number of wrinkles you wear. Kudos. And thanks for sharing insights along your journey.
“a teensy bit OCD about numbers”
Ha, I wish I’d thought to put it that way about me in my post, Granny Pat. But then I’d be seriously understating the matter…
I have learned so much from you! Congratulations on 3 million plus.
Thank you, Meg.
Congratulations, Ron! I’m so happy I was part of the more than 3 million views over the years, as it was and is such pleasure to see your photos and read your narrative. Thank you! And I see that you are approaching 100,000 comments soon too!
“I see that you are approaching 100,000 comments soon too!”
Miriam, for an accurate perspective on that, those numbers might include my own comments. I’ve never checked.
I echo everything Shoreacres said—-and I’m so glad that you’re there to bring
to us beauty and reminders of a wholesome sort in these days of
preoccupation with fear– personally speaking, you give me something of
excellence to look forward to every morning and I appreciate your commitment.
Very much appreciated, Kris.
Congratulations, Ron, and thank you! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shared your blog with beginning birders and photographers. Your dedication to the craft while maintaining the highest ethical standards is appreciated in every post!
“I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shared your blog with beginning birders and photographers”
I’m delighted to know that, Diane!
Congrats Ron! Amazing to think you were only 11 years older than me when I was in your 10th grade Biology class at South High. Favorite class and still my favorite teacher!
Brett, I was thinking about our South High days just yesterday when you and I were communicating via email.. You, Diane, Mike – now there was a crew!
And when I first started teaching I was less than 5 years older than some of my students – probably explains part of the reason I never completely grew up!
Congratulations on the milestone! Thank you for sharing both the education and beauty each day.
Many years ago we all piled into my brother-in-law’s Duster to watch the odometer turn 200,000. It’s sometimes the simple milestones that are the most fun.
Agreed, Woody. The simple ones rock.
I’m about 500,000 blog views behind you, and seven months ahead of you in age. Despite the complications inherent in life, every year offers terrific rewards; your photos, and your thoughts about responsible photography, certainly have been rewarding. I’d be willing to bet that you hit five million views by the time you reach 80!
“I’d be willing to bet that you hit five million views by the time you reach 80!”
Thanks for the double dose of optimism, Shoreacres.
Very nice post Ron – rapidly approaching 84 I can tell you that hitting 75 was no big deal. Hitting 100,000 on the Ford and having 3 million plus website hits is much more significant. You have been an inspiration to me as a photographer and as one who has so much respect for nature and our environment and the ethics of nature photography.
Have a super day.
Everett, at this point in my life I’ll need some convincing before I’ll think of turning 75 as no big deal.
Hi Ron
Congratulations on your odometer and views accomplishments. I have been enjoying your photography and the knowledge you share about nature. As a nature photographer myself, I appreciate that you don’t, bait, call in, or set up the animals you photograph. I have become a photographer that now limits my locations of the wildlife I find to photograph when I post on social media, some photographers do not think of their subjects first as you do.
I have learned a lot about birds reading your posts. Thank you
Thank, Gina. I’m pretty circumspect about revealing locations, largely for the reason you mention.
Congrats on passing 3,000.000. ! 🙂 Know I came to the blog quite by accident some years ago now and sure glad I did! I, too, hit the 75 mark this year and have mixed feelings about it… 😉 We just keep on, keepin’ on I guess….
Thanks, Judy.
Yup, we just keep on going. Until we don’t.
I can’t remember how I stumbled upon your blog a couple yrs ago, and I’m not a member of the choir 🙂 I just like good photos of birds (and insects too) and explanations of their habitat and behaviors and your blog written with a dash of humor is a welcomed sight each morning, thank you Ron, and 3 million views concur with me!
Thanks very much, Terri.
Ron, I enjoy your preaching and I’m proud to be in the choir! And…75 does not seem “as old” to me as when I was a kid when I could never conceive of ever being as old as my parents, who were 40 years old at the time. Now that I’m almost 62, 75 does not seem much older to me.
IMHO…It’s all about how you lead your life and the good that you do while you are here, rather than how many years you’ve been consuming Mother Earth’s precious resources, hahaha.
Rick, about all we can do is try to make a positive difference, however imperfectly we do it.
And yes, I clearly remember when I turned 30 and thinking it’s all downhill from here.
Amazing milestone and congratulations! I may sing for a different genre some months of the year, but I always admire your photos!
Thanks for chiming in, Shane. There can be variations of the same tune.
I love your mission and similarily share the good news on my own social channels. Over 1/2 the population of the world is online, so our audience is larger and more diverse than we can imagine. Congratulations on this milestone!
Kellie, I often find social media to be a pain in the hiney but it can serve a positive purpose if you’re willing to pay the price.
You serve all of us very well by sharing your fund of knowledge and photographic talent– an extraordinary teacher and advocate. May you roll up many more miles!
Much appreciated, Kenneth.