tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post743714048970175420..comments2024-03-29T05:31:08.670-04:00Comments on Bill of the Birds on Blogspot: Segway BirdingBill of the Birdshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16000245161006147448noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-52239347571674748182008-10-14T22:56:00.000-04:002008-10-14T22:56:00.000-04:00Too cool! This would be ideal at Sandy Hook. I saw...Too cool! This would be ideal at Sandy Hook. I saw Dean Kamen, inventor of the Segway, speak at a work event. He's an interesting guy. He also invented the iBot gyroscopic wheelchair which was the inspiration for the Segway. A co-worker of mine rode a Segway home during the big blackout in NYC a few years back. Unfortunately his battery died and he had to push it home!Patrick B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09080082715363887351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-39984831180592175972008-10-08T14:16:00.000-04:002008-10-08T14:16:00.000-04:00Actually the birds don't mind. I have gotten withi...Actually the birds don't mind. I have gotten within 20 feet of an Ovenbird, stopped and it didn't fly off until I proceeded again. Same with a Hooded Warbler. A White-Eyed Vireo actually flew toward me and landed on a limb about 10 feet away. No need for binoculars. Those are just a few examples. The "whine" is not audible unless you are pushing it to full speed. This is obvious when Bill is travelling and videoing at the same time. He's talking about operating it with one hand as he travels. No audible "whine" here. But you can hear voices in the background. Bicycles are not totally silent. Rattling chains, clacking of shifting gears and often brakes make a much sharper noise.<BR/><BR/>It would be nice if everyone could bird by bike but I have a friend who is 65 and has never ridden a bike. It's a little dangerous to try to learn at that age. She got on and safely operated a Segway within 5 mins. I don't know anyone who could say the same about a bicycle (without training wheels of course).<BR/><BR/>One bonus is that I have never left a skid mark or scar on the trail with a Segway.<BR/><BR/>Kathi, the "sea legs" feel is common. Sort of like the feeling you get when you get off a trampoline.<BR/><BR/>If you ever get the opportunity to test ride a Segway I'd recommend that you try. It's impossible to truly judge it until you've tried one.<BR/><BR/>Happy Birding to All (in whatever mode suits you best)!<BR/><BR/>Leefireflyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01305670488997541273noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-36535968179867222672008-10-08T11:41:00.000-04:002008-10-08T11:41:00.000-04:00Hi Karl,You must not ride a bike much. Creeping a...Hi Karl,<BR/><BR/>You must not ride a bike much. Creeping along is no problem for those who do.<BR/><BR/>My bike is much quieter than your Segway. That annoying hum would drive most birds away.<BR/><BR/>All should give it a shot and try birding on a bike.<BR/><BR/>How about it Bill?<BR/><BR/>CheersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-57138826759112604642008-10-08T00:00:00.000-04:002008-10-08T00:00:00.000-04:00The helmets are a good idea, especially for new se...The helmets are a good idea, especially for new segway riders... Some of us that ride segways a great deal are more adept at having them be an extension of our shoes... Some of us even have a modification that allows us to steer them with our knees, so we do not need to use our hands at all, keeping them free for cameras and binoculars... Their near silent operation is quieter than all the huffing and puffing I do on a bike, and since you can go very slow, you can concentrate on your environment, rather than keeping the bike upright...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-60581637669369641122008-10-07T15:19:00.000-04:002008-10-07T15:19:00.000-04:00"It's a very green way to get from one place to an..."It's a very green way to get from one place to another."<BR/><BR/>I'd just like to point out how many circuit boards, componentry and battery that goes into the Segway.<BR/><BR/>People tent to think if you plug it in it's "green"<BR/><BR/>The waste produced during manufacture and waste involved when it's cast aside in 5-7 years makes this toy green how? Makes me green to think about it.<BR/><BR/>Try a bike... that's green.<BR/><BR/>CheersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-23339177632698763332008-10-06T13:57:00.000-04:002008-10-06T13:57:00.000-04:00cool transport Bill. Good to know you and Andy sti...cool transport Bill. Good to know you and Andy still bird together, rather than just working.Rondeau Richttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13740342799585280444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-7513701148496681632008-10-06T09:42:00.000-04:002008-10-06T09:42:00.000-04:00Great idea if you have physical limitations, but o...Great idea if you have physical limitations, but otherwise you lessen the process. Kind of like when golfers use a cart to drive around. So much goes into the approach, the thinking that goes on before the action. The immersion in thought is broken up by the driving of the vehicle. <BR/><BR/>That terrain would have been perfect for a mountain bike!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-68125199348619382232008-10-05T19:49:00.000-04:002008-10-05T19:49:00.000-04:00I have to say, Segways are way, way cool! Say, wh...I have to say, Segways are way, way cool! Say, when you got off the one you were riding, did you have "Seg-leg?" A kind of woobly-wobbly, reverse-sea legs effect? I did, and it was weird.<BR/><BR/>~KathiKathihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13186814675058675885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-16173803451331606532008-10-04T21:06:00.000-04:002008-10-04T21:06:00.000-04:00Oh, Kathi, be careful. Wine and Segways are not a...Oh, Kathi, be careful. Wine and Segways are not a good combo.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040099513110890878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-85756156197423407982008-10-04T20:47:00.000-04:002008-10-04T20:47:00.000-04:00This is so weird - first, I read your blog about S...This is so weird - first, I read your blog about Segway birding, then tonight, I get a chance to ride (drive? operate?) a Segway at the winery. <BR/><BR/>Blog post and photos tomorrow - Buckeyes are playing tonight!<BR/><BR/>~KathiKathihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13186814675058675885noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-86742618324099458172008-10-04T09:06:00.000-04:002008-10-04T09:06:00.000-04:00Oh, Bill has a helmet for every sport, in addition...Oh, Bill has a helmet for every sport, in addition to his everyday helmet (the one with the swiveling screw eye in the top).Julie Zickefoosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06654698829603424649noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-22219248429865877702008-10-04T06:30:00.000-04:002008-10-04T06:30:00.000-04:00Now you have to start reviewing birding helmets. ...Now you have to start reviewing birding helmets. A good one won't obstruct the ears, and there needs to be a visor option to match each birder's requirements for overhang without getting in the way when using binoculars. Nice subdued natural colors too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-65742715213552411472008-10-04T04:22:00.000-04:002008-10-04T04:22:00.000-04:00Very cool way of transportation.Very cool way of transportation.Redzlan aka Tabibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08137628223567014214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-36632441205726360202008-10-03T23:37:00.000-04:002008-10-03T23:37:00.000-04:00Red-headeds are fantastic. I tried a Segway on as...Red-headeds are fantastic. <BR/><BR/>I tried a Segway on asphalt for a few minutes...very fun, indeed, but I was afraid of crashing and losing my front teeth. On a nature trail, I fear I'd break more than my teeth. You did well.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040099513110890878noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2552045987668023231.post-10608150817690828942008-10-03T21:27:00.000-04:002008-10-03T21:27:00.000-04:00awesome!! marcyawesome!! <BR/>marcyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com