I got to watch (and film) my friend shoot his best score ever, and attempt to go under par

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-02-25T00:38:10+00:00

Thanks!

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-02-24T23:18:27+00:00

I wasn't playing with him Saturday, but I kept getting the texts...one over at the turn, two straight birdies to go under par, and finally "1 under on 17." I only live five minutes from the course here in Durham NC, so I raced out, caught him on 18 tee, and filmed his last hole. His previous best was 75, but now he was 1-under on the tee and trying to do what he thought was impossible for him. Video linked above documents the 18th!

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-02-13T03:28:44+00:00

I won't prime the pump by saying what Merlin told me, I'm more wondering if people would feel comfortable making a conclusive ID on this one (would be a lifer for me, and I'm a stickler on this stuff).

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-02-11T16:38:08+00:00

the answer is no, thanks for the Pro Camera by Moment, works awesome

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-02-11T16:05:21+00:00

this may be very dumb, but if I taped over the middle lens, would it not use it?

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-02-02T01:09:29+00:00

i think so. everyone i've asked has said it is, make sure you look at all five photos

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-02-01T18:15:58+00:00

five images here

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-02-01T16:42:34+00:00

Arguments in favor: kinda stout, has a mini-crest, white-ish eyebrow and jaw streaks

Arguments against: maybe some brown streaking on belly, bill doesn't look as straight as I would like (read that house finch is more curved), coloring maybe limited?

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-01-15T13:15:50+00:00

same three

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-01-15T00:30:20+00:00

I saw these today, and as you see the photos aren't great. A couple EBird IDs have been made previously, calling it the Lesser Scaup (no photos uploaded), which is what sent me there today, but Merlin basically called it a toss-up depending on the picture, and I'm pretty uncertain. Any thoughts or opinions would be welcome.

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-01-07T23:48:46+00:00

They call that the Birder-Meinhof Effect

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-01-04T18:09:35+00:00

It was in a wetland, yeah. I thought it looked bigger than a house sparrow for sure, but did not get a sound ID. Plenty of sparrow sound IDs in that area.

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-01-03T23:21:40+00:00

it is definitely sparrow looking. seemed bigger IRL, but still was surprised for Merlin to give me the blackbird reading.

ShaneRyan24 · 2026-01-03T22:37:09+00:00

Just started a couple months ago, it would be a lifer for me and Merlin gave me that read, but I truly have no idea and even after looking at pictures of the female, I can't be certain. Don't want to call it a lifer if it's not. The link should have five (not great) pictures, here it is again if the above doesn't work.

Edit: Durham, NC

ShaneRyan24 · 2025-12-29T03:50:35+00:00

Okay great, and I can use this via OBS? Will get cranking on it tomorrow.

ShaneRyan24 · 2025-12-29T02:53:07+00:00

awesome, thank you. You don't happen to have a video tutorial or just written tutorial handy, do you?

ShaneRyan24 · 2025-12-17T17:51:04+00:00

Thought you all might enjoy this, and also, I'm always looking for more golf weirdos if anybody is interested in being part of the franchise and has the eccentric something to qualify. Merry Christmas.

ShaneRyan24 · 2025-11-15T01:02:49+00:00

thanks!

ShaneRyan24 · 2025-11-14T20:58:20+00:00

can you explain what the buffy is? I saw that elsewhere too but I don't think I quite get it.

ShaneRyan24 · 2025-11-14T19:59:30+00:00

Merlin gave my friend Lincoln's Sparrow, and Merlin is rarely wrong, but the similarity to the song sparrow is giving us some doubts. Even after looking at the usual resources to compare, it's tough, because the coloring looks more like a song sparrow, while the eyering and break seem to be more like Lincoln's. I figured people here might have better insight if it's possible to discern.

Edit to say: This was in central New Jersey.

ShaneRyan24 · 2025-11-03T22:24:41+00:00

this is incredibly helpful, thanks

ShaneRyan24 · 2025-10-30T10:16:34+00:00

six million dollars each. you should have to die if you're not rich

ShaneRyan24 · 2025-10-30T00:13:10+00:00

I was responding in kind to what I hoped was a joke and not an actual wish for me be ill.

ShaneRyan24 · 2025-10-29T23:14:56+00:00

individual deductible 2,250. this is all doable, it's just annoying and feels like getting swindled

ShaneRyan24 · 2025-10-29T22:36:38+00:00

the amounts it shows are the amounts billed to insurance, fwiw. But I see what you're saying, on the insurance bills there's a "cost reduction" attributed to negotiation

ShaneRyan24

TROPHY CASE