Definitely not a downer, Josh! Having birded Soapstone enough times to "learn the hard way" in the summer, everything you mentioned here is very appropriate for this discussion. It's a fairly appropriate disclaimer for a birding culture that is unfortunately shifting towards a "tick and run" rat race. Nobody wants anybody getting heat stroke while searching for these birds.
It's also a timely reminder that birding is far more about appreciating the beautiful ecosystems that we still have in their raw and natural forms; when we go birding, we are nature's guests :).
Happy birding to all who go after em! ;)
Caleb Alons