Rachel Carson was an exemplary human in every way you qualify her--scientist, best-selling author, environmental advocate, truth-seeker, instigator of federal policy changes, conservationist, loyal friend, and avid birder. She was also a supremely elegant and composed woman, never losing her cool in the face of naysayers to her prescient warnings of chemical warfare on nature. 

These photos of her in the field are evocative of her style. She dressed of the era (she died of cancer in the early 1960s), but I find her way of dress timeless and totally applicable to today. Just look at her above in a leather jacket and wool pants--who wouldn't envy a portrait like that of herself on a mountaintop?

Below is a staged photo for Time Life, Carson looking chic in a wool bomber, scarf and skirt. Still, I could imagine being in the field myself in such an outfit, albeit in rubber boots versus the brogues she is probably wearing (you can't see her shoes). 

Rachel Carson, style icon to female birders? Why the heck not? She is the 20th Century godmother to us girls in the field, and at this very visible level, she demonstrated how easily one can enjoy nature with little more than simple comfort, elegance and a pair of optics.