I'm not sure of the budget or web design aspects, but I've noticed a "Thankyou" button appearing on a few other sites which I think is a great idea. It appears under each comment other members make on your post. I know it's not necessary to thank everyone, or at all for that matter, but it's seems a really nice way to show your appreciation for, um, appreciation 
of your pics or comments, without accidentally bumping up your own post too.
Any thoughts?
Oh that is really sweet RubyE! I am not sure that we have that functionality but I will look into it.
I have a somewhat different opinion . To simply click a button, such as a “like” button might result in less and less comments being made. I appreciate the value and impact of a constructive, knowledgeable or even critical comment. A button might prevent people from doing that. Just as I often feel, comments like: great photo or nice, don’t show an appreciation or give any information. Sometimes, if you don’t know much about the bird you have just posted a photo of, a good comment can give you a lot of information. That will require more than a one word comment. I would like to think this forum is not just a place to post good (nice) pictures, but also learn from others. But learning from others needs more than a click of a button.
Yes, thanking people sounds "nice", but answers are "nicer"
M-L
To illustrate even more what I fear will happen, and to some extend is already happening right now (I just saw one like it a minute ago). Someone posts a photo, gives no information about where or when ,or what bird it is.
I hope,the day will never come when it will be like this: I post a photo…, get a comment: nice bird M-L….., I then click: thanks. Not my idea of a good interactive forum
M-L
Most days I read every post of every thread, but I don't post replies or comments very often, as I don't have much to offer in the way of expertise or experience, and don't want to "clog up" the thread. Just because I don't post does not mean I don't appreciate others efforts. I do however enjoy all of the photos posted and care little about the quality, but just want people to post their best efforts. We all should feel comfortable in making posts, regardless of our skills or quality of equipment.
Some threads get a bit long, when 20 or so people "like" a particular photo(s), and some sort of recognition without posting, I think has some merrit. I agree with M.L. - if someone has some feedback or relevant information, then posting is of benefit to us all. Maybe a simple "Like Button" with a running tally of of hits (on the like button) might be a compromise? This probably doesn't need to generate an email back to the original creator of the thread, they can just "look in" from time to time. If you don't like then don't click the button!
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
I have considerable sympathy with the comments of Araminta & Dale. The more I think about it the more I think we dehumanise ourselves if we can express our like for something by clicking a Like button. Yeeeerck!!! Perhaps to humanise ourselves a little more in this techno-age we should have a Hug button.
However, because I comment on photos rarely it won't mean I don't like a photo simply because I don't click the Like/Hug button. (Nothing like a triple negative to start the day.)
Hmm, I think my post may have been misconstrued,
or perhaps only the replies following my post have been read and this has led to confusion? 
I didn't actually suggest we have a "like" button or similar for people to click instead of commenting? My suggestion doesn't relate/impact on how people choose to comment on a post at all.
What I threw out there was having a thankyou button below each comment made AFTER one of your own posts. Example: Post a picture/description/story/idea - other members comment/suggest/remark, if desired. A thankyou button appears beneath each commenting member, and you (the originator of the post/pic) has the option of pressing "thankyou" - Or you can still go ahead and comment/reply - or say nothing.
So, I'm confused M-L?
How could a thankyou button possibly stop people from making any "constructive, knowledgeable or even critical comment"..? Why would people begin to stop commenting/suggesting etc on posts because they fear you would just click a thankyou button after their comment? Personally I know I wouldn't just click "thankyou" if there was a question to answer, or if I wished to make another comment in reply - and I certainly haven't seen this trend happening in any other forums with this option already in place. It's simply another choice to offer. "/
I absolutely agree M-L this is & should be a forum to learn from each other, constructive suggestion can be invaluable, absolutely. But, there is a fine line also - too much unasked for suggestion/criticism, off-topic comments on posts, or restrictions/expectations about the length of or how members should/can respond to a post, could pose a risk of alienating or scaring away members or potential members. A hugely diverse amount of people who can be greatly & positively influenced, (and in turn influence) by the messages and knowledge of this site. A social-awareness site also. So, for the "social" portion, I would have to disagree personally in respect to someone making a comment on one of my pics - if a member chooses to put "great, thanks" because that is what they are comfortable with for now - personally I'm totally fine with that. That great Aus right of freedom of choice and imo the same people making one or two word comments today, may well be the ones who are offering the most input down the track.
quote [To illustrate even more what I fear will happen, and to some extend is already happening right now (I just saw one like it a minute ago). Someone posts a photo, gives no information about where or when ,or what bird it is.]
Perhaps their dog landed on the keyboard and posted it before they could comment
Or perhaps just a, "hi, what bird is this and where did you see it"?...could be a way to promt a bit more info?
West Coast Tasmania
Really interesting debate everyone.
Surely there has to be a balance there somewhere. I would never put a restriction of what sort of reply we would expect on this forum (and I know this is not what is being suggested in here) - personally I think an acknowledgement of a good photo or a interesting comment is lovely, people should not, and will not, be expected to provide a more detailed comment if they wish to post something.
It is a feature I will look into but I can't guaratee that it is something we can install. Firstly because I don't know if it is available for this CMS and secondly I need to look at the cost for web support (if it is not something ridiculously straight forward that I can do myself). I have a very tight budget for the site as a whole and a number of issues that need attention so I have to prioritise.
ummmm ........ thankyou for the debate
!!!!
i love the photos, somtimes i just look sometimes i omment either way.....thankyou
Teresa Skerratt
Gardens for Birds Bees and Butterflies