I recently posted:
> Anyway, as to the nature of my current message. I am planning
> to lead an S.A.S trip to the lower hood canal on September 24th,
> principly (spelling ?) to look for Mountain Quail. I have never
> been there and do not know the area well, so I would greatly
> appreciate any tips on where to bird. Any good Mountain Quail
> spots would be a plus, including best time of day to look for them, etc.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Neil J. Fergusson ******************
> 1405 1/2 NE 56th St. * Baffins *
> Seattle, WA 98105 * or *
> (206) 517-5466 * bust *
> cccc at u.washington.edu ******************

A tweeter (by direct E-mail) flames:

> Are you serious? I cannot believe you are leading a field trip to an
> area you do not know or have not even been to.

Well, it won't be the first time, and probably not the last.

> Please, for the sake of the folks
> who sign up, thinking they are going to have a competently lead trip,
> scout out the place several times not only for birds but for road
> conditions, distances, and facilities.

Hey, this is supposed to be for FUN !
If you want competency, either wait for the next trip led by Gene Hunn, etc.
or dig into your wallet (or in your case purse) and plan a guided trip to
Costa Rico. When I'm not doing volunteer work at the S.A.S. shop, putting
together web pages for tweeters, writing gratis software for friends, reviewing
technical papers for ex-colleagues, teaching Chinese grad students how to
drive a car in exchange for computer time, bird surveys for atlas projects, etc
I am looking for a dish job to support my family. If I had enough free time
to spend several days birding, I would probably be in Eastern Washington.

When I was asked to lead this trip, I agreed, hoping that the 15 people
who show up will hopefully have a sense of adventure, and could help
me bird this area. Let's worry more about the possibility of rain !

I would appreciate any future E-mail to contain Quail info !

Neil Fergusson

"Monday is an awful way to spend one seventh of your life."