All this talk about resolutions has reminded me of my last year's ones.
My birding friend and I vowed to be "all American" and see both an
American Bittern and and American Avocet. We started out with the
bittern and it seemed pretty bleak. We followed up all sorts of leads
and found none. Then, late last fall I finally found one at Spencer
Island. My buddy couln't believe that the only time he didn't go along,
a bittern appeared! We have since been back there together, but no bittern.

I had given up on seeing the Avocet as Christmas was approaching. Just
before New Years my wife and I took a little break down in the Santa Cruz
area. The second day of our trip (Dec 29), we visited the fabulous
Monterey Aquarium. We were standing in the block-and-a-half long entry
line looking at a brochere on the aquarium where I spotted something
about the aviary inside--many shorebirds including American Avocet! I
got back out of line hurried back to the car to get my camera, got back,
and hopefully got some good slides. I know they weren't taken in the
"wild" but on the last few days of the year I was greatful to make good
on my resolution. By the way, the birding down there is wonderful as
is the opportunity to see thousands and thousands of monarchs. Now I
know why so many people live down there! Have a happy birding year!

wes jansen