Hi Tweets

This is a "Thank You" to all. We made a very quick, no-notice trip to
Alaska and e-mailed Chris Maack before leaving. I had seen her name on the
Tweeters dialogues and took a chance.

We met her in Anchorage on the day of their first snow for the year. Joined
her for a look for Boreal Chickadee in a beautiful, quiet fresh snow
landscape. Heard the bird but didn't see it.

Elaine is a newbie birder and logged a handful of new birds before the snow
slowed us (didn't stop us -- but a hill on Elmendorf AFB almost did! We
logged 7 miles on a half mile hill. Some tire slippage - understatement -
and a couple of repeat attacks did the job.) As always, someone came along
after we got to the top and told us that it was flat if we had gone out the
other way.

The lakes Chris referred us to were quiet (some Scaup, etc) but we saw
about a hundred Trumpeter Swans in several groups crisscrossing the sky.

Return flight took us the long way around - California. But I would like
to second any other comments you may have heard about birding Sacramento
National Wildlife Refuge. Don't miss it. This is my fourth time and it is
always spectacular. No Ross's or Snow Geese while we were there but 88,000
White-fronted (their count not mine!), lots of other waterfowl and a
Bittern hiding at about 8 feet from the car. Fantastic view because he
forgot he was standing in 2 inch tall grass.

Thanks Chris

Thanks Tweets

Bob & Elaine
Taylorrt at geocities.com