Tweets,
My friend Megan and I drove yesterday to try for the Hawk-Owl. There were
interesting birds around the road: a SLATE-COLORED JUNCO, CASSIN'S FINCH and
both WHITE-BREASTED and PYGMY NUTHATCH.
We were getting ready to leave and I said to Megan (who has never seen
N.Hawk-Owl and only heard Pygmy):
"Sorry that I couldn't find those owls for you."
She replied: "You don't get it do you?"
Taken back I said "No, I guess I don't".
She proceeded to say that "We are out here in such a beautiful place looking
at birds, seeing those owls would only be a bonus. Just coming out here was
fun for me."
This perspective is for all of those people who get discouraged when they
don't get that target bird: Birding along a snow covered road away from most
people on a clear morning: That fits pretty close to my idea of a perfect
activity.
BTW, Jerry and Sandy: You get my vote for the most persistent. Hopefully the
owl will think so as well and reward you!

Scott Downes
sgd24 at aol.com
Seattle WA

To identify a species should not be enough to quench one's thirst,
a proper thirst must seek to understand every facet of the bird's
existence.