I want to thank Dennis Paulsen for informing Tweeters about Patrick
Sullivan's death. Even those of us who never met Patrick felt we knew him
from his comprehensive and invaluable postings. Until Dennis delivered the
tragic news I had been awaiting the photos that would follow Patrick's
report from the WOS conference.



While the conference was underway, my husband and I were in Eastern
Washington, following in the footsteps but not filling the shoes of Patrick
and Ruth. Armed with a battered and highlighted copy of Patrick's September
10 report titled "Blue-headed Vireo at Lyons Ferry S.P. and more," we
stopped on the road above Wanapum State Park and failed to find a Parasitic
Jaeger or Sabine's Gulls. At Bassett Park in Washtucna, we didn't see five
woodpecker species, nor a Williamson's Sapsucker, nor five different types
of flycatcher-or if we did see them, we didn't identify them. At Lyon's
Ferry State Park, we certainly didn't find any Blue-headed Vireos.



Patrick's reports both informed and amused us. He and Ruth excited us with
the possibilities and made us laugh at our relative fumbling in the field.
Patrick leaves a void that I don't expect will be filled. He clearly found
passion and joy in his calling, and he contributed greatly to the magic that
we all find in birdwatching.



My heartfelt condolences to Ruth and to all who knew him.





Janine Anderson

Seattle, WA

jatlmm at msn.com