Just wanted to publicly thank Shep Thorp, prince among birders, for
patiently ferrying birders and bird photographers out for awesome,
close-up views of the Black-tailed Gull last Saturday. Shep has
selflessly taken it upon himself to provide this service to his fellow
birders, and it is very much appreciated! The bird is a classic,
showing virtually every field mark, a very different experience than I
had in my unsuccessful search the weekend before. We were so close
that I could see the ted spot on the tip of the bill without binocs as
the bird sat among the gull-laden logs out in Commencement Bay.
Thanks, man, a great lifer! Thanks also to Alan G. who made the drive
down a pleasant one and who was, I think, the first to spot the gull
on our boat ride.

Mark