Ellen Paul writes: > I find that there are some extremely skilled birders who share their > knowledge and for them I am grateful, but most are highly competitive and > gloat when you make an error. I'm really sorry to hear you think this, Ellen. I've been birding in Maryland and elsewhere for about 16 years now. I regularly make some outstanding mis-identifications, often in the presence of some really outstanding birders. None of those birders has ever gloated at my errors. In fact, most of them have been a bit embarrassed about pointing them out. I agree that birding alone is a lot easier on the ego, but I have learned far, far more when birding with the really top birders! Just to give you a feel for some of my better bloopers, about 6 months ago in the company of several excellent DNR birders and Paul Baicich of ABA I saw a distant bird chugging toward us. Immediately I yelled out BALD EAGLE! Of course the damn thing turned out to be a Great Blue Heron. Sigh..... For those of you concerned about soothing Mike Collins' bruised feelings, please note that he has signed off the list so you'll have to contact him directly. Best, Norm Saunders =============== Norm Saunders Colesville, MD osprey@ari.net