In a message dated 1/18/06 11:16:19 AM,  writes:


> The American Birding Association (ABA) has selected Jim Wilson, Jr.,
> to be a member of the ABA/Leica Tropicbirds team that will compete in this
> year's Great Texas Birding Classic which takes place the last week of
> April.  Jim is a senior at Queen Anne's County High School.  Jim had to
> apply and write an essay and was selected from entries from across the US.
> 
>      After a hiatus of 3 years, the ABA and Leica decided to resurrect the
> Tropicbirds Youth Team.  The ABA and Leica send a 4 person youth team to
> the Great Texas Birding Classic and the World Series of Birding. Since Jim
> has participated in the World Series of Birding for 5 of the past 6 years
> (the last 2 years birding with the Steiner Optics Youth Team), he decided
> to apply for the Texas event.  This is an all expenses paid trip (minus
> airfare).  Jim is no stranger to ABA youth birding events.  He has
> attended the ABA Junior Birder's Conference in Tuscon (2002) and at the
> Kern River Valley, CA (2004).  He plans to attend the 2006 Conference in
> Fort Collins, CO, in June of this year.  Jim also placed 2nd in the ABA
> Junior Birder of the Year contest several years ago.
> 
>      The coaches for this year's Tropicbirds teams are the husband and
> wife team of Michael O'Brien and Louise Zemaitis from Cape May.
> 
> Jim Wilson, the Elder
> Proud Father and Yes, I am bragging.
> 

Me, too.   Please excuse.

Paul (the Elder) O'Brien
Rockville, Mont. Co., MD