[Flycatcher]

As you can imagine, I've been following the ivory-billed woodpecker story closely too. The "consensus" now is that the original sighting in Arkansas (I believe it was at the White River NWR [or Cache River]) was a mistaken identification. Even the greatest birder in the world (David Sibley) thinks the initial ID was wrong. In the 1980s, there were a few ivory-bills on Cuba, but they too seem to be gone.

As a birder, I would have loved to have seen an ivory-bill. Looks like it ain't gonna happen.

But pileated... that's a good bird too! Enjoy!

[girlangler]

Yes, now I remember. I read alot of articles about natural resources for my job, and read an excellent one recently about the (not really there) Ivory Billed stopping some water project there. And the government grants are pouring in for a few people to profit/benefit from the “discovery” of this extinct species.

I need to share some info I have on this with you. And yes, it was near the White River in Arkansas.

I am tired, so can’t think right now (drove hundreds of miles the past few weeks). I’ll see if I can find it and freepmail it to you. I arrived home late last night, took one look at my garden and flowers, and freaked.

So I spent the past few hours staking my tomato plants, pulling weeds out of my garden, etc. This is my relaxation, my therapy (grin). I didn’t come in from outside till just now, have been removed from my world for the past week, the world where the sound of wildlife in the woods is my opera, a place I treasure right now (grin).