The temp late this AM read 20 as I passed a bank in beautiful down town
Fowblesburg. I went to Soldier's Delight and hiked anyway.
    I was well-layered and had my hood up over my sock-hatted head. I wore
sunglasses to cut the snow glare. I did have my binocs dangling at my chest.
The frozen ice/snow-covered trail made a lot of crunchy noise as I walked. I
admit I had to keep my eyes mainly on the trail so as not to slip, which I
did only momentarily once and caught myself without going down. But I kept
glancing around any way. And listening as best as I could over the crunch
and through the sock hat and hood. I started sometime before 11:30 (I didn't
note the exact time) and only made the short loop on the east side of the
road from the parking lot and was back in the car at 11:54 AM.

Here's my bird count for the half hour I was out there:

Blue Jay --- 1

That's it folks. I was most of the way around before I saw it flit up into a
pine and then I thought I heard a squeaky call to my left, but it only came
once and didn't squeak again.

I honestly believe that this could be a modern day record for the worst
birding walk ever done at a place as birdy as Soldier's Delight. Certainly
it was aided and abetted by the low temp and the steady wind. I challenge
anybody to match it. However there can be no cheating - you do have to have
the binocs with you and you do have to try to see/hear a bird. And it helps
to be a bit crazy to be out there in the first place.

And note that, for a change, I am not getting involved in the recently
started hunting debate. Having gotten into these in the past and been
advised not to, would all of those who wish to get involved in it, please
keep the discussion off line? I knew that somebody would answer Mr. Boyle's
comment as there are a number of hunters on here - but please keep it off
line. We don't need to read everybody's two bit opinions about this
over-rehashed topic again. Thank you.

    Jerry Tarbell
    Carroll County