Annual Report for 1995

Greetings! A month long birding trip to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Southern California during which we added 379 lifers to the list was the highlight of the year.

November 15, 1976, Cairns, Far North Queensland: We first met John Crowhurst the way most birders do. We were observing shorebirds along Cairns’ famous Esplanade when John strolled up, introduced himself, and offered to help. He is famous for doing this. In fact, he was awarded a medal in 1995 for “promoting ecotourism.” Over supper that night so long ago now, he told us about his adventures birding at the Wao research station in New Guinea. Linda was hooked immediately and ready to go that night. Jim managed to rein her in, by promising that “we will go there someday.”

July 30, 1995, Cairns: Jim’s offhand promise was finally fulfilled this year. Blessed with ample vacation time and a cooperative stock market, we booked a tour with Field Guides, Inc. We arranged to spend a few days in Cairns before flying to PNG. As we walked down Warrego street, we wondered whether we would even recognize John. Not to worry! He emerged from his house accoutered for birding: binoculars, bush-worthy clothing, and an ever-present smile.

August 1, 1995, Driving to Daintree Farther North Queensland: Dark O’clock, driving down a winding mountain road, light drizzle, staying on the wrong side of the road: are we having fun yet? As the first light appeared in the sky, we reached our destination, Chris Dahlberg’s boat launch at the Daintree River. John extricated himself from the back seat of the car and stepped into the light. “John!” Chris exclaimed, “what a nice surprise!” This greeting was typical of the reception we got everywhere we went. On that morning, it secured us choice seats at the front of the boat, allowing us to get some remarkable looks at Azure Kingfisher, Comb-crested Jaçana, and the prize of the trip, a long look at a juvenile Great-billed Heron, a truly rare and endangered species. We took “tea and bickies” at Chris’s house and were rewarded with a look at a Little Kingfisher. We had a great reunion and a remarkable list of birds to go with it, and PNG was still to come!

August 3, 1995, Port Moresby, PNG: Rose Ann Rowlett, the tour leader, greeted us at dinner the first night in PNG with fateful words, “This is some of the most difficult birding in the world.” Wow! Linda later called the trip Birding 401. Having watched too many nature programs on PBS, we expected to see Birds-of-Paradise displaying for our benefit, up close and personal. Eventually, we did see some BOP’s displaying, but most were seen through telescopes at the tops of faraway trees. PNG is one of the least “developed” areas left in the world. Roads are scarce, and the area along the roads has been cleared of the forest to make way for bananas and manioc. So most of the desirable birds were to be found in the forest along dimly lit trails with a mist or rain falling constantly. It was spectacular! Finding a rare and beautiful bird, such as the Southern Crowned Pigeon or the Chestnut Forest-rail, under those conditions is an excuse for champagne, except you are so tired you really prefer going to bed. Just before dropping off, you realize that you have had, literally, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Come see our video, which includes some views of colorful natives as well.

Charles finished his Master’s degree in Archaeology at UT and promptly decided to do something else. He moved to San Rafael, CA, with Amy, where he is trying to break into the computer games business. Those who have known Charles for a long time agree that this is what his whole life has prepared him for.

Claire finished her “year off” and promptly decided to do it over again. The minor complication of medical school was dispatched easily: Claire convinced Southwestern in Dallas to put off her entrance for a year, till August 1996. Then she and Ryan departed on a trek around Asia, China, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam so far. She wrote of her experience in Nepal on her 23^rd birthday, a pre-dawn hike to be in position to watch the sun rise over Annapurna from a high valley. Are we jealous!

Linda loves her job working for two family practice doctors in South Austin. She overcame the obstacle of inadequate vacation time by simply taking an extra two weeks without pay while we went to PNG. The doctors were amazed. “How did she do that?” Meanwhile, she has become active as newsletter editor for the local Nurse Practitioners network. (Jim assists.) In her spare time, she tries to recruit additional friends into birding. This year’s enlistees: Tish Clark and Larry Keith.

Jim has tired of his job again and determined that this year he’ll retire. He has taken the first steps at least. He is negotiating with Schlumberger to reduce his time to 60%. He’ll probably convert to being a contract, rather than a regular, employee and work on a project-by-project basis. Doesn’t that sound backwards somehow? He has started his annual ululation over the state of his computer a bit early. “I need a faster machine with more RAM and a bigger disk.” Linda replies, “If we have umpteen gazillion $$ of computer equipment, why don’t we have a fax that works, like every two bit convenience store?”

Transitions: Pepper, our beloved old dog, died this year. Decrepit, blind, deaf, and what is worst for a dog, anosmic, she wandered off once too often and fell onto the rocks near the creek.

We hope this has been a good year for you. Ours has certainly been a full one! We have changed the format this year to try to be more in tune with these graphic times. Next year, expect to find us on the World Wide Web. We treasure your friendship and always enjoy hearing from you. Please stay in touch!

Hargrove’s Annual Letter — 1995