One last shot at the gold. The whole year comes down to these final two weeks. Tonight I rest comfortably in a Tucson Airport hotel so I don’t have to scramble around early tomorrow. Then I take off for New Hampshire with a stop at Midway. Chicago weather looks clear and calm, then it’s on to Manchester where I can expect light snow and brisk conditions the rest of the week. I must get 11 new species in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, then 7 more in San Diego/Salton Sea, totaling 570. The 3 rosy finches at Sandia Crest will give me the win.
Meanwhile, it’s time for only what all the world has been waiting for – sadly likely for the last time – Fan Mail! Once again I will blindly reach into the one of the many sacks marked “US Mail.” I’m feeling around. But not checking for any contents. I think I have one. Here it is. I’m tearing open the envelope. Inside is a letter. I’m opening it – and I’m just as surprised as you are – it’s from a woman from overseas. But not just any lady – it’s from the Queen of England! Or, to be exact, “Elizabeth the Second, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of Her other Realms and Territories Queen, Head of the Commonwealth, Defender of the Faith.” Can I just call her “Your Highness”? True to form, the envelope includes the verifying photograph:
“Robert, your Big Year Blog is really rather astonishing!”, she gushes. “Your international renown is quite extraordinary if not somewhat inexplicable,” she continues. “I’m not quite prepared to knight you,” she explains, “but rather some say I should crown you.” Thank you, your majesty, I would be honored.
robsbigyear2019.com 