I was afield most of today leading a group for Advanture Damascus Tours in Shady Valley. It was a diverse group with seven from Pennsylvania, one from Vermont, two from Texas and two from California. Of particular interest were the two California folks who work with the ornithological collection of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. They have one of the largest collections of birds in North America. It is the largest natural and historical museum in the Western United States, safe guarding more than 33 million specimens and artifacts. It was neat knowing that they were enjoying one of Tennessee's most special ecological areas. Tom Horsch and I are in our fifth year of tours, many of which have been in partnership with The Nature Conservancy. Let's go birding...... Wallace Coffey Bristol