Return of The Great Boulder Caper, Fri., Nov. 27

[Ted Floyd]

Hello, Birders.

Please join Colorado Field Ornithologists, the Boulder Bird Club, and the American Birding Association for the nth-annual Great Boulder Caper, Black Friday, Nov. 27. We'll get under way at Cottonwood Marsh, off 75th St. in eastern Boulder County, at 7:30 am, and we'll caper till sundown. Like Huckleberry Finn, you may come and go as you please; you don't have to spend the whole day with us.

Hard to say where we'll go or what we'll see, but our very broad objective will be to visit various lakes and ponds in eastern Boulder County. Maybe we'll see Bonaparte's Gulls, a Swamp Sparrow or two, Harlan's Hawks and Cassiar Juncos, divers geese and gulls, problematic goldeneyes, a rare grebe or loon...or maybe, probably, something entirely unexpected. The highlight last year was a stunning display of anti-crepuscular rays. I figured it had to be the End Times, for sure, but evidently not.

A little birdie tells me the El Paso County mafia will be out in full force for this one. Good news--they sometimes find the good birds, and always send the entertainment tilt-o-meter into the red zone. (To our visitors from the far west: Yes, we'll pause for a moment when a Blue Jay is detected. But don't get too carried away.)

The outing is free and open to the public. No experience necessary. Children and non-birding companions welcome. Carpooling helpful. Bring binocs if you have 'em. Bring a scope to share. Or not. Bring leftover tofurkey (this is the Great BOULDER Caper, after all) and orange slices and such. People who whine will be blindfolded and abandoned at Flatirons Mall. (Did y'all notice that REI has stolen our idea about birding on Black Friday??)

No RSVP necessary. Just show up. But feel free to email lead caperer Yours Truly with any questions: tedfloyd57 "at" hotmail "dot" com.

I'm looking forward to capering with many of you.

 

See you on Black Friday!

Ted Floyd

Lafayette, Boulder County, Colorado