Sad to hear about Bob....

[mvjo...@gmail.com]

Was saddened to learn today of Bob's passing (was away in Oklahoma dealing with flash floods!). Bob and I have been friends since the 1980's when we first met at the early Monte Vista Crane festivals. We always joked about the similarities of our names and how it occasionally caused confusion. Bob (and Wendy too) were regular visitors to the San Luis Valley, a place that brought him special joy. Bob was always generous with helping the Monte Vista Crane festival by giving programs and donating framed photographs to the Festival. His programs were always outstanding.

His photography brought a lot of joy and amazement to us birders. One of my favorites is the Marsh Wren, mouth agape singing, while straddling two bulrush stems. That photo still graces the walls of the Zapata Ranch where I work as naturalist. Cranes dancing in the steamy morning of minus 10 degrees at the Monte Refuge with the sun casting orange glows through the mist are classics. They evoke the true magnificence of the Sandhill Cranes, by demonstrating the tenacity of the bird to persist and thrive in this high-elevation migration stop.

Bob and I talked at length about the protection needed for Pinyon Canyon, in SE Colorado.  He felt it was imperative to protect that area from military expansion because of the unique cultural and natural resources evident in that area. I think for the moment that project has been stopped.

I will miss Bob and send my condolences to Wendy.....

John Rawinski

Monte Vista, CO