For a while there while going through the scary cancer diagnosis and initial treatment I wasn't sure I was going to make my 60th birthday, and then for a while I was sick enough I was scared I would. I am feeling good now (60 does beat the alternative) and am working on stamina and energy which are still lagging.
I failed completely on my twin quests or goals, to see 800 ABA species before I hit 60, and to see 800 species in Mexico. The ABA area is basically the USA and Canada. I came close on both, but the twin problems of being sick and not feeling up to travel, and more recently issues with COVID 19 restricting travel kept me from making those personal goals. Maybe I'll just re-up them for 65, we'll see. I have made it without chasing ABA birds for several years and I want to travel elsewhere in the world, so many places to go, so many birds to see.
I even missed a potential first US record located about 40 minutes away this week. I would have been crushed, but now I’m disappointed and no more. I must be getting older.
I had a good day on my birthday, dipping on the Blue-and-white Swallow in the morning but visiting with good friends. Lunch at home was followed by a lavish birthday dinner. Food is important and my appetite is a little too good.
Hurricane Hanna came in and brought more rain and wind than forecast. I had some damage to an non-native columnar cactus, now to get rid of it completely. It's a good week for county listers, with coastal birds moved inland with the storm.
