When does a nemesis bird cease to be? When it is spotted! The red-cockaded woodpecker was a nemesis bird for Anne. Chuck had seen it as a youth. For the past five years we have increasingly tried to find this bird when we were within its range. We failed in N. and S. Carolina and south Florida. We were in luck last evening in the Apalachicola National Forest which supposedly has more of these birds than anyother place. Hurrah.

Of course once a nemisis bird is defeated it is no more. We found another pair this morning in the Ochlocknee State Park where we are staying.

We got our exercise this morning, first jogging, then hiking and birding all morning, and then paddling the lovely Wakula River this afternoon. This 75 million gallon per day stream is fed by a large spring and is clear and a constant 72 degrees F. We saw mostly the usual critters, osprey, egrets, alligators, and turtles. This morning's walk was more rewarding with, besides the woodpecker, a great horned owl and a group of pileated woodpeckers.

All for now.