Many thanks to Ron and Pat Sigler and Lorraine Thompson for taking over the leadership of the group when I turned back to the parking lot with Mike and Kay Kutska when Mike's back was bothering him too badly to continue. Ron and Pat had climbed Vulture Peak before and Lorraine is well known as an excellent birder, so Marilyn Lauderbach and Bill Martin lacked for nothing when the rest of us turned back at the sign-in station at the end of the jeep trail, just when the really serious hiking began.

Mike and Kay were from Chicago and had not tried the rigorous hike previously, though they have been birding throughout Arizona. Mike is a past president of the Chicago Ornithological Society.

Best wishes on your back's recovery, Mike, and thanks once again for giving me a reason to skip out on the steepest part of the hike.

Birds reported at the end of the hike, included Phainopeplas, Verdins, Ruby Crowned Kinglets, plenty of Black-throated Sparrows, numerous White-crowned Sparrows, Canyon Towhee, Spotted Towhee, Abert's Towhee, Gilded Flickers, one sighting of a Mourning Dove, a House Finch, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, Gila Woodpeckers, Gambel's Quail, Rock Wrens, but Canyon Wrens were an unusual no-show, a Black-tailed Gnatcatcher, a Dark-eyed Junco, Pink-sided Form and a Merlin.

The day was gorgeous and the company pleasant. Thanks again to the Siglers and Lorraine for taking over in a pinch.