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<p class="MsoNormal">No worries Marcus – but I am proud to have been admitted to the 253. Cheers, tm.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Marcus Roening <marcus@rainierconnect.com> <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, December 30, 2023 7:57 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Tom Mansfield <birds@t-mansfield.com><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: FW: Hi guys; new member of your *253* fraternity....<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p>Hi Tom,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Humble apologies! The really sad part is that I used eBird first and then added in folks from WA Birder off to the side on my paper list - which was you! I can't believe I did that and still left you off the list?! An Emperor Goose was an incredibly sweet
bird to have be your #253.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Here's to hoping you just might find another wonderful bird or two in the New Year.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p>Good birding, Marcus<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On 12/30/2023 7:12 AM, Tom Mansfield wrote:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hey Marcus – I just saw your post about the 253… Not certain why anyone didn’t pass it along but I’m also a member! Cheers and Happy New Year to Heather and you – tm.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">PS – I’m birding even less now than in 2021 but do still get out once in a while; got the YBLO in Edmonds yesterday.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>From:</b> Tom Mansfield <br>
<b>Sent:</b> Saturday, November 6, 2021 8:18 PM<br>
<b>To:</b> Bruce LaBar (<a href="mailto:blabar@harbornet.com">blabar@harbornet.com</a>)
<a href="mailto:blabar@harbornet.com"><blabar@harbornet.com></a>; <a href="mailto:phwimberger@pugetsouind.eu">
phwimberger@pugetsouind.eu</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Hi guys; new member of your *253* fraternity....<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Hi Bruce and Peter – I wanted you to know that I came down and spotted the EMGO today, my 253<sup>rd</sup> bird for Pierce County. I can’t bird anymore due to physical issues with my legs (I can’t spend a lot of time driving or standing
or walking) but this was a goal I have been wanting to accomplish. Ironically, despite the doc telling me “no” when I asked, I drove down to Puyallup this morning and in a pouring rain found a couple along West Pioneer who seemed to be scoping intently.
I pulled up and to my surprise it was Andy and Ellen Stepniewski from Yakima, with whom I was involved with the Patrick Sullivan Young Birders Fund for 12 years before resigning last year. We had an amazing reunion, which I didn’t think would happen in this
lifetime. But they didn’t have the EMGO. I had had a text 2 hours earlier from Matt Bartels who knew I was going to try and he last saw the bird at the Chalet Tavern. The Yakkers then followed me to the Chalet Tavern and lo and behold as soon as I started
scanning with the scope I found the EMGO – no sign of the SNGO. So, I got the Yakkers on it. But then had to head back for home. What a wonderful conclusion to my *<b>like</b>* third or fourth birding adventure of 2021. More importantly, I am honored
and humbled to join your exclusive circle! Sending cheers and best, tm.<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">-- <br>
Marcus Roening Tacoma WA<o:p></o:p></p>
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