In 2006, as a Texas resident, I had the good fortune to snag some field 
work out of Colorado with the Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory. Worked one 
project of Tony Leukering doing a bird survey of North Table Mountain near 
Golden. Happened upon a handful of Cassin's and Grasshopper Sparrows 
singing on territory on this small plateau. Apparently not so common in 
this county, Tony snagged his friend by the name of Joe Roller and we went 
out and I got to show them these cool sparrows. I could instantly tell Joe 
was a legit OG birder in these parts. A very sharp mind, very astute human, 
and a great sense of humor. He told tales of his younger days hanging out 
with the boys of the Coor's family (the brewery is visible from North Table 
Mountain). When I moved to CO in 2013, while driving a uhaul in city 
traffic up I-25, I saw what sure looked to be a magpie with a yellow bill. 
As I was driving and couldn't stop for photos, I thought I should pass a 
heads up to someone in the local birding community. Joe Roller came to mind 
and I sent him a note, to which he replied something along the lines of "I 
don't know what to do with this sighting". It was probably a magpie in 
weird light, or carrying yellow colored food item. Joe Roller is surely one 
of the greatest birders CO has ever seen, and missed by many.
Derek Hill
Loveland, CO

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