All,
The Joe Roller Memorial Green Big Year wrapped up some 28 days ago, yet I
have just completed a year end wrap up post. First and foremost, *THANK YOU*
to everyone who supported me in this endeavor whether it was telling me
about birds, helping me relocate birds, support via donations/pledges,
All,
It's been a busy few weeks, but I've finally gotten some blog posts up
about the most recent adventures and the unexpected December birds. With
three days left in the year and iffy forecasts, I'm guessing I won't be
finding any more birds, which may be a relief to some of you!
*It's never
All,
I have a couple new blog posts about some recent Green Big Year birding.
Here's the crazy that was Monday when I found the first Black-legged
Kittiwake at Chatfield State Park. I'm thrilled the bird has stuck around
and has been joined by a second (and moved into Jefferson Co waters)! A lot
All,
I'm so behind on blog posts and storytelling. It's not as if there have
been a ton of great birds to chase in the last month and I've found little
on my own, although the last week has been pretty awesome! More posts
coming real soon.
I've posted here about the Chestnut-collared Longspurs
All,
I relocated a Northern Waterthrush at, where else, Chatfield State Park,
yesterday, Monday Aug 30! This was Green Big Year bird #250! I thought 250
was a reasonable goal with all going on in life with work and kids, but I
didn't think I'd hit it with FOUR months and a day left in the year!
All,
I finally got a few blog posts up. They may be a little rough around the
edges, but that's how I'm feeling these days chasing birds in the 90 degree
F heat. Ha!
My green big year total is now 247 species with picking up a sweet Caspian
Tern in the blazing heat at Chatfield on Monday
All,
I've been slacking on blogging about rides and birds since I got back from
eastern Montana for field work in mid-June. The Northern Great Plains are
in fairly severe drought, and per previous threads here on CO-Birds about
Breeding Bird Survey routes, I'd add I had record low numbers of
All,
Spring is a wrap and it's time for a break from the bike and local birding.
It's a good time to go do Breeding Bird Surveys and other field work though!
Here's a sort of lengthy post on some amazing (and lucky) birding a couple
weeks ago.
All,
The long overdue report on our green big day linked below. Note that Chris
Rurik wrote this, which is why it's so good. :)
https://jrmemorialgreenbigyear.blogspot.com/2021/05/joe-roller-memorial-green-big-day-report.html
I'll note that we missed Canyon Wren (which has become my Green
All,
Not sure where I found some energy to write up the stories about the birds
over the last couple days, but I managed to crank it out! Three days and
130+ miles ridden equals nap time (I wish)! I'm now at 210 species on the
year and am still missing my new green nemesis bird: Canyon Wren! I
All,
Once I recover I'll get a blog post written, but I was guilted into finally
pulling the trigger and riding to First Creek at Green Valley Ranch (Denver
Co) by Thomas Heinrich. His ride from Boulder last week for the
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron was quite a bit longer than mine, but 31 miles
All,
The toughest part of a green big year is finding time to write up the
stories!
On May 4, Joey Kellner and I had a great morning of birding. After we
headed in opposite directions, I found an American Bittern at Chatfield SP
(Douglas Co, and oh so close to Jefferson Co). Here's a little tale
All,
Just a little update on the green big year. I managed to get up a few posts
before I get too far behind on the storytelling and before migration gets
hot!
In spite of passerine migration not really happening yet, I'm at 152
species! I FINALLY got a Peregrine Falcon on Saturday, which was
All,
I've hit 100 green species for 2021! On Sunday, I got Green Big Year Bird
#100: Northern Goshawk! And it was a new bird for my yard list! How sweet
it is. Thanks for that one Joe!
My strategy of chasing rarities and more expected, yet harder to find
birds, has largely worked out well. Now to
lorado Birds<mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com>
Subject: [cobirds] Joe Roller Memorial Green Big Year update and January wrap up
All,
January is over and I'm one month (and well, now another week) into my Green
Big Year to support the Joe Roller Memorial Grant. What a crazy January and
some crazie
All,
January is over and I'm one month (and well, now another week) into my
Green Big Year to support the Joe Roller Memorial Grant. What a crazy
January and some crazier birds. Thank you to everyone who has donated or
pledged per species. This is amazing!
I finally updated my blog with a post
Subject: [cobirds] Joe Roller
After Joe passed awayI thought about our many birding trips tougher-with the
start of 2021 I remembered him saying that he liked to try to see 100 species
in January so I thought I’d try it this year-I fell 13 species short but what
the heck-here’s thinking of you Joe
After Joe passed awayI thought about our many birding trips tougher-with the
start of 2021 I remembered him saying that he liked to try to see 100 species
in January so I thought I’d try it this year-I fell 13 species short but what
the heck-here’s thinking of you Joe! Bill Fink. Longmont
Great meeting you along the trail Scott. Best of luck with the Joe Roller
Memorial, it's a great cause.
Brian Johnson
Englewood
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 2:20:54 PM UTC-7 Nick Komar wrote:
> Great work Scott. Get well soon.
>
> Nick Komar
> Fort Collins
>
> On Jan 6, 2021, at 12:44 PM,
Great work Scott. Get well soon.
Nick Komar
Fort Collins
> On Jan 6, 2021, at 12:44 PM, Scott Somershoe wrote:
>
>
> All,
> I finally got the blog updated with my early January adventures. I wanted to
> get this done a couple days ago, but it's been a challenging few days to say
> the
All,
I finally got the blog updated with my early January adventures. I wanted
to get this done a couple days ago, but it's been a challenging few days to
say the least. I hope you all enjoy the stories. Anyway, I won't post here
every time I update the blog, but will do so monthly or if there's
All,
Here is my new 2021 Joe Roller Memorial Green Big Year Blog! I'll be
updating this throughout 2021 as I bird on foot and by bike from my home in
Littleton, Colorado!
https://jrmemorialgreenbigyear.blogspot.com/
Read about my Green Big Year, read about Joe Roller, and click the link to
pledge
ht qualify for Cobirds, I note that I am writing this as I
watch three bushtits on my suet.
Karl Stecher
Aurora
From: "Thomas Heinrich"
Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2020 4:35 AM
To: "Colorado Birds"
Subject: Re:
aid I know but added at least I was still married and avoided a fight.
Tammy got the bird on Monday.
Ira Sanders
Golden, CO
On Sat, Nov 28, 2020 at 2:11 PM Jayne James wrote:
>
>
> -- Forwarded message -
> From: Jayne James
> Date: Sat, Nov 28, 2020 at 9:34 AM
>
To the many friends of Joe Roller,
A funeral mass will be held on Friday, December 4 at 10 AM, and a link to a
livestream of the service will be posted once available. The family will
also host an in-person memorial service once it’s safe to gather.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made
I only knew Joe from the conversations that we had over email. He was
always one of my favorite people in this forum because he was so inclusive
about birding with everybody. Talked me off the cliff a few times. Truly
someone to emulate sharing this passion. Condolences to his friends and
family.
-- Forwarded message -
From: Jayne James
Date: Sat, Nov 28, 2020 at 9:34 AM
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Joe Roller sad news
To:
CC: Colorado Birds
I didn’t know Dr. Roller, but I just want to say that the outpouring of
admiration and respect for him that I’m reading makes me feel
COVID-confined year, and my chest
>>>> sank when I read the news.
>>>> I don't know how long we knew each other. Besides the many encounters
>>>> at meetings, I recall the Ross' gull we watched together at Cherry Creek SP
>>>> and the several encoun
; at meetings, I recall the Ross' gull we watched together at Cherry Creek SP
>>> and the several encounters scanning Marston from the east side.
>>> We had multiple exchanges of information with many of the humorous
>>> comments one on one and not thought pertinen
The few times I ran into Joe or communicated with him over email, he was an
incredible source of knowledge, and his enthusiasm was contagious; the sort
of birder and person one aspires to be like. I'm grateful to have met him.
Thank you Joe! I'll keep my eyes out for that Greater Pewee.
Jake
I want to thank all of you who posted such fond memories of Joe, and to thank
Larry for such an appropriate tribute.
The last time I saw Joe I was visiting Maryanne, and he was expecting another
Grandchild during the beginning of COVID.While Joe taught me much about
birds, birding and
I saw Joe speak a couple of times, met him in person a couple of times, but
emailed back and forth with him many times over the years. Sometimes he
wrote me to ask for information about a sighting I"d posted, and sometimes
he wrote to give me information about such a sighting. He was always
Joe Roller will be missed. He was knowledgeable about Colorado birds and
birders and often interjected humor into our discussions.
JWV
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You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
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To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving
Hello all,
Anyone who goes birding in eastern and southern Africa will see Lilac-breasted
Rollers, and inevitably it is at or near the top of the list of favorite birds.
They are colorful, outgoing, and always a delight to see. Very much like Joe
Roller himself.
Bob Andrews
Yekepa,
Joe was of tremendous help to me when I was doing the RBA. When I needed
Someone to sub for me Joe would find people to help and he ad others took
over when I retired. Joe was the one who kept the RBA running for as long
as it did.
Joyce Tak amine
On Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 7:24:30 PM
This is sad news. My thoughts got out to his family.
I never got to meet Joe. I did however trade a few emails with him. He will
be missed.
Brian Johnson
Englewood CO
On Thursday, November 26, 2020 at 6:23:49 PM UTC-7 samat...@gmail.com wrote:
> Nathan wrote of Joe reaching out to smooth the
Nathan wrote of Joe reaching out to smooth the wary & engage the
non-birders. We were on a DFO field trip on the eastern prairie. There was
this fantastic hedge row, our group across the street. I don’t think Joe
ever meet a stranger. He sauntered across the road to a country older
couple and
I believe the Lilac-Breasted Roller was/is his Profile Photo on Facebook,
Deborahann. Thanks for sharing.
On Thu, Nov 26, 2020 at 11:53 AM Deborahann S-C wrote:
> I didn't have the honor to meet Joe Roller, though I learned a lot from
> his Cobirds posts. Whenever I saw his name, I was
To all on this sombre occasion,
Joe had a joie de vie seldom matched. As an unabashed lister, he was so
much more. I will always remember and appreciate his enthusiasm, his
always kind words as a friend and educator.
May rare birds escort you to the heavens.
Maryanne, please know how much we
I didn't have the honor to meet Joe Roller, though I learned a lot from his
Cobirds posts. Whenever I saw his name, I was invariably reminded of a
colorful bird I saw in Botswana -- the Lilac-Breasted Roller -- and I
imagine him flying over the Chobe River now. Soar high, Joe! I will miss
you,
Hello all,
It is indeed sad to hear of Joe Roller’s death. I have known him for many
years, birding together, talking at meetings, and in recent years mostly
communicating by email. Every interaction I have had with him over the years
has been positive and enjoyable. I concur with all of the
a teacher... but he was!
Good luck to you in this new phase of your life! Elinor
-Original Message-
From: cobirds@googlegroups.com [mailto:cobirds@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
Lauren Hyde
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 9:47 PM
To: cobirds@googlegroups.com
Subject: [cobirds] Joe Roller
> I was always glad to see him. Not mentioned yet here (I think) is the
>> extensive knowledge he had of such things as history and literature,
>> besides medicine and birds.
>> It was a privilege to have known him.
>>
>> Karl Stecher
>> Aurora
>
irds@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Joe Roller sad news
Joe was a dedicated and skilled birder. His name still sits at or near the top
of many CFO county birding lists. When a rarity showed up at a Colorado
location, it was likely he could tell you the year and location he had
e (I think) is the extensive knowledge he had of such things
as history and literature, besides medicine and birds.It was a privilege to
have known him. Karl StecherAuroraFrom: "Robert Raker"
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 11:51 PM
To: "Colorado Birds"
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Jo
ge he had of such things as history and literature, besides
> medicine and birds.
> It was a privilege to have known him.
>
> Karl Stecher
> Aurora
>
>
>
>
> From: "Robert Raker" mailto:rlra...@comcast.net>>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 25
I’ve known Joe for decades, but almost entirely through many emails. I wish I
had been able to bird with him more often in person!. He was responsible for my
acquiring the wooden cases with their large flat drawers that had been used to
house quadrangle maps of Colorado for the breeding bird
o have known him.
>
> Karl Stecher
> Aurora
>
>
>
>
> --
> *From*: "Robert Raker"
> *Sent*: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 11:51 PM
> *To*: "Colorado Birds"
> *Subject*: Re: [cobirds] Joe Roller sad news
>
>
> So
medicine and birds.
It was a privilege to have known him.
Karl Stecher
Aurora
From: "Robert Raker"
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 11:51 PM
To: "Colorado Birds"
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Joe Roller sad news
So very s
So very sad to hear this news. Besides being a great guy to bird with, he
was always so supportive discussing and providing advice regarding my
battle with cancer. Ironic that he ended up passing before me.
Joe and I met in the most unusual of places, in a gastroenterology clinic.
It was
The news comes as a shock. Barb and I will miss Joe, but are thankful we
knew him. Two weeks ago I emailed Joe to ask how he was doing. He replied
with Churchillian courage, "When marching through hell, keep marching."
Never complain, never explain.
I admired Joe’s politeness and outgoing
As a 5-year widow, please don’t let Joe’s wife be forgotten. If you know her,
please keep in contact with her. If you don’t, then let her know all the kind
words you have in her husband’s memory.
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Colorado Birds"
The first time I met Joe Roller was at my first Trinidad 2012 CFO outing on a
Spanish Peaks field trip. He was very outgoing and his sense of humor
impressed me as a fun person to be around. He made me feel comfortable within
that group of birders and I was hooked on CFO conventions.
Joe also
I was fortunate to meet Joe back in 2015ish, when he took an interest in
birds I was reporting around Cheesman Park in Denver. Ever the county
lister, he was and remained. I think it was a Red Crossbill flock that drew
him north to Cheesman from the Wash Park area.
I was glad to meet him, for
I’m extremely sad to hear the news about Joe. There are people in your life,
career, and this case hobby that have a huge impact. Joe taught me to enjoy
the hobby with laughter. He was the first to recognize and thank the person who
found a great bird. When he came to my house and thanked me
Larry and others have done a great job of paying tribute to Joe, so I can’t add a lot. My experience was that he was so funny and fun to be around. So many of us benefited from his sharing of birding knowledge and humor including many who never met him but read his comments on
Thank you for sharing this sad news; I often wrote back and forth with Joe
about birds and jokes, and am so saddened to hear this. It is a huge loss for
the Colorado birding community as well as beyond. Please send condolences to
the family on behalf of folks like me who only knew Joe, and only
Joe and I only met in person a few times, but emailed many times. He helped
me in properly documenting rare bird sightings several times. He encouraged
me to join the Denver Field Ornithologists. I can't say enough great things
about him, because it would take hours!
My thoughts are with his
Subject: [cobirds] Joe Roller sad news Cobirders,The
very sad news is that Joe died last night of cancer just after midnight. His
wife Maryanne said that despite his pain, he was still cracking jokes with the
nurses yesterday morning. “He made me laugh every single day,” she said. Either
one
I received many emails from Joe over the years and many time wrote my ebird
comments and descriptions addressed to him and his joy of the absurd. Our
in person interactions were sparse enough that I was graced with an
introduction and enthusiastic handshake every time we met. I dont remember
the
A huge loss for our birding community. I’m so sorry to hear this.
Bob reminded me about the first time we met Joe.
We were upstream from Kingfisher Bridge chasing a rare warbler in a thicket. I
wish our memories could recall for sure, but our records indicate it could have
been a Northern
Joe was special. I always enjoyed my time with him. He obvious love of
life was wonderful to experience. I will miss him.
Walt Combs
On Wed, Nov 25, 2020 at 4:00 PM Diane Roberts wrote:
> Joe loved his birding stories and remembered a great deal of Colorado
> County firsts. His devotion to
From: 'John D' via Colorado Birds
Sent: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 4:37 PM
To: larry.cor...@gmail.com
Cc: cobirds@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [cobirds] Joe Roller sad news
Sad news indeed , we will miss him. Joe adopted me when I first arrived in
Colorado
It was certainly sad to hear in the CoBirds messaging this evening of Joe
Roller's passing. Joe was a wonderful guy and terrific birder; a true and
cherished friend. Joe, it saddens me to have lost you, and I will miss you
greatly.
I know that in my many years on the Board of Directors of
and Bolivia .Always
had a sense of humor no matter how poor the birding was or the weather .
He will be missed .
John DrummondColorado Springs.
-Original Message-
From: Larry Modesitt
To: Colorado Birds
Sent: Wed, Nov 25, 2020 3:45 pm
Subject: [cobirds] Joe Roller sad news
Cobirders,The very
I didn't know Joe personally but it sounds like the birding community and
world lost a great human. I've recieved numerous emails from him (as a
regional hotspot editor for eBird) about new hotspot suggestions usually
with encouraging words of affirmation, and he was always most helpful with
Joe loved his birding stories and remembered a great deal of Colorado
County firsts. His devotion to his wife, Maryanne, was heartwarming. I will
miss his help & love of birding. RIP Joe.
Diane Roberts
Highlands Ranch, CO
On Wed, Nov 25, 2020 at 3:52 PM linda hodges wrote:
> How heartbreaking;
How heartbreaking; I had no idea he was ill.
Larry, you summed up Joe so well. He was always ready with a helping hand,
diplomatic response or "teachable moment". His laughter and sense of humor
will stay with me a very long while.
*Linda Hodges*
*Colorado Springs*
On Wed, Nov 25, 2020 at
I've known Joe Roller since like the early 1990s, always a fun guy to be
around. Sad day for sure to hear this news.
Brandon Percival
Pueblo West, CO
On Wed, Nov 25, 2020 at 3:45 PM Larry Modesitt
wrote:
> Cobirders,
>
> The very sad news is that Joe died last night of cancer just after
>
This is very sad.
I never met Joe, but I received numerous emails from him on questions I’d
raised on CO Birds. Always gracious.
Gary Brower
Unincorporated Arapahoe County
> On Nov 25, 2020, at 3:45 PM, Larry Modesitt wrote:
>
> Cobirders,
>
> The very sad news is that Joe died last night
Cobirders,
The very sad news is that Joe died last night of cancer just after
midnight. His wife Maryanne said that despite his pain, he was still
cracking jokes with the nurses yesterday morning. “He made me laugh every
single day,” she said. Either one of their boys, Dan and Tom, was
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