[Mike]

From Rocky:
— In pac-pc@yahoogroups.com, Rocky Ward <rachelleward> wrote:
Lets see, how do I say this…
WE DID NOT HAVE A MONSOON SEASON THIS YEAR!!!!!!!!
~Rocky

http://www.dailystar.com/dailystar/metro/38274.php

Museum’s pelican rescues set record
ARIZONA DAILY STAR

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has rescued 26 California brown
pelicans this summer, exceeding the previous record of 18 saved in
2002.

The birds usually arrive in the Tucson area because high monsoon
winds throw the young pelicans off course. The birds are cared for
here before being taken to Sea World in San Diego to be released
into the wild, according to a museum news release.

“It has been very rewarding to save so many birds, but it has
basically blown our budget in this area for the next five years,”
said Mary Powell-McConnell, who is responsible for records and
quarantine in the museum’s Mammalogy and Ornithology Department. “We
have been serving up to 36 pounds of smelt a day to feed them.”

California brown pelicans live along the Pacific Coast. They have
been listed as an endangered species since 1985.

Contributions to help the museum cover the cost of caring for the
birds can be made at http://www.desertmuseum.org online. Click on “Support
Our Animal Care Fund.”