Tom, a friend in Texas just sent me a link to this article.
http://www.sas.org/tcs/weeklyIssues_...re1/index.html

Its not about orchids but it is about how an amateur botanist's persistence
paid off in getting two rare plants identified as new species. (On Lime
Ridge in Walnut Creek). The reason why I'm bothering the whole group with
the link instead of talking to just Tom alone is becasue I thought it was
pretty cool how one guy can work within all these diverse groups to finally
get 2 plants identified. I also was amazed to see just how many local
groups there were working to preserve open space around here. Who knew?

Anyway, on thought led to another. I found the California Native Plant
Society's web site and see that they are having a photography contest for
their meeting in 2009. Since you've been known to hike around the open
spaces around here and take such great pictures I figured I'd give you a
head's up. http://www.cnps.org/

I now return you all to your regularly scheduled orchid newsgroup.

K Barrett