Al Would Have Wanted It This Way

Alton, IL -- The birding team of Bill, Stan, Ed and Limey decided to go ahead with the Big Day race for spotting the most birds.

Their friend Al Smith, the fifth member of the team is having his funeral today. They will still start at midnight and take a short nap at 7AM, bird till the 10 AM funeral and then continue at 11AM to midnight.

Al's scope will be in the Toyota van as well as his 8.5x42 Swarovskis. All four will take turns at using those binoculars.

"I'm sure we can get a red headed woodpecker at the cemetery, there is a creeck not far behind it," said Stan. They will therefore not take the binoculars off for the funeral. "Evelyn won't mind, she'll just have to explain to the relatives."