Comments from FONT's Customers

SOME COMMENTS FROM FONT'S CUSTOMERS
FOLLOWING TOURS & PELAGIC TRIPS

Since 1990, about 2,000 people (from 47 of the US states, and over 15 other countries) have participated on FONT birding tours, most of them more than once.
Over 1,100 people have participated on FONT East Coast USA pelagic trips (from New Jersey, Delaware, and North Carolina). More than half of them more than once, and many on a regular basis.
The following are just a few of the comments that have come to us after the tours and trips.
A number of participants have also contributed photographs that are now throughout this web-site in various photo galleries & bird-lists.

In an e-mail following our MARCH/APRIL 2008 birding & nature tour in the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:

"Armas, again, thank you for a great trip."

Jerry Theis
Peoria, Arizona

In notes following our January 2008 birding & nature tour in JAPAN:

"Many thanks for all the birds and experiences (during the tour)".

Michael Lenz
Canberra, Australia

In notes following our DECEMBER 2007 birding & nature tour in JAPAN:

"Thanks for a great trip. I hope to see you on one of your tours soon."

Dorothy Kakimoto
Alameda, California

"Thank you for a wonderful trip."

Alice Kakimoto
Garden Grove, California

"Dear Armas,

You are so much fun to travel with --- .
You are a good driver (on the left-side of the road in Japan), and a great bird-spotter.
Thank you for a safe, amazing trip in Kyushu & Hokkaido on roads less traveled.
I loved every moment.
What a great trip. Thank you."

Mitsu Wasano
San Jose, California

"Thank you so much for the tour - for the adventure, and the birds".

Somporn Pmasuk & Opapunn Sriyakorn,
Bangkok, Thailand

"In my list (at the end of the tour) of "top-birds", I chose those I did because I can now identify them by myself. Thanks for everything!"

Somporn Pmasuk
Bangkok, Thailand

The FONT Japan December 2007 Tour Group

In e-mails following our SEPTEMBER 2007 birding & nature tour in SWEDEN:

"Thanks for everything. It was great trip."

Jim & Sharon Scheib
Iowa City, Iowa

"Thanks for leading such a great trip to places new for me and for seeing so many new birds. I may well see you again sometime on one of your tours."

Sharon Sneddon
Edmonds, Washington

In e-mails following our AUGUST 2007 birding & nature tour in BRAZIL:

"Just a quick note to say how much we appreciated the Brazil tour, and what a delight it was to see so many birds, reptiles and mammals, especially the Giant Anteaters and the JAGUAR. We look forward to receiving your bird-list when you've had a chance to do it, so that we can finalize ours. Of the nearly 300 species of birds that we saw, about 180 were new!
And there was such lovely scenery!
Thanks again. We really had an outstanding time."

Rosemary & Paul Lloyd
Bloomington, Indiana

"It was a fun trip".

Alan Mitchnick
Herndon, Virginia

In an e-mail following our JULY 2007 birding & nature tour in ARIZONA:

"We enjoyed the tour very much".

Steve & Carolyn Hendricks
Washington, DC

In an e-mail after our MAY 2007 birding & nature tour in JAPAN, from Mr. Shago Matsui, one of the authors of "A Field Guide to the Birds of Japan" (the English version published by the Wild Bird Society of Japan in 1982). We met Mr. Matsui when we were on Hegura Island:

"Dear Mr. Hill,

It was my pleasure meeting you at Hegura-jima birding. We were all deeply impressed watching you and your tour members so early, actively, and joyfully watching the birds. You are so energetic and active and have excellent knowledge of birds, and I would say you are really doing fine as a birding guide.
I think you saw more birds (on Hegura) than we did. I have not come up with the final figure, but it is about 100 species."
(Note: Our 111 species on Hegura was not much more than their tally. It's interesting that it was, however, more than half of the total for our entire tour which was 204. Other islands we visited included Okinawa, Amami, & Kyushu, in addition to the largest Japanese island of Honshu.)

In a note following our MARCH 2007 birding & nature tour in BELIZE:

"We all had a truly wonderful & memorable time."

Sally Brady
Nederland, Colorado

In an e-mail following our JANUARY 2007 birding & nature tour in JAPAN:

"I definitely had a nice time on the tour, and really enjoyed traveling around Japan. It's even more scenic than I had anticipated."

Steve Matherly
Houston, Texas

In an e-mail following our DEC 2006 -JAN 2007 birding & nature tour in GUATEMALA:

"What a great adventure was FONT's 2006/07 Guatemala trip, and what great birding! Talk about volcanoes in the mist -- could such sights possibly be better than in Guatemala, whether the four perfect cones at sunset from the Pacific mangrove marshes, the three others surrounding Lake Atitlan, or Volcan Agua 10 miles from colonial Antigua? Howler monkeys, spider monkeys, agouti, coati, a huge crocodile (safely distant) -- Tikal certainly didn't lack for animals! And the archaeological ruins -- Aguateca's stellae were magnificent, and the reality of Tikal overwhelms any prior notions you might possibly have had. Almost makes you forget you are on a birding tour... but three different species of hawk-eagles in two hours on Volcano Toliman, or four different woodcreepers among many frenetic birds in an ant swarm, or aracari and toucans and great views of a Violaceous Trogon in a fruiting tree upon arrival in Tikal remind you that, yes, this is a great birding trip as well.
I look forward to my next trip with you, Armas -- maybe we can explore some of the less-birded volcanoes toward the NW border with Mexico?"

Tom G
Washington, DC

In a Christmas greeting received December 8, 2006:

"May all the wonderful moments of Christmas fill your heart with happiness.
PLUS - the memories of the GREAT TRIPS we've enjoyed with you over the years!

Herb & Betty Cutler
Laverock, Pennsylvania

In an e-mail following our OCTOBER 2006 birding & nature tour in BRAZIL:

"I loved our tour! I look forward to hearing about your next trips in Brazil".

Tim Bradbury
Bahia, Brazil

In an e-mail following our SEPTEMBER 2006 birding & nature tour in BRAZIL:

"It was great fun and I have alot of memories. You really impressed me with your knowledge of the sights and sounds of the Brazilian birds and mammals (and butterflies). Thanks.

Jerry Theis
Phoenix, Arizona

In an e-mail following our JUNE 2006 birding & nature tour in ICELAND:

"Thank you very much for a wonderful trip. The country was beautiful and interesting, and of course the birds were wonderful."

Cheryl Pearce
London, Ontario, Canada

In an e-mail & note following our March 7-19, 2006 birding & nature tour in Guatemala:

"Thanks for the good trip. My personal highlights were:
1) the Orange-breasted Falcon observed from Temple Two at Tikal,
2) the Pheasant Cuckoo, making its odd sound as it displayed in the scrub,
3) the old Tikal airfield at sunset with a chorus of calling Yucatan Poorwills & Pauraques,
4) the Pink-headed Warbler in the Guatemalan oak forest in the mountains,
5) seeing at close range the still Pinnated Bittern as it sat with its head pointed skyward
Wishing you continued Happy Birding."

Doug Johnson
Bemidji, Minnesota, USA

In an e-mail following our March 7-19, 2006 birding & nature tour in Guatemala:

"Armas Hill can hear/see/intuit birds while driving at any speed, stop on a dime, back up, park, and get out of the car with his binoculars pointed in 3 seconds - truly a new experience but much appreciated because I added over 220 species (of birds) to my life list and didn't even see all that were to be seen by the veteran birders (on the tour)!"

Bonnie Barrett
North Salem, New York, USA

In e-mails & notes following our February 26 - March 4, 2006 birding & nature tour in Jamaica:

"We had a wonderful time! We appreciate all you did to make it so.
Among the highlights (of the tour) were the Tody, Jamaican Oriole, Chestnut-bellied Cuckoo, the Tropicbirds, snorkeling, doing the bird-lists in the evening, and, of course, the Potoo!
Also, seeing the Blue Mountains, having the other birders with us, and of course your funny comments and mellow nature. We hope to travel with you again, someday soon.
Thank you ever so much. You lead wonderful tours."

Elaine Dalrymple & Ed Gates
Montour Falls, New York, USA

"I loved the tour. Especially the way you took us off the main roads so we could see a variety of Jamaican lifestyles and wildlife.
So thank you very much, and I hope to be able to take another tour with you before too long."

Nancy Simonds
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

"Thanks, Armas, for your fine job, and especially the driving on the Jamaican roads. It was a wonderful trip. Best wishes for success."

Martha Vicinus
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA

In an e-mail following our February 10-18, 2006 birding & nature tour in southern Costa Rica & western Panama:

"Many thanks for a most enjoyable tour!"

Rosemary Lloyd
Bloomington, Indiana, USA

In a note following our November 12-26, 2005 birding & nature tour in Chile:

"Thanks for the great job you did guiding our Chile tour. Despite some obstacles, you did your best to keep our group upbeat and the tour fun. I especially appreciate the times when you made special efforts to help me see things that I really wanted to, e.g. the extra bit to get the second and better look at the Andean Avocets at Lake Chungara. I plan to travel & bird with you again in the future."

Ted Lewis
Philadelphia, PA, USA

In an e-mail after our November 12-26, 2005 birding & nature tour in Chile:

"I really like the small group concept that you have, as we did see a lot of birds with everyone getting a good opportunity to see everything. I learned a lot about birding from you, and I'm so satisfied that I got those very good looks at the birds. I'd like to join you again, and learn more."

Laraine Lindsay
New Holland, PA, USA

In an e-mail following our September 22 - October 3, 2005 birding & nature tour in Spain:

"Wanted to let you know what a fantastic tour it was! Still remembering the Hoopoes and talking about the Flamingoes. Absolutely unforgettable!
And a treat to get to know you."

Rosina Wilson
San Rafael, CA, USA

In an e-mail following our August 7-17, 2005 birding & nature tour in Brazil:

"It was a great tour. We saw so much in a relatively short time. The size of our group was excellent, allowing for good full-time birding. Thank you for your expertise which was greatly appreciated. I really enjoyed the whole experience and learned a lot at the same time.
So, again, thank you for the great tour!"

Jacquie Sapiie
New York, NY, USA

In an e-mail following our May 16-30, 2005 spring birding & nature tour in Japan:

"Many many thanks for the tour. It all went so very well."

Clide Carter
Cape Town, South Africa

In a note following our April 25-May 9, 2005 birding & nature tour in Texas:

"A note to let you know how much I enjoyed the (2005 spring tour) in Texas. You worked very hard to find me so many new birds for my life list. Thank you so much."

Bonnie Scott
Ravensdale, WA, USA

In a note following our April 16-25, 2005 birding & nature tour in Colorado and nearby states:

"Had a great time. The tour was exciting."

Rick Greenspun
Sarasota, FL, USA

By e-mail following our March 30 - April 9, 2005 birding & nature tour in Guatemala:

Thank you. I appreciated all your good work to find birds for us. Thank you!

Lise Grenier
Granby , Quebec, Canada

By e-mail following our January 15-23, 2005 birding & nature tour in Costa Rica:

"We enjoyed the birding and your company tremendously all week, and so thank you very much, especially for giving us such a great overview of southern Costa Rica."

Pete & Kris Allen
Westborough, MA, USA

By letter, on January 6, 2005, from someone who's traveled with us previously, and reserving a place on a 2005 tour:

"I am really looking forward to this (next) tour. I do alot of word-of-mouth promoting FONT among my birding acquaintances - you have an excellent product."

Ted Lewis,
Philadelphia, PA, USA

By e-mail following our November 28-December 12, 2004 birding tour in Japan:

"Must compliment you on a wonderful trip. Had a great time - great landscapes, great birds, great people. Loved it. Thanks!"

Cheryl Pearce
London, Ontario, Canada

"I'm enjoying memories of our Japan tour. The cranes especially, but all the other birds too! The trip was much more than I expected. And those fine birds! The Copper Pheasant was surely an enviable one. (But then you said that road could be a good place for it!) And all those Mandarin Ducks, the Pied Kingfisher, and everything else on that special day.
I definitely want to go sometime to Japan in the spring, to Hegura Island! Thanks for everything."

Diane Toebe
Anchorage, Alaska, USA

By e-mail following our October - November, 2004 birding tours in Argentina & Chile:

"I really enjoyed the tours in Argentina and Chile, and hope to be able to come on future trips with you. "

Julian Mitchell
Maidenhead, Berkshire, England

By e-mail following our August 21-28, 2004 birding tour in Panama:

"We want to thank you for a wonderful trip to Panama, letting you know that my wife, Kitty, & I both had a great time, and would recommend the trip to anyone."

Dave Evans
New Brunswick, NJ, USA

By e-mail relating to our July 27-August 16, 2004 birding tour in Brazil:

"I'd like to thank you for the great tour we had in Brazil in August. I am seriously thinking of going back again some day. I would like to visit the Northeast (of Brazil) and Amazonian regions. I will check your web-site on a regular basis should you offer such a trip for those who have already visited the Mato Grosso and Southeast regions of Brazil.
I also hope to make another trip with you in the near future."

Daniel Bouffard
Gatineau, Quebec, Canada

"Really enjoyed the tour."

David & Gisele Willermet
Sutton, Quebec, Canada

By e-mail following our May 22/23 overnight pelagic birding trip from Barnegat Light, New Jersey, USA:

"A great day on the water,"

Karl Knoecklein
Piermont, New York, USA

By e-mail following our February 7-12, 2004 birding tour in Puerto Rico:

"We had a great time touring Puerto Rico with you. And we'd gladly recommend FONT to others who inquire, and look forward to your version of the tour report.
Thanks for a great trip, and best wishes."

Bob & Monica Williams,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA

By e-mail following our February 28 - March 7, 2004 birding tour in the Lesser Antilles:

Dear Armas:

"From the White-breasted Thrasher to the Imperial Parrot -- it was a great tour and we send you our thanks for a memorable trip.
Our hat is off to you for some super birding, and all your great efforts and tireless energy. Your knowledge of the birds, where to find them, and your ability to remember roads and birding spots around the islands is impressive. We look forward to another great adventure with you!
With best wishes and, again, our thanks."

Tom & Margot Southerland
Princeton, New Jersey, USA

By e-mail following our February 7-15, 2004 birding tour in Costa Rica:

"I wanted to let you know what a great time I had with you (Armas Hill, leader of the tour) and the other participants in Costa Rica. I had high expectations (before) going on the trip. They were exceeded. You have a knack for finding birds, but I appreciate even more how hard you worked to be sure each participant got the best looks at the most species possible. "Muchas gracias para todo"."

Ted Lewis,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

"I had a great time and hope to join you on another trip".

Mike Welch,
Frederick, Maryland, USA

"Thank you for showing us so many birds".

Ed Kimmer
Rockville, Maryland, USA

By letter following our January 2004 annual winter birding tour in Japan:

"Thank you for a great trip, and a nice introduction to Japanese society".

Ann Faust
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

By e-mail following the Sept 7/8, 2003 trip from Barnegat Light, New Jersey:

"First, thanks for a really nice trip out of Barnegat Light on Sep 7/8. I very much enjoyed it, and hope to come on another."

Tomas Dahlen
Towson, Maryland, USA

"Thanks for another great trip of oceanic birding."

Jared Sparks
Flourtown, Pennsylvania, USA

"Thank you for getting us out to sea to have such fun!"

Amy & Ian Hanigan
Annapolis, Maryland, USA

"Thanks again for the trip - the weather was beautiful, and the trip was wonderful!"

Amy Dreibelbis
Exton, Pennsylvania, USA

"Thanks for a good day on the water. The Leatherback was definitely a highlight, as was the Audubon's."

Ross Geredien
Greenwich, Connecticut, USA

Following the May 31, 2003 pelagic trip from Lewes, Delaware, by e-mail:

"We sure did!!! (have a good pelagic trip from Lewes May 31).
I reported at the Frederick MOS (Maryland Ornithological Society) June meeting and got great responses ... some regretted not going!"

Gary Smyle
Frederick, Maryland, USA

"I appreciated your follow-up note (after the May 31 Lewes pelagic). The world could use a little more such politeness (and good customer relations). I'll be joining your next pelagic trip out of Lewes on August 30."

Leo Weigant
Severna Park, Maryland, USA

Following the May 25/26, 2003 pelagic trip from Barnegat Light, New Jersey, by e-mail:

"I truly enjoyed the birds on the Memorial Day Barnegat trip. The views of the Jaegers kiting next to the boat were unforgettable."

Karl Knoecklein
Piermont, New York, USA

"It was a wonderful trip and we are all glowing with remembered birds and life birds. Thanks."

Helen Conover
New York, New York, USA

"It was a great trip - I will come back!"

Nikolas Haass
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

Following the April 2003 Colorado birding tour, by e-mail:

"Hi Armas. The pictures (of the Rosy Finches) in the web-site brought back fond memories of a great trip. Thanks."

Earl Harrison
Green Belt, Maryland, USA

"Armas. It was a great tour. We ended up with 139 species (of birds)."

Douglas Zollner
Golden, Colorado, USA

Following the March 2003 Honduras birding tour, by e-mail:

"Dear Armas:

Experiencing the beauty of Honduras with FONT this year is a wonderful

memory that will always bring me smiles. Birding in bamboo, pine and rainforest was as much fun as in the lagoon, with fantastic howler monkeys watching us.

Thanks for sharing your birding and travel expertise, making an extraordinary place even that much more enjoyable!

Best regards & good birding!"

M.Z.Gardner
Newark, Delaware, USA

Following the March 2003 Dominican Republic birding tour, by letter:

"Thanks for a great trip!"

George & Sally Loring
Manchester, Massachusetts, USA

Following the March 2003 Puerto Rico birding tour, by e-mail:

"Had a wonderful time. A very good tour."

Sharon Gambill
Ocean View, Delaware, USA

Following the December 2002 Honduras tour, by letter:

"Thank you for a wonderful trip. Great seeing the Lovely Cotinga."

Joann Callaghan
Wilmington, Delaware, USA

Following the October, 2002 Iceland tour, by e-mail:

"Dear Armas,
We loved the trip. Really enjoyed your company and expertise."

Eileen Dunn & Linda Robinson
Bradford, Connecticut, USA

Following the August 2002 Panama birding tour, by e-mail:

"Thanks so much for a wonderful tour!"

Ann Shadwick
Pacifica, California, USA

Following the June 2002 Iceland tour, by e-mail:

"Dear Armas,
We enjoyed every minute of our recent tour with you in Iceland... Again, thanks, thanks."

Rebecca & Jack Matlock
Princeton, New Jersey, USA

Following the January 2002 Japan birding tour, by letter:

"Dear Armas,
Having got back home from Japan, I would like to thank you for taking such good care of us during the tour.
I took back with me a host of memories of the birds, of the landscape of the country, and the companionship of my fellow birders. We certainly got good looks at the target species and it is astonishing that while Japan does not have a great quantity of birdlife, so much of what it has is so special!"

Mr. Sandy Gordon
Cardross, Scotland

Following the Dec/Jan '01/'02 Guatemala birding tour, by letter:

"Dear Armas,
It was, indeed, a great tour, Tikal being the highlight. Just seeing that Pheasant Cuckoo would have made the trip worthwhile - but there was so much more. I'm sure we'll be traveling with you again."

Elaine & Patrick Nye
Guilford, Connecticut, USA

Following the Dec 1, 2001 pelagic trip from Brielle, New Jersey, by e-mail: