Some of my shelves are semi-organized by topic (emphasis on semi). We’ll call this shelf “Hunting Smilodon with a .375 H&H Ruger No. 1.”
Afterthought – hie thee over to Strange Maps if you haven’t visited recently. The latest post is A Vulture’s View of Ethiopia – wonderful stuff.
I just got back in from airing out the dogs in the woods behind my house. We’d gotten about 20 yards deep in the woods (see snow pictures below for an idea of what I’m talking about) when 2 birds flew toward me – moved by the dogs I think – and perched between me and the dogs, who were a ways in front. At first, I thought they were crows (based on their size), but when they perched, I knew that wasn’t the case – typical raptor posture, and the one I had the best view of had his head low and out in front. The sky is overcast and the light is poor, so I didn’t pick up much more than silhouettes. They were calling to each other – one would krek and the other would reply: krek-krek (think of the sound of trees creaking in an otherwise quiet wood). They stayed perched for a heart-stopping 35 seconds or so, then flew off – under the canopy. I know what I think they are, but I’d appreciate a reality check/wishful thinking alert. I know a pair of what-I-hope-they-are nests about a half mile south of the house (though I can never find the current year’s nest). There was some logging last year where they normally nest – maybe they’ve been pushed towards me?
Later – I realize there’s not a lot of data to go on – it’s really the calling that I was curious about – whether that was enough to rule anything out or in.
A couple of hilarious visions of the future (or the present, depending on how you look at it).
First, via MeFi, the engineering triumph of the modern age. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you the Alameda-Weehauken Burrito Tunnel.
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More practical, and preferable in my book, would be a NYC-Portsmouth (NH) Bánh mì tunnel. All silliness aside, I’m hoping to spend time visiting Babylon-on-the-Hudson in the near future (more than once, I hope) – on the gustatory agenda will be Bánh mì, Korean-style fried chicken and (mythical?) Cuban-Chinese food.
Those of you who have been reading the blog for a while know that Gerry Anderson’s Supermarionation played a big part in my childhood. From Coop via BoingBoing we get this Peter Cook/Dudley Moore sendup of the whole genre: Superthunderstingcar.
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The underlying question remains unanswered – where’s my dang flying car (I’d settle for a jet-pack)?
I received a picture today of a couple dart frogs (D. tinctorius Surinam Cobalt) I sold to a local frogger last fall. He was just getting started in the hobby – I’d say he’s off to a very good start. We both think he got a male and a female; males tend to have larger, heart-shaped front toe pads. I’m grinning like a Cheshire cat…
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