Source: Beware of Images
Source: Way of the Indian
Source: Way of the Indian
Monday, October 14, 2013
Happy October 14th
If you want to know the TRUE story about Christopher Columbus, check out this article by Valerie Strauss, Christopher Columbus: 3 things you think he did that he didn’t.
Have a great day!
Monday, October 7, 2013
The Birds Are Coming!
Yesterday was cloudy and gray with rain at times, but the day was brightened up a little by a huge flock of grackles!
I was sitting watching a football game when I noticed birds flying past the living room front windows. And they kept coming and coming and coming and...well, you get the idea. With so many, it almost felt like scenes from Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds'. A few landed on my neighbor's house, but the majority landed in the surrounding trees around my house. They were Common Grackles which often form huge flocks that can number in the thousands, especially for spring and summer migrations (according to my National Audubon Society bird book). I don't think there were that many - more like a few hundred. Grackles don't really sing, but make a variety of "squeaks, whistles, and croaks". You can listen to their 'song' and get more info on them here. Listen and then multiply that by a few hundred and you can imagine what I heard!
They gathered in a few huge trees, but then every once in a while a whole bunch headed for a small tree next to a mobile home a few up from mine. It would be packed with birds and then they would suddenly all take off and head for the larger trees again. (I was trying to photograph them so that may have been what spooked them!) Then they all sort of 'migrated' to some larger trees a few blocks over. But then they came back again about an hour later and I snapped a few more pictures. All the black 'dots' you see in this photo are birds.
You can see in the first two pictures the larger trees they gathered in, but the next picture is the little tree they all kept trying to pile into.
A real Hitchcock, but noisy, surprise.
Source: Wikipedia
I was sitting watching a football game when I noticed birds flying past the living room front windows. And they kept coming and coming and coming and...well, you get the idea. With so many, it almost felt like scenes from Alfred Hitchcock's 'The Birds'. A few landed on my neighbor's house, but the majority landed in the surrounding trees around my house. They were Common Grackles which often form huge flocks that can number in the thousands, especially for spring and summer migrations (according to my National Audubon Society bird book). I don't think there were that many - more like a few hundred. Grackles don't really sing, but make a variety of "squeaks, whistles, and croaks". You can listen to their 'song' and get more info on them here. Listen and then multiply that by a few hundred and you can imagine what I heard!
They gathered in a few huge trees, but then every once in a while a whole bunch headed for a small tree next to a mobile home a few up from mine. It would be packed with birds and then they would suddenly all take off and head for the larger trees again. (I was trying to photograph them so that may have been what spooked them!) Then they all sort of 'migrated' to some larger trees a few blocks over. But then they came back again about an hour later and I snapped a few more pictures. All the black 'dots' you see in this photo are birds.
You can see in the first two pictures the larger trees they gathered in, but the next picture is the little tree they all kept trying to pile into.
A real Hitchcock, but noisy, surprise.
Friday, October 4, 2013
In Memoriam
We've lost a lot of our stray cats around here the last year or more. Several, unfortunately, have been hit by cars. Some of the people in the mobile home park seem to think they live on a racetrack. And even though the speed limit through the park is a modest 10 miles an hour, once they get around the horseshoe corner the mad dash is on...to the stop sign at the end of the street. Most of the kitties are street savvy since they have been there all their lives as far as we know. However, a few seem to think it is THEIR street and sit in the middle of the road not even moving when the car stops and honks at them. We lost Sarah and Juliet to folks who were either in too big a hurry to stop for a cat in the road or, for whatever reason, the cat was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
One of the favorite cats of the neighborhood was a very quirky cat we named Miss Kitty. We're not sure exactly what happened to her, but I had noticed a few days earlier that she was walking kind of carefully and seemed to have pain getting up. She seemed to be getting better, but then one day she didn't show up to eat and we found her dead in the neighbor's yard looking like she was heading for a hole in the skirting of another neighbor's mobile home.
Then a few days ago Tang was found dead under a neighbor's house. We had noticed that he seemed to be losing weight. But we also thought he might have gotten into some herbicide. It might have been a combination of things. With stray cats when they are outside and you don't see them all the time it's so hard to know what happened.
He was best buddies with my next door neighbor's cat, Tigger, but he got along with all the cats in the neighborhood. Here he is snuggling with Spot.
Tang loved other cats, but was not so fond of people. He was one of the stray cats that I could never pet, much less invite inside. He will be missed!
I would love to take in two other stray cats, Romeo and Van Gogh, at least for the winter. They've been around forever and I would hate to lose them as well. I need to take them BOTH in at the same time and whether that's possible or not is the issue. How well they get along with my crew is also an issue. Romeo especially is a sweetheart and would hate to see something happen to him. But I can't take him in without Van Gogh because they are always together. Van Gogh is another one of those cats that I've only managed to pet once or twice - always when he's either right next to Romeo when I'm petting Romeo and sneak in a stroke, or else when he's busy eating. We'll see if I'm successful this winter.
Sarah
One of the favorite cats of the neighborhood was a very quirky cat we named Miss Kitty. We're not sure exactly what happened to her, but I had noticed a few days earlier that she was walking kind of carefully and seemed to have pain getting up. She seemed to be getting better, but then one day she didn't show up to eat and we found her dead in the neighbor's yard looking like she was heading for a hole in the skirting of another neighbor's mobile home.
Miss Kitty
Then a few days ago Tang was found dead under a neighbor's house. We had noticed that he seemed to be losing weight. But we also thought he might have gotten into some herbicide. It might have been a combination of things. With stray cats when they are outside and you don't see them all the time it's so hard to know what happened.
Tang
He was best buddies with my next door neighbor's cat, Tigger, but he got along with all the cats in the neighborhood. Here he is snuggling with Spot.
Tang loved other cats, but was not so fond of people. He was one of the stray cats that I could never pet, much less invite inside. He will be missed!
I would love to take in two other stray cats, Romeo and Van Gogh, at least for the winter. They've been around forever and I would hate to lose them as well. I need to take them BOTH in at the same time and whether that's possible or not is the issue. How well they get along with my crew is also an issue. Romeo especially is a sweetheart and would hate to see something happen to him. But I can't take him in without Van Gogh because they are always together. Van Gogh is another one of those cats that I've only managed to pet once or twice - always when he's either right next to Romeo when I'm petting Romeo and sneak in a stroke, or else when he's busy eating. We'll see if I'm successful this winter.
Romeo and Van Gogh (on top)
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Historic Slater Park II
In my previous post about Slater Park, I mentioned that there is a Looff carousel there. I only included one picture and said that I would have to do a post just on it soon. Well, here it is - not so soon since that post was over a year ago, but better late than never. The Looff carousel that is in Slater Park was built in 1895 and was first installed in New York state, but it was moved to its permanent home at the park in 1910. I recently took a walk in the park and stopped at the Farmer's Market they have there on Sundays, and the carousel was open so got some more pictures. Enjoy!
Even though this carousel is really cool I decided I didn't like as much as the Crescent Park Carousel, which is also a Looff, because none of the animals go up and down!
Even though this carousel is really cool I decided I didn't like as much as the Crescent Park Carousel, which is also a Looff, because none of the animals go up and down!
Friday, September 20, 2013
Changing Colors
For the first time, Wednesday morning it was in the high 30s when I got up. Brrr. Not that cold the last couple of mornings and the temperatures have ended near 80 in the afternoons, but the times we have been down into the 40s overnight has started the process. There are a couple of trees in the neighborhood that are always the first to change colors and the process has started.
There are even a few leaves to rake up.
However, those few trees are the exception rather than the rule. There are still flowers blooming (although sometimes there are more dead blooms, than fresh ones).
And in the case of the majority of trees, while occasionally there are a few leaves that have gone rogue (by starting to change color), the leaves are still a lovely green.
It is after all still September. And even though a few of the neighbors have already got their Halloween Trick or Treat signs out...
it's still a little early.
There are even a few leaves to rake up.
However, those few trees are the exception rather than the rule. There are still flowers blooming (although sometimes there are more dead blooms, than fresh ones).
And in the case of the majority of trees, while occasionally there are a few leaves that have gone rogue (by starting to change color), the leaves are still a lovely green.
It is after all still September. And even though a few of the neighbors have already got their Halloween Trick or Treat signs out...
it's still a little early.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Vivid Viverrids
Binturongs are sometimes called bearcats, but they are neither cats nor bears. They are, however, part of the viverrid family of cat-like animals, some of which look similar to cats and are related to the feline family.. Binturongs are the members that look least like a cat, looking somewhat and acting more like a raccoon. Like raccoons, binturongs are tree-dwellers and the largest member of the viverrid family weighting up to 70 pounds.
Found in southeast Asia, it prefers heavily forested areas and are active both day and night. Its diet consists of small mammals, birds, insects, fish and fruit, however, figs are a preferred prey. Binturongs can live up to 25 years old, especially in captivity. While not related, its temperament is more like that of a badger and can be somewhat ill tempered not making it a good candidate for a pet.
Another viverrid is the genet. Nearly all species of genets live in Africa except for the Common Genet which can also be found in Southwestern Europe and parts of the Middle East. Exactly how many subspecies there are is under debate, but all are nocturnal, secretive little guys and mice and squirrels are favorite menu items.
Genets are great climbers and have quick reflexes. They are the only member of the vivverid family that can stand on their hind legs. Like cats, genets scent mark their territory and can purr.
For more imformation, pictures and a video of genets, click here.
Civets are another member of the this vivid family. Most civets live in tropical Asia, but because of their nocturnal nature not a lot is known about some species. Civets are sometimes referred to as toddycats. The most well-known species of civet is the African civet.
The African civet has disproportionately large hindquarters like a hyena and is also recognizable by its mohawk-style crest along its spine.It seems to be put together by spare parts completed by its leopard spotted coat and raccoon banded eyes. Its diet includes small mammals, bird eggs, carrion, and even poisonous snakes and insects.
Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts has a binturong. I visited there several years ago and I found their binturong a very interesting character.
Source: Wikipedia
Found in southeast Asia, it prefers heavily forested areas and are active both day and night. Its diet consists of small mammals, birds, insects, fish and fruit, however, figs are a preferred prey. Binturongs can live up to 25 years old, especially in captivity. While not related, its temperament is more like that of a badger and can be somewhat ill tempered not making it a good candidate for a pet.
Another viverrid is the genet. Nearly all species of genets live in Africa except for the Common Genet which can also be found in Southwestern Europe and parts of the Middle East. Exactly how many subspecies there are is under debate, but all are nocturnal, secretive little guys and mice and squirrels are favorite menu items.
Common Genet Source: Wikipedia
Genets are great climbers and have quick reflexes. They are the only member of the vivverid family that can stand on their hind legs. Like cats, genets scent mark their territory and can purr.
Thierry's genet Source: Wikipedia
For more imformation, pictures and a video of genets, click here.
Civets are another member of the this vivid family. Most civets live in tropical Asia, but because of their nocturnal nature not a lot is known about some species. Civets are sometimes referred to as toddycats. The most well-known species of civet is the African civet.
Source: Wikipedia
The African civet has disproportionately large hindquarters like a hyena and is also recognizable by its mohawk-style crest along its spine.It seems to be put together by spare parts completed by its leopard spotted coat and raccoon banded eyes. Its diet includes small mammals, bird eggs, carrion, and even poisonous snakes and insects.
Asian palm civet Source: Wikipedia
Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, Massachusetts has a binturong. I visited there several years ago and I found their binturong a very interesting character.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Nap Time!
I watched some football on Saturday afternoon, but for the kitties (as usual) it was nap time!
After our official overnight low of 43 and high of 65 on Friday, all of us luxuriated in the sunshine and warmth of our Saturday high of 77! Napping was the perfect way to spend a lazy September afternoon.
Tippi, Pugsley and Yoda
Sprite
Romeo
Dolly and Violet
Tawnya
After our official overnight low of 43 and high of 65 on Friday, all of us luxuriated in the sunshine and warmth of our Saturday high of 77! Napping was the perfect way to spend a lazy September afternoon.
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