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Sunday, January 25, 2015

Global Warming is Real, and Here is Proof

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjwpOWeRZus

Due to Arctic sea ice melting for the reasons of climate change, the planet is heating up in the summer.  The polar cap was able to keep more of the sun's rays from bouncing back and heating up the earth.
Since 1979, we have lost a mass approximately one-third of the United States.  For the naysayers out there, this is profound evidence on what we are doing and have done to our planet.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Mating Ritual of the Bowerbird


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCzZj21Gs4U


The adult male Bowerbird bears blue gifts to a chosen female, and he performs a sultry dance to get her in the mood.  Males build an elaborate bower prior to courtship and decorate it with a host of sticks
and other brightly colored objects.

The Land of Plenty


                                                               Canvasbacks in Flight


                                                                    Northern Flicker


                                                                Northern Mockingbird


                                                                   Mourning Dove




                                                                     American Crow

                                                                         Ditto


                                                                 Bufflehead Male


                                                                         Ditto


                                                                 American Robin


                                                                    Great Blue Heron


                                                                           Ditto


                                                                   American Crow

0800-0900/partly cloudy/28-29 degrees F/22 degree windchill/no wind

There was a definite chill in the air, but there was plenty of activity on the lake.  Many of
our area locals were out, and there was plenty of breathing space for the ducks, even though
a watchful Bald Eagle was west of the Southern Cove.  Our friends were gathering and partaking
of what was found in the area.  Frost was covering the ground, yet my footsteps were in silence.
In gratitude, my eyes were west, but the eagle disappeared as quickly as it was seen...

Monday, January 19, 2015

The Star-Studded Escapades


                                                       Red-shouldered Hawk in Flight


                                                                Red-shouldered Hawk


                                                                 Northern Mockingbird


                                                           Great Blue Heron in Flight


                                                       Canada Goose Springs from Water


                                                                   Great Blue Heron


                                              American Goldfinch, Non-Breeding Plumage


                                                                  Ring-billed Gulls


                                                                 European Starling


                                                                  Male Bufflehead

0815-1030 hrs./31-55 degrees F/0-22 mph wind gusts/partly cloudy

These were yesterday's(Sunday 01-18-15) photos, which was an outstanding day.  The wind began kicking up at approximately 0900 hrs., then by 1015 was gusting steadily at 22 mph.  With the lovely weather came a number of beautiful birds, and I investigated The Northern Reaches, where I found the Great Blue Heron in flight, who later landed by the snags and chortled at me.

Even though the European Starling is despised by most, it really is a beautiful non-indigenous bird.
For those that don't know it, these birds steal nest cavities fashioned by other birds and destroy the eggs of other birds.  But I pose one question:  if the starling was not in the US, how much would the lives of other birds have changed?  Sadly, we'll never know the answer to that.

Much of the ice has disappeared from the lake due to the present January thaw.  Enjoy it while you can,
for winter will return with a vengeance.  Don't put away those hats and gloves yet.

Life at Boomer Lake, SNP Edition, 01-18-15

http://www.stwnewspress.com/community/local_columnists/life-at-boomer-lake-usual-boomerl-lake-stars-glowing/article_839a6d08-a004-11e4-a5e4-53e8d670a631.html

Friday, January 16, 2015

Life in the Cold Throes of Winter


                                                                 Great Blue Heron


                                                                 Belted Kingfisher


                                                          Ditto, About to Take Flight


                                                            Great Blue Heron, Sunning


                                                             Great Blue Heron in Flight


                                                                  Female Canvasback


                                                                    Belted Kingfisher


                                                 Great Blue Heron, About to Take Flight


0830-0930ish/21-29 degrees F, some wind chills as low as 5 degrees F/calm to 20 mph wind gusts

These shots were taken over a three day period.  The week prior had wind chills so low and heavy cloud cover.  It would have been nearly impossible to get good pictures, let alone the discomfort to fingers on a metal camera and tripod.  A warming trend is in effect, making it much easier on one's body, as well as not rushing to find subject material.  Cheers, and do enjoy this week's humble offeringn!