Wordless Wednesday

Lovely!

We call spring weather break-up weather. The winter ice is breaking up. If you go near the inlet, you can hear it pop when the tide is going out and the ice gives way. There's good things and bad things. The good things are the warmer temperatures (upper 40's yesterday) and the bad things are the mess.

Break-up uncovers all of the trash, dirt and goo from over the winter. Drains become clogged and there are thousands of ponds all over the place. The car washes are making a fortune right now. Spring clean-ups are starting to happen.

Not much color going on yet, so photography is boring and trying. But I'm looking.

Just Ducky

It's the time of year when winter is melting, everything seems dirty or dusty, the only color is white or gray. Spring seems to be around the corner. If it is, it will surprise the heck out of me.

These mallards were resting at West Chester Lagoon. The nature trail area has thawed out a lot, so they have ample open water. I don't think these guys and gals migrated in. I think they are winter survivors.

So, they take the peacefulness and add some color to what seems to be a dreary place.

It's not dreary. We all just need some spring colors.

Happy 87th Birthday Mom!

Eagles at play

The sun was out and so were the eagles today. With temperatures in the upper 30's, everything and everyone wanted to be outside.

There was a young mature bald eagle gliding above me. It would go one way, turn around and glide by again. It did it about four times. These we the best shots I could get because it did keep its distance.

You can tell its mature by its white head, but a young mature by its patchy white tail and spots of light feathers in its wings.

What a way to spend a day.

National Geographic Bird Coloration

Thank you Geoffrey E. Hill and National Geographic for writing a book that put the emphasis on the fascinating aspects of bird colorization and not the technical details of the scientific studies. You wrote it so I understood it and didn't get bored with it. There are many others like myself who are fascinated with birds, but don't live their lives day in and day out about birds. I am a casual and opportunistic birder.

The definitions of key terms are called out on page for quick reference. The photography is excellent and the drawings are just plain beautiful. The information is geared towards birders of all types, not research biologist.

The study of birds and color goes on and on, but Bird Coloration helps answer the question "Why?". Why is a cardinal red and a bluebird blue? And many more like that.

I recommend National Geographic Bird Coloration as must for your reference library.

Nation Geographic Bird Coloration
National Geographic Books
March 16, 2010
ISBN: 978-1-4262-0571-2

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher to review. I was not persuaded to say or do anything except for writing an honest review.

Late Wordless Wednesday 3/17

I'm so jealous of ravens

Ravens

The snow builds up quietly as each flake falls,
the day slips away, then the raven calls.

I watch them go, in two's and three's
as they fly to roost in far off trees.

Ravens scorn the winter, they play and sing;
the snow melts quietly and then it's spring.

With spring comes courtships and flying skills;
rise up the thermals, then a stoop that chills!

These bold black dancers of wind and sky
I watch and wish that I could fly.

James R. Scott

Borrowed from "That I could Fly", A collection of Bird Song, written by James R. Scott D.V.M. Founder of The Bird Treatment and Learning Center, Anchorage, Alaska.

Fur Rondy Sprints at Sundown

The traffic was the heaviest I've ever seen it on Cordova Street tonight and there wasn't one car on it. The Fur Rondy Sprints at Sundown was going on and it was the most exciting racing I've seen in a while. Some of the mushers dressed up and some just came for the fun.

Here's the bride and her bridesmaids and ushers. There was passing in both directions right in front of us.

Jeff Barnhart was throwing candy to the crowd. Bribery didn't work.

And the frozen farm girl followed them on home.

The weather was terrible. Snowing sideways because of the wind. The temperature was about 24° but with wind chill it was BBBRRRRR!!!! It made for some not so good photos, but it was really cool!!!!

Wordless Wednesday 3/3