One of the very first shots I took with a Canon Powershot, and so early in my "birding" interests that I had to ask for an ID which I got from Gilles (www.garchambault.com). Now, I see "Greenies" eight months out of the year, and they breed in the pond near my home.
Tags: DailyNature-TNC13 Green Heron Northern California Canon SX40 or SX50 DailyNature-TNC14 North America NA Ethan Winning E. A. Winning
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They were all over the Open Space oaks today, but I couldn't get as good a shot as I did two years ago.
Tags: White-breasted Nuthatch Walnut Creek Open Space DailyNature-TNC13 Canon SX40 or SX50 DailyNature-TNC14 North America NA Ethan Winning E. A. Winning
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You may have heard that we recently had an election. Without getting into the politics of it, I've always thought the look on the gull's face should be the banner for every day before and/or after election newspapers. (I feel great! I just had French toast and bacon for breakfast.)
As for this election, no one has unfriended me. One of these days I'll have to join Facebook.
Tags: Disgruntled Gull Martinez Estuary Carquinez Hills
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When I was a kid, there was a program on radio that scared the bejesus out of me on a weekly basis, usually on Saturday nights when my brother and I were home alone. (An older brother also scared the bejesus out of me, but then we'd listen to "Suspense" and cringe together.)
The Red-winged Blackbird that accompanies this background might give you some ideas. Now, for 10 points each, answer the following questions. (If you're under 60, you're excused, but you may get credit for trying.)
1. What radio program ran from 1930 to 1954 and was categorized as a "thriller?" What thriller or macabre program was originally called "Detective Story?"
Hint, the first announcer was Derek Jones. Frank Gallop would have been an ideal announcer, but he was busy with another scary show, "Inner Sanctum." Confused? Well "Inner Sanctum" started with a creaking door and Frank Gallop saying, "Welcome to Inner Sanctum" in such a way that all manner of sphincters were triggered. So, it ain't him.
2. The second actor to play the main character was played by Orsen Welles. Along with him were Agnes Moorhead, Jeanette Nolan, and Everett Sloan all well known well into the Sixties.
3. Last clue: "Who knows what lurks in the hearts of evil men?"
Answer: "The Shadow knows!" or as we would wont to say in the second grade, "The Shadow Do."
4. Ah, but what was The Shadow's real name?
Answer: Lamont Cranston.
Since I was around when Bela Lugosi was playing Count Dracula, I always imagined The Shadow to also be wearing a cape, and swishing it around his head just as this Red-winged Blackbird might be doing. The next time you hear a bird ask, "Who knows???" you can answer, "I does."
40 points. If you got all four correct, you go to the head of the class, although very slowly.
If you got three correct, you canstay after class and clean the erasers. If you don't know what erasers are, you can go home now.
If you got two right, well who couldn't, and no, not The Shadow.
If you got one right, we know you were guessing, but such a phenomenal guess deserves consideration. GOOD JOB. Here's a participation trophy!
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Sepulveda Basic Wildlife Sanctuary, Los Angeles. I must have been asleep when they took Ospreys out of Raptors and made them their own family. I wish they'd stop doing that, and I think for the time being, I'll leave them as "Raptors." Formally, anyway, Ospreys are known as Western osprey (Pandion haliaetus), informally as the Fish hawk. The osprey is unusual in that it is a single living species that occurs nearly worldwide.
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