A male Altamira Oriole, one of my all-time favorite birds, has been taking nectar from our hummingbird feeder since yesterday. The Altamira Oriole often feeds from hummingbird feeders as well as taking grape jelly from small jar feeders. I'll set out jelly feeders soon to see if I can add the Altamira Oriole to our list of regular visitors.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Altamira Oriole Sighting - 03/25/11
A male Altamira Oriole, one of my all-time favorite birds, has been taking nectar from our hummingbird feeder since yesterday. The Altamira Oriole often feeds from hummingbird feeders as well as taking grape jelly from small jar feeders. I'll set out jelly feeders soon to see if I can add the Altamira Oriole to our list of regular visitors.
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Amazing Lyrebird of Australia - Revisited!
Are there no limits to what these amazing birds can imitate? A few years ago I lived in Normandy, Texas and I always kept my office doors and window opened to catch the breezes. There were usually a few boat-tailed grackles in the ash tree canopy just outside. One day I heard the distinct sound of my internet modem dialing in to connect. The chirps and buzzing, the line static. I checked my computer and it was powered down. Then I heard it again. It seemed to come from just outside so I walked out and there sat a grackle, happily imitating my modem sounds! Birds are amazing creatures and never cease to amaze me.
The following link was sent to me by a dear friend. Thank you Lynn! =)
The following link was sent to me by a dear friend. Thank you Lynn! =)
Space, the final frontier.
It's amazing what our generation has seen in space exploration. In 1982 or 83, I was the first student to work with NASA out of Houston on a shuttle project. They sent me some pretty cool swag and a set of shuttle blueprints. My project was to work out airflow and design an improved wing surface. I drew up my blueprint and off it went to state competition for our class, CAD/mechanical drafting, I won a blue ribbon and was later voted Best Qualified for Industry. Now, 30 years later.. I see the end of an era of space exploration and adventure. We've seen a lot of firsts. We've seen tragedy. We've seen the beginning of what I'm sure our children and their children will continue. Here's to those future explorers. Onward!
(Source: CNN)
As James T. Kirk, the fictional captain of the Starship Enterprise, Shatner voiced the opening credits of the original "Star Trek" TV series and several movies since 1966.
The 79-year-old actor reprised his role to wake up the crew of the space shuttle Discovery at 3:23 a.m. ET Monday.
"Space, the final frontier. These have been the voyages of the space shuttle Discovery. Her 30-year mission: To seek out new science. To build new outposts. To bring nations together on the final frontier. To boldly go, and do, what no spacecraft has done before," Shatner said over the "Theme from Star Trek."
This is the spacecraft's final scheduled mission. It has made 39 flights and 13 journeys to the international space station.
Discovery undocked from the space station for the final time at 8:37 a.m., according to NASA, in preparation for its flight home.
The nearly three-decade shuttle program is scheduled to end later this year.
(Source: CNN)
As James T. Kirk, the fictional captain of the Starship Enterprise, Shatner voiced the opening credits of the original "Star Trek" TV series and several movies since 1966.
The 79-year-old actor reprised his role to wake up the crew of the space shuttle Discovery at 3:23 a.m. ET Monday.
"Space, the final frontier. These have been the voyages of the space shuttle Discovery. Her 30-year mission: To seek out new science. To build new outposts. To bring nations together on the final frontier. To boldly go, and do, what no spacecraft has done before," Shatner said over the "Theme from Star Trek."
This is the spacecraft's final scheduled mission. It has made 39 flights and 13 journeys to the international space station.
Discovery undocked from the space station for the final time at 8:37 a.m., according to NASA, in preparation for its flight home.
The nearly three-decade shuttle program is scheduled to end later this year.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Fire on the Rio Grande
This is the dry season for much of the Texas southwest and brush fires often happen along the lower banks of the Rio Grande. The river cane is dry and once the fire ignites it can travel quickly with the wind.
Today's fire traveled south to north with winds gusting up to 20 mph at times. Flames kept up to 40 to 60 feet high.
Brush fires during this time of the year probably affects nesting species but the environment recovers quickly with new growth.
Several species were observed getting the heck out of Dodge including a Scissor tail Flycatcher and a Vermillion Flycatcher.
Fellow birding enthusiast Lupe Martin was also on hand and he spotted a large hawk on the distant ridge to the northeast. Good eyes!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Today's fire traveled south to north with winds gusting up to 20 mph at times. Flames kept up to 40 to 60 feet high.
Brush fires during this time of the year probably affects nesting species but the environment recovers quickly with new growth.
Several species were observed getting the heck out of Dodge including a Scissor tail Flycatcher and a Vermillion Flycatcher.
Fellow birding enthusiast Lupe Martin was also on hand and he spotted a large hawk on the distant ridge to the northeast. Good eyes!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
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