tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7878127749569754312024-03-17T14:30:18.063-05:00Máistir NádúraíEngaging with Nature through Birds, Tiger Beetles, Hoppers, Wildflowers, the Night Sky, and more!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2237125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-38226816887606032902024-03-14T11:56:00.002-05:002024-03-14T13:20:33.507-05:00Winter Tiger Beetles? Yes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— John Muir </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">With unseasonably warm temperatures baking the ground the past few days, on Tuesday a fellow tiger beetle aficionado found Cow Path <i>Cicindela purpurea</i> in Bloomer, WI. Following suit, I took the day off yesterday (Wednesday) to search a few locations in Sauk County — the Recreational Area south of the Baraboo Hills and the Canoe Launch along the Wisconsin River. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The air temperature was a mere 52 degrees, but upon arrival there were already a few Oblique-lined Tiger Beetles warming up to the rising sun. The ground temperature was likely much warmer, and it would be my guess that this was not the first day they were active this spring. Or wait — it's still winter, isn't it? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><u>Meteorological seasons</u>: These are based on the annual temperature cycle and are used primarily by meteorologists to describe the timing of weather and climate patterns. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><u>Astronomical seasons</u>: These are based on the position of the Earth in relation to the Sun and are determined by the Earth's axial tilt and orbit around the Sun. Astronomical seasons are marked by the solstices and equinoxes.</div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, they're winter insects by one measure and spring by another. Nevertheless, these are the earliest tiger beetles I've observed by 2 to 3 weeks. The end is nigh, my friends! Kidding (sorta). One way or another, one day the very <i>last</i> tiger beetle will perish. Given their tenaciousness and adaptability, they'll be around for tens of millions of years yet. Humans? Doubtful! Having said that, I do find a sense of awe and wonder in contemplating the longevity of species like tiger beetles, which have been around for millions of years and are likely to persist long into the future. It's a reminder of the vast timescales of the natural world and our place within it.</div></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here they are, freshly emerged ...</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As this tiger beetle rises, think of Strauss's <i>Thus Spake Zarathustra</i> ...</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">See? It works!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Given the lively tiger beetle activity at Sauk Rec., a stop at the Sauk City Canoe Launch seemed like good follow-up — and there were several Bronzed <i>C. repanda</i> hunting the beach along the river. I was hoping for Festive <i>C. scutellaris</i> at both locations, but two species mid-March will do just fine. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If it makes it, this Shoreline Wolf Spider will get much larger by summer ...</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Though they sport some of the finest camouflage Nature offers, they often fall prey to wasps before they reach full size. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Meanwhile, in birding news ...</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_DOcJ4zBtrr4MRio3ozSRDlviNb8ghSDiUg9c3D7WbbPuCbCXhabBlV2srLt1n-g_IEPtrPwUNPgY026nqOQv8sQc9QL62nQzpTbdiXAIuqXqXuEVTIz66RypnYkjd4mfcGk14bKZHvRXtzLE9dBPAIVaz0kdlz4joVIyExbW9E9pIignjhvtuONrRoU/s1400/wfgoose.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="876" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_DOcJ4zBtrr4MRio3ozSRDlviNb8ghSDiUg9c3D7WbbPuCbCXhabBlV2srLt1n-g_IEPtrPwUNPgY026nqOQv8sQc9QL62nQzpTbdiXAIuqXqXuEVTIz66RypnYkjd4mfcGk14bKZHvRXtzLE9dBPAIVaz0kdlz4joVIyExbW9E9pIignjhvtuONrRoU/s400/wfgoose.jpg" width="400" /></a>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's been nice to see good numbers of <i>A. albifrons</i> this migration.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjeNvisMYRaepTxgHNjexlqP-qbKMPAq0qEafsaV3r7HvRAZD8EBlsggG1ZKOCeHZ6ree1c5VpDwHZo0r-Ub-Coz8-8jinEEXG4e-sq2NFxCkWP2ozqBjqmHO-Z_AFdaIrZdrrcyBjAixbDKECDubcKJAvcN31zA9xWZKZf1ReF4dC_J0uPb_vjbORqVC/s1400/cwren1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNjeNvisMYRaepTxgHNjexlqP-qbKMPAq0qEafsaV3r7HvRAZD8EBlsggG1ZKOCeHZ6ree1c5VpDwHZo0r-Ub-Coz8-8jinEEXG4e-sq2NFxCkWP2ozqBjqmHO-Z_AFdaIrZdrrcyBjAixbDKECDubcKJAvcN31zA9xWZKZf1ReF4dC_J0uPb_vjbORqVC/s400/cwren1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The past few times I've gone to the Pheasant Branch Creek Corridor, a <i>T. ludovicianus</i> has been vigorously broadcasting his <i>tea-kettle tea-kettle tea-kettle</i> song. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9Mo31CdWNpZyGYJ2Js30veVP-GZUtMBGMQ7heh3OeFTdhPLnqFX2C9V3r60hqZlBN5OjdgGV-JUy7WZvkjFxzD16q0r1N_VT2GTl4wZAhrcXtJI2um0A1DqHhBh-v1FvV4i_UQgk4WO6uyhI5f8zt9t5hRv1_RDQS5WIuDBPT33F9rZn9FejP_kZ7Tbc/s1024/cwren2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="731" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_9Mo31CdWNpZyGYJ2Js30veVP-GZUtMBGMQ7heh3OeFTdhPLnqFX2C9V3r60hqZlBN5OjdgGV-JUy7WZvkjFxzD16q0r1N_VT2GTl4wZAhrcXtJI2um0A1DqHhBh-v1FvV4i_UQgk4WO6uyhI5f8zt9t5hRv1_RDQS5WIuDBPT33F9rZn9FejP_kZ7Tbc/s400/cwren2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sing it, buddy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Right now woodlands are teeming with<i> J. hyemalis</i> song. Their cheerful trills and whistled notes fill the air, signaling changing seasons and bringing a sense of joy to all who listen. While the landscape transitions into spring, with earthy tones and dormant vegetation awaiting the vibrant colors of spring's renewal, the soft, melodious calls of these small songbirds add to the morning's symphonic avian choir. For now, they have the songbird dominant voice — but that will soon change. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxqZX1uvnJEpDjBDDCue4OEDsNbRiLMFWTSIb_w5W6Vm821ZVZBps-0dNoumpxhT1Y-6Ni8NPXMWdNl0rB29q3UmV7WA-moSeKWAt_vIhRq0_SEV9VQRihNRpjBITqedVyhaFEVxHwoZQl2_6vJp9d9vXpBXARZpd7DpA9OtLVRh3fKsNgSCORVLMsde6/s1024/junco.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="642" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMxqZX1uvnJEpDjBDDCue4OEDsNbRiLMFWTSIb_w5W6Vm821ZVZBps-0dNoumpxhT1Y-6Ni8NPXMWdNl0rB29q3UmV7WA-moSeKWAt_vIhRq0_SEV9VQRihNRpjBITqedVyhaFEVxHwoZQl2_6vJp9d9vXpBXARZpd7DpA9OtLVRh3fKsNgSCORVLMsde6/s400/junco.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At least for the Aves, it'll be scientific Latin names from here on out. Jon Dunn comments resonate with my position regarding the AOS decision to rename eponymously named birds:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"If there is one useful thing about the name changes, it is that maybe birders might concentrate on scientific names, the name in italics next to the English name. Nearly two thirds of the English names which are eponymous also have eponymous scientific names. If one is so offended by the eponymous English names, how will they live with the scientific names remaining?"</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That's a fair point.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You can read Dunn's entire message to AOS <b><a href="https://shorturl.at/lpxMQ">here</a></b>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2024 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-74853839347593793802024-03-05T11:56:00.000-06:002024-03-05T11:56:02.529-06:00It's March!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"In the spring, I have counted 136 different kinds of weather inside of 24 hours."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— Mark Twain</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYOQTzQltYXE361RREt97dFGFgOtxJSHZDnGaxntiwIF8CvwbUBDpLvMu1530TthCDR0k_tAx-7Z_b17sunO3_G2y_M0WxZu21FwIGK7j3eT3VvF8uNasAU2RQ7bbhXfyJo3CyFMka2MIzE5SYpNDkbWWSOGlbPdbQigmMDvsEopt9KTlPEg-jRBgmdgq/s1500/pop.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYOQTzQltYXE361RREt97dFGFgOtxJSHZDnGaxntiwIF8CvwbUBDpLvMu1530TthCDR0k_tAx-7Z_b17sunO3_G2y_M0WxZu21FwIGK7j3eT3VvF8uNasAU2RQ7bbhXfyJo3CyFMka2MIzE5SYpNDkbWWSOGlbPdbQigmMDvsEopt9KTlPEg-jRBgmdgq/s400/pop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Happy March!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was a weekend of unseasonably warm weather with strong southerly winds, but it was still great to spend a lot of time outdoors. Bird migration is picking up! In one form or another, migration is occurring somewhere in the world — birds are almost always on the move. Though some birds have been returning to southern Wisconsin since early February, things really begin to pick up during March. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At Pope Farm Conservancy, I was struck by the welcoming spring songs of <i>Melospiza melodia</i> during a midday walk. Perched on a thick branch, the sparrow's brown plumage blended with the early spring landscape, devoid of greenery. Despite the starkness, there was a unique charm to the brown tones of the season. The sparrow's melody seemed to fill the vastness of the conservancy, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere. This moment reminded me of nature's simple yet profound beauty, bringing joy even on a busy day of hiking.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AR_quSFbYZKB6Bk-u9w3yN3iOHGz6ZkRS1q8dVdpXuSVRb6hHSHkAFKY8y4H8QfVBj0b9TCHuX3tmwPJPFAOBtoujFznnVrvd6ox8z2QnrxmjWcqJbjFzUOwZ5eC1wdCfDXqj6YQWzg9yFs2cv4BocDPbBMkMXWgvxl9SbW1TLVd0bO6wadkM2v-v351/s1400/song1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3AR_quSFbYZKB6Bk-u9w3yN3iOHGz6ZkRS1q8dVdpXuSVRb6hHSHkAFKY8y4H8QfVBj0b9TCHuX3tmwPJPFAOBtoujFznnVrvd6ox8z2QnrxmjWcqJbjFzUOwZ5eC1wdCfDXqj6YQWzg9yFs2cv4BocDPbBMkMXWgvxl9SbW1TLVd0bO6wadkM2v-v351/s400/song1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Assessing the situation, a turn, and then ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzNz3HlVBkHNBrXP8NtV8GvV3SR8C2IoRDBV4THpHC8r8cpZKAMEAv6x8YlLYOnJwO2TFGuOwKBt1fkBrz3iKP7NdKzwYEfOud8YAXKUkjuLvMN2hayNdXak01jpCVgXC37amSChrO37SU0UQUKdNnoUYASf2aIFRoknMKHh1WwYFS5QwdBDXT_PscV5R/s1400/song2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzNz3HlVBkHNBrXP8NtV8GvV3SR8C2IoRDBV4THpHC8r8cpZKAMEAv6x8YlLYOnJwO2TFGuOwKBt1fkBrz3iKP7NdKzwYEfOud8YAXKUkjuLvMN2hayNdXak01jpCVgXC37amSChrO37SU0UQUKdNnoUYASf2aIFRoknMKHh1WwYFS5QwdBDXT_PscV5R/s400/song2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Full-send!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdSuVWUAVpjrZcEEmU_XkgyqUMhCles-ZbZ-fbx2c1lrP6NKplDpIz0c0uz3PFKuNFfGJOUDNPPZ8PGtw64asWtR26n3BD9-dwWaZQEwq1uiPMfl4XVK9AqMO9RQnRXQHprGYOBfnAp2p_UqZOo7oaAL9D1Gq71069CMfTJYRX3dnD_hNsETjHOH8YWKS/s1400/song3.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGdSuVWUAVpjrZcEEmU_XkgyqUMhCles-ZbZ-fbx2c1lrP6NKplDpIz0c0uz3PFKuNFfGJOUDNPPZ8PGtw64asWtR26n3BD9-dwWaZQEwq1uiPMfl4XVK9AqMO9RQnRXQHprGYOBfnAp2p_UqZOo7oaAL9D1Gq71069CMfTJYRX3dnD_hNsETjHOH8YWKS/s400/song3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Though I covered Pope Farm's entire area, I found only a single male <i>Sialia sialis</i>...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5m3rsqjNhKJ2q-DQtr6tY3VmPEIeELNN9oXpwqWLB_s3RXeHvtYtNY-pBt9yuBQdIQjN_y9f91_q_yPx57VEW2RpN9X-tVgPtuaoVIDwKO8lhpnXjj2sFVVYHL9DAfm7AUfpQwy3HuJjvV2F1Nk1ze5kAu1F1j-0cCJ9DeSzEglABJ6DrgW9We3UY6AY6/s1400/bb1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5m3rsqjNhKJ2q-DQtr6tY3VmPEIeELNN9oXpwqWLB_s3RXeHvtYtNY-pBt9yuBQdIQjN_y9f91_q_yPx57VEW2RpN9X-tVgPtuaoVIDwKO8lhpnXjj2sFVVYHL9DAfm7AUfpQwy3HuJjvV2F1Nk1ze5kAu1F1j-0cCJ9DeSzEglABJ6DrgW9We3UY6AY6/s400/bb1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">He was using this post as an observation platform to find food ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq1dSAHksYMklrVTv6yJSYs3zn8Lkwf1K599EVysgPzQSg_uHBJqkEx1om4nACiKnNtvYJf0JyYsLUabm0kwMRbnHGmMRhY_7pmwfnmGoKyqOPNinHZS9RB_dbdcHCMY65K1MjXlvGwMkTLVauhaTis1inYNzhex8xI9M7OsLJwpDeF-SH3dSX1fEnB_X/s1400/bb2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWq1dSAHksYMklrVTv6yJSYs3zn8Lkwf1K599EVysgPzQSg_uHBJqkEx1om4nACiKnNtvYJf0JyYsLUabm0kwMRbnHGmMRhY_7pmwfnmGoKyqOPNinHZS9RB_dbdcHCMY65K1MjXlvGwMkTLVauhaTis1inYNzhex8xI9M7OsLJwpDeF-SH3dSX1fEnB_X/s400/bb2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Something catches its eye!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAgU0QGPvd8WPstsdD5ZLI9T44SBMTlAFfnkEzR_mcQIoi3598IRa-f55wetP5SGJaVvEFT724IFN2cneN1-VvNbZD-BSBxHnq_xYWuf_iT3NxD9Upci2P5Q30vmMlwnE5PqECcdDf_FDZsIriyjkdSuHIRXdMTjAccdxuGI9q-s3Z9uwXc0z7KE22Fxz/s1400/bb3.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAgU0QGPvd8WPstsdD5ZLI9T44SBMTlAFfnkEzR_mcQIoi3598IRa-f55wetP5SGJaVvEFT724IFN2cneN1-VvNbZD-BSBxHnq_xYWuf_iT3NxD9Upci2P5Q30vmMlwnE5PqECcdDf_FDZsIriyjkdSuHIRXdMTjAccdxuGI9q-s3Z9uwXc0z7KE22Fxz/s400/bb3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And return with some kind of grub.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWW3iVFaYvIw8yN1r_d3zsrIjJ2fsYGK2WsncBh-dHOCg2a7zfW9g3m3Hz0Z1grfNEG_7dXLZIKrISPv2c1A4AXK4i2sf187ZyeZ9MX4WUB6vUi4IJ_vE2oIGfRuMx1l6C5GFmTqzx_AxdITwHH8e8sRcTSX8kiz0mejEyKqJ-bO92u7Ynq5gIj-CBCPr_/s1400/bb4.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWW3iVFaYvIw8yN1r_d3zsrIjJ2fsYGK2WsncBh-dHOCg2a7zfW9g3m3Hz0Z1grfNEG_7dXLZIKrISPv2c1A4AXK4i2sf187ZyeZ9MX4WUB6vUi4IJ_vE2oIGfRuMx1l6C5GFmTqzx_AxdITwHH8e8sRcTSX8kiz0mejEyKqJ-bO92u7Ynq5gIj-CBCPr_/s400/bb4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Soften it up ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzJd0XVrZtUb5Ghaa0C0Bp61Agh3gvwJzY8PyVMKx0XJN4d-eClAvC67KOIDBr7CXWwrCsAYiFfxnnPCD1Y_jUfuW98BvANt8U3lrAs-iazbZJpZeTmrfHhC-Sp6w_oKf8tORXCvfgqlDWJ-52Z6RvnA_6OWUlqsvxdogckpTalx0q55WFNcPFprQUfGm/s1400/bb5.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJzJd0XVrZtUb5Ghaa0C0Bp61Agh3gvwJzY8PyVMKx0XJN4d-eClAvC67KOIDBr7CXWwrCsAYiFfxnnPCD1Y_jUfuW98BvANt8U3lrAs-iazbZJpZeTmrfHhC-Sp6w_oKf8tORXCvfgqlDWJ-52Z6RvnA_6OWUlqsvxdogckpTalx0q55WFNcPFprQUfGm/s400/bb5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And down the hatch quicker than I could capture!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIINoKFwu-47SzBEbhA0APnCTLmcJHcqHNeQMPHxd8q_j0ByyvZGIVrmytdKII93lzp0CD8pWdfOhMuHn6xS9ESjqc9ZsVG3jdA-WpDtsUOD1JXreRXZlDhf57BZpHwAHM72gC8MlqQa56muLTr3actNYy8Rq7qG5ATCeQPOldoOQC-I54qyuwS7EgTu4/s1400/rw1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSIINoKFwu-47SzBEbhA0APnCTLmcJHcqHNeQMPHxd8q_j0ByyvZGIVrmytdKII93lzp0CD8pWdfOhMuHn6xS9ESjqc9ZsVG3jdA-WpDtsUOD1JXreRXZlDhf57BZpHwAHM72gC8MlqQa56muLTr3actNYy8Rq7qG5ATCeQPOldoOQC-I54qyuwS7EgTu4/s400/rw1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the marsh and pond along Highway 14 just before Middleton, I found an opportunity to observe and photograph <i>Agelaius phoeniceus</i> in their element. These striking birds, with their glossy black plumage and vibrant red epaulettes, were a sight to behold against the early spring landscape. As I watched, the males were actively defending territories, engaging in impressive displays of aggression to ward off potential intruders. Despite their intense territorial behavior, they paid little attention to me, allowing me to observe and capture their beauty up close.</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYoIZCuPXvkOpHNVEQxOFHl6YjFbzwY4zqd2LrV3dUwy_AOM35pugYT_e305EmpHQseGycFXndlPudxA5l89FeQLTbtCvUuYAldR2OLBPWqlRKnncgtcSYq2ayUCIm-3G-HqowqUi999NKBp5tSDbngeDHQ5HOfJMyqlilrBTeEpgBbei4z7NOWFYen41/s1024/rw2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="672" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBYoIZCuPXvkOpHNVEQxOFHl6YjFbzwY4zqd2LrV3dUwy_AOM35pugYT_e305EmpHQseGycFXndlPudxA5l89FeQLTbtCvUuYAldR2OLBPWqlRKnncgtcSYq2ayUCIm-3G-HqowqUi999NKBp5tSDbngeDHQ5HOfJMyqlilrBTeEpgBbei4z7NOWFYen41/s400/rw2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Having been a birder for over three decades, I have always been captivated by the displays of Red-winged Blackbirds — they're the true harbingers of spring with distinctive <i>conk-la-reee </i>calls, even though they're common. In a way, birders should be grateful that there are <i>still</i> avian species this abundant — a testament to their evolutionary success. Despite their sometimes aggressive nature, I have never experienced any direct hostility from these birds. Friends have told me they've been attacked by them, flying to the top of their heads, poking or biting their hair and scalp. I've been squawked at, but never attacked.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yc0Fhyyk6rmDhAUYzBZC-ua9BeUEb9nZ1h0L1Ks77aVc5OmpM7X0P9ZPhCMfe85n-KtS4h3zc__81xpnZyXWR9QQ2pjWlaghRUUElcuGL-qUkDtpSJzgtXSiHIEebd3o1FGKGohiF7cIDHDfmeMdFcsvt4Nq472oy2RsU90UNudPmeO7DZUBxG8dLhyphenhyphen-/s1024/rw3.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="740" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yc0Fhyyk6rmDhAUYzBZC-ua9BeUEb9nZ1h0L1Ks77aVc5OmpM7X0P9ZPhCMfe85n-KtS4h3zc__81xpnZyXWR9QQ2pjWlaghRUUElcuGL-qUkDtpSJzgtXSiHIEebd3o1FGKGohiF7cIDHDfmeMdFcsvt4Nq472oy2RsU90UNudPmeO7DZUBxG8dLhyphenhyphen-/s400/rw3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wait a sec ... am I getting the low-angle stink eye?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyl0kOZlVEkTmpzlfPh6HB1KgdGbKTJPe1pXZzcNt3sdA3nu440YHQaa2zYllw7YXOZL4aBSZDxTIjnekz-VOj9TcfIH86ErxQv7PjJvBuXNfmpuGjg7G4s5LweVDKXQh3lz4rP-xzBLUGBQuaOrn4J5hfe3zpA4a75tnRz1C83K1Zz7OdY_cYCjR7o4L4/s1400/rw4.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyl0kOZlVEkTmpzlfPh6HB1KgdGbKTJPe1pXZzcNt3sdA3nu440YHQaa2zYllw7YXOZL4aBSZDxTIjnekz-VOj9TcfIH86ErxQv7PjJvBuXNfmpuGjg7G4s5LweVDKXQh3lz4rP-xzBLUGBQuaOrn4J5hfe3zpA4a75tnRz1C83K1Zz7OdY_cYCjR7o4L4/s400/rw4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nope! Resumption of displays ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJg7yuPXKPwuYd9iAvVAEaKrHkJ7XtY6o0jGv8rjLrcA5B0f-xiTjNkKCG4BgywtV7AQB8mDH3o7zFB_RnopDXlMhLJZ0zpsqzwyJK2Mcd0mR_bIyGX4p1orH2jlK5cJH9KylCuZsM-el3iVxay1zSz5kAF8pKBS-fdVQxcDIS7RaArQ0q7g4mfJpQW_WS/s1400/rw5.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="937" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJg7yuPXKPwuYd9iAvVAEaKrHkJ7XtY6o0jGv8rjLrcA5B0f-xiTjNkKCG4BgywtV7AQB8mDH3o7zFB_RnopDXlMhLJZ0zpsqzwyJK2Mcd0mR_bIyGX4p1orH2jlK5cJH9KylCuZsM-el3iVxay1zSz5kAF8pKBS-fdVQxcDIS7RaArQ0q7g4mfJpQW_WS/s400/rw5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"> The head-on angle is a little disconcerting, nearly intimidating ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxymTC3JRay19G9znaf6BhHt42KWhjROUzOpp47bqbYBDm8RBhDr1B6fG31bWsryMecoJZls-QMWFJvJIFIOmTwQmx5XltKmPj9duHNqI9rvbnVRvbCiVUr9gLE_8Gh6h_zvIb-ZrvRrD1dqZuWfllrNMgPZUdV_snvvlj_Mzb8iqZCSQBqXNZIJsNtmOo/s1024/rw6.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxymTC3JRay19G9znaf6BhHt42KWhjROUzOpp47bqbYBDm8RBhDr1B6fG31bWsryMecoJZls-QMWFJvJIFIOmTwQmx5XltKmPj9duHNqI9rvbnVRvbCiVUr9gLE_8Gh6h_zvIb-ZrvRrD1dqZuWfllrNMgPZUdV_snvvlj_Mzb8iqZCSQBqXNZIJsNtmOo/s400/rw6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's serious business and their determination cannot be denied. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM433f4s99tUH0SBf6bWgWoePZMDujLe1fmT94ny9xuiMyu8Qo77MdXDYRW94YkNLaf4iuQ3wPdNbcHJQto7okyjeIVrxdCMrzhk9d47u8SqJST8WWeooRC4rIdP6nueJ17c6OSIvlnjKYCnaVcmpZLsNXTvgItfSZ3zYC-aKAt6t0tczi4Y4NRtXOGFMI/s1024/rw7.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM433f4s99tUH0SBf6bWgWoePZMDujLe1fmT94ny9xuiMyu8Qo77MdXDYRW94YkNLaf4iuQ3wPdNbcHJQto7okyjeIVrxdCMrzhk9d47u8SqJST8WWeooRC4rIdP6nueJ17c6OSIvlnjKYCnaVcmpZLsNXTvgItfSZ3zYC-aKAt6t0tczi4Y4NRtXOGFMI/s400/rw7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Uh oh, intruder spotted ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEits1ZtQoVv45nInNLgodlkpLYQZ5Fq06pt8RwYQgkL7fpahHf_yPw4esdkkJT5dXy-irZXdxz038Tm4pnuEvDS3NDOc69Uc50PQqpTF28d_CLjlrG0CGTcWuz4aRbOJ5BK6e9TWQFKBKvjZ7LMhPwunY9hSK07verBkWZnqh3cfm0jijg0hXDUbbH7IY5h/s1024/rw8.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="689" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEits1ZtQoVv45nInNLgodlkpLYQZ5Fq06pt8RwYQgkL7fpahHf_yPw4esdkkJT5dXy-irZXdxz038Tm4pnuEvDS3NDOc69Uc50PQqpTF28d_CLjlrG0CGTcWuz4aRbOJ5BK6e9TWQFKBKvjZ7LMhPwunY9hSK07verBkWZnqh3cfm0jijg0hXDUbbH7IY5h/s400/rw8.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A face-off between two males ensues ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQrpmOgm9I0cCebeyOVHW99JgesGu0a4X6tIyRfXoa8eSChlFsMFAlk4jesWBfz437s-tDk8S3Hpy3vPzpFaqLghCXrGC8YBPXW4MoVusF3_mn9UzS0KW4AyRthF4QC6kqaGcfNhdBoslz54AII7a68wtzlwXfEZuBgr4tVeErCqXQPB-6A9PQt5HT3Xc/s1400/rw9.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="935" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQrpmOgm9I0cCebeyOVHW99JgesGu0a4X6tIyRfXoa8eSChlFsMFAlk4jesWBfz437s-tDk8S3Hpy3vPzpFaqLghCXrGC8YBPXW4MoVusF3_mn9UzS0KW4AyRthF4QC6kqaGcfNhdBoslz54AII7a68wtzlwXfEZuBgr4tVeErCqXQPB-6A9PQt5HT3Xc/s400/rw9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Though it starts with what appears to be tolerance, they both flew off to the foot of the cattails and began fighting, flapping, and flopping around. The melee went on for a couple of minutes without the appearance of a clear winner. I suppose only they <i>know </i>the outcome<i>. </i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZCirpLXd2-8nFW9a3PkkYC4RDzs5XPgq4WHt8cRtQtAtWJ-E7ebo5_X9egK_tbFBvdhN4r_NNo908V1eHa9zeFmwoX6K8mAFW_BJ3ZHkifds6hUUOxwoLyJTf8INliHbpJIwaCbiZU7gHes2GQUBnUBC7lOTUs0v273-NxkIgd0RajqHjdFLXWvcCdXN/s1400/rw10.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQZCirpLXd2-8nFW9a3PkkYC4RDzs5XPgq4WHt8cRtQtAtWJ-E7ebo5_X9egK_tbFBvdhN4r_NNo908V1eHa9zeFmwoX6K8mAFW_BJ3ZHkifds6hUUOxwoLyJTf8INliHbpJIwaCbiZU7gHes2GQUBnUBC7lOTUs0v273-NxkIgd0RajqHjdFLXWvcCdXN/s400/rw10.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One male returns to his perch ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqLLbSWyYw5KR4cXtM2Lw1kyxMagV6_VKJ0SvtSsxsY5kp0YNaqYbfsuCqGrGgFtbif-GWfwicN-s_mll_NggP7zHU3t4YeYEE4S9h80KFaQ2cGyl_Uem1FnQlhyS_P5jpBlsLeurJ66898bSjnhEV3pjSoaZhikqOdxGTv3i-Fm6sMfrk05C__qFe87M/s1400/rw11.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="941" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpqLLbSWyYw5KR4cXtM2Lw1kyxMagV6_VKJ0SvtSsxsY5kp0YNaqYbfsuCqGrGgFtbif-GWfwicN-s_mll_NggP7zHU3t4YeYEE4S9h80KFaQ2cGyl_Uem1FnQlhyS_P5jpBlsLeurJ66898bSjnhEV3pjSoaZhikqOdxGTv3i-Fm6sMfrk05C__qFe87M/s400/rw11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the follows suit, carries on as well ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqrR3tVQ4E6-pSJIScunLFbxuvqQQbqEQhoNdVb8f0uR1ObhIK0HJX8p9qbm_YYBroRRFaBfzW_Aw6A6NpvgtcjBkWSf2cThRk31zh0eD_at-_zwy_-z-n9FQZNv25pO9hh4RKqmiiWSOXN5nw4VW3yf8kfQfzlU1bVdwI8em1yn6D58xYOFhpYIW8QU9/s1024/rw12.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="664" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqrR3tVQ4E6-pSJIScunLFbxuvqQQbqEQhoNdVb8f0uR1ObhIK0HJX8p9qbm_YYBroRRFaBfzW_Aw6A6NpvgtcjBkWSf2cThRk31zh0eD_at-_zwy_-z-n9FQZNv25pO9hh4RKqmiiWSOXN5nw4VW3yf8kfQfzlU1bVdwI8em1yn6D58xYOFhpYIW8QU9/s400/rw12.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7HMMLeNcs9D-nGbCHpZFG2xmYLwuMG0E_ljLGmDq6f1UzXyDfGWaGzgfxtGB5bRWUTyKidZF2kdlxgWnD6dvAstIkhAxkKkZ6e_ynvyx8-7QJ5WKWkVMrJ2-hR1mM6h5w7vyZNqfXhJuJjVdVYRR6A6a9igZBLuvwwTJkRuPvWh9qkHDlqjgKYCKYj3i/s1024/rw13.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="658" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx7HMMLeNcs9D-nGbCHpZFG2xmYLwuMG0E_ljLGmDq6f1UzXyDfGWaGzgfxtGB5bRWUTyKidZF2kdlxgWnD6dvAstIkhAxkKkZ6e_ynvyx8-7QJ5WKWkVMrJ2-hR1mM6h5w7vyZNqfXhJuJjVdVYRR6A6a9igZBLuvwwTJkRuPvWh9qkHDlqjgKYCKYj3i/s400/rw13.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVd0g_NLdTiYHDSuyGsu0Hi3Kowh92l6r8yeayC92CoK2DUKqfyAw7YdS0Albr20TjirVggWPUKbKM5b9i0Orz5sRfhHjIVsoZqj_RGQho3Ax_ciVzpwiwEr6mKhMTzazpW1bvOpCYiiyxSd-oOqK4SBG6qBme5v6HJa5sNJ-R1Bc4q-NRFFutwRcckfnK/s1024/rw14.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="698" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVd0g_NLdTiYHDSuyGsu0Hi3Kowh92l6r8yeayC92CoK2DUKqfyAw7YdS0Albr20TjirVggWPUKbKM5b9i0Orz5sRfhHjIVsoZqj_RGQho3Ax_ciVzpwiwEr6mKhMTzazpW1bvOpCYiiyxSd-oOqK4SBG6qBme5v6HJa5sNJ-R1Bc4q-NRFFutwRcckfnK/s400/rw14.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DrxCcXIOihd5BZbcli_Z0xfqN03mYQRO04mfw01iQI7zNuJE_4Y-fmb3QCAhf3enwvDc3sG0YN3uCelP5J4Nv4Ph8WCwYNnz6i_MQuxx387l5-ENe9if9jSS5B5JUHOamCOWIrSIwZLSUTvNleq7EAKCqMyhyyq0gHmkXEXoUwczr8eg6yzKMH09WhcE/s1024/rw15.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7DrxCcXIOihd5BZbcli_Z0xfqN03mYQRO04mfw01iQI7zNuJE_4Y-fmb3QCAhf3enwvDc3sG0YN3uCelP5J4Nv4Ph8WCwYNnz6i_MQuxx387l5-ENe9if9jSS5B5JUHOamCOWIrSIwZLSUTvNleq7EAKCqMyhyyq0gHmkXEXoUwczr8eg6yzKMH09WhcE/s400/rw15.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wow! Was<i> this</i> the victor's display?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lZb3sBvxiSrca78j7b5H7s0KEo0pVZ0LNxp5CJHQkmQ3ie6DpB1lFdbFaMShtQYRb8-FZmbWXJB1mNFnbEvd8HXdqmYDGNy3JP0wHyITArOn72UgYLumsglz9dUlYHJKJfOqu4uToyAVbSmi2zNT9_EYCS3lPtO8c4lHyW2BSM3yuH4dX_aANDZ1_Mhg/s1024/rw16.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="677" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lZb3sBvxiSrca78j7b5H7s0KEo0pVZ0LNxp5CJHQkmQ3ie6DpB1lFdbFaMShtQYRb8-FZmbWXJB1mNFnbEvd8HXdqmYDGNy3JP0wHyITArOn72UgYLumsglz9dUlYHJKJfOqu4uToyAVbSmi2zNT9_EYCS3lPtO8c4lHyW2BSM3yuH4dX_aANDZ1_Mhg/s400/rw16.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Alas, the first ones to return are celebrated and praised, but eventually they become as ubiquitous across prairies and wetlands almost as stars in the night sky. Still, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and appreciation for the resilience of these remarkable icterids. They serve as a seasonal reminder that Nature has a way of captivating and inspiring us, if only we take the time to notice. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7H4d_1uVsfafMOBAc2qXnaUiFp-WPVHW7d17Y1B3jSqcletrwZtXCXMGVed0vEVdh1CVyeqKXDOfff_7jH3jMq0lrp2fkkH3GQtvXiDW6FjvivC_RtxpTSmr-fn4F5FvIMwmzVKiKbFDEMsTTqaiRknIJe9yD2ltB43RxZVCGbsXBWYCTyoGAt_qMZx5F/s1500/sgreen.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7H4d_1uVsfafMOBAc2qXnaUiFp-WPVHW7d17Y1B3jSqcletrwZtXCXMGVed0vEVdh1CVyeqKXDOfff_7jH3jMq0lrp2fkkH3GQtvXiDW6FjvivC_RtxpTSmr-fn4F5FvIMwmzVKiKbFDEMsTTqaiRknIJe9yD2ltB43RxZVCGbsXBWYCTyoGAt_qMZx5F/s400/sgreen.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Given temperatures rising into the 70s on Sunday, I decided to check a few tiger beetle haunts. Alas, none were found but I did find a few <i>Cuerna fenestella</i> sharpshooter hoppers.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuivrgewnW-fANRIAauXygW5oKAArsS7Gky2MAE8EJl4mhCemM58mcnN4WdajftQH6pvMcVb8TkmSDDIXIEMWJTwBU5dJiOdxMUGC9NCy2wq0CiSmnVj2Ms49B3BKK3TIVbcdan5KII8p0qQt0t6XQTDPeZwvHAFO52Ny0FHqeZtyVRBNBeD7at4jmvj6/s1400/bhopper.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="923" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAuivrgewnW-fANRIAauXygW5oKAArsS7Gky2MAE8EJl4mhCemM58mcnN4WdajftQH6pvMcVb8TkmSDDIXIEMWJTwBU5dJiOdxMUGC9NCy2wq0CiSmnVj2Ms49B3BKK3TIVbcdan5KII8p0qQt0t6XQTDPeZwvHAFO52Ny0FHqeZtyVRBNBeD7at4jmvj6/s400/bhopper.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Onto the Sauk City Canoe Launch ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEIz9t4YsakJutJqAELWsK48VIn03rYT_U7RUq1zKWSBwQmb91YfpPAzbppxjMaCcsC_gDuGXCTAEmFDOOtQsPPXOnKqF2pzZZeNPZB9Qn4pSCt1xtelo6MHLvcny-ShxnYmZ9-jvqMNQL2ktE5AFD7Z8PYWyQGF6hi01Y0n9gVUgkNGP2mZhSVDKA4ql/s1500/claunch.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEIz9t4YsakJutJqAELWsK48VIn03rYT_U7RUq1zKWSBwQmb91YfpPAzbppxjMaCcsC_gDuGXCTAEmFDOOtQsPPXOnKqF2pzZZeNPZB9Qn4pSCt1xtelo6MHLvcny-ShxnYmZ9-jvqMNQL2ktE5AFD7Z8PYWyQGF6hi01Y0n9gVUgkNGP2mZhSVDKA4ql/s400/claunch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Alas, no tiger beetles here either yet, but I did find a few small wolf spiders and dipterans on the beach.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb_ILkwtFJUJHky1Cd0KxKDt-KaWKWqoSP5rhpCwUSvci2zsPLgACVm61Sp69YykwuNWTz2mjbJqueGW98fY1GMLHMe2OXe3k_OMDwHBeI9YJ9QEVGpV8Nl0TDi1061ALvOpLI8Q8TH33OuyBLYKsx7hyphenhyphen89MO7wtHSyi2ADle2bMPbrQc_Fa8_dy2X-m7/s1400/wspider.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVb_ILkwtFJUJHky1Cd0KxKDt-KaWKWqoSP5rhpCwUSvci2zsPLgACVm61Sp69YykwuNWTz2mjbJqueGW98fY1GMLHMe2OXe3k_OMDwHBeI9YJ9QEVGpV8Nl0TDi1061ALvOpLI8Q8TH33OuyBLYKsx7hyphenhyphen89MO7wtHSyi2ADle2bMPbrQc_Fa8_dy2X-m7/s400/wspider.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In March, Nature orchestrates a symphony of life as creatures of all shapes and sizes come alive in a dazzling display of activity. Birds return to their breeding grounds, filling the air with their songs and vibrant colors. Meanwhile, insects emerge from dormancy, amphibians begin their annual migrations, and mammals become more active in preparation for the breeding season. Each species plays its part in this phenological spectacle, creating a harmonious tapestry of life that reminds us of the beauty and interconnectedness of the natural world.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2024 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-51599115426966326202024-02-27T12:21:00.005-06:002024-02-27T13:56:40.380-06:00Bigot<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— Treaty of Tripoli, signed by John Adams in 1796, ratified, made law in 1797.</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxaW0RXAsi6okTOUvWX5mEGyQ2SCMd-s4RTzs3cANypmmR8zTOvKk5hkMhU4vgAVt-OYILaudo6QACg3us2Oje4hwMjGwfpPXRRxutVbKWjzFeM-Vc4aBqYXLMrntD4Csld-K1unCsuInKj5aaD2NmRNILF6AjnMYGGOvr5iie6XSCm-Eriq-_YTkH5H9/s604/dunce.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvxaW0RXAsi6okTOUvWX5mEGyQ2SCMd-s4RTzs3cANypmmR8zTOvKk5hkMhU4vgAVt-OYILaudo6QACg3us2Oje4hwMjGwfpPXRRxutVbKWjzFeM-Vc4aBqYXLMrntD4Csld-K1unCsuInKj5aaD2NmRNILF6AjnMYGGOvr5iie6XSCm-Eriq-_YTkH5H9/s400/dunce.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There seems to be a profound confusion about the relationship between religion and government in the United States, often held by those on the right side of the political spectrum. This isn't anything new, as I've observed it for decades with respect to the Evolution versus Creationism debates you'll find on all manner of platforms. I've always found it to be a fascinating topic, deeply rooted in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as well as matters concerning the biological sciences. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As you likely know, the amendment contains <i>two</i> clauses that are crucial for understanding this relationship: the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's the amendment's text:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The Establishment Clause<i> prohibits the government</i> from establishing an official religion or favoring one religion over another. This means that the government <i>cannot</i> promote or endorse any specific religious beliefs. Instead, it must remain neutral when it comes to matters of religion. This clause ensures that <i>everyone</i> has the freedom to practice their own religion or no religion at all, without interference from the government.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On the other hand, the Free Exercise Clause <i>protects individuals' right</i> to practice their religion freely, as long as their practices do not violate a valid and neutral law. This clause ensures that individuals are free to worship according to their beliefs without fear of persecution. Together, these clauses create a "wall of separation" between church and state, ensuring that religious freedom is protected while also preventing the government from imposing or endorsing any particular religious beliefs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Any kid can privately pray in a public school if they want to, even a group of kids can, but a teacher cannot direct prayer or advance religion. Also, biblical creationism is verboten in public schools, unless it's part of a class of philosophy or religion. Science? No — it isn't science. However, private religious schools, knock yourself out — pray to your heart's content and feel free to believe and discuss any creation myth you'd like to.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Confused?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Imagine the First Amendment as a color palette, with the Establishment Clause painted in the color blue and the Free Exercise Clause in the color red. Individually, these clauses represent important aspects of religious freedom. However, when these "colors" are blended together, they create a<i> new</i> hue: the concept of separation of church and state likened to the color purple. Thus, while the phrase "separation of church and state" may not be <i>explicitly</i> stated in the Constitution, it emerges <i>naturally</i> from the combination of these two clauses. Just as mixing blue and red creates purple, the amalgamation of the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause gives rise to the principle that government should neither establish a religion nor interfere with the free exercise of religion, effectively creating a separation between matters of state and matters of faith.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Like or not, agree with it or not, this is what the founders intended.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thus, what ought to be an obvious and inherent sense of separation in the Constitution is not always respected by certain politicians. In recent years there have been debates and controversies surrounding the intersection of religion and government, with some individuals, such as Oklahoma Senator Tom Woods, making rather bigoted statements. For example, Senator Woods recently referred to LGBTQ people as "filth" and expressed a desire to keep them out of Oklahoma because it is a "Christian state." Such blatant hateful rhetoric raises questions about the boundaries of religious freedom and the role of government in protecting the rights of <i>all </i>individuals, regardless of their beliefs or identities.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For such people, there's an almost hypocritical contrast between the reverence for the U.S. Constitution, often symbolized by carrying around a pocket copy, and misunderstandings or selective interpretations of its contents. The First Amendment, in particular, is a cornerstone of American democracy, protecting fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the right to <i>peaceably </i>assemble and petition the government. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Protect it, or lose it at our nation's peril. </div></div></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-38288537147526208452024-02-24T11:09:00.002-06:002024-02-25T06:17:34.406-06:00What is the Reason?<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Never reason the reason behind trying something reasonable. It’s the new things that bring excitement and becomes a reason for many people to fight the low phase."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">― Shahenshah Khan</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QDgVOmAgms5H5lYn_v5vlBEbnj045mG33K07W3vnG7fKjfokjhjjDeK0p73-1rjz6DwFMirhuv7zZHZx8LBsy5NaCvWvQBtgLp1mliJD2d6dU3cwimvuqrtrDR65u8T4Al7Hsz9beLPcuhfekb6zHVWUYCr3s641AmZRBLyZN6JsYYGF_EiuXlvels2D/s1600/barnrise.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4QDgVOmAgms5H5lYn_v5vlBEbnj045mG33K07W3vnG7fKjfokjhjjDeK0p73-1rjz6DwFMirhuv7zZHZx8LBsy5NaCvWvQBtgLp1mliJD2d6dU3cwimvuqrtrDR65u8T4Al7Hsz9beLPcuhfekb6zHVWUYCr3s641AmZRBLyZN6JsYYGF_EiuXlvels2D/s400/barnrise.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On February 14th during my morning commute, I saw my first <i>Agelaius phoeniceus</i> of the year at the cattail marsh along Mineral Point Road just before Pine Bluff. They're just a little early. First there were two, the next day there were six ― now there's a whole bunch of them clamoring away as they establish territories with song and skirmishes. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyrobNeqfBzOLAWp21IRC9gtQfyXrdQWBkcqRaOThBQjcIC9b1kpkL4JkAVoUwu3LNuD55k3FmrKFil_U45XwnrD_esLPGjAvcyAw2HLRXim7ua-x1gVq5zQb33b-1RM9z260ggd7rpCMWmOx0SIbqb__0qzl-5EuDHoPLI8EbQdZF4BnHU_oqMRTnKtr/s1300/redwing1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyyrobNeqfBzOLAWp21IRC9gtQfyXrdQWBkcqRaOThBQjcIC9b1kpkL4JkAVoUwu3LNuD55k3FmrKFil_U45XwnrD_esLPGjAvcyAw2HLRXim7ua-x1gVq5zQb33b-1RM9z260ggd7rpCMWmOx0SIbqb__0qzl-5EuDHoPLI8EbQdZF4BnHU_oqMRTnKtr/s400/redwing1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Their return is heralded by the melodic trill of males perched on cattails and reeds, proudly displaying their vibrant red and yellow shoulder patches. Against the backdrop of awakening marshlands and budding trees, these birds bring a burst of color and song, signaling the renewal of life and the promise of warmer days ahead. Having said that, temperatures in southern Wisconsin the past few weeks have been anywhere between single digits and the low 60s ― the weather is so screwed up. It's cold again today, but next week it'll feel like early May. Tiger Beetles <i>might </i>emerge!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOPy2YVk4kA3WNQAtxh6qwHxN0rV88Z7QaHPQKU9MUCBFGPWOY7B42Ei5Yu1eNKuJgASrlt7xoMMeP-ZglAdba4VLUJVndOXQDij98mvE2rmYlt3Cx_r8IK6h_r_L3ssxgaOM127lURGd9mnOh_AWRIfGES7YeXv3bLzEG9C52zIaMPAWblB-5JQrJu1F/s1300/redwing2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="870" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrOPy2YVk4kA3WNQAtxh6qwHxN0rV88Z7QaHPQKU9MUCBFGPWOY7B42Ei5Yu1eNKuJgASrlt7xoMMeP-ZglAdba4VLUJVndOXQDij98mvE2rmYlt3Cx_r8IK6h_r_L3ssxgaOM127lURGd9mnOh_AWRIfGES7YeXv3bLzEG9C52zIaMPAWblB-5JQrJu1F/s400/redwing2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>C. cardinalis </i>song has been going strong since early January, which is one of the very first phenological signs of a new year of appreciating the aves. Though outdoor hikes to natural areas have been regular weekend excursions, I haven't been padding my annual list the way many Sport Birders™ do. Since I work right next to TNC's Barneveld Prairie, I regularly get new species just walking from my car to the building. But sometimes I take a short walk into the prairie during a break. It might be interesting to do a birding non-birding year and just see how many species one can get just from a practice of incidental observation.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDjoIt9o4S7q5Uz9g8qVvZ6P0ksFbKVBLj5GZ0hvyJVqjh48z39CcEB9QHEN7vtCp4fCSNa2Xduqg3MnTtE8WVaIh1l7RWCJ4OcYQ667wk5goNH5K0Ivs1Iq-unMWkKNYYUrr3r2zjjIdC-OqCepOmeuWG08d4WlEk8IzQGHub_goQMB-rJ9jRPNGM3JS/s1024/cardinal.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="673" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDjoIt9o4S7q5Uz9g8qVvZ6P0ksFbKVBLj5GZ0hvyJVqjh48z39CcEB9QHEN7vtCp4fCSNa2Xduqg3MnTtE8WVaIh1l7RWCJ4OcYQ667wk5goNH5K0Ivs1Iq-unMWkKNYYUrr3r2zjjIdC-OqCepOmeuWG08d4WlEk8IzQGHub_goQMB-rJ9jRPNGM3JS/s400/cardinal.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I know that some birders become overly competitive or intense in their pursuit of adding new species to their annual lists. There are cases where this leads to behaviors that prioritize adding new species over ethical considerations, such as disturbing wildlife or habitats, trespassing, or disregarding conservation guidelines. But hey, I've yuck'd that yum far too many times on this blog in the past, and doing so gets old. To be sure, a withdrawal from the birding community has had its benefits. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oa8vR1Cl-ZQcZdXPsD6Bia4P_H-K2wmM_19awWIF0LLpDMS0KPVBXs6LO5AQE-6SgWJijVeJqircUY19LZRS9iawFahKabSrF34O6o1zNKm2f2sfJvwHGMMddMaUjh7JG7tWYzhekahrcPeZcrcmd2wrIFnIsZv-WurIdgIkVmR9vbM2EhIX4rydsiFW/s1500/dlp1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9oa8vR1Cl-ZQcZdXPsD6Bia4P_H-K2wmM_19awWIF0LLpDMS0KPVBXs6LO5AQE-6SgWJijVeJqircUY19LZRS9iawFahKabSrF34O6o1zNKm2f2sfJvwHGMMddMaUjh7JG7tWYzhekahrcPeZcrcmd2wrIFnIsZv-WurIdgIkVmR9vbM2EhIX4rydsiFW/s400/dlp1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Which brings me to my <i>why</i> comment from yesterday's obligatory anniversary post ― <i>why</i> should I keep doing this blog? I suppose I still get something out of it, but perhaps I'm due for another hiatus like the one from 2019. Do I have anything more to say? Not really. Which is partly why I've posted non-naturey interests of mine the past few years. But who cares about that? Blogger is such an antiquated social media platform, too. But Facebook disgusts me and I haven't been sharing much content there, either. Perhaps as I approach 60, more and more, I'm becoming just another grumpy old man. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwCSoF5oU0e2Z-6k08_Hl8Yl58OG8uqxBjbueHSUTje0Z1vdlmOBMuG7WiwouDbOY0svLrND_iLefcjc20aoW0etGsScOqwOo2Ne1CDKtt-b0Iffec7aAprKCciIcTH0uuoaQu0ZF4eoc2Dzo7g0nhDMDqppZFCuIOxdO7Y11mDxml_GBh0NfAN7ptQEU/s1500/dlp2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcwCSoF5oU0e2Z-6k08_Hl8Yl58OG8uqxBjbueHSUTje0Z1vdlmOBMuG7WiwouDbOY0svLrND_iLefcjc20aoW0etGsScOqwOo2Ne1CDKtt-b0Iffec7aAprKCciIcTH0uuoaQu0ZF4eoc2Dzo7g0nhDMDqppZFCuIOxdO7Y11mDxml_GBh0NfAN7ptQEU/s400/dlp2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The true beauty of Nature reveals itself when we let go of the urge to capture and share every moment on social media or pad eBird lists. Instead of viewing the outdoors as a backdrop for content creation, simply being present in Nature can be a deeply rewarding experience. When we immerse ourselves in the sights, sounds, and smells of the natural world without the distraction of documenting it for others, we open ourselves up to a more profound connection with the environment. It allows us to fully appreciate the subtle wonders around us, from the delicate dance of leaves in the breeze to the fleeting glimpse of a shy woodland creature. These moments, unburdened by the pressure to perform for an audience, can nourish the soul in ways that no number of likes or shares ever could.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This will <i>never</i> change until I can no longer do so.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DzXHXqWLLwdwCGtZXf6edfw445d4ZER57euty2IXeazdP2Tjc4uhjoKtCt5cUXIApMYpIn0xSwvJZlKFcR2KZlCjAxSY9KNg49yfA9bzW2jtjOc1_cN5fJ5I0ZY8q4SzGnVx4Xo1AECX5eni3ZYsTNDIBIvphtEpK_w0dhF8buTCd3IqAkf6ylXZT5K4/s1024/dlp3.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DzXHXqWLLwdwCGtZXf6edfw445d4ZER57euty2IXeazdP2Tjc4uhjoKtCt5cUXIApMYpIn0xSwvJZlKFcR2KZlCjAxSY9KNg49yfA9bzW2jtjOc1_cN5fJ5I0ZY8q4SzGnVx4Xo1AECX5eni3ZYsTNDIBIvphtEpK_w0dhF8buTCd3IqAkf6ylXZT5K4/s400/dlp3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hit the trail ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ADoQqjvT2gfQBSnGBIZtQZK_Pg7KjFHTuHlR_jnQinA-tYR7PxDyRXe6Jc7Hn_m6lDOl8jNDYH4WQ29rJQP9YwbZpxtHrxGKG6MjzOeKtyoNkTAvV5LW6jJfYEOqAorYniscOelEByhcw-a7lGWCHuRgqaK4QULV4by8m00SSSnoXNSXhjZrClEdAKu4/s1024/dlp4.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2ADoQqjvT2gfQBSnGBIZtQZK_Pg7KjFHTuHlR_jnQinA-tYR7PxDyRXe6Jc7Hn_m6lDOl8jNDYH4WQ29rJQP9YwbZpxtHrxGKG6MjzOeKtyoNkTAvV5LW6jJfYEOqAorYniscOelEByhcw-a7lGWCHuRgqaK4QULV4by8m00SSSnoXNSXhjZrClEdAKu4/s400/dlp4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Walk and breathe ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpB_EqYRLQtze9JCKz2A-cwsZTNlbzNUDahTPBAu1wXtz3f93NoVgGlLszcYpA1kaPQIXKmmZOWrINhjFixZJneKMbrGD4e33S9Bp2y6e_w6N1dRh5mzWlm4qnOjAlCWP1HvwMDSFwEws1zkQN20L6Bgo5CvNFLb9gHwZUA-AbZCVKdLWYNW0aSOQy6sH3/s1024/dlp5.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpB_EqYRLQtze9JCKz2A-cwsZTNlbzNUDahTPBAu1wXtz3f93NoVgGlLszcYpA1kaPQIXKmmZOWrINhjFixZJneKMbrGD4e33S9Bp2y6e_w6N1dRh5mzWlm4qnOjAlCWP1HvwMDSFwEws1zkQN20L6Bgo5CvNFLb9gHwZUA-AbZCVKdLWYNW0aSOQy6sH3/s400/dlp5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Observe ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lmLL1TiwynW21bn7yboT5gYJKirrHSOBPS_9dAdytJGFMwp9gxhGhZwQUt6Y12kyGQRPwypB3QFUy_Ybbyn6_8RMjRfoMDcEuJ68MHDxh8dYWXPCs58rKpuWgxM6iQsMDA4XTC1VZ_cIyJYMjItCp5bZkoAf_bwrjunvJySqGZhuoy0m9OGJfs535Xf9/s1024/dlp6.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3lmLL1TiwynW21bn7yboT5gYJKirrHSOBPS_9dAdytJGFMwp9gxhGhZwQUt6Y12kyGQRPwypB3QFUy_Ybbyn6_8RMjRfoMDcEuJ68MHDxh8dYWXPCs58rKpuWgxM6iQsMDA4XTC1VZ_cIyJYMjItCp5bZkoAf_bwrjunvJySqGZhuoy0m9OGJfs535Xf9/s400/dlp6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Appreciate just being out there as finite mortal creatures. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJkvCCWlNolhWFDgmSIkUky9cftdGYwqA7wKkPq39FLAkEBxHrh6hY2akGnIAcpG-kA8UeZlAZFEMATTT5GsjQDgGT3d346Jt54MyGedM-LhPQLLPFghDmcey_4zU5ydiPx5orPl2xWpmpZHozHQcOHprCYCCiYWa4nXdR2D62bCPxSBXnH7-JwHGrbbu/s1024/dlp7.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="573" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJkvCCWlNolhWFDgmSIkUky9cftdGYwqA7wKkPq39FLAkEBxHrh6hY2akGnIAcpG-kA8UeZlAZFEMATTT5GsjQDgGT3d346Jt54MyGedM-LhPQLLPFghDmcey_4zU5ydiPx5orPl2xWpmpZHozHQcOHprCYCCiYWa4nXdR2D62bCPxSBXnH7-JwHGrbbu/s400/dlp7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2024 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-13817243472913629882024-02-23T12:37:00.001-06:002024-02-23T12:38:17.072-06:00Blogversary!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1RLHBlRnzl6pX7CgfaCpe_0k0rhxKLBloAQVLwRW-EYvyLBFQgbpQvWE6OGyfoWRYyOSyKPINZp4Tpw4fcLWHeRHxOb18998DKRStWtv4CG7xBLzvhQ25NAK8eCiadnfqmiJitylPrJw1390ZoT_5USpZX0YvhkvLBRvfLUAcj-jnkdqrccXEV1GaMNt/s578/xix.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="364" data-original-width="578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1RLHBlRnzl6pX7CgfaCpe_0k0rhxKLBloAQVLwRW-EYvyLBFQgbpQvWE6OGyfoWRYyOSyKPINZp4Tpw4fcLWHeRHxOb18998DKRStWtv4CG7xBLzvhQ25NAK8eCiadnfqmiJitylPrJw1390ZoT_5USpZX0YvhkvLBRvfLUAcj-jnkdqrccXEV1GaMNt/s400/xix.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wow — 19 years of blogging. <i>Why</i>?</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-59330020098901641102024-02-07T14:47:00.002-06:002024-02-12T15:31:59.956-06:00Red!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Craftsmanship names an enduring, basic human impulse, the desire to do a job well for its own sake."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">― Richard Sennett</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeNj_NnzXRXi0jOey9vgrM-BzZciyDJfHIlAdn5Zf3WUIdaX8dBXrO7HYWaxJZrNS3TrEpZSTg6EjXHMM2FBPM1Wuw0t1xrSPP0XEfl2_rUcfOREaT1x_keFK7zpigPQImstwX-WLPkTevNjOBbSNvc1V9aKHi-OIMk-yuNl1Vhp6Rg56XSvZ9yg5uBK2/s1434/rcbs6.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHeNj_NnzXRXi0jOey9vgrM-BzZciyDJfHIlAdn5Zf3WUIdaX8dBXrO7HYWaxJZrNS3TrEpZSTg6EjXHMM2FBPM1Wuw0t1xrSPP0XEfl2_rUcfOREaT1x_keFK7zpigPQImstwX-WLPkTevNjOBbSNvc1V9aKHi-OIMk-yuNl1Vhp6Rg56XSvZ9yg5uBK2/s400/rcbs6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That's a pretty one, isn't it? So, a Candy Apple Red Fender Deluxe Stratocaster body I ordered from Sweetwater showed up about a week ago, the final component needed for yet another guitar build. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjz8vUgEp6PuLIyeWDvIKpw8RqCeLdDKuOS8It9QwKuwcP6dZr8aS1ZMtC7jjlVUTX67QMEpDTFTKmAq4svg7Is9vUboJZ0nenXeEq-gIMEG_SJfRMy1C6YxB2j0RJiqPUPDLKt-VLqO_BsWJS87pI1I7eQ34ndWmMzqXRaeAXCOeJC7dXKgAFeojLelE/s1024/rcbs5.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="639" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjz8vUgEp6PuLIyeWDvIKpw8RqCeLdDKuOS8It9QwKuwcP6dZr8aS1ZMtC7jjlVUTX67QMEpDTFTKmAq4svg7Is9vUboJZ0nenXeEq-gIMEG_SJfRMy1C6YxB2j0RJiqPUPDLKt-VLqO_BsWJS87pI1I7eQ34ndWmMzqXRaeAXCOeJC7dXKgAFeojLelE/s400/rcbs5.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">If I had all the tools and gear to make a Stratocaster body from a plank of wood, I'd probably do it. But for now I must purchase finished bodies. Well, <i>almost</i> finished — the neck pockets generally need a little sanding or routing to get the neck perfectly positioned for player preference. Once the neck is installed, the rest of the "guts" are come next.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXq9_PMTvFy8hvnUdpFPF3pXwgAOMyiUYqOduEcG-OWXvMdunB2YX7AAw0cIVOMlWEjHKnBijFtxQJUW0DcSbOJCmH1cVYePuL2c4gKRk7C9O2k3upXrkhHQSBjG9sKfGZW931QRHHUS3t1VDIbwAbsvkDcmOhct8DLwS0KKxcKinoq0WtdOyjXIRg08k/s1400/rcbs3.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="776" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnXq9_PMTvFy8hvnUdpFPF3pXwgAOMyiUYqOduEcG-OWXvMdunB2YX7AAw0cIVOMlWEjHKnBijFtxQJUW0DcSbOJCmH1cVYePuL2c4gKRk7C9O2k3upXrkhHQSBjG9sKfGZW931QRHHUS3t1VDIbwAbsvkDcmOhct8DLwS0KKxcKinoq0WtdOyjXIRg08k/s400/rcbs3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The pickups are placed into the body — these ones are Fender's Pure Vintage '59s. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI1UWzi-5ylt6XdE3svCVYMWEvCh3LRnJXdwBcEd6p6Dj1lUNPQMBGSU2E6HqNxX-woRa-hO2pjhBlqX2kgYhurOxWaEO2_KZubw2BeEL7VknGQLP7plV3vCot7KhufO9oHi9PF_2ablqjc7DWKzPWejqZ6J2jLgfFooawxyLlOF-ZU4ddYRuLYoWtr-z/s1024/rcbs4.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNI1UWzi-5ylt6XdE3svCVYMWEvCh3LRnJXdwBcEd6p6Dj1lUNPQMBGSU2E6HqNxX-woRa-hO2pjhBlqX2kgYhurOxWaEO2_KZubw2BeEL7VknGQLP7plV3vCot7KhufO9oHi9PF_2ablqjc7DWKzPWejqZ6J2jLgfFooawxyLlOF-ZU4ddYRuLYoWtr-z/s400/rcbs4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Holes are drilled for the pickguard (and back plate) and all the plastic parts are put into place — almost like a snap-together model, testament to the genius of Leo Fender and his vision for a modular solid-body electric guitar. Final setup includes stringing, pickup height adjustments, saddle position/height, and intonation. When done, I like to leave a build sit for a day or two before giving it a plugged-in session to see how it shreds. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxlEEDgrwXJVQVy_NEXL0wC-wOvfv8d8WTHjVhOrKePNscH1x1Pfzdb3fbR01CgjVc-6-2jPDKhwLlxI197pQFi6ujjmTDMwIyT6NRnnZjEPTDKCeVf1xaRWtXf-R89rcHLw4oYM6epJHpRfFQh4NAbBAjZQ9SAAD_5-lbXckOXvNmtw4kx7m9T8Fj7QE/s1024/rcbs2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="594" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFxlEEDgrwXJVQVy_NEXL0wC-wOvfv8d8WTHjVhOrKePNscH1x1Pfzdb3fbR01CgjVc-6-2jPDKhwLlxI197pQFi6ujjmTDMwIyT6NRnnZjEPTDKCeVf1xaRWtXf-R89rcHLw4oYM6epJHpRfFQh4NAbBAjZQ9SAAD_5-lbXckOXvNmtw4kx7m9T8Fj7QE/s400/rcbs2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">From beginning to end, it takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete a build depending on how things go. One needs to be patient and methodical so not to screw anything up, ding or scratch the finish. Naturally, the selection process in terms of body color, neck style, and pickups is also a big part of the process — it's cool to see and hear it come to fruition. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgl3dZyMzbEbQ6ZoHrcjbXHCMrOrY2MB4WDSgXpoj6UVpfqV8VsCB9uw5Pnaw8oKIg2eOwJqaiV_GLnfI5a3h_OA2-CSnGuYqVEuSfLhWFqijBzfBsAiiE8nDDBR7KaFoLpUvrImnviAcmCClxOlSBA9avsSVWRNjZ5U9akkrFQ8VwmFDJ5hvjY94q6dY/s1024/rcbs1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="602" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgl3dZyMzbEbQ6ZoHrcjbXHCMrOrY2MB4WDSgXpoj6UVpfqV8VsCB9uw5Pnaw8oKIg2eOwJqaiV_GLnfI5a3h_OA2-CSnGuYqVEuSfLhWFqijBzfBsAiiE8nDDBR7KaFoLpUvrImnviAcmCClxOlSBA9avsSVWRNjZ5U9akkrFQ8VwmFDJ5hvjY94q6dY/s400/rcbs1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Deluxe Stratocaster Body (Candy Apple Red)</li><li>Maple neck with rosewood fretboard (CBS headstock)</li><li>Pure Vintage '59 Single Coil Pickups</li><li>Two-point Synchronized Tremolo</li><li>3-ply Black/white/black Pickguard</li><li>Deluxe Locking Tuning Machines</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2024 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-71118778962860801052024-02-05T19:17:00.003-06:002024-02-05T19:20:16.769-06:00Inspired Build!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Implementing best practice is copying yesterday, innovation is inventing tomorrow."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">― Paul Sloane</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysthEr2d7KpZDBL16ckqIMwZwEMdIFa5-EQcjw9tZY2t7iIBBez3NTIrhImuzRNNu8F2moNWIdBd4lLDzaBZwk4-CKIVQltr9gAf_RabneYEI7bgIh77P3z-p17DZMx_AqMLQNVeoxqw4_gHepI4agXDgX_zbw5qlieK1QTSpXeUj-4xMVaC5D_CiL_7Z/s1500/dg2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgysthEr2d7KpZDBL16ckqIMwZwEMdIFa5-EQcjw9tZY2t7iIBBez3NTIrhImuzRNNu8F2moNWIdBd4lLDzaBZwk4-CKIVQltr9gAf_RabneYEI7bgIh77P3z-p17DZMx_AqMLQNVeoxqw4_gHepI4agXDgX_zbw5qlieK1QTSpXeUj-4xMVaC5D_CiL_7Z/s400/dg2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Actually, David Gilmour's Black Stratocaster ultimately ended up more like this (above), than <b><a href="https://birddigiscoper.blogspot.com/2021/08/the-black-stratocaster.html">this</a></b>. NOS (new old stock) and Relic Custom Shop signature versions of this guitar were made over a decade ago and sold for something like $4,000 new, however since being discontinued used ones sell for $10,000 to $20,000 depending on condition. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While it's pretty obvious I spend <i>way</i> too much money on Fender guitars, I don't have ten or twenty grand to throw down for a David Gilmour Custom Shop Black Stratocaster, so I built one at a fraction of the cost — 100% Fender components, too. It lacks the S1 switch Gilmour's has, but I might yet install that to make it more authentic. I used Eric Johnson Signature Pickups because they're a favorite of mine, and not EMGs Gilmour uses. Personalize it, right? However, I did put Gilmour's signature GHS Boomer .10 gauge strings on it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's Gilmour playing the final version of his Black Strat before it was sold for almost $4 million at an auction — he gave all the money to charity. In fact, it was more like $20 million because he sold nearly his <i>entire</i> guitar collection at the auction. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJaZrPDRPb82jRrW4NW9lgU930Tjfm4lnHBuSXmQdE4IohyEftloY5qbfztCKgkg-rcJGRBAs5iBbmtRXwR3PEOjr2YDZsu8Ouj2D3D_mywuuxQS6bkWN08tbKY2iE_hOr-KUhpaN3675dsq4cQQQuD8iN9oJS2dJJXAjEJTwZxZJBYgdnEiNgpjFokkD/s1054/gilmour.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1054" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJaZrPDRPb82jRrW4NW9lgU930Tjfm4lnHBuSXmQdE4IohyEftloY5qbfztCKgkg-rcJGRBAs5iBbmtRXwR3PEOjr2YDZsu8Ouj2D3D_mywuuxQS6bkWN08tbKY2iE_hOr-KUhpaN3675dsq4cQQQuD8iN9oJS2dJJXAjEJTwZxZJBYgdnEiNgpjFokkD/s400/gilmour.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Just how many changes did Gilmour make to this guitar since acquiring it in the early 70s? Check out this video by Five Watt World to find out:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="236" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zgykdq1RMcY?si=EjVLazLSX7WbcYnX" title="YouTube video player" width="420"></iframe>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Though Gilmour sold his historical guitar, I've recently seen on his wife's Facebook page that he still has one of the NOS Custom Shop versions of the Black Strat. Gilmour and some of his musician friends are in the studio recording something, but Polly has been silent as to what's going on. I hope it's a new solo album because I'm a big fan and I just love all of his albums since Roger Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985. Waters may have been an important creative force from Dark Side to The Wall, but he's an absolute putz today. If you've not heard Dark Side of the Moon Redux, save your ears and mind — it's just awful.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Black Strat image © 2024 Mike McDowell</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-86771848103653560262024-02-04T18:05:00.000-06:002024-02-04T18:05:29.537-06:00Winter Midges!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"February is the uncertain month, neither black nor white but all shades between by turns. Nothing is sure." </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— Gladys Taber</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6YdzyWmfRhdIn9e2JwM3N2blVIcccBUoSrTXno-iEkkb9NtjbBtuW-Ffe5ocPSNYQxEHpt4dg_ZYhJ1RRhlosTx0qE0RpLu4uLWJHSYJR_BIM_yR9lmOm0HdmbjjiH9eDwhdqWPYRGgAvUiogun1qrbC8bnQYAfYxLKWlTdEhbYSQwRYLdntwDd8ZPxq/s1400/febbug1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF6YdzyWmfRhdIn9e2JwM3N2blVIcccBUoSrTXno-iEkkb9NtjbBtuW-Ffe5ocPSNYQxEHpt4dg_ZYhJ1RRhlosTx0qE0RpLu4uLWJHSYJR_BIM_yR9lmOm0HdmbjjiH9eDwhdqWPYRGgAvUiogun1qrbC8bnQYAfYxLKWlTdEhbYSQwRYLdntwDd8ZPxq/s400/febbug1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Finally some sunshine! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A winter expedition at Pheasant Branch unveiled a serene yet dynamic landscape. The persistent cloud cover for the past few weeks seemed momentarily forgotten as a burst of sunshine broke through, casting a natural spotlight on the frozen surroundings. The recent thaw revealed large areas of grassland, once concealed by the deep snow, creating a striking contrast against the lingering white blanket that still covered many parts of the prairie. This thaw-and-freeze dance had shaped the landscape, turning the hike into a journey through gorgeous contrasts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4v870ZOCrhAj2Ip-QfKQ2Ix1asFOn0klSOBP3UwyL6vvmyYrD643BV5UZkB1BGg4VnmODhF_dIV0Qwr9SaEhiHsSxi4msIkUy2q7JtpiEpwwXI6oFG6Y05zM4LA0OFkp2EMDBiMoBFmKYxCncomPLicRhm9eFyRhnK2NpDJEG11fi0v0-VW8R68gUNEq/s1400/febbug2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs4v870ZOCrhAj2Ip-QfKQ2Ix1asFOn0klSOBP3UwyL6vvmyYrD643BV5UZkB1BGg4VnmODhF_dIV0Qwr9SaEhiHsSxi4msIkUy2q7JtpiEpwwXI6oFG6Y05zM4LA0OFkp2EMDBiMoBFmKYxCncomPLicRhm9eFyRhnK2NpDJEG11fi0v0-VW8R68gUNEq/s400/febbug2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The birding scene was minimalistic but delightful, featuring a single <i>Troglodytes hiemalis</i>, a lone <i>Falco columbarius</i>, and just one <i>Certhia americana</i>. These singular sightings emphasized the quiet beauty of the winter landscape, where each bird plays a unique role in the hushed tableau of Pheasant Branch. Having said that, there were dozens of <i>Junco hyemalis </i>along the creek corridor section, but no trilling chorus just yet. Given the warm temperatures, I half-expected them to be singing — it's just a tad early for that!</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Firing up the macro lens for 2024's first insects! Hidden within the winter landscape, resilient Winter Midges <i>Diamesa mendotae</i> showcased their survival strategies. Members of the Chironomidae family, these insects could endure temperatures below -20°C (-4°F) by utilizing "antifreeze" biomolecules in their hemolymph (circulatory fluid). This adaptation allows them to remain active when other insects have succumbed to dormancy. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The midges are delicate marvels, showcasing their resilience and grace, navigating the frosty air. These tiny insects, just slightly smaller than mosquitoes, contribute to winter's quiet struggle for survival at Pheasant Branch. Their diminutive presence adds a miniscule but crucial element to the harsh winter conditions, showcasing nature's remarkable ability to adapt and endure.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And the creeper creeps on ...</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2024 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-15912965093359377522024-01-30T10:27:00.003-06:002024-01-30T10:27:37.118-06:00Still Frozen!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— John Muir</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Though I knew there was a chance to find <i>Myadestes townsendi</i> at Devil's Lake State Park this past weekend, the excursion was more about hiking and admiring winter scenery. The lake's ice is nearly a foot thick, so it's pretty safe to traverse for now. Having said that, given our present warming trend, it probably won't be as safe in another week or two — be cautious out there. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">During winter, Devil's Lake undergoes a serene metamorphosis, unveiling a scene of hushed beauty and quiet wonder. The once vibrant bluffs, now blanketed in a soft layer of snow, stand as stoic guardians of the frozen landscape. The lake, its surface cloaked in a veil of opacity, creates an intimate atmosphere, devoid of reflections but rich in the secrets of winter. Winter's stillness whispers tales of tranquility, where the frozen lake and snow-covered bluffs come together to create a canvas of subdued elegance, inviting all who wander to discover the subtleties of the season's embrace.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Near the intersection of Grottos and Potholes Trails, the familiar and diagnostic contact call of <i>M. townsendi </i>was heard. Honing in on its location, two birds were spotted, chasing one another from tree to tree — bino views confirmed the species. And then to my surprise, a <i>Setophaga coronata</i> flew past, calling its recognizable chip-note. This particular warbler can overwinter in Wisconsin, but most of its kind are well to the south. Many years ago, I had one of these hardy warblers spend the winter in my backyard. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">On this day the park hosted a mere handful of visitors, which helps make it a more intimate visit, but you do have to be careful here with so few people around. While some hikers did venture to the top of the bluff, after last year's incident that resulted in a banged-up knee and broken finger, keep to the lower trails was the most prudent course — there's simply too much snow and ice on the way up, and then back down. I'm certainly not as dexterous as I used to be and it takes longer to recover from even minor injuries. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some decorative snow-covered pine branches ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwA_V4VJbnx_WFGe8zV1C0lPmEsMSinJuolXZEnh2atEM8tLJ_OXN3655yPGpVXeZNxEwx_3WSuMM7QY3Hy5uu2FNQpH6nGbxAWZBPbfrD_eeDRSVS_pCh6kAC9-qLT3YZOvaz-ai3LjeiFdqVn_w_YC9FNApBYpS9aDpX9LB1EjJycWF0_RMU1GeGnRy/s1024/ice6.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbwA_V4VJbnx_WFGe8zV1C0lPmEsMSinJuolXZEnh2atEM8tLJ_OXN3655yPGpVXeZNxEwx_3WSuMM7QY3Hy5uu2FNQpH6nGbxAWZBPbfrD_eeDRSVS_pCh6kAC9-qLT3YZOvaz-ai3LjeiFdqVn_w_YC9FNApBYpS9aDpX9LB1EjJycWF0_RMU1GeGnRy/s400/ice6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxmUzSR7UFY2I-2uhGwc_KUrvopPUz70GyeY1iumrY5K65mQig2HdeIR0c4e-O_53PBdH5fsEN4HLcihSYwHH8AxRLk3636C5TOdEJ_KNh991M1Jp8ZD5z_oPBn5eszcnrtwWI1KI5Hd2Y2cpKZw5akoMNH1uS6pgmwqPeZKrOHEzcWb7jg3jQWYfq9-E/s1024/ice7.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimxmUzSR7UFY2I-2uhGwc_KUrvopPUz70GyeY1iumrY5K65mQig2HdeIR0c4e-O_53PBdH5fsEN4HLcihSYwHH8AxRLk3636C5TOdEJ_KNh991M1Jp8ZD5z_oPBn5eszcnrtwWI1KI5Hd2Y2cpKZw5akoMNH1uS6pgmwqPeZKrOHEzcWb7jg3jQWYfq9-E/s400/ice7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Though birding wasn't the primary objective for the outing, there were some nice avian finds:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Setophaga coronata</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Dryocopus pileatus</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Buteo lagopus</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Haliaeetus leucocephalus</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Sitta canadensis</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Picoides pubescens</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Leuconotopicus villosus</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Junco hyemalis</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Cardinalis cardinalis</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Poecile atricapillus</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Corvus brachyrhynchos</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Cyanocitta cristata</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>Myadestes townsendi</i></div></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGZKfFBYRYvvhWc9aYC5INFqILVEZy33Cx7dq_PwxXq5Sv5HNjr76wFURvdxhIE4utUWLL7DcGwp0Yw4CucN9jPqCjmyntwKxcXw7ISZzom7FBwXk3koK7GAbeXCMUSEZ1v-LDvT044LG3wsNSPzFLktDmLik6dZC8ZWBlkKYIuthEP2xamlMo2wZl5kW/s1400/ice8.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="864" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGZKfFBYRYvvhWc9aYC5INFqILVEZy33Cx7dq_PwxXq5Sv5HNjr76wFURvdxhIE4utUWLL7DcGwp0Yw4CucN9jPqCjmyntwKxcXw7ISZzom7FBwXk3koK7GAbeXCMUSEZ1v-LDvT044LG3wsNSPzFLktDmLik6dZC8ZWBlkKYIuthEP2xamlMo2wZl5kW/s400/ice8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2024 Mike McDowell</div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-53672553594510387422024-01-24T10:50:00.000-06:002024-01-24T10:50:13.353-06:00Guitar Stuff!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"The guitar is the easiest instrument to play and the hardest to play well." </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— Andrés Segovia</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96bZq4QOnccpjmaJrSaOJnRCMWDHUxqIGed88F3DpKokxKBLE0CLtowx05sCxW4vqCmB2sbsGxAovEoiHX5eEqclqaBpy6LNtnjwYKuSOiBb75xws5STlmGY8B9jvM_V7Sb9KfRtExtUpfzQ5NlYDd72ndndPVHxKo8QnaK-awWwAVcxMHJD1b0UhiN9B/s1400/ag1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96bZq4QOnccpjmaJrSaOJnRCMWDHUxqIGed88F3DpKokxKBLE0CLtowx05sCxW4vqCmB2sbsGxAovEoiHX5eEqclqaBpy6LNtnjwYKuSOiBb75xws5STlmGY8B9jvM_V7Sb9KfRtExtUpfzQ5NlYDd72ndndPVHxKo8QnaK-awWwAVcxMHJD1b0UhiN9B/s400/ag1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rather than shell out cash for a new guitar, I acquired the above Aztec Gold Stratocaster in a gear trade at Dave's Guitar Shop. To say I'm a bit guitar heavy is an understatement — I've decided to part with some that I don't play very often. Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS) is a financially dangerous affliction, though there are <b><a href="https://www.guitarworld.com/features/gear-acquisition-syndrome">far worse examples</a></b> of it out there than what I've amassed. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbakecpWpAdbWrYZW6-_cZ-vjPZOIxAEPZjGbtuJlxZocArtBpsXe5jUK7qn__OZe8pF6yfGqp-X2ODdvRjgqT2-MRmHJSWHJquJae1N1KbPikIxpEF6RQ9n85b4ByJPUecOYAXlVR2EnCJPP4K9pHi_jn6mcZGg0MWJZq8JASwpJSkofvblbnxL6SE9j/s1400/dave4.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGbakecpWpAdbWrYZW6-_cZ-vjPZOIxAEPZjGbtuJlxZocArtBpsXe5jUK7qn__OZe8pF6yfGqp-X2ODdvRjgqT2-MRmHJSWHJquJae1N1KbPikIxpEF6RQ9n85b4ByJPUecOYAXlVR2EnCJPP4K9pHi_jn6mcZGg0MWJZq8JASwpJSkofvblbnxL6SE9j/s400/dave4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Speaking of, Dave's recently moved from their Fitchburg location to their new one in Sun Prairie — they really needed more space. <b><a href="https://www.davesguitar.com/pages/about-us">Founded</a></b> by Dave Rogers in 1982, it's always a dangerous endeavor to visit for fear of finding something I feel like I just <i>have</i> to own. Incidentally, Dave has one of the largest privately owned vintage electric guitar collections out there, which you can see <a href="https://www.davesguitar.com/pages/the-dave-rogers-collection"><b>here</b></a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As for new and used contemporary models, they have plenty of Fender guitars ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84EEdnwuv2NFKjJPqTgeK90LZ4Pt479opoeTvAhlf7vnUcbSiTBPZLsgqM2pOC56XvoMjrpwCccoIyfBBMGOhXyz8ie6nUm_ahpw1rc7BjAMnEg9tFcW6S51lfjbyn5o_2yqwNkg-57EY4co97vkCFQ-aCV5gVFK7WGjQxu5N5u8qUss_pANJl8gPAk1Y/s1024/dave1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="592" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh84EEdnwuv2NFKjJPqTgeK90LZ4Pt479opoeTvAhlf7vnUcbSiTBPZLsgqM2pOC56XvoMjrpwCccoIyfBBMGOhXyz8ie6nUm_ahpw1rc7BjAMnEg9tFcW6S51lfjbyn5o_2yqwNkg-57EY4co97vkCFQ-aCV5gVFK7WGjQxu5N5u8qUss_pANJl8gPAk1Y/s400/dave1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Gibson ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVqOmCd8EKC5CossRaiYLWYbxPpSDEvkvkG4hcprFnEIIeI-TM2tGecKtPenqHaaymj4nxp3JRfg9HQsIMGwjnYV7i_f7vD9Uul9tX-oHTiwq54QcAOZe7mNuLUdiPVHyoE2XQJu65olrqb0VujPfaaSNM3htV2NxMM9j15VzUUdrQUGd6qLVXS_kf8zs/s1024/dave2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="594" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixVqOmCd8EKC5CossRaiYLWYbxPpSDEvkvkG4hcprFnEIIeI-TM2tGecKtPenqHaaymj4nxp3JRfg9HQsIMGwjnYV7i_f7vD9Uul9tX-oHTiwq54QcAOZe7mNuLUdiPVHyoE2XQJu65olrqb0VujPfaaSNM3htV2NxMM9j15VzUUdrQUGd6qLVXS_kf8zs/s400/dave2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Paul Reed Smith ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZ4Qz2OP0jatjSsp3ThHCDFb2vWjXckZDid1S1uBJJ6lAu7aGp00hZKi2NhITOBK1bADs9xKc5QDdHMJ6jX3g9WfyxnpFBvZx5fcexqT0CqjNcYFbn6TU3gphW3-oQb6KlwPOIAzw4fkqzLWeNuvTING-fETnkcUxgM7o1dzx1NneUFnx6jtTgBFz3nYo/s1024/dave3.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="609" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZ4Qz2OP0jatjSsp3ThHCDFb2vWjXckZDid1S1uBJJ6lAu7aGp00hZKi2NhITOBK1bADs9xKc5QDdHMJ6jX3g9WfyxnpFBvZx5fcexqT0CqjNcYFbn6TU3gphW3-oQb6KlwPOIAzw4fkqzLWeNuvTING-fETnkcUxgM7o1dzx1NneUFnx6jtTgBFz3nYo/s400/dave3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Pricey Fender Custom Shop guitars ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbGc_SOpnpbqI_YrXef4q8ZAs6F4SZNZry25dFYa_Fz5btX0Fqku_HhjCJ8OqfAap46m6Ssc6J6VN99aeuulLMHDKmHpV5SICHbT4irrcjK9NUmtyU_muXZVRKeqAc3ykzg_3qlLDB_a3tnzw_OOQIThG0Yhyphenhyphen2DSFIT1GeWXCyv-fJFLzNbmnjLdRcOCl/s1024/yikes.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="622" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUbGc_SOpnpbqI_YrXef4q8ZAs6F4SZNZry25dFYa_Fz5btX0Fqku_HhjCJ8OqfAap46m6Ssc6J6VN99aeuulLMHDKmHpV5SICHbT4irrcjK9NUmtyU_muXZVRKeqAc3ykzg_3qlLDB_a3tnzw_OOQIThG0Yhyphenhyphen2DSFIT1GeWXCyv-fJFLzNbmnjLdRcOCl/s400/yikes.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Of recent mods/builds ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTvhirVAB-CkW8pBy9p4CkE_F-nLVB-AReurW3ebSwUxjYcQgH5wl8YBtNsjue_85EI64KygEDMCOz4ZjmJH8rBdTQIQ7JC0pleDk5FJw6tO_67pnCAQB5n4dlSQ1ZNd4kd2tfr3vd6U0wJonQhrrab71JaVNbzcWAQPTPDf3RJYAZTJDfiJPWtIu_T4B/s1024/newburst2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtTvhirVAB-CkW8pBy9p4CkE_F-nLVB-AReurW3ebSwUxjYcQgH5wl8YBtNsjue_85EI64KygEDMCOz4ZjmJH8rBdTQIQ7JC0pleDk5FJw6tO_67pnCAQB5n4dlSQ1ZNd4kd2tfr3vd6U0wJonQhrrab71JaVNbzcWAQPTPDf3RJYAZTJDfiJPWtIu_T4B/s400/newburst2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">You would call this a "partscaster" (as they're known in the Strat community) on account that it's comprised of parts from other Stratocasters. The neck and tuners are from one guitar, purchased a new body, pickup and pot covers, etc. For this build I wanted kind of a Stevie Ray Vaughn look (sans initials), but with a maple neck rather than rosewood. I've got a couple of other builds that I'm working on and will write about them once complete.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaDAUlXzFcgIv3O3qHNDfkhJPWf8V3Sa3TGIvt8O-_ETq0efHJNpg5jvdSUWRPhoCbMSMg3Fmv2TNqO1865ZeW5WPy-mIboSgin1PoWqvM6FGesUmLIhItIX-OFsVr067tO6J9PQf51kLa-cpGsMPtU0dxo9aVadC1FPz0DIXBPH9ofjI2RRWCdAk8JkI/s1024/pot.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="599" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaDAUlXzFcgIv3O3qHNDfkhJPWf8V3Sa3TGIvt8O-_ETq0efHJNpg5jvdSUWRPhoCbMSMg3Fmv2TNqO1865ZeW5WPy-mIboSgin1PoWqvM6FGesUmLIhItIX-OFsVr067tO6J9PQf51kLa-cpGsMPtU0dxo9aVadC1FPz0DIXBPH9ofjI2RRWCdAk8JkI/s400/pot.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Naturally, with play comes maintenance and repairs. A tone potentiometer broke on my Ultra Gold/Seymour Duncan Stratocaster, so I replaced it — I've gotten pretty good at soldering replacement components. Since the strings were off, I polished up the pickguard and hardware before restringing it:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jzgG2o62YoVI3Og_vInsKGJzcv3ajYYIrHWz63m7THilVWzUYPs4weeZC1DmLX1HZbgNkIbPNRif2A7gsjXV1FsaNqjXOWSr8EwLS5o5izr2D6s0zBYmE0ngSgShpl8o88XXXixMTTRjY7AF8Ezmg2sWFfHbe85kYEratF7SXU-Ra32RxlZ0ILMAryq2/s1024/ug.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2jzgG2o62YoVI3Og_vInsKGJzcv3ajYYIrHWz63m7THilVWzUYPs4weeZC1DmLX1HZbgNkIbPNRif2A7gsjXV1FsaNqjXOWSr8EwLS5o5izr2D6s0zBYmE0ngSgShpl8o88XXXixMTTRjY7AF8Ezmg2sWFfHbe85kYEratF7SXU-Ra32RxlZ0ILMAryq2/s400/ug.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">A few of my guitars have solid rosewood necks and needed to be oiled — here you can see a before and after shot:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JMs9RZRpYwze2mEa988wrY1zcXSWvhQEAPN94hyphenhyphenJ6IKy1x1sgwcNDegktzdcqXB9bJyXhjQLYDNVbhxbBonPvpRM9AN2_ZRFeUWf8nZqTdYs3YlGp6oHv9YVTHF5okfWMBFt9OAZs7eXUXGrMpKIzNF_RFBQhQXs7tW7ryAr1A-rwDNrd4gsV_ZjNdWX/s1024/oil.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="641" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3JMs9RZRpYwze2mEa988wrY1zcXSWvhQEAPN94hyphenhyphenJ6IKy1x1sgwcNDegktzdcqXB9bJyXhjQLYDNVbhxbBonPvpRM9AN2_ZRFeUWf8nZqTdYs3YlGp6oHv9YVTHF5okfWMBFt9OAZs7eXUXGrMpKIzNF_RFBQhQXs7tW7ryAr1A-rwDNrd4gsV_ZjNdWX/s400/oil.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's been especially dry this winter and I do cycle through the guitars once every month or so to make sure they're doing well — at least none of fret sprout! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NWIYWg7b_oh8FZ6dnK-p6MdDjubJHWusrHuAgJfnAW1Dk95fHIRRihRI2LUm2y4Taj2LBpDwIWQI-FQhm7R15vyfOlA7EI7VNSGNMkBgG4qSVOi5O9nITTDHG6lh-a71AqHjU8UpZ2s5ZDhV9d8xW5jlHFJIDDc3DLRtkwRqzbzUKfAzpvR6wE2Ej-mJ/s1024/hum1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="626" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_NWIYWg7b_oh8FZ6dnK-p6MdDjubJHWusrHuAgJfnAW1Dk95fHIRRihRI2LUm2y4Taj2LBpDwIWQI-FQhm7R15vyfOlA7EI7VNSGNMkBgG4qSVOi5O9nITTDHG6lh-a71AqHjU8UpZ2s5ZDhV9d8xW5jlHFJIDDc3DLRtkwRqzbzUKfAzpvR6wE2Ej-mJ/s400/hum1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To keep guitar wood healthy, I maintain a constant humidity level between 45 and 50% in my apartment. During the dry winter months, these means running humidifiers. I have a couple of these HuPro Humidifiers — lots of features and run super quiet. As an added health bonus, my nasal passages are happier as well.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmS9KlEJK2oDgFV6rl7_7MMbD5TLNYcqGNqxVmF5DHNLUnFLRS8K_ZWA-9jUWMyHCn42eyEuawKL7vf7C434133U1Jfk3pyz1NNi5djUv9OR2L8zK1Jb-8NWjGHKg72Tw39coLyWswGSBlImjGPnMc5OjCu9NldCviK-vO5KlCtKLPv8H7T8KJmhO-V9rk/s1024/hum2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="647" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmS9KlEJK2oDgFV6rl7_7MMbD5TLNYcqGNqxVmF5DHNLUnFLRS8K_ZWA-9jUWMyHCn42eyEuawKL7vf7C434133U1Jfk3pyz1NNi5djUv9OR2L8zK1Jb-8NWjGHKg72Tw39coLyWswGSBlImjGPnMc5OjCu9NldCviK-vO5KlCtKLPv8H7T8KJmhO-V9rk/s400/hum2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Here's my Bordeaux Metallic HSS all polished up ...</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I keep my Eric Johnson Stratocaster plugged in to my amp and effects next to my desk, ready to play. I've been taking online lessons at <b><a href="https://truefire.com/">TrueFire</a></b> to further develop my technique and style. I'm no Gilmour or Eddie, so there's always something to learn. Matt Schofield's blues course is pretty darn good. </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">When I want to shoegaze it, I use my recently purchased Shields Blender, developed in conjunction by Fender and Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine. I enjoy good distortion/fuzz as much as any rock guitarist and this effect pedal is extremely versatile in terms of crunch, sound, and tone. I don't have any personal samples to share right now, but if you want to hear what can be done with it, check out this <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVf4w7iY144&t=368s">YouTube video</a></b>.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Playing, building, and learning about guitars has been a very rewarding and creative way to spend my time, especially during the winter months. Whether strumming favorite tunes, improvising blues or jazz, experimenting with different effects, it provides an endless outlet for focus and self-expression.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2024 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-52194967293781647982024-01-21T15:33:00.001-06:002024-01-21T15:33:50.798-06:00Ice!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Snow was falling, so much like stars filling the dark trees that one could easily imagine its reason for being was nothing more than prettiness."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— Mary Oliver</div></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Amidst the crisp embrace of a winter day, I embarked on a photographic journey to capture the ephemeral beauty of ice structures sculpted by nature's frigid touch. The biting cold, with temperatures lingering in the teens, painted the landscape in hues of frost and solitude. Bundled against the chill, the wind whispered tales of winter's might, carrying with it the essence of an untamed season. The air, crisp and invigorating, echoed with the muted symphony of a winter day, where nature's quietude held sway.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92R5kCV2V8TRnDW4PdUBHtWHUPdDBJHxNbF8tLKAhnhUJGZnD56AgLNeDrwEeIPcruugrNBTc4jCTIwhcS2H4YM6jzn6vYzS-nC270uQt7tH3ompxc1lvCCioP1j_1HZ-dYAQlpA5QPK2DPwgJ_5onMg0HM3Az8ckupy1205KXheQc0wAzUUJCQ5Buf18/s1500/ice2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="967" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92R5kCV2V8TRnDW4PdUBHtWHUPdDBJHxNbF8tLKAhnhUJGZnD56AgLNeDrwEeIPcruugrNBTc4jCTIwhcS2H4YM6jzn6vYzS-nC270uQt7tH3ompxc1lvCCioP1j_1HZ-dYAQlpA5QPK2DPwgJ_5onMg0HM3Az8ckupy1205KXheQc0wAzUUJCQ5Buf18/s400/ice2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I ventured forth, the elements became my companions, shaping not only the ice structures but also the narrative of my photographic odyssey. The relentless wind, dancing with the cold, revealed a world where resilience and beauty coexisted. In this frozen tableau, the absence of avian melodies accentuated the hushed elegance of the icy tapestry. The silence allowed me to delve into the intricate details of the ice formations, each crystalline facet a testament to nature's artistry.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Armed with a camera, my lens became a conduit between the tangible and the ethereal. The black and white palette I chose to immortalize these frozen wonders lent a timeless quality to the images, capturing the essence of a winter day suspended in a monochromatic reverie. Each photograph told a story of a moment seized from the grasp of winter's icy hands, a testament to the harmonious dance between the photographer and the enchanting beauty of nature's wintry creations.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Later on in the day, snowshoeing at Pope Farm Conservancy in the Town of Middleton was a delightful expedition, embracing the winter wonderland that unfolded beneath the snowy canopy. As the snowshoes crunched beneath each step, the pristine landscape of the conservancy transformed into a playground of white serenity. The wooded trails and open fields, adorned in their winter finery, invited exploration and communion with the tranquil embrace of the season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The rhythmic cadence of snowshoes on the snow-covered paths echoed the heartbeat of nature, as if the very earth was sharing its secrets through the language of crunching snow. The Conservancy, blanketed in a pristine layer of snow, revealed a serene beauty, untouched and unspoiled. The crisp winter air, invigorating and pure, filled each breath, making the journey an immersive experience in the heart of winter's embrace.</div></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQpiFhRdFIFbbD1fUkjcoBehNbSDg1ZZI9ael28VoQqi4jXxNR4THZq7frPW-W-fKqRojMR4aR7T12ZpdeejEZRcu4cXtsDBNuVZor56JKcoNvgodUSfdwJQqPx-MuWVXGdU0Xfd50gQ3o3BNQLL44sNJxeZT8uxv943H-Ma7ln1jpA-bTmjYPc6XJ5ju/s1024/ice12.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQpiFhRdFIFbbD1fUkjcoBehNbSDg1ZZI9ael28VoQqi4jXxNR4THZq7frPW-W-fKqRojMR4aR7T12ZpdeejEZRcu4cXtsDBNuVZor56JKcoNvgodUSfdwJQqPx-MuWVXGdU0Xfd50gQ3o3BNQLL44sNJxeZT8uxv943H-Ma7ln1jpA-bTmjYPc6XJ5ju/s400/ice12.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2024 Mike McDowell</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-15693129585512692022024-01-19T14:31:00.004-06:002024-01-19T14:54:54.847-06:00Scams on the Rise!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0t4VFSElGKFW2JglLtxtA1HMqx3KTuohxNJsP09LAElAzPyesvHSj1AdPDZXpgTDaN_VIXJbkX56XkU2b0f83JSfTVqcq05oVrE2yO5dEi9hRjMqezTyvaVUu45_aIomY-9CY5HKeMEVtD0CXtm5P7AxqBXLz9Y8ey18zefZDYIfn0yFqOVunZGKMfGnG/s670/modem.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="670" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0t4VFSElGKFW2JglLtxtA1HMqx3KTuohxNJsP09LAElAzPyesvHSj1AdPDZXpgTDaN_VIXJbkX56XkU2b0f83JSfTVqcq05oVrE2yO5dEi9hRjMqezTyvaVUu45_aIomY-9CY5HKeMEVtD0CXtm5P7AxqBXLz9Y8ey18zefZDYIfn0yFqOVunZGKMfGnG/s400/modem.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Back in 1982, I was the first kid on my block with a 300 baud modem. While there were a few local dialup Bulletin Board Systems (BBSs) to explore, there wasn't much to offer the home-based telecommunication enthusiast back in the day. There were also things like Telnet and Compuserve, FidoNet, but not much else one could connect to. The Internet existed as ARPANET (initiated in 1966), but was a long way off from being in the public sphere.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">To say my early years with computer technology was an adventure would be an understatement — almost immediately, things like hacking, phreaking, and other illegal activities involving scammers and scamming came to my attention. At my old IT job at CUNA Mutual I was involved with plastic card fraud. First with Eagle Optics, then Vortex Optics, I became intimately familiar with a wide variety of online fraud and scams and worked diligently to thwart their efforts. I got really good at it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I cannot be fooled by them — it's just embedded in my psyche to <i>always</i> be on the alert for nefarious cyber scams. Alas, this is not the case for people who do not have the same background and experiences I have had, but I'm going to give the general public a valuable tool that can be used to spot scammer websites — <b><a href="https://www.godaddy.com/whois">WHOIS</a></b>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Simply copy and paste a website address into it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Are you on a questionable eCommerce website? Here's one:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Domain Name: VORTEXSPOTTING.COM<br />
Registry Domain ID: 2833908026_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN<br />
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.dynadot.com<br />
Registrar URL: http://www.dynadot.com<br />
Updated Date: 2023-11-30T09:17:44Z<br /><b>
Creation Date: 2023-11-30T09:17:34Z</b><br />
Registry Expiry Date: 2024-11-30T09:17:34Z<br />
Registrar: Dynadot Inc<br />
Registrar IANA ID: 472<br />
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: abuse@dynadot.com<br />
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +16502620100<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Now compare that with a legitimate website:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Domain Name: VORTEXOPTICS.COM<br />
Registry Domain ID: 100902741_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN<br />
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.comlaude.com<br />
Registrar URL: http://www.comlaude.com<br />
Updated Date: 2023-06-22T23:12:17Z<br /><b>
Creation Date: 2003-07-22T14:34:48Z</b><br />
Registry Expiry Date: 2024-07-22T14:34:48Z<br />
Registrar: Nom-iq Ltd. dba COM LAUDE<br />
Registrar IANA ID: 470<br />
Registrar Abuse Contact Email: abuse@comlaude.com<br />
Registrar Abuse Contact Phone: +442074218250<br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Note the difference in the Creation Date field: 11/30/2023 versus 07/22/2003</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Ask yourself — has Vortex Optics only been around since November of 2023, or more like sometime in 2003? Would you enter your credit card into a website that was created just a month or so ago? Of course you wouldn't, right? Well, you shouldn't! Not unless you're eager to have your debit or credit card replaced. A recent website creation date is a sure-sign of scammer activity.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Online scams, in all of their current forms, are at the worst levels I've observed in my fraud prevention role at work. Since many of them originate outside of the United States, there isn't much US law enforcement can do about it. Alas, merchants and consumers are essentially on their own, and both must be cautious and vigilant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">During the past several months, scammers have been copying images from a variety of merchant websites and embedding them into their own phony eCommerce websites. These websites are designed to do one thing and one thing only: lure in unsuspecting customers and steal their billing credentials. They do this by offering beyond ridiculous <i>too-good-to-be-true</i> deals on products. The websites are quite sophisticated and include social engineering features to induce FOMO (fear of missing out). Once they have your billing data, they run them through a type of <a href="https://birddigiscoper.blogspot.com/2012/03/what-i-do.html"><b>Credit Card Triangulation Scam</b></a> in order to launder the funds. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Don't fall for these scams! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Use <a href="https://www.godaddy.com/whois"><b>WHOIS</b></a>.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-87327715782972015442024-01-15T18:02:00.001-06:002024-01-15T18:02:04.160-06:00Nope.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gDtw1PaUQuvrAZhxTmQkxyw6cv90S5MJSKRBr0glsmsL6Kar9LzZhLyWYT0jT-D_JzWBLP_j8OZt6V2YwWANCHjka5ldYCux2xEkxHRO1yFntmiEa2uedqRO_usNjfrPvESQBRI24KH2gRr2yw9osdknxC-bUZ3GBrbom-O2mhDBJw7uAb-Ed0nCMtTo/s1072/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-14%20at%207.58.25%20AM.png" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; clear: left; float: left;"><img alt="" border="0" width="400" data-original-height="779" data-original-width="1072" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gDtw1PaUQuvrAZhxTmQkxyw6cv90S5MJSKRBr0glsmsL6Kar9LzZhLyWYT0jT-D_JzWBLP_j8OZt6V2YwWANCHjka5ldYCux2xEkxHRO1yFntmiEa2uedqRO_usNjfrPvESQBRI24KH2gRr2yw9osdknxC-bUZ3GBrbom-O2mhDBJw7uAb-Ed0nCMtTo/s400/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-14%20at%207.58.25%20AM.png"/></a></div><p> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-25297805281779377322024-01-07T15:05:00.003-06:002024-01-07T15:05:59.679-06:002024 Begins<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer." </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— Albert Camus</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikvf_kh2T-1GOfqW2Imuv-bHdyk-3zJO5r3nq-ig-iOSpf0yFTjZo6k9XTPdBfwz6Pcov52mpv-WXtwhVPjONUt652pTVpa9Uhtbfx-WGKF1_IITz6xGmJKUlvSC5GE6Gs3oSm139SXjb-m8kh85wnRSe9QRJ2zAFqvkeHnck840o6NlTh0vDQhYPzLoG/s1500/pb1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikvf_kh2T-1GOfqW2Imuv-bHdyk-3zJO5r3nq-ig-iOSpf0yFTjZo6k9XTPdBfwz6Pcov52mpv-WXtwhVPjONUt652pTVpa9Uhtbfx-WGKF1_IITz6xGmJKUlvSC5GE6Gs3oSm139SXjb-m8kh85wnRSe9QRJ2zAFqvkeHnck840o6NlTh0vDQhYPzLoG/s400/pb1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As I embark on my 19th year of nature blogging, the allure of winter birding draws me into a familiar yet ever-thrilling adventure. The landscape, adorned with its wintry tapestry of snow and patches of exposed earth, sets the stage for a scene I've witnessed evolve over nearly three decades. Sparrows, perennial favorites, grace this snow-kissed canvas with their varied species and intricate behaviors. Sparrows found during my opening outing were Song, Fox, Swamp, White-throated, American Tree, and Dark-eyed Juncos. Other birds included Brown Creeper, Pine Siskin, Horned Lark, American Kestrel, and many other resident winter birds. I was surprised to find that several Sandhill Cranes are over-wintering at the marsh. They're not going to be too thrilled about next weekend's cold-snap!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkd5pXSMC76RI7TbmpLkJd3x_AaWd8LX7nuUSBd7k3Pc_fqF-I_SR35HcG11EktVeu54YCsKx3OG-hXFAqv3p7TfEvEFBdzGdVeQkhclXS7aLNKDLnHFc7xenCkQy8gIDD87triLxIkji2D28NFglM_2SkjwuMZS3FYl5pMkGkNOKs2c3VOrHdP4Jno76/s1400/pb2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkd5pXSMC76RI7TbmpLkJd3x_AaWd8LX7nuUSBd7k3Pc_fqF-I_SR35HcG11EktVeu54YCsKx3OG-hXFAqv3p7TfEvEFBdzGdVeQkhclXS7aLNKDLnHFc7xenCkQy8gIDD87triLxIkji2D28NFglM_2SkjwuMZS3FYl5pMkGkNOKs2c3VOrHdP4Jno76/s400/pb2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I deliberately transformed my vibrant captures into a more subdued black and white rendition. Wondering why the switch? Imagine a day where nature unfolded in shades of grey — the wintry landscape seamlessly merging with the muted sky. My goal was to immerse you in that peaceful ambiance, allowing each image to echo the tranquil essence of that winter day, where nature's grace wasn't just in the birds but in the harmonious monochrome canvas it presented.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv4mLxZZtkO9mrzJLtLXoMV2p9V1WB3aKzZXEcTlGCLiOZ4XrC2yze73fpswqW_igvjz4-5o69BBWnjO7kIieA-IzN8T2uSEtUlMiT16YiUH-GEn8CbXVvW9PSMJfhZnhUe6cl6UGD1eK3n36gYhwB6LL2XarpzCnCx90TuuDlOyutWZlSvxC5DTLM8GF/s1024/pb3.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="654" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv4mLxZZtkO9mrzJLtLXoMV2p9V1WB3aKzZXEcTlGCLiOZ4XrC2yze73fpswqW_igvjz4-5o69BBWnjO7kIieA-IzN8T2uSEtUlMiT16YiUH-GEn8CbXVvW9PSMJfhZnhUe6cl6UGD1eK3n36gYhwB6LL2XarpzCnCx90TuuDlOyutWZlSvxC5DTLM8GF/s400/pb3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYiPqD9lcGwVePTvWZOQvSw8l8EupTBN4v01MhORzJNl8BbcE2ofxg95EBBeGtMtlExSWrMtJDog-H9uQW4tnU_98dafOb7YTUa50wQZVpWa5s7cEpI-1QvZIhKB85M_zjFEkEDqSVlkyOXdeFx-yvApsMStxSOxWea3drZphqSPz4IteIpSs6Llnbg1m/s1300/pb5.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYiPqD9lcGwVePTvWZOQvSw8l8EupTBN4v01MhORzJNl8BbcE2ofxg95EBBeGtMtlExSWrMtJDog-H9uQW4tnU_98dafOb7YTUa50wQZVpWa5s7cEpI-1QvZIhKB85M_zjFEkEDqSVlkyOXdeFx-yvApsMStxSOxWea3drZphqSPz4IteIpSs6Llnbg1m/s400/pb5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Some scenes from Pheasant Branch ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMfehmoFyLYUGgk1kA4vuHgKkW079aniyjP1l_zQJLhmoYNYWJtUn2zvx242nfrUhj-UvWVMHiSgbqJMtm5HfNWnvTp5Mg-mplCy_h0h1ls4xo_vbhBQow0MvHpikmttzK_SSRS9Nl00__rQcMshYxaZIlDGr-8PI_VFORbKZ1B1EKJiSEV_A0Pxi02hb/s1600/pb4.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="911" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMfehmoFyLYUGgk1kA4vuHgKkW079aniyjP1l_zQJLhmoYNYWJtUn2zvx242nfrUhj-UvWVMHiSgbqJMtm5HfNWnvTp5Mg-mplCy_h0h1ls4xo_vbhBQow0MvHpikmttzK_SSRS9Nl00__rQcMshYxaZIlDGr-8PI_VFORbKZ1B1EKJiSEV_A0Pxi02hb/s400/pb4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">That's the drumlin in the background.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCeqBmzuChzW4Xz_EZSH_ab4MbfHkUV-zmVe3PY9SLes981NnLMI-nQpeLl9J2P39lje5_VZQFr-bTO9amfVsfel_Gh7LZu4lH4wqxd0yYmIrnGjOdmY9lDRWv9U9-SNm24WFPzeAqaEElcFMQBj8Atm7Bzw0JOrV5fs6m965fOejsMPzSn8A0cPRX0jN/s1600/pb6.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlCeqBmzuChzW4Xz_EZSH_ab4MbfHkUV-zmVe3PY9SLes981NnLMI-nQpeLl9J2P39lje5_VZQFr-bTO9amfVsfel_Gh7LZu4lH4wqxd0yYmIrnGjOdmY9lDRWv9U9-SNm24WFPzeAqaEElcFMQBj8Atm7Bzw0JOrV5fs6m965fOejsMPzSn8A0cPRX0jN/s400/pb6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Black and white images strip away the vibrant hues of nature, revealing the essence that transcends colors. In the absence of chromatic distractions, it invites one to witness the raw poetry of existence. Each shade of grey unveils a narrative, drawing us closer to the silent whispers of the natural world. In this monochromatic symphony, nature speaks in whispers, inviting us to contemplate its profound mysteries without the allure of color but with depth of timeless wisdom.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVe6XowQ9gjAVqS3mXBIbe5cpRtbnayoeHP8-yswlkuP3mwjJH8NHz3ghg1F6qc_YKauMc0ypFIrVLK6OZYRBRlRTUvci_tSJX2brYck4dqNSctnqZUDTsM05_gmGNKkAADKeZuVnLEGTJWxwfMrmrzVjff8oGPEC0plPCpmSzDcRPXqX3KmjoGLRXIT7/s1024/pb7.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdVe6XowQ9gjAVqS3mXBIbe5cpRtbnayoeHP8-yswlkuP3mwjJH8NHz3ghg1F6qc_YKauMc0ypFIrVLK6OZYRBRlRTUvci_tSJX2brYck4dqNSctnqZUDTsM05_gmGNKkAADKeZuVnLEGTJWxwfMrmrzVjff8oGPEC0plPCpmSzDcRPXqX3KmjoGLRXIT7/s400/pb7.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Maybe I should do all of 2024 in black and white?</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxz0VHkqkyTPZHPnszQLvEFE7_Qm8KssD0TJl35YXyVSTAUqPPxfslqI3I_k62pYZ4-Z3aDDSdgAwi4UIw-MJSWK05I2uhsisR-qqkCID0IDkuQRF1UESMIbgp5eWakEXra_TH5hpiQdKM7J5ZuprfYMegfS0aYc5IYkuvk4ztAHxxExn1IkbhkF5urAVm/s1024/pb8.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxz0VHkqkyTPZHPnszQLvEFE7_Qm8KssD0TJl35YXyVSTAUqPPxfslqI3I_k62pYZ4-Z3aDDSdgAwi4UIw-MJSWK05I2uhsisR-qqkCID0IDkuQRF1UESMIbgp5eWakEXra_TH5hpiQdKM7J5ZuprfYMegfS0aYc5IYkuvk4ztAHxxExn1IkbhkF5urAVm/s400/pb8.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosxzA8kez0QbbKJBBPK_MLUFJPLpBvytciizz3HPhyphenhyphenz_anKvBg9dG-OsH56oJscJWLkJ1FSwGmRouXrFepI3Rwukq4di8aCB3l4NRtD1KZzL95jV3vb67D89VVExneJ4-WFJZBQVYVt89UOtalc_z9t5UkLqd2uqma-xpPzX0WzcXOWExAsmL3SHMPHoV/s1024/pb9.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="576" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosxzA8kez0QbbKJBBPK_MLUFJPLpBvytciizz3HPhyphenhyphenz_anKvBg9dG-OsH56oJscJWLkJ1FSwGmRouXrFepI3Rwukq4di8aCB3l4NRtD1KZzL95jV3vb67D89VVExneJ4-WFJZBQVYVt89UOtalc_z9t5UkLqd2uqma-xpPzX0WzcXOWExAsmL3SHMPHoV/s400/pb9.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This year, the usually steadfast embrace of winter's chill upon Lake Mendota in Wisconsin appears to be wavering, a subtle departure from the familiar rhythm of nature's cycle. In recorded history, it has never <i>not </i>frozen during winter. The tranquil expanse, typically adorned in a glistening coat of ice during these months, presents a different scene — a reflection, perhaps, of the nuanced dance between climate and the natural world. While a singular year of a non-freezing lake might seem a curious anomaly, it beckons us to pause and ponder the subtle whispers of change that echo across our landscapes. Such shifts, in their quiet subtlety, often carry profound messages about the evolving heartbeat of our planet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPam4_sppDNkDdQ1GeTvgA9AJkRGOElnh2duB2O6h-0aYLbgD9AW7UloMRp-IAu5wKqSInjtFUonV5YbrDUraiII76bNt5QLuOTPV-D_zpu97ap3JA036z56pHG36ySXraIzW5e5ETyGVPy9RJ4y9bhRBndBwT-Tglk0z6ihkAB9Uybp1mznWu_dUMw_CC/s1024/pb10.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="587" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPam4_sppDNkDdQ1GeTvgA9AJkRGOElnh2duB2O6h-0aYLbgD9AW7UloMRp-IAu5wKqSInjtFUonV5YbrDUraiII76bNt5QLuOTPV-D_zpu97ap3JA036z56pHG36ySXraIzW5e5ETyGVPy9RJ4y9bhRBndBwT-Tglk0z6ihkAB9Uybp1mznWu_dUMw_CC/s400/pb10.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2024 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-25981318812440766992023-12-25T11:23:00.002-06:002023-12-25T11:24:58.710-06:00The Truth Is ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9OHoUaphpz_9t661Pri4cvTjkhcA0WGfuV1meY7MzSfqNoUIDiShFHsVdX5T4FdGavulhRxDMdf3vGYVQ9VEiqTf8oO2D5uXRNqMddbQF6RvvD4GY1LOVsRNA30CCoiEW2K6XUameS2Bk0D0IlLvheXLsX6A2Yzf7K8djdy1ybUvXzjweVtn0g7Q9WrW/s1216/jwt.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx9OHoUaphpz_9t661Pri4cvTjkhcA0WGfuV1meY7MzSfqNoUIDiShFHsVdX5T4FdGavulhRxDMdf3vGYVQ9VEiqTf8oO2D5uXRNqMddbQF6RvvD4GY1LOVsRNA30CCoiEW2K6XUameS2Bk0D0IlLvheXLsX6A2Yzf7K8djdy1ybUvXzjweVtn0g7Q9WrW/s400/jwt.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> </p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">About 13.5 billion years ago, matter, energy, time and space came into being in what is known as the Big Bang. The story of these fundamental features of our universe is called physics.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">About 300,000 years after their appearance, matter and energy started to coalesce into complex structures, called atoms, which then combined into molecules. The story of atoms, molecules and their interactions is called chemistry.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">About 3.8 billion years ago, on a planet called Earth, certain molecules combined to form particularly large and intricate structures called organisms. The story of organisms is called biology.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">About 70,000 years ago, organisms belonging to the species Homo sapiens started to form even more elaborate structures called cultures. The subsequent development of these human cultures is called history. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Three important revolutions shaped the course of history: the Cognitive Revolution kick-started history about 70,000 years ago. The Agricultural Revolution sped it up about 12,000 years ago. The Scientific Revolution, which got underway only 500 years ago, may well end history and start something completely different. This book [Sapiens] tells the story of how these three revolutions have affected humans and their fellow organisms.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There were humans long before there was history. Animals much like modern humans first appeared about 2.5 million years ago. But for countless generations they did not stand out from the myriad other organisms with which they shared their habitats.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— Yuval Noah Harari, <i>Sapiens</i></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This Holiday Season, free yourself from intellectual intimidation, transcendental blackmail, and religious misology.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Image: James Webb Space Telescope</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-85348154839852877082023-12-19T10:25:00.051-06:002023-12-19T18:07:03.143-06:00The 2023 Tiger Beetle Season!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Every year, I give myself the gift of a new adventure, exploring the world nature has painted."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— Unknown</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2uSUJxE3Ea2fDxGiPdVodFcddcs9K3yCGMia_ubALVubohz9cWVrTPdkSD2eWIgmtkEUPFiowj7OL3zwEnGMkhGZ12HhHdRZSNITKYXka3BtdQ3V-82Zts_SDD3gJ0BpzEWIDBiI1vpYUfHvyZpGs4Z9Z39hppgWVYOgG66ZAR1tW-mssAItxvIWQv7J/s1400/fest8.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="919" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2uSUJxE3Ea2fDxGiPdVodFcddcs9K3yCGMia_ubALVubohz9cWVrTPdkSD2eWIgmtkEUPFiowj7OL3zwEnGMkhGZ12HhHdRZSNITKYXka3BtdQ3V-82Zts_SDD3gJ0BpzEWIDBiI1vpYUfHvyZpGs4Z9Z39hppgWVYOgG66ZAR1tW-mssAItxvIWQv7J/s400/fest8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">December tiptoed in with a delicate dusting of snow, yet I won't dwell on it — it melted, leaving our fields to revert back to their familiar brown.Instead, I'll share reflections on the 2023 Tiger Beetle Season. This year held its own charm, though it didn't quite match the richness of previous seasons. I opted out of visiting Necedah NWR for Northern Barrens due to the overwhelming presence of ticks, and alas, my ventures at Spring Green Preserve didn't yield an encounter with a Common Claybank. My explorations bypassed Bloomer and the Chequamegon for Cowpath and Long-lipped beetles, focusing predominantly on Sauk and Dane County species. However, a delightful exception emerged in the form of a solitary Twelve-spotted discovery at Seagull Bar State Natural Area in Marinette.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdG7qsKPzhu0TpV03ySCTFM1G3LsOmCxuNhz-tUIzcuLMMteOhnfyckHC0TAAhV36y1NpSoAgq4t2PUKcSTj5nLmtjGOJPXyI50-vi8rCpiDUWYlY3_AsSwlgyh6zdgFXdzjRhvXUfIFgCc4t5g3nyckBXqWzjznzhaHnqNl0Wrls48mlmHM5vtTPrOIyT/s1400/obl2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="921" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdG7qsKPzhu0TpV03ySCTFM1G3LsOmCxuNhz-tUIzcuLMMteOhnfyckHC0TAAhV36y1NpSoAgq4t2PUKcSTj5nLmtjGOJPXyI50-vi8rCpiDUWYlY3_AsSwlgyh6zdgFXdzjRhvXUfIFgCc4t5g3nyckBXqWzjznzhaHnqNl0Wrls48mlmHM5vtTPrOIyT/s400/obl2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">By early spring, when temperatures climbed into the 60s, Festive, Oblique-lined, and Big Sand Tiger Beetles began to emerge from their underground pupal cases. Spring marks the beginning of their active adult life, focusing on finding mates, feeding, establishing territories (if applicable), and contributing to the reproductive cycle by laying eggs in suitable habitat. And naturally, they must feed to support their metabolism to do all of these important things.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5VxHLDz5RTp9W7oJxIw0YGQG6m9nS_JEn_gF9XLTeRbovR6fPUka7kAVhBvI9TFcTPSGYhlXwyGti4aC1o31d53r6xgy2JvK1OEFbMxX-YZ9VagqI7vUMZirildqjSPhZ216RjhyyY86kSBJnywDaW0JrUWKUqWut1iSaWlE8a-H9sdc6S1zsEmFiJYH/s1378/bigsand1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="885" data-original-width="1378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5VxHLDz5RTp9W7oJxIw0YGQG6m9nS_JEn_gF9XLTeRbovR6fPUka7kAVhBvI9TFcTPSGYhlXwyGti4aC1o31d53r6xgy2JvK1OEFbMxX-YZ9VagqI7vUMZirildqjSPhZ216RjhyyY86kSBJnywDaW0JrUWKUqWut1iSaWlE8a-H9sdc6S1zsEmFiJYH/s400/bigsand1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Come May, when things heat up a little more, Bronzed Tiger Beetles emerge ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn482HAxdWiywdrE3NKWulmX85jlCt2UtZGNmsA7bm-5qX0NacZdPF7j-k-DNwxjywRSqNJCsRuiSowktHhD4WBORGBWg9eqDPkpC7mC-lYP1A1EMR015YpumRVb5SH1mImeRU4j7Gkg2ZV5DWID1Oo09A0jvE0z6xfB4M5ZarigekzgRKfk_ueNcYLbWh/s1300/bronz2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn482HAxdWiywdrE3NKWulmX85jlCt2UtZGNmsA7bm-5qX0NacZdPF7j-k-DNwxjywRSqNJCsRuiSowktHhD4WBORGBWg9eqDPkpC7mC-lYP1A1EMR015YpumRVb5SH1mImeRU4j7Gkg2ZV5DWID1Oo09A0jvE0z6xfB4M5ZarigekzgRKfk_ueNcYLbWh/s400/bronz2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Often in unison with Six-spotted ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6OLluqhDAXmq7wHEUnU-xUNBFwlS1mwGwBCRYXimSJdXGwgXiI5oqVh29LSvJV9oOh_xlZor1GNoJA8ofH_CZ9JuedAkSbVgRbnD5Kdv9A4wQAzXLiq_z9K5c9Z6zv1JW49JhJQZJA2SB_BAmnkoiISQ4-xr77nhHHQXcyay-h3Ova1XJpXR70Mz5wog/s1300/pope8.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6OLluqhDAXmq7wHEUnU-xUNBFwlS1mwGwBCRYXimSJdXGwgXiI5oqVh29LSvJV9oOh_xlZor1GNoJA8ofH_CZ9JuedAkSbVgRbnD5Kdv9A4wQAzXLiq_z9K5c9Z6zv1JW49JhJQZJA2SB_BAmnkoiISQ4-xr77nhHHQXcyay-h3Ova1XJpXR70Mz5wog/s400/pope8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This shot is <a href="https://birddigiscoper.blogspot.com/2023/05/better-ones.html"><b>from a series</b></a> that's one of my favorite tiger beetle sessions of 2023 — having a tiger beetle hunt on a habitat of dead leaves rendered a unique photo opportunity for this species. It isn't unheard of, but I generally encounter Six-spotteds on rocks, dirt, or sand. Pope Farm Conservancy, conveniently located near my apartment, remains the prime spot for capturing high-quality portraits of this particular species.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVNXmw5LRzbOkSrrHWTE7MEAhwqBp70o92xRb7E9nQe6cyZBtKth1rgznjAWA3ZtXQu-MlpOt-ScG2ZKZqFEFYg4kgaDL5UKf1_gg95zYL26e_9Glagkb8c3gPupGHh8EMZYnZUN3uFJGlpWquLhklL0gCSx2KBCow9oNLt-kLm7vsaf4v9icTAxbNOYK/s1400/bughunt3.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtVNXmw5LRzbOkSrrHWTE7MEAhwqBp70o92xRb7E9nQe6cyZBtKth1rgznjAWA3ZtXQu-MlpOt-ScG2ZKZqFEFYg4kgaDL5UKf1_gg95zYL26e_9Glagkb8c3gPupGHh8EMZYnZUN3uFJGlpWquLhklL0gCSx2KBCow9oNLt-kLm7vsaf4v9icTAxbNOYK/s400/bughunt3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I generally find Punctured and Ghost Tiger Beetles mid to late June at the Sauk Prairie Recreational Area, which has become one of my favorite insecting haunts. Sadly, it was a down season for Ghosts, as I only found them during a single outing and their numbers were unusually low. Hopefully this was just a down year (cyclical thing) and they'll emerge in higher numbers next spring/summer. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0adhzUDIoAIcz1EavIfCgvKszZCUnIVaWUqS3QNKfPsYn3i4NVaCwagNB-nkbo4VGMYNC667bJApJOx7u53OCIf_InJcnUDql8y1KjUKb1FmsV6ZpUAU0I07uTmqW88KGEmuxfcPaNqrfPQocPfI3PF0f4Us-uqD1k-NCvJ2UuNzeYxkL6PkbT_imnwh0/s1400/bughunt7.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0adhzUDIoAIcz1EavIfCgvKszZCUnIVaWUqS3QNKfPsYn3i4NVaCwagNB-nkbo4VGMYNC667bJApJOx7u53OCIf_InJcnUDql8y1KjUKb1FmsV6ZpUAU0I07uTmqW88KGEmuxfcPaNqrfPQocPfI3PF0f4Us-uqD1k-NCvJ2UuNzeYxkL6PkbT_imnwh0/s400/bughunt7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Hairy-necked Tiger Beetles were abundant at the Arena Boat Landing again, but their numbers were also a bit lower than the previous season. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROM73vkiNF50z7RjXC4bdKLd5JaF8DjIPjByEIDx41SCy72xxzaJZ3gdaNXZOcO-kiIbopyfJJl4qFJYoF6wYHh-AHaqwYNSjgGSvZJi6qy5NSBqTLCQB9c00Wh2g9w1DURdEJF8xAo4sEtkP0L1JmuFCsedWAROi9bZUjuDIaMuYTmHHdmB7anttiHjf/s1400/hn9.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="891" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiROM73vkiNF50z7RjXC4bdKLd5JaF8DjIPjByEIDx41SCy72xxzaJZ3gdaNXZOcO-kiIbopyfJJl4qFJYoF6wYHh-AHaqwYNSjgGSvZJi6qy5NSBqTLCQB9c00Wh2g9w1DURdEJF8xAo4sEtkP0L1JmuFCsedWAROi9bZUjuDIaMuYTmHHdmB7anttiHjf/s400/hn9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While never plentiful, I found only a single Sandy-stream Tiger Beetle at the Sauk Canoe Launch this summer. Thankfully, I have a backup location for this species, which I did not visit in 2023. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPX25n8Vp4eJZKLlUn_gdWU1ovvOUcjb5Vu-eKOrQerxXPFPA7vM4JwDQ5cCooPw9TlnLQTWkkhB1-DyDKW1FQOA1aCdivSYJhNmFX-TTzNR2SxNl15nuJgIYzpffrjSSCv9hUSbV3u6shgik8q4PxZW2REW5JaUsRO8B-uj5t1xFBS4jSZl5x6QpbMhTp/s1400/sand2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="909" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPX25n8Vp4eJZKLlUn_gdWU1ovvOUcjb5Vu-eKOrQerxXPFPA7vM4JwDQ5cCooPw9TlnLQTWkkhB1-DyDKW1FQOA1aCdivSYJhNmFX-TTzNR2SxNl15nuJgIYzpffrjSSCv9hUSbV3u6shgik8q4PxZW2REW5JaUsRO8B-uj5t1xFBS4jSZl5x6QpbMhTp/s400/sand2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This next photograph is my favorite of the year — a Splendid Tiger Beetle posing stoically on a rock during the late summer season at Spring Green Preserve. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhD3mZifKhM5lDwnvsoo_Fri77tTh6eRCDy3z0vLLY6M-m71TVAuXknuve1b_U5tIZ6OqgdAxJZ8cnO3cBgZXLZh6tVn6Lqs9Pmmf5B_Hfo9I4LaoAcuuMjoRqm3v4XhsYJGna-loHw7cVFoy_rXq-Nyc3hCuJQX1TN2nY_0Qu2hvuKH3q8a_ku2DqOCPq/s1400/spln13.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhD3mZifKhM5lDwnvsoo_Fri77tTh6eRCDy3z0vLLY6M-m71TVAuXknuve1b_U5tIZ6OqgdAxJZ8cnO3cBgZXLZh6tVn6Lqs9Pmmf5B_Hfo9I4LaoAcuuMjoRqm3v4XhsYJGna-loHw7cVFoy_rXq-Nyc3hCuJQX1TN2nY_0Qu2hvuKH3q8a_ku2DqOCPq/s400/spln13.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Usually I find a Common Claybank or two among the Spledids along the rocky outcroppings, but none were found this year. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rounding out the year was an uncommon find — a Twelve-spotted Tiger Beetle photographed at Seagull Bar State Natural Area ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUG5Theq6O_exMK5NlXsVHfTKUmUKpVyiejxh1yVeUCEi_6_dWZGRGC-5Yy-wPugvFSVtC4N0afWsV1D-hqNywaTe8uyMHnBfbW0obDFyAZ1ML0TbTnJUhL6NXvT_9e8dHf72tMerB3DnC5OcBnGPTcJH2k7loTqDszDlA9uU5r7phWiVvtFss_D6cJWd/s1300/tig4.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFUG5Theq6O_exMK5NlXsVHfTKUmUKpVyiejxh1yVeUCEi_6_dWZGRGC-5Yy-wPugvFSVtC4N0afWsV1D-hqNywaTe8uyMHnBfbW0obDFyAZ1ML0TbTnJUhL6NXvT_9e8dHf72tMerB3DnC5OcBnGPTcJH2k7loTqDszDlA9uU5r7phWiVvtFss_D6cJWd/s400/tig4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">There were a gazillion Hairy-necked Tiger Beetles at the bar, which you can revisit <b><a href="https://birddigiscoper.blogspot.com/2023/08/trip-north.html">here</a></b>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Last but not least, the <i>only</i> Virginia Metallic Tiger Beetle found during the late summer/fall season at Spring Green Preserve ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8Fm-cez4ND7HT5HAMqhPSZD2FDaQxYVfb-rUE_hXiDbbrM3cLB7m4dExoPWWTBKerwrhyphenhyphendP-vaTIoamMp0iDgzp7Kaxg2B9iCP6bk9yGU8XOmbBHi2HMynSe8r1wF87uBWV_nwcAfXKgluXIW2_Ky7k_C7EkAFmVOFbE3SJz4W_DARhkdVYrSQz01smu/s1300/tiger5.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="831" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih8Fm-cez4ND7HT5HAMqhPSZD2FDaQxYVfb-rUE_hXiDbbrM3cLB7m4dExoPWWTBKerwrhyphenhyphendP-vaTIoamMp0iDgzp7Kaxg2B9iCP6bk9yGU8XOmbBHi2HMynSe8r1wF87uBWV_nwcAfXKgluXIW2_Ky7k_C7EkAFmVOFbE3SJz4W_DARhkdVYrSQz01smu/s400/tiger5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In concluding days of the tiger beetle season, observations become treasures, each sighting a whispers farewell to these remarkable creatures. Their colorful exoskeletons, once vivid emblems of vitality, now seem to echo the fading hues of autumn, a testament to the passing of time. As a naturalist, I stand amidst this transition, embracing the ebbing of the tiger beetle season. It is not a goodbye but a pause, a momentary interlude in nature's ever-unfolding saga. For even as they bid adieu to their active reign, I await with anticipation the cyclical return of these nimble creatures, heralding the dawn of a new chapter in the tapestry of life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Looking forward to 2024!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2023 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-44111427713290439142023-12-10T14:18:00.007-06:002023-12-10T21:38:57.960-06:00Uh oh ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Names carry weight and meaning, often encapsulating more than just a word or title—they embody identity, significance, and sometimes even history or aspirations."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">― C. George P. Thomas</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQBz7d8MFLGYzlB3U6MvMao2SVraN1SHDIrFiTid54A8xXfYbu6MrBZroVTGzZHBLqIvrhWrFcTirpkaTQ4D6oUgS_OtplNH68ZIrjcqSMZFTltwHFcbdNvxEPtl9rB4cj3P6iyDYUjs5IKRWYWVccHsYC23yjuAOBsdgx8Culai7lcSQ18MH7hBu108Q/s1500/coop.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUQBz7d8MFLGYzlB3U6MvMao2SVraN1SHDIrFiTid54A8xXfYbu6MrBZroVTGzZHBLqIvrhWrFcTirpkaTQ4D6oUgS_OtplNH68ZIrjcqSMZFTltwHFcbdNvxEPtl9rB4cj3P6iyDYUjs5IKRWYWVccHsYC23yjuAOBsdgx8Culai7lcSQ18MH7hBu108Q/s400/coop.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Opening soon in Middleton just down the road from where I live — <a href="https://chwinery.com/"><b>Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant.</b></a><b> </b>I wanted to know more about them so I did a little searching around on the Internet looking for the origin of the establishments avian moniker:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"The choice of the Cooper's Hawk bird as the namesake is often referenced in their branding and promotional material as a symbol of precision, agility, and excellence, which aligns with their approach to winemaking and dining experiences."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, when the woke birding institutions rename Cooper's Hawk to <i>Meanie Songbird-eater Hawk</i>, will the owner of the winery follow suit and rename his establishment? I mean, William Cooper was a white guy who lived during that horrific colonialistic period from the 1700s to 1800s when nothing good happened, so will non-whites feel welcome at this winery-restaurant? </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, who was William Cooper, anyway? According to the Birdwatcher's Companion (written prior to the age of woke), he was <i>independently wealthy, taken with natural history from boyhood, and schooled in zoology in Europe. Cooper was a founder of the New York Lyceum of Natural History and a man of substantial reputation in the scientific community of his day. He was a student of paleontology, malacology, botany, and herpetology, as well as ornithology.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thomas Nuttall initially christened this species in honor of Cooper. Despite their contributions to ornithology and natural history, both figures could have been deeply entrenched in racist ideologies. Recent articles proposing name changes for birds associated with controversial figures raise questions about their past actions, like <b><a href="https://news.wttw.com/2023/11/12/north-american-birds-named-after-bad-people-will-get-new-name-so-will-birds-named-after">North American Birds Named After Bad People Will Get a New Name</a></b>. <i>Bad </i>people! Nevertheless, the Latin name, <i>Accipiter cooperii,</i> will endure, allowing birders to maintain their admiration and endearing references, often exclaiming "Coop!" with affection upon spotting them in the wild.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Photo © 2023 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-42902408951299831982023-12-02T18:19:00.003-06:002023-12-02T18:19:38.900-06:00Yuval Noah Harari on conservatives losing, conspiracies, AI, religion & history<iframe width="400" height="225" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nlni04mpDdg?si=MD9V-SGIXbAQKKqx" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-28914906222326682032023-11-19T15:47:00.000-06:002023-11-19T15:47:15.584-06:00November Doldrums <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"The fact is that no species has ever had such wholesale control over everything on earth, living or dead, as we now have. That lays upon us, whether we like it or not, an awesome responsibility. In our hands now lies not only our own future but that of all other living creatures with whom we share the earth."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— David Attenborough</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsle6x-0Uevi4-2zLbgoCPw19QGNnInpKtv1DwuVvE-706YCeEBOt8qCWy8b1nRDk-TWK1-phPleAtRjO1KA7-szdu56HrZrSdbGvpcnfMQCcnvICZgaVaJg1-qOec0fhUNMCIk91lts2t-vO3CjD5hHRUpNR-nPv8qBUpiSrJN_SthazcUWeO_DYkHXB1/s1600/sunset.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsle6x-0Uevi4-2zLbgoCPw19QGNnInpKtv1DwuVvE-706YCeEBOt8qCWy8b1nRDk-TWK1-phPleAtRjO1KA7-szdu56HrZrSdbGvpcnfMQCcnvICZgaVaJg1-qOec0fhUNMCIk91lts2t-vO3CjD5hHRUpNR-nPv8qBUpiSrJN_SthazcUWeO_DYkHXB1/s400/sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Experiencing a lull in birding can be likened to witnessing a setting sun. As the sun descends, casting its golden hues across the horizon, there's a palpable sense of transition — a shift from the vibrant, blazing daylight to the tranquil embrace of twilight. Similarly, in the realm of birding, this lull represents a gradual descent, a moment when the fervor for spotting new species or observing their behaviors dims momentarily. It's akin to the sun's descent where the once brilliant glow starts to wane, painting the sky with softer shades.</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintA2zJJLVFVmLrNVumtk-VhXnyMft5pRaqTi4QXbd9k29gcj635OZNfQmCytfrWsIj2G0EPX-DwyX2xgq_2ipckCcAQJUEEV85F8SX971TivvO6Rhyq3vbkNvRHKJk0jm4HrwiZh8UKdGJIXorEzPzJikgQB6Vc9S7h05-AsaP3mu-gr-zrtrfjRlWlnr/s1024/bird1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="652" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEintA2zJJLVFVmLrNVumtk-VhXnyMft5pRaqTi4QXbd9k29gcj635OZNfQmCytfrWsIj2G0EPX-DwyX2xgq_2ipckCcAQJUEEV85F8SX971TivvO6Rhyq3vbkNvRHKJk0jm4HrwiZh8UKdGJIXorEzPzJikgQB6Vc9S7h05-AsaP3mu-gr-zrtrfjRlWlnr/s400/bird1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">During this phase, much like the diminishing sunlight, the excitement of spotting birds might dwindle, and the usual rush of adrenaline from a new sighting might fade into a subdued appreciation. It's a time when the sky of fascination seems a bit dimmer, and the urge to seek out feathered friends might lose its intensity.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzjPv4C7kmtSgoe_QQKSqr8g8SuA0ENn2QkZ_V6f7Oqg8EwMNCNEM1qdy5FSU_6ryjs9AqjnwqswRLIsb_SE5VO_Dyipb5caHqfDURAtMf3-l_RyKyTPkdSSknAwTvVDrQZhkLHRHDnbxqhRiMmsJQhGd7mu-Nv6owznD9pX3XyGQW1ANuAQyUTVGbtDS/s1400/bird2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzjPv4C7kmtSgoe_QQKSqr8g8SuA0ENn2QkZ_V6f7Oqg8EwMNCNEM1qdy5FSU_6ryjs9AqjnwqswRLIsb_SE5VO_Dyipb5caHqfDURAtMf3-l_RyKyTPkdSSknAwTvVDrQZhkLHRHDnbxqhRiMmsJQhGd7mu-Nv6owznD9pX3XyGQW1ANuAQyUTVGbtDS/s400/bird2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the broader context, this lull in birding mirrors life's natural rhythms — an intermission in the orchestra of exploration. It's a phase where the silence isn't empty but pregnant with the promise of a crescendo, waiting for the return of passion and the rediscovery of the enchantment that first lifted the spirit skyward.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6PB5KOUxwIM5Obd-g0oNWuDXt8fhjStQg2kjONKJTEf_-eSDfUDwDrByjPsAqC_4zK4U-Nqv9Kt8TMW1VVflUpTTTEP8zVELDd2O3D8JjJ1gIdacg9J9JsTZh0YVBW1jWchMzO2JE0UYyD9Z_bL1tn_pu-daw6EUR95jGVGMkpJ_XfGktSREY3Beihj4/s1300/bird3.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="1300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6PB5KOUxwIM5Obd-g0oNWuDXt8fhjStQg2kjONKJTEf_-eSDfUDwDrByjPsAqC_4zK4U-Nqv9Kt8TMW1VVflUpTTTEP8zVELDd2O3D8JjJ1gIdacg9J9JsTZh0YVBW1jWchMzO2JE0UYyD9Z_bL1tn_pu-daw6EUR95jGVGMkpJ_XfGktSREY3Beihj4/s400/bird3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yA7r3wO1rEb_EZvRSXWmNNuwmSOgkVi2pDztA6dZqCgAFJ9iE_9YB58lDcCzDvVzAcB6zj5-vcOPdcRteUzpmk2VZ-uPRr15Q2PN99lLlP4Qvo5xY5wNzjdYA3S2UtZl-GojvakuXihZjfewpwdSpLXbYBJBwQHfMjG3_hyO7k4nYpFu9VVgFpe1l_Zm/s1024/bird4.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="694" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2yA7r3wO1rEb_EZvRSXWmNNuwmSOgkVi2pDztA6dZqCgAFJ9iE_9YB58lDcCzDvVzAcB6zj5-vcOPdcRteUzpmk2VZ-uPRr15Q2PN99lLlP4Qvo5xY5wNzjdYA3S2UtZl-GojvakuXihZjfewpwdSpLXbYBJBwQHfMjG3_hyO7k4nYpFu9VVgFpe1l_Zm/s400/bird4.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZFQTDUi5l7x_ZhOwLH7cSsVu4EdxX-YAx6j9o7c7W7H8EKagpqveuDQ84HN5RaMaWr5uquWpjJRuN-Lmkj5lHpfNWSB4ygn1SQm6WXS5FWxvazQKYSM6upBoFI5aoXxgGGcqKTnal8sBG-nr33glWa_O66lC9mstfnSVF7T96PM7uIZPe1UF30DRSWoE/s1500/bird5.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ZFQTDUi5l7x_ZhOwLH7cSsVu4EdxX-YAx6j9o7c7W7H8EKagpqveuDQ84HN5RaMaWr5uquWpjJRuN-Lmkj5lHpfNWSB4ygn1SQm6WXS5FWxvazQKYSM6upBoFI5aoXxgGGcqKTnal8sBG-nr33glWa_O66lC9mstfnSVF7T96PM7uIZPe1UF30DRSWoE/s400/bird5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Experiencing a lull in the captivating world of birding is like wandering through a tranquil forest where the usual symphony of chirps and calls seems to have faded into a gentle hush. It's a natural ebb in the rhythm of fascination, where the feathers that once fluttered with excitement now seem momentarily still.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06ndKHDVY-wAUcn_9LBGCsKAQAA4PcZEqjeZsy7dzCTOpQdAW2we5bNKD-MG5f34co5ty3fTs9qxPnNW7MYy6VFLJ7gxXi_btrzOCI9eTU2-gkt1Zo2c2B9Krrbbudzsu0FtdQsuQrmtdL76mgtkF_Mt-3yWQpvPgSwpcwv2iyZyxsvA2Ft7R__sI37gE/s1500/bird6.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj06ndKHDVY-wAUcn_9LBGCsKAQAA4PcZEqjeZsy7dzCTOpQdAW2we5bNKD-MG5f34co5ty3fTs9qxPnNW7MYy6VFLJ7gxXi_btrzOCI9eTU2-gkt1Zo2c2B9Krrbbudzsu0FtdQsuQrmtdL76mgtkF_Mt-3yWQpvPgSwpcwv2iyZyxsvA2Ft7R__sI37gE/s400/bird6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For a passionate birder, this phase might feel like a quiet interlude, a time when the binoculars hang a little heavier around the neck, and the yearning to spot that rare species loses its usual fervor. The skies might seem a touch less vibrant, the trees a tad more ordinary, and the absence of the usual avian companions can leave an unexpected void.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnrtfoYw29fVzXm0t_GqfAMOIgB9dy6Qy2cqZYOxd_QvYvvSf_5qZda58v3RoAtleJt4HEp6X01B7ZcODsvSGmT16tah-7lU_Id4UsEG8UuXfh1zq_pKAKz2ZQkQPNQWfWUGkVvtOw472OoQmQPR7buOlVdHAIa4wvBT1WTsNwkPEcKorpKXkuC2H_skU/s1500/bird7.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnrtfoYw29fVzXm0t_GqfAMOIgB9dy6Qy2cqZYOxd_QvYvvSf_5qZda58v3RoAtleJt4HEp6X01B7ZcODsvSGmT16tah-7lU_Id4UsEG8UuXfh1zq_pKAKz2ZQkQPNQWfWUGkVvtOw472OoQmQPR7buOlVdHAIa4wvBT1WTsNwkPEcKorpKXkuC2H_skU/s400/bird7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sometimes, a lull in birding isn't about losing interest but rather a chance to rekindle the flame. It could be the perfect juncture to explore alternative approaches, whether it's delving into bird photography, jotting down reflections in a journal, or immersing oneself in bird-related literature. Perhaps it's a moment to step back, allowing the absence to amplify the longing and reignite the thrill of anticipation for the next season.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2023 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-44986564939522200482023-11-06T18:30:00.003-06:002023-11-06T18:30:36.986-06:00Cecaahkwa!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"It's a most distressing affliction to have a sentimental heart and a skeptical mind."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">― Naguib Mahfouz</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">― Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette</div></div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZI7uTLbyfQB6ye6zy0smhKym4hGTIEFngPEvscJzdJX-lxTJA0fDmsm3lm4yjE3IAChlpBaHmcNhUzIrxbOdtrVQ8sCncqtgW5vjN9EzIWmTmaoOzrOfOnZE6wsvOtR0WWiQZDRnQzNFBs7tLT88ap3SzNAYI_HEqfNKPB7Ai1ZASsQJUq4GK3NHr5r5/s1600/apbc.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZI7uTLbyfQB6ye6zy0smhKym4hGTIEFngPEvscJzdJX-lxTJA0fDmsm3lm4yjE3IAChlpBaHmcNhUzIrxbOdtrVQ8sCncqtgW5vjN9EzIWmTmaoOzrOfOnZE6wsvOtR0WWiQZDRnQzNFBs7tLT88ap3SzNAYI_HEqfNKPB7Ai1ZASsQJUq4GK3NHr5r5/s400/apbc.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">By now I would have thought there would be more <i>S. arborea</i> at Pheasant Branch Prairie, but I only heard a single individual briefly vocalize. It might have been a flyover bird. Well, there were a few <i>J. h. hyemalis,</i> but even their numbers seemed seasonly low. Perhaps once it snows they'll congregate to this rich source of sustenance. Avian-wise, the prairie was unusually quiet, barely any passerines. Having said that there were impressive numbers of <i>A. canadensis</i> at the north end of the parcel, perhaps as many as 200 birds. They were busy foraging, flying to and from the marsh, bugling, dancing, and otherwise simply stoically standing around and eyeballing things. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzEp762thyphenhyphen-sTBFAmgBDTNJb_vPCONHN3vB_UWV8DPKkjniAXIKvkjXWsU1QzLllJb9ZD232ArtcnOoWoeqdr2GM8T7AtcU_E1K2pPD5_0lOrnMvJWAA0sXnyHAtB4FB-BJ7eomtFt2O-3CZbpBBdeEeq4VVJtLBUIVppFX4BNndlBC4SFreCM2qNUMc3/s1024/cr1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivzEp762thyphenhyphen-sTBFAmgBDTNJb_vPCONHN3vB_UWV8DPKkjniAXIKvkjXWsU1QzLllJb9ZD232ArtcnOoWoeqdr2GM8T7AtcU_E1K2pPD5_0lOrnMvJWAA0sXnyHAtB4FB-BJ7eomtFt2O-3CZbpBBdeEeq4VVJtLBUIVppFX4BNndlBC4SFreCM2qNUMc3/s400/cr1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Alas, the ground was rather warm given the sun and temperatures, so there was substantial mirage to contend with. Given the long focal length of my digiscoping rig, I had to be fairly far away to frame the cranes, and that meant more distortion from the turbulent air. </div>
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display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="803" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbTDMBXETPFFaYtdjGkb5B58mOnrf2cp82NWte17V-tth0r1rrfJf9W3xssXoY3SBgCOi_hRwuHUEip8PmX7xxaBxaKh1c0fEuAUnyHATOEyX44Wd8w9CuhhXzVHZ2Nc3NH5DqQTVuLDfrKX9zwzMIk7lOpl7mdhokn3KO47sjLrbUBEcgCI2iivny-7L/s400/cr11.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncmUmxGajI63OiOMmZEY1pdUijanFeC8rNJ0MPpYlLkj7ffB-hXXPfeoxNYD71M2jVt_p1MO1Im0z9k3MzAaYx3lCHW_M_5WdV0bTnq8zF8LJ56j6B-XthxGrY3r5dd1VPtBZgrxDC97uAKnyTUMvm-liRva6Q9oj1TzTxs8z7_N8x5cslIY8wn3dWd3b/s1024/cr12.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncmUmxGajI63OiOMmZEY1pdUijanFeC8rNJ0MPpYlLkj7ffB-hXXPfeoxNYD71M2jVt_p1MO1Im0z9k3MzAaYx3lCHW_M_5WdV0bTnq8zF8LJ56j6B-XthxGrY3r5dd1VPtBZgrxDC97uAKnyTUMvm-liRva6Q9oj1TzTxs8z7_N8x5cslIY8wn3dWd3b/s400/cr12.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnLBjbOUYbAIMeEnQvIE2WZ157TkjYWevFIJDZyzoeqXVWd_nqDRwkzGcA4vBznWKENjabi0C1RPntSQIot1qV6TnEYK2DS4kyq1x8KZFfvHSzs8atzDWHEsP_E2ZeLgAP9cWFmAa5_uY0y9nKQYld6OCY_TwE_67rDhRke3Fy7gWv8XYir37xVPXsEV-V/s1024/cr14.jpg" style="clear: left; 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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Quite entertaining to watch and photograph!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q7uVZpAmDboXkFy-6AbeYQTlrrYERlaCF7bCwPicGxD5S3R-Mks6DeWu4IGKpQuCjYYqeuzHBREJ6k3qfHNfc_H8kjXA1w6OiXfFaEDdP4m4BecYhoUG4nsjSsKv31uhAdD8ERpHgCu78L9dSnSbzylLIhLO1cv2sXkDpATh3KJaYS41Mnc7vO_1QV01/s1200/cr15.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="751" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9q7uVZpAmDboXkFy-6AbeYQTlrrYERlaCF7bCwPicGxD5S3R-Mks6DeWu4IGKpQuCjYYqeuzHBREJ6k3qfHNfc_H8kjXA1w6OiXfFaEDdP4m4BecYhoUG4nsjSsKv31uhAdD8ERpHgCu78L9dSnSbzylLIhLO1cv2sXkDpATh3KJaYS41Mnc7vO_1QV01/s400/cr15.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They wouldn't (because they can't) care if I referred to them as birds, cranes, Sandhill Cranes, <i>Antigone canadensis</i>, or Cecaahkwa ― and perhaps that's one of the <i>best</i> things about being out in Nature ... the lack of judgement beyond things being potentially <i>red in tooth and claw</i> is utterly absent. Here you're assessed for threat, annoyance, and not much else. To have one of these large aves just chill out before you is a remarkable gift. Cranes have been on this planet relatively unchanged for millions of years, unlike that pesky naked and invasive primate that's constantly making value judgements about trivial things. On the one hand, perhaps more people will give two-shits about the environment. But on the other hand, lose those who scorn identity politics and performative activism. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVgV77PLxNbvxs5W_w44cFUlCpczwnDMM1cCO5RK_Gu2jV0i4KzqhB1DBKInaIloijDr5aLQmsVR6Vaum-EC5cf8nnHPCOnSV-t49cG2nmvNC-2gfCZUQIoFlCQcpDQa9Qpwtsfq5ZIEccfqpFuohpFmpw8jG_3TzosLg6sFP1uAkdCnuVXGBsPReHcLd/s1500/sunrise.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVgV77PLxNbvxs5W_w44cFUlCpczwnDMM1cCO5RK_Gu2jV0i4KzqhB1DBKInaIloijDr5aLQmsVR6Vaum-EC5cf8nnHPCOnSV-t49cG2nmvNC-2gfCZUQIoFlCQcpDQa9Qpwtsfq5ZIEccfqpFuohpFmpw8jG_3TzosLg6sFP1uAkdCnuVXGBsPReHcLd/s400/sunrise.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2023 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-70093778990232589712023-11-04T09:20:00.002-05:002023-11-04T09:37:51.763-05:00One fine morning in October, 2024 ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Well, what about the extreme sexism in naming species based on the appearance of male birds? Black-throated Blue Warbler, and many others. No female should allow those names to stand! Just think about how many more women who will become interested in birds if we eliminate those sexist names."</i></div><div><br /></div><div>― Lab Gurl</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">One fine morning in October, 2024 ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Birder 1: “Did you see <i>that</i>? I think that was a Nelson's Sparrow!”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Birder 2: “There's no such thing.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B1: “Oh, I forget the 'woke' name ― what is it again?”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B2: “Pumpkin Spice Bunting, you racist!”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B1: “Racist? That's hardly fair. How about if I call it '<i>Ammospiza nelsoni</i>?”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B2: “What's that, Latin? Don't use that antiquated colonizing language around me, please.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B1: “Well, isn't that its legitimate scientific name?”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B2: “It is, but we're hoping that minorities won't notice those Latinized slaver names.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B1: “Nelsoni nelsoni nelsoni!”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B2: “Stop it, or I'm leaving!”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B1: “Oh, where are you going?”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B2: “I think I'll scope the lake for scoters from James Madison Park.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B1: “Madison owned slaves.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B2: “Crap.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B1: “Hey, will you give me your Swarovski bins?”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B2: “Why would I do that?”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B1: “Members of the Swarovski family were early, active and enthusiastic champions of National Socialism.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">B2: “What!? Crap.”</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Nelson's Sparrow © 2023 Mike McDowell</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-19843544039643868872023-11-01T18:58:00.005-05:002023-11-02T07:06:40.559-05:00Nope.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Anyone who considers themselves harmed by a bird name needs to be dumped in an enclosure with an angry cassowary, so they can learn what actual harm is."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">― Robert Elessar</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwMzPFFSpS5k9vz6znJHAc1F3287Iec_9dd77MhLBrCxnUEC0TBGXI76crETyeaAvgpUKbg6Rm2EykzEnmRDlRl0RQ4lFNEOY-qWMQ6sByKKoZQGzOPTUCtDDVZT-i7o4uBQBRDDf0H47MIUxPfFHnjkW4IxT4YDfYJw9X7BxiAE1b3kNvEX9DHnWIDXw/s1200/blogmaslcsp1a.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="813" data-original-width="1200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMwMzPFFSpS5k9vz6znJHAc1F3287Iec_9dd77MhLBrCxnUEC0TBGXI76crETyeaAvgpUKbg6Rm2EykzEnmRDlRl0RQ4lFNEOY-qWMQ6sByKKoZQGzOPTUCtDDVZT-i7o4uBQBRDDf0H47MIUxPfFHnjkW4IxT4YDfYJw9X7BxiAE1b3kNvEX9DHnWIDXw/s400/blogmaslcsp1a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is a LeConte's Sparrow <i>Ammospiza leconteii</i>, named after John LeConte by John James Audubon. LeConte was an enthusiastic amateur scientist who dedicated his life to the teaching of chemistry and physics, eventually becoming the president of the University of California at Berkley. None of this ever mattered to me, but what <i>did</i> matter was seeing my lifer over a quarter century ago and linking the visual of the bird to a name. Not knowing anything about Mr. LeConte, I thought it a clever and fancy name for a smart-looking sparrow. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Though descriptive names are fine ― and I'm a fan of most of them, I'm simply not going to jump on the <b><a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/inside-aos-recommendation-bird-common-names/">rename the birds bandwagon</a></b>. As it has been stated elsewhere here, if the birding community is not welcoming to minorities, it’s the birders that are a problem, not the names of birds. Trust me, people are <i>the</i> problem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">For a multitude of reasons and rationale, Máistir Nádúraí will not adopt whatever common names the 80 or so eponym North American birds are renamed to. Since none of the scientific Latin names will change, perhaps that's how I'll refer to <i>all</i> aves and animals from here on out, both on this blog and out in the public sphere when leading field trips ― won't that be fun! Don't like it? Don't come on them. As far as I'm concerned, LeConte's Sparrow will always be LeConte's Sparrow, and the same is true for <i>all </i>eponymously named critters. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Incidentally, field guide author Kenn Kaufman said,"It's an exciting opportunity to give these birds names that celebrate them rather than some person in the past."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It'll be an exciting opportunity to sell a lot more field guides, but I won't be buying them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And it will also be fun learning all the Latin names.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wait a sec ... is <b><a href="https://epochemagazine.org/13/defending-the-classical-languages-from-the-charges-of-racism/">Latin</a></b> <i>racist</i>?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">LeConte's Sparrow © 2023 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-20880232823175012752023-11-01T14:31:00.003-05:002023-11-01T14:31:27.054-05:00It's November!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"This November there seems to be nothing to say."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">― Anne Sexton</div></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdXXUgiCuLkTUTyNle4gWsPmxFSFU5jh8Mtig9NnylIyCcB6o6-qh2Lt7XiOJAyla91YYx7MEvl-r_1c2j5D0kjB8lxm5WsY9dKbh2DYaTODHMmhXozVo9jOHXKmC-bQd8IAnHyOWjq9Jt1D7u4Fdk4Rr-FqcrOgnFwaS5QOaqeBvvGPxOYhhyaw3w2LY/s1600/bfts1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdXXUgiCuLkTUTyNle4gWsPmxFSFU5jh8Mtig9NnylIyCcB6o6-qh2Lt7XiOJAyla91YYx7MEvl-r_1c2j5D0kjB8lxm5WsY9dKbh2DYaTODHMmhXozVo9jOHXKmC-bQd8IAnHyOWjq9Jt1D7u4Fdk4Rr-FqcrOgnFwaS5QOaqeBvvGPxOYhhyaw3w2LY/s400/bfts1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Wisconsin's farewell to October is a time of transition, a passage from the exuberant days of summer to the hushed stillness of winter. Nature's vibrant symphony quiets to a soft whisper, and the world seems to pause in a moment of reflection. It's a time for residents to savor the last, crisp bites of apple pie, the final harvests from the pumpkin patches, and the lingering warmth of community gatherings. As the leaves fall and the chill of November inches closer, Wisconsinites embrace the melancholy beauty of October's farewell, finding solace in the knowledge that, like the seasons, life is an ever-turning wheel, offering the promise of renewal and fresh beginnings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In the quietude of November's arrival in Wisconsin, American Tree Sparrows become the delicate poets of the season. These small, unassuming birds, with their warm chestnut caps and dappled gray plumage, grace the landscape with their gentle presence. As they forage among the fallen leaves and frost-kissed grasses, their soft, melodic chirps seem to compose a sonnet to the changing world. Against the backdrop of November's crisp air and the backdrop of leafless trees, these sparrows remind us of nature's enduring beauty even as winter's embrace draws near. Their resilience in the face of the impending cold mirrors the human spirit's ability to find solace and grace in the simplicity of the natural world.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">All images © 2023 Mike McDowell</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-8390666652142784132023-10-25T13:41:00.003-05:002023-10-25T13:41:41.901-05:00Mike Johnson (R) LA<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"One idiot is one idiot. Two idiots are two idiots. Ten thousand idiots are a political party."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">― Franz Kafka</div></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"Johnson is a young earth creationist and believes that the Earth was created approximately between 6,000 and 10,000 years ago."</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And he's WRONG.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The speaker is second in the United States presidential line of succession.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Link: <b><a href="https://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-age-of-earth.html">How we know the age of the Earth</a></b>.</div>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-787812774956975431.post-84944862249809198122023-10-25T05:24:00.002-05:002023-10-25T06:52:41.978-05:00Fall Colors Peak!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><i>"Is not this a true autumn day? Just the still melancholy that I love—that makes life and nature harmonize."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">— Mary Ann Evans</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Well, almost! The timing of the peak fall colors can vary from year to year due to factors such as weather and temperature. To plan your visit, it's a good idea to check with the park's visitor center or their official website for updates on when the fall foliage is expected to be at its most stunning. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, hiker, photographer, or just someone who appreciates the beauty of autumn, Devil's Lake State Park's fall colors are sure to leave a lasting impression. It's a place where you can lose yourself among the vivid hues and find serenity in the rustling leaves. The trails wind through this living canvas, offering an intimate experience with nature's artwork. As the day turns to evening, the colors become even more enchanting in the soft, golden light of the setting sun.</div>
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