Recent Highlights

A lone female bufflehead has been hanging around in the Muddy River this week. This morning I saw a pair of buffleheads, so perhaps a lost mate was found again.

I've been watching The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill during my commute these past two days. I'm enjoying it, and I want to share it with Alexis, and I could definitely watch it again with no loss of enjoyment. I'll write a real review later.

I have taken pictures of the new fox at work--he's gorgeous. I want to run out to the local library and get on their wifi so I can email the pictures to my coworkers (and post them here, of course).

It's 50 degrees today, even out in the usually frozen microclimate of Lincoln. Weeks-old ice is finally giving way to slush and mud. Of course, it will turn back into ice soon enough, but it's nice to have a break.

Alexis and I are planning a romantic getaway for our anniversary(!) but while my coworker has offered to work a Saturday for me, that Saturday turns out to be her birthday. Negotiations are ongoing.

I discovered that my dear turkey, Tito, has a life span, most likely, of four to five years. She will be four this spring. We have been extra-gentle with her since we discovered this.

I just helped one of our teachers handle the red-tail(see icon), and she (the bird) clambered up my arm past the protection of the falconry glove to my bare arm. No blood drawn.

The 365 urban species project hasn't driven me insane yet, but wait until we get a week of subzero temps and I'm either digging through the snow to find weeds or posting on craigslist to find cockroach infested homes to photograph in (hey, that's not a bad idea...)

"'RED' fox? He looks black to me..."

( Isn't he lovely? )

Fox Update

I just found his records on my coworker's desk. He was being kept as a pet and was surrendered because he was having serious health issues (not eating, vomiting) when he was four to five weeks old.

365 urban species: #012 Dark-eyed Junco

Urban Species #012: Dark-eyed junco Junco hyemalis

The junco is a distinctively colored sparrow, although its distinct coloration varies from place to place. (Pictured is the eastern variety, the slate-colored junco.) In fact, the various local color types used to be considered different species, but now they are all considered one. Juncos are notable for migrating south to northern cities like Boston for the winter, spending summer in Canada and Alaska. They are also known as "snowbirds," as their arrival comes at about the same time as snowy weather. Juncos are most often seen below birdfeeders, gleaning the seed that the messy chickadees and titmice have spilled to the ground. Their high whispered whistle is easy to recognize, as are their white outermost tail feathers, seen in flight.


( Click for a much better )