Hmmm...a scene from one of those videos was featured in Science Friday's video pick of the week

incredible. thanks!

It's worth two bucks to laugh at that lady in blue's butt crack.

...but the video was way cool.

you want way cool? check out this video which includes the most astounding morphs and camouflage moves

Octopus camouflage

or this quickie:

The Octopus and the Beer Bottle

http://www.orionmagazine.org/index.php/articles/article/6474

(and a video of an octopus crawling out of the water and taking a stroll
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/video-octopus-crawls-water-walks-dry-land-150510810.html)

I hadn't known that about the white wearing off, either. I do have to say, however, that as a longtime admirer of abominations and mixed metaphors, I was most impressed by the starling that “whistled the first line of ‘Dixie,’ frequently interjecting lines from ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.'� Clearly the bird was a sharp-witted cultural critic.

http://evanstonroundtable.com/main.asp?SectionID=20&SubSectionID=29&ArticleID=4655

http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16115159

Thanks, Patti. Made me want to go hiking somewhere . . . preferably warm.

All very cool. Mt. Horrid and all.

1997!  Old bird!

That photo of the Fairlee female is pretty funny if you know she's watching a banding. "Apparently innocuous, but dumb, really really dumb," is what she seems to be thinking.

Good work, Paul, and absolutely stunning photo.

Ei - wishing you a great year. Happy Birthday!

http://www.birdwatchingdaily.com/en/Online%20Extras/Photo%20of%20the%20Week/Photos/2011/11/Peregrine%20Falcon.aspx?current=1

update on the white kiwi

http://news.yahoo.com/rare-white-kiwi-seeing-red-surgery-042445490.html

One more I got today.  These are, indeed, Nona and Squawker.

Rick Remington writes, "One thing I failed to mention previously is the size difference between them. Nona is a much bigger bird and obviously wears the pants in the family. When they landed on the beach Nona had the bird and ate her fill while Squawker sat patiently waiting like a fine gentleman for his share. Once Squawker started to eat Nona flew to the volleyball net pole and watched carefully while her man had lunch. . .  The picture titled Peregrine Pair shows the size of Nona with her wings spread in close proximity to Squawker. . . . I have some outstanding pictures of Squawker pacing towards me on the beach. He has a very serious look that says "Get out of here now". In spite of the look, I got the impression they were comfortable with my presence as both allowed me to get within 5 feet which is unheard of for a wild Peregrine."

We sure see that look on one of those first photos I posted, where he's looking straight into the camera.

how odd. it's 54 and brilliantly sunny here.

It looks like they're all banded...have they been ID'd?

I assume they're our Evanston pair, Nona (2004, IA) and Squawker (2003, WI).  Evanston beach is just a few blocks from the Library. They had 4 fledged offspring this year.