It's been over a month since the last Zuzu sighting.  In particular, we wondered whether the yard (meter) of snow that fell last wek was causing problems for her and her nesting group.  Is it hard to glide from tree to tree when the branches are coated with snow and ice?

About 8 PM, Mary noticed something brownish-grey streak past the kitchen window, followed by the feeder starting to rock back and forth.  We all rushed to the window.  It was Zuzu!



Paul

Paul

Happy birthday, Baerbel!

Paul

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/02/dinosaur-fossil-reveals-true-feather-colors/

It looks like feathers preceded flight, and may have served to intimidate potential predators, startle prey, or attract a mate.  The Late Jurassic in China seems to have been a colorful time and place.

Paul

No good field marks, but everything about the shape just says "Coop" to me.

Paul

Happy birthday, Aafke!

Paul

We lost our Internet connection on Friday night.  There are lots of lines down, and it is a good thing that it was our cable, not our power.  A few hours ago, I decided that the cable company wasn't going to fix anything soon, so I activated the broadband wireless service that I normally use only in remote areas.  It's good to be connected to the world again.

We have been enjoying our snow adventure.  These things are always exciting.  On Friday evening, the clouds and snow reflected the lights and gave everything an unearthly glow.  It was like being thrust into a huge, luminous cloud, and we remarked on how bright the light from outside was as we were drifting off to sleep.

This has been the most beautiful winter landscape we have experienced here.  We have been enjoying ourselves watching wildlife at our feeders, exploring the strange arctic world thad suddenly appeared outside our door, and playing games in front of the fire.

Now that our emergency Internet connection is working, I can share these pictures:

Don't sign:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=553749452803%3A736738318&cm_mmc=site_email-new_site_sharecore_-View_photos_album

Sign
http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/creativeapps/slideShow/Main.jsp?token=453749452803%3A1386075539&cm_mmc=site_email-new_site_sharecore_-View_photos_album


Paul

Happy Birthday Linda!  I think of you, Craig, and Scratch every time I put up or take down Scratch's egg ornament from my tree.

Paul

Glad to hear that Ruby is having a good winter.

Aren't Red Shouldered Hawks great!  The pair at my office did a low level pass over my building today, flying less than a wingspan apart and calling loudly to one another.  They looked wonderful against the snow covered trees.

Paul

You never hear anything about their football team itself, but wow -- what a halftime show their band puts on!

Paul

There's a nature preserve just a few minutes from my house.  I like to go there in late afternoon and stroll out to a viewing platform at the end of a boardwalk through a salt marsh.  Although just a few miles from the White House, it is a magical place where eagles, Peregrines, Tundra Swans, and herons all can appear.  This time it was a pair of herons who preened on opposite sides of a small inlet before flying off as darkness fell.  http://www.blip.tv/file/3151571

Paul

Thanks, Shaky!

What I really like is being able to go directly to Quest's Weekly Map, Show Unread Posts, and the Archieve Viewer.  Cool!

Paul

I think that the feet have a pinkish cast and I don't see enough tail for a Cooper's.  I'm guessing pigeon.

Paul

Are there park rangers who could be contacted?  It's also possible that you could give the location to either a rehabilitator or animal control services.

Paul

It's a Northern Gannet.  There have been a number of strandings of them - my daughter and I found one a few years ago on the beach at Ocracoke and were able to get it to a local rehabber.  The rehabber told me that it was heavily parisitized, dehydrated, and starved, but no apparent didease or injury.  A few days of supportive care and feedings and it was off flying over the ocean again.

Paul