Growin’ ‘maters in the hot sun
I fought the squirrels and the squirrels won (twice)
I planted ‘maters but I got none
I fought the squirrels and the squirrels won (twice)

I left my garden and it feels so bad
Guess my race is run
The best tomaters that I ever had
I fought the squirrels and the squirrels won
I fought the squirrels and the squirrels won

Growin’ ‘maters in the hot sun
I fought the squirrels and the squirrels won (twice)
I lost my ‘maters and I lost my fun
I fought the squirrels and the squirrels won (twice)


Paul

Believe it or not, I have only seen (1) one Katydid in my 51-years of life AND it was at the Arlington Courthouse.  On a window.  Hung out there for hours.  It was huge.  I don't know where it came from - no grass in that area.

The guys around here in Arlington are Common True Katydids (Pterophylla camellifolia).  They live in trees and bushes, of which the Courthouse area has a lot. 

Paul

We have them here and call them katydids.  I grew up in Connecticut where they really did make a sound like "katy-did" on late summer and fall nights.  I remember looking out at the barn in back of my childhood home in the moonlight and hearing thousands of them, all being very loud.  That's how I went to sleep as a boy.

Here is one that was on our kitchen window on the first of September during our dinner.  Isn't it wonderful how much they look like leaves?  Unfortunately, the population here simply chirps, unlike their relatives up North.  Some day, I want to go up to my old home town for a weekend and find a place with screened windows so that I can enjoy this favorite sound again.

Paul

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=112569465

From NPR.  The audio is worth listening to as there is a wonderful whoosh as a peregrine makes a high speed, pass enroute to the falconer's shoulder.

Paul

Now that we have been wowed byu the pictures, it;s time for movies.  How about a nice dinner, followed by owls swooping around?  (hint: this plays well in fullscreen).  A good reason to go to the UK.

http://www.hawk-conservancy.org/Activities_and_events/owlsbymoonlight.shtml

Paul

Happy Birthday, Helen!

Paul

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7999568.stm

The Kakapo population, which was only 51 in 1995, has now gone to 125 with the addition of 34 chicks this year.  It's a very large, flightless parrot.

Paul

Beauty is certinly a good name for her.

Paul

Thanks -- I enjoyed learning about them.  It's good to know that wildlife rehabilitation can have such a positive effect upon both the community and the environment.

Paul

I like the feets a lot!

Paul

Archer's got that wide-eyed Kaver look in that one.

Paul

I've seen a four foot black racer being driven off by a mockingbird.  That's what you need -- a mockingbird family in your garage.

Paul

Anne,

Spectacular photos! 
I'm glad you are OK.  The green cast is cause by the presence of lots of hail high in the clouds and is an indication of a powerful storm.

Paul

Thanks for that amazing story, Joyce!  It made my day.

Paul

We are coming to the end of our annual two week stay on Sandy Island, in New Hampshire's Lake Winnipesaukee.  The waves are crashing on the rocks just outside my door as I write this We have been seeing deer and raccoons as we make our way to and from the bathroom, through the dense forest at night by flashlight, and there are loons, mergansers, mallards, and cormorants, plus an occasional Bald Eagle, by day.

Our cabin even has a mascot -- a Little Brown Bat who  has been named Wallace.  Wallace enters the cabin at night to clean out the bugs, and we all greet him when he arrives.  After a few minutes, he zips out through a small hole under the eaves.  Sometimes he comes in after the lights are out and I hear his wingbeats as he flies around.

There is also skin diving/fish watching.  If you stay still on the bottom for about 30 seconds, curious Bluegills and Smallmouth Bass surround you.  The bass are a foot and a half (one half meter) in length and come within inches of your face.  It is the Total Fish Experience (tm).

Catherine was excited to have found a Northern Water Snake, but her heart still belongs to Wallace.

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Paul