And now some good news... isn't it amazing to realise that new creatures are still being discovered? Here's a browse-at-leisure piece from the National Geographic.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2010/12/photogalleries/101207-top-ten-weird-new-animals-2010/

Slainte!

Sorry to dampen all the enjoyable seasonal jollity, but have a look at this statement from Malta's Prime Minister re Spring hunting. Just discovered it.

http://www.birdlifemalta.org/view.aspx?id=286

No reason here for my usual "Slainte".

  Thanks Shaky! YAY everyone will hopefully get to see Beauty on camera again over at Mercury and other nearby places!!!

 

Me too with a YAY! Hope you all have a safe time.

How about Tufted Tit Mouse.  Have those up home but we aren't there!  Miss all the birds we see in the winter up North.    See lots of Turkey Vultures down here too!

http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/blog/2010/12/the-buzzards-are-back.html Speaking of TV's.

Just found this site with who knows how many tits... who knew!? Not me!

http://www.animalpicturesarchive.com/list.php?qry=Tufted%20tit-tyrant

Yes, Donna.  I made this one.   
Carol P.



Remember how the "X Files" ended with a kid saying "I made this!"

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/scbi/migratorybirds/featured_photo/daily-pic.cfm?id=12251 Other pics here

Anna's Hummingbird digging in the snow Poor thing but great photo.

Smithsonian

Noooooooooo! How he do's that?!

Always gives me a tingle! Keep going, you beauties! Would love to see this! Patti in Kentucky, is this something you mentioned doing? (ie following the cranes?) Lucky old thing!

I watched Meerkat all the time when it was on. Sean Astin was the  narrator. It was like watching a soap. Meerkats are very smart, real life drama, stealing one's mate, (or trying), the babysitter doing bad things and getting punished for it. I felt bad when one Meerkat got kicked out of the pack and for weeks it was all about that. He tried desperately to get back in and they wouldn't have it. Finally, they let him in but he had to kiss...well you know!
[/quote]

I know! I was like a soap! I felt so sorry for that little guy... actually, I think it was a girl who went and did "The Wild Thing" with a member of another pack. May be wrong, tho, as this series told so many stories.

  Very interesting Bobbie!  I love meerkats they are so cute! 

Did you ever see those films (BBC, of course!) about meerkats? I think the first was called "Meerkats United". And then there was the series called "Meerkat Manor". Since an entire series was made, I think it attests to the popularity of these little guys.

Those amazing people at the Loch of Lowes are still at it - such dedication. No doubt hoping that their Lady of the Loch osprey will return again in Spring. Have a look at the last few days.

http://blogs.swt.org.uk/osprey/

Fascinating and amusing piece... Didn't think there was much that could fool a meerkat, but obviously it is possible. Clever birds!


African birds called drongos mimic other birds' alarm calls so that they can steal food from meerkats, scientists have found.


http://planetearth.nerc.ac.uk/news/story.aspx?id=856

Shaky, you go right ahead and keep doing that under-the-hood work for all of us... even the Luddites. Where'd we be without it?!

If it is so difficult to find, do we really need it?
Kapi in VT
The Resident Luddite

Never have I noted anyone get one up on Shaky - but Kapi... you may just have done so!!

(Sorry, Shaky!)

Slainte from the other one... (Luddite, that is.)

[T is for Tooken! I woke up and all the T's were Tooken!]

T is for Tooken! I woke up and all the T's were Tooken! 

Question:2 of my roommates are debating this question. The sentance used was " I have tooken many college courses". I just wanted the debate to end, so I can study again. (Wow, this is a real question)

Answers:
If your roommates are native English speakers and seriously can't figure this out, they don't deserve to be in college.

OMG! I truly despair!!

2007 - From Marty & Maytag

Thanks Carol!  Happy Tears here - Man!  Marty and Maytag and little Linn!

Thanks indeed, Carol! Good ole Marty and Maytag. They were quite a pair, weren't they?