Open Thread – Steller’s Jay
Behold the Steller’s Jay. It needs a better name. Just like the Steller’s Sea Lion, the Steller’s Eider, the Steller’s Sea Eagle, and the Steller’s Sea Cow (an extinct Aleutian manatee). Steller was a great guy, I’ m sure, but after a while it starts to look a little self-congratulatory to name every single new thing you see after yourself.
(UPDATE) I humbly apologize to Georg Steller… I have been informed by several of you, that my snark directed at Mr. Steller is completely out of line. He did NOT, in fact, name anything after himself. It was done for him. And he was a heck of a guy. I stand corrected, and I eat crow. (Not Steller’s crow, just the regular kind) It would be nice, though, to find out what the names of these creatures were before Steller arrived. I’m sure they have interesting names in Native languages.
Steller’s Jays seem to fit the niche of the East Coast’s blue jay… at least in my mind. Anchorage is just about at the northern tip of their range. They are very smart and quizzical, and they will eat just about anything, especially if they think it’s something that you like.
They have long-term monogamous pair-bonds, and each jay in the couple takes turns feeding the young. They do have a rather unholy sounding squawk, but I like them. This one was very fascinated with me and seemed to actually enjoy having his picture taken. That may not in fact be true, but that was how it seemed to me. He kept staring at the camera, and sometimes when it made the noise it makes when I click the shutter, he’d cock his head to one side, like a curious dog.
AKM – I hope you’re seriously thinking about a second career as a photographer. Yesterday a friend who has traveled all over the world showed me her favorite photograph, which was a picture of Alaska someone had taken that didn’t hold a candle to some of yours. Hope you’re pursuing a book. How about sweatshirts with some of these pictures?
I love this jay. Is that his nest?
We’ve got a pair that come by twice a day to the bird feeder, occasionally joined by two others. Really brave little guys.
On the day before yesterday, we didn’t have the feeder out on the deck, and one of them landed on the sill of one of the living room windows. It looked at me with his head cocked as if to say, “Hey, we’re here, where’s the food?”
Well, I grabbed the feeder and took it out. They watched from a very short distance up in a tree. I hadn’t gone 4 feet from the feeder and both of them were scarfing up the seeds.
AKM, it looks like you enjoyed better communication with this beautiful bird than Ann Strongheart is getting from personnel with the State of Alaska. Like many of your mudpups, she is worried about whether the state has acted this summer to make sure that bulk fuel shipments are delivered to rural villages before rivers ice up for the winter.
Last January, rural residents were caught in a terrible bind, unable to buy both high-priced food to feed their families and high-priced fuel to heat their homes. They needed $8-$9 per gallon fuel, too, for their snowmachines in order to subsistence hunt. Last winter, some very expensive fuel was shipped by air when rivers iced up too early for the somewhat cheaper, normal, barge deliveries.
Ann continues seeking answers to questions about bulk fuel deliveries THIS season before the rivers ice up again. This weekend, some state officials finally responded to her. If you wonder what the state’s responses are, check them out at http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com.
Prepare to be underwhelmed.
Oh goodie, I was first. Sometimes when I think I’ll be first there are others working on a comment at the same time. Guess folks are sleeping in this morning. sleep tight everyone
GreatGrey – one of the great treats of my life was seeing a great grey owl up close. It looked like an airplane was flying toward me (this was in a field in Vermont, in the day). Are you a great grey owl, or have you some other great grey in mind (Gandalf maybe?)
I love those squawking big birds! Since settling in the southeast, I’ve had to settle for regular blue jays and they do their share of squawking also. Great photo once again, AKM.
Skipped over and read Ann’s update on the fuel situation. Good for those government workers that they actually put in some hours on a Saturday, but they probably collected overtime pay for it. Why do these beauracrats procrastinate and evade???
On another topic, are there any plans in the works for Christmas packages for any of the villages? Do they have community parties for the children or anything of the sort? Would be most happy to contribute cash or items as needed.
Are you a great grey owl, or have you some other great grey in mind (Gandalf maybe?)
Owl.
Didn’t ya see the Gravatar?
http://www.digitalmediatree.com/library/image/88/great_grey_owl.jpg
Lovely photograph!
Lovely picture AKM
.
We get plenty of regular jay’s around here. I like crows to, actually i like all the critters that visit my feeders
Also want to wish all Canadian mud puppies a great Thanksgiving Weekend
Here is a picture of a blue jay. They rarely visit my feeders, but do like suet. They come around occasionally to laugh at the other birds. Jays, crows, ravens are all corvids which are according to ornithologists the smartest of the bird families.
http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Blue_jay/id
some pictures of my feeder visitors:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pisces63/3951431112/in/set-740636/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pisces63/2288773832/in/set-740636/
last year:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/pisces63/94622081/in/set-740636/
Needless to say, jays are my most favorite bird.
After noticing all the bird lovers on the Mudflats, I started a thread on the Forum for the sharing of information among birders – those who like watching wild birds and those who live with birds.
I am not an expert on birds, but have been a birder for about 10 years and enjoy both trekking thru the woods looking for birds and feeding them in my backyard.
Thought we could share photos, feeding tips, bird antics, favorite birds, resources (books, videos, etc), local bird count numbers.
One of my favorite birds is the cat bird. I just love the way they are so inquisitive. And they do sound like cats. I also like mockingbirds a lot, I call them the Hell’s Angels of the bird world.
Twain2…I love your pictures.
Wonderful pictures, AKM and twain2- what a joy to see this morning. We have some jays, but more crows. They hang out on the top of the baseball field fence at a sports field/park my doggie and I walk past. You can imagine their conversation as we near: hey, here comes that crazy dog; let’s hop down onto the field and drive her nuts…
Hey AKM- what Camera are you using? I use a Canon 20 D 8.5 megapixels- but plan on upgrading. Your shots are truly beautiful and creative.
Always-
Frank
Brag I shall
Wow…
Made a difference…
There was a soul about to be lost- a 14 day old baby without the diaphragm muscle allowed to sustain an equal break to challenge the country western songs we turn to when Life escalates to misery- yeah he didn’t really have that chance- just a gust of air to his mom and dad.
His chance allowed finally to be his own, live or fail, it is his own breath that shall follow or nail the final complexion of so many that have cared, and so many that have carried an effort supreme- to manifest his hope. Nurses, doctors, and of course the rest, all willing and able to not give up, yeah to never give up the fight.
That is the rust that falls from one’s eyes at 7:00 in the morning, when the key to the car becomes a second breath of air, a moment that looks to a forward message- truly a second thought for redemption. You have succeeded- yet in that moment and all that leading to it- you reverse yourself and deconstruct the manner and mechanism that was you as you became an instrument- a tool that did not fail.
Somehow skipped the dance, when in some other place in the hospital, suggesting to my other half on the phone how much I loved her, the tale was told as my phone was corralled to the ICU and the simple statement… “we are decannulated” made me drop the line.
As a perfusionist that line- “we are decannulated” suggests a world of scenarios and seriously bad visions. To share an extension of that- the projections of “what if’s”, as you run to the setting, manifests a cloud of decisions that need to be made in a hurry.
So simple Not- that was what passed my clinical marker as I heard it..
So simple not, yes we had a 10 day old baby, that was placed on bypass to resurrect whatever lung capacity could be gleaned by rest and surgical reconstruction of the primary moving muscle for the airway- the Diaphragm.
This child was a challenge and as well- wanted to live. A concept so forgotten by so many when faced with seemingly endless trials, the bite we sink our teeth into, is a reminder that every second opportunity for life is worth the effort.
So as I arrived, the silhouette of a doctor doing chest compressions at a rate far greater than I can count, I placed hand to neck, to compress the artery that had been forgiven, the exit to his soul about to be extinguished if allowed to bleed out. This was not a drill, not a rag doll to practice on, it was a living painting of shadows and shapes hovering about, with one common goal, to save a child, no time to think. Years of practice coming into the mix, translating a story yet to be written. into the real mix of what medicine is about. The drama of caring enough to intervene. That is what medicine is. The grace of many many years of training that comes to bear- when an ill wind comes about.
The graciousness one feels when death has been defeated in a setting that is not war. A truly kindred spirit that is shared with a cup of coffee as a toast of unspoken passion and hopeful promises are raised to the spirit just continued. A soul lives on because of us. A soul lives on.
It truly is unspoken. The mutual admiration one has for a team of such momentary accomplishment. An edifice to professionalism, that none need to speak up or out- of what has just been accomplished. The salty taste of the rim of success seems to make the long hours of unremarkable waters- a trough to lay in- and wander in thought at the greatness of us. Should our young patient 5 years hence languish in this same sea, then perhaps we can brag. Until then it would be unprofessional to relish this tear drop of success.
But being an animal human, when I look in the eyes of our team, I will hoist a toast to the end product of a test that was not simply Multiple Choice. I shall brag.
I shall in my own heart brag I shall.
One more soul perhaps lives to listen to the great music we listen to, to enjoy the to panorama of life and pictures, and decisions to be made. An extension of us has been rendered by us to continue the line. A rope to hope.
@ teutonic13 (16):
Well done. What a heart-warming story; good to hear, and remind us what medicine should be about: providing care, improving lives, saving a soul.
#16
(((teutonic13)))
Today we sing for the usually unsung heroes! Bless you.
Quoting Stanley Kowalski in Street Car –
” STELLER!!!!”
Gorgeous blue jay. I love their sound. Don’t care much for their aggressive attacks on the small birds though. I hadn’t realized they had a tough side until one afternoon I watched in horror as a jay kicked the livin’ bejeebers out of a small wren who had been minding it’s own little business, just singing away on a garage roof. It was like a Monty Python cartoon skit. I was on the back porch, watching the little guy and admiring his lovely song and then, FWOOOMP! a large jay comes out of nowhere and took the wren down mid-warble. To this day I chastise them in passing and tell them to pick on kids their own size. (at the same time I can’t help but think they’re gorgeous)
Could not bring myself to watch the news shows this morning. David Gregory was flickin’ at my nerves and as soon as I turned the television off a lovely Sunday calm filled the air. Is it just me or does it seem like someone told him he should start being a little more hard hitting but he just doesn’t seem to know how to pull it off.
It’s going to be a “no news” day. Going to enjoy this absolutely gorgeous October morning and not think of the world at large for awhile. Happy Sunday !
Another wonderful picture AKM! I so enjoy sharing these with you and the Mudflatters.
It brings back memories of the Steller’s jays we saw in Yosemite valley. They are the most gorgeous iridescent blue and are among the cheekiest birds I have ever known!
I’ve seen blue jays chase cats and squirrels in my yard here on the East coast. They are fearless. Crows are very predatory and hunt in packs. I’ve seen them kill baby bunnies and I’ve heard they peck the eyes out of newborn lambs. Still, Nature is neither good or bad. She is what She is.
What refreshing stories and pictures for this Sunday morning.
Birds, we have quite a few selections, and had nests up in a tall cedar tree on our property. Recently, 2 neighbor cats were at the base of the tree, looking at me sheepishly and I knew, so no more bird activity in that tree anymore.
Really cute picture of Twain’s with chipmunk. Reminds me once how we placed those bell-shaped seed hangers from trees in our back yard for the many birds. Those chippies had a way of climbing up the trees, branches, swaying from the hanger like Zorro from a chandelier, so determined to get those seeds. It really was like fighting Chip and Dale.
Now I’m feeling guilty, I’ll try to be nicer to the blue jays. We feed all sorts of critters including squirrels. Squirrels love peanuts & the jays have such a sharp eye they carry away the peanuts before the squrrels get a chance. I have taken to hiding the peanuts from the jays, but they are far more clever than I & seem to always find the new hiding place.
The story above was so heart warming.
After our son died, I started a group for bereaved parents. We had 2 couples whose child had died from that condition. It is so nice to know that they can finally do something for these babes.
Our blue jays are more colorful. They are bold, brassy inquisitive birds who absolutely hog the bird bath. They are a joy to watch.
They also clean out the bird feeder and scare away the squirrels.
Cardinals are my favorite, but blue jays are a close second.
I grew up in Southeast Alaska. I have a distinct memory of waking up on Saturday mornings to the sound of someone clomping around on the roof, sounding very much like they were wearing big, heavy work boots. It was the jays. Whenever I heard that sound, I’d imagine the jays up there in their big boots, clomp clomp clomping around, visiting with the other jays. Oh, and the squawk. All I can do is sigh and shake my head. The sound is so obnoxious. Thank goodness I don’t live in Southeast Alaska.
Beautiful photo AKM. Living at close to 7,000′ elevation we have an abundance of these “rude” birds. They are useful in warning “little birdies” when there’s a feral cat stalking the feeder or birdbath in my yard, what a squawk they let out!
All my sweet little “hummers” are gone for the year, I miss them already. We’re lucky to have them close to 6 months out of the year. Now mostly jays, crows and chickadees. UK Lady had a link on the Friday open thread to a “snapshot” of the photo gallery from the cover photographer of “bad sarah” photos. When I went there, it too had been scrubbed. Someone is sure spending a lot of time here making sure to pull those photos anyone discovers. Do you think the photographer is being threatened by sarah’s lawyers or that he’s getting offers from the National Enquirer? Their value would be vastly decreased if they were all over the web. hmmm..
Steller jays..and all..the covid cousins..do we have here in this valley. They..and I..are playing at a game..during the last 4 days. Walnuts fall under the trees..and the crows and jays..wait..to hunt and eat the opened-husk ones..waiting with causual attitudes..for the in-husk- ones..to get rained on..and soften up. Raven has come down as the cold dropped quickly in the Cascades..and so a pair is joining the ..Family..for hangin’ time. The newfy girls join me now..and we saunter about in the orchard..picking up nuts, and apples..munching upon the late raspberrys. Today I will carry-with..the heroic rescue of a newborn. Family..is..All.
Steller’s Jay – in Oregon they are called “Camp Robbers”
AKM & all:
Last week my husband was out in the yard checking out our new weeping birch.
I was watching his progress out the window when I saw a Stellar’s Jay fly up to him.
The Jay started to squawk at my hubby, so he slowly backed away.
However, the Jay then flew to the top of a little pine tree inches from my husband, and sat there staring at hubby for minutes.
Our jays are waiting for the OK to fill the feeders – they fly to the feeders we just put up, and YELL when they see they are still empty.
The Jays also like to tease my cat – strutting around outside his window, squawking and grinning at him.
It’s fun, too, to watch the interaction between the Jays and the Magpies.
Thanks for the great photograph.
BTW – it’s late, but you did a great job on the Rachael Maddow Show.
You make me proud to be an Alaskan.
Wow, Georg Wilhelm Steller was some guy! He survived the expedition that killed Vitus Bering for whom the straits were named.
It’s education Sunday!
I have a little bird sanctuary here myself, its amazing how many berries and seeds a yard manufactures during the summer so they’re all busy.
The magpies are coming back from Canada and thru Southeast Alaska right now too. They stop here on their way north in the spring as well. They’re real characters and lots of times mosey around the yard with the dogs. They show up when the snow is still on the ground so I feed them more in the Spring.
I quit using bird feeders and just toss the food out now (the no waste food doesn’t sprout). But mostly, they all take turns and show up at different times.
Bird TV – at it’s greatest.
Last month, Stapleton said she contacted the RGA to reiterate Palin’s commitment to help McDonnell.
“Make no mistake, the Governor will move mountains if the campaign wishes,” Stapleton said
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Hallelujah- Well slap my ass and call me Judy. Rev. Muthee, still in town?
28 is a a number.
I’m not sure how to place that number, in terms of significance.
Side By Side
Side By Side
28 to me means being fearless, for, and in anticipation of so many “no’s” thrown in your direction.
28 is relevant if it becomes the number of our Americans lost in a day.
That would be hateful. 28 and less is what I hope for for the rest of that war.
28 is meaningful if that is the number of seconds you hold your breath for, waiting for a “yes’ to the question of marriage.
Yeah I love You- 2 (as if…)
Yeah I love You- 2 (as if…)
28 is my number and that number has me as well. It is the number that separates my hand from that of my lover and wife 28 years younger when in public, walking to the store though a long granite parking lot. It is the number that resolves and addresses the true meaning of love and life together. Basically the guts to live it- and be it.
The suggestion of a 28 year difference takes a breath of it’s own, declares a separate latitude for all swimmers, sharks ignored because trust me- there are plenty swimming these waters.
28 is the color of perception people endure to, to make up for lost dreams of self, ambition, heart and soul.
28 is 2 numbers before 30 a keymark for nuances in life to be explored.
28 pisses people off.
28 makes people think.
28 challenges a level of sensibility when people remove the question of erotic, isolate exotic, and take a paintbrush to a more sensible canvas and have to forgive, that a moment in time, a moment perhaps once in a million has occurred on their watch.
Because our society avoids concepts of mortality, I suggest that I have followed in kind, and redeemed a portion of longevity by marrying a woman 28 years younger?
Of course that is clearly one sided, as the other half of the question weighed in with a positive and accelerated check mark in the “yes” box.
The other half of that question – her name is Kashmir. My wife, a truly honest and beautiful woman, that somehow has graced my life. “A Whiter Shade of Pale” is the song that motivates this writing.
So let’s talk about the ramifications a 53 year old man has in terms of making sure that his 25 year old other half, the most beautiful concept of us, has in terms of the long window picture.
Reproduction comes to mind: A reminder that a relationship like this sustains itself on purely love and not the negative consequences that may need to be resolved.
Well that would be like trying to rationalize a day spent listening to old music- we all do it, but it is an example of trust we place in what we know and are familiar with.
So clearly, becoming a Dad at 54 or so is what is in the wind. In this case it’s not “another day at the office”, rather a substantial commitment heading North for an adventure in parenting.
I think I can hang.
The stupid BURNS:
http://thepoliticalcarnival.blogspot.com/2009/10/team-sarah-plans-capitol-phone-blast-on.html
Team PalinFail!
I LOVE the NewLeftMedia videos!
Here’s their latest hit on greedy medical-pharma ‘lobbied’ reps:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=NewLeftMedia#p/u/0/nunTTyfCr8Y
Seems as though a widdle ram disappeared from the Ocean of Pee.
While setting up a camp on the far side of Katchemak By, we were visited by a lone Stellar Jay…who flew up to the log we were sitting on and made himself at home, sidling up for scraps of food. He became our constant companion, and after a day, brought down his mate to investigate us as well…then when walking in the hills, we were surrounded by his whole clan, admonishing us to get down and feed them…they were so beautiful and friendly, and although I’ve seen them in Anchorage, wrestling peanuts from squirrels, have yet to see them in the valley…A more gorgeous and gregarious bird does not exist, in my book, anyway…thanks for the portrait…
We have a pair of stellar jays in our neck of the woods that visit often. About a month back the female came to visit and was looking for the birdfeeder. As it wasn’t out I had my daughter run and grab the container of seed to throw some out. The jay didn’t even bother flying to a nearby tree to wait for her to put the seed out. She sat there on the railing two feet from my daughter and you could almost see her thinking “but this is just seed – I want the good stuff with the suet!” I’m so glad spouse was able to snap a photo. It was a great moment for my daughter.
There is a photo of a Great Grey on Huffpo this morn..
Thank you for sharing your writing with us Teutonic 13..
And now my peaceful Sunday morning has been interrupted by the artificial sounds of a robot being created and programmed. It’s not nature but it’s still a good thing-esp for a young mind.
Peaceful day to all..
GottaLaff, that is too funny. Those people are dumb as a bag of rocks.
Tina in Tennessee @33 – thanks for that link. Really good video and I”m looking forward to more from this project. Added them to my twitter so I can help get the word out.
Just came across a book debuting also too on Nov. 17th – “Going Rouge” – http://www.goingrouge.net/
****Yeah, yeah, we heard all about the Sarah Palin’s Book Going Rogue – An American Life to be launched on Nov 17th. They expect to move 1.5 million copies, and pre-orders have been brisk.
We couldn’t let that stand without a fight. There are two sides to every story, but let’s get something clear here – Sarah didn’t write this book either.
So we created an alternative: Going Rouge – The Sarah Palin Rogue Coloring and Activity Book, now available for pre-order, with a launch date of November 17th, just like that other shameless rot. But our book is chock full of mazes (like “Help Sarah find her way to the White House”), puzzles, word games, and brilliant illustrations to color or chuckle over as we mercilessly lampoon and parody everything Palin in 48 pages***
whoever says “they wish palin gets the 2012 nomination” (even in jest)…be careful what you wish for (a lesson to be learned over and over again)…that would make the odds 50/50, and that’s too high for me!!! I wish she does NOT win any position of political power anyplace, anytime, anywhere!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ann Strongheart’s story is just another example of this and the last administration’s pitiful FAILURE to respond to the needs of native Alaskans. I am outraged and shocked that once again, lip service is all that is provided. Those responses via email on a Saturday…..give me a break…auto response that took 8 hours to receive? I don’t think for a minute that Ms.Tara Jollie was really out of town. What is it going to take to shake these people’s hearts?
Superb and insightful op-ed by Frank Rich:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/11/opinion/11rich.html?_r=2
He clarifies a great deal about Iraq and Afghanistan and he certainly set some issues straight about the Three Amigos – McCain, Lieberman, and Graham.
GottaLaff @32 – I attempted to sign up for that Team Sarah newsletter, but I was rejected because I wouldn’t provide my telephone number. I put all zeros in. I was just curious what sorts of things were in it as I don’t go to Facebook or that cp4 or whatever it is. Probably just as well that I wasn’t accepted, if the newsletter is anything like the other drooling posts around the ‘net.
I find it quite hilarious that these PATRIOTS forgot that Monday is a federal holiday and they scheduled that massive phone-in!
teutonic 13 – your caring and sensitivity comes through in your writings. I hope you are keeping them all together for your children to appreciate in years to come. I see nothing wrong with a 28 year difference between you and your wife. If you two are happy and it works for you, then that’s all that matters. Amidst all the madness happening around the world (and right here in the US) we need to grab and hold onto every bit of happiness and serenity that we can.
@28 karen marie Yes, Stellar was an amazing guy. To read further, a really great title (and book) is “Where the Sea Breaks Its Back” by Corey Ford, which is an vivid, interesting account of the Aleutians and the Bering expedition from the remaining diaries and first hand accounts of the expedition, notably from Stellar. The names “Stellar” were given the “discoveries” by others later, not by Stellar himself (of course, the Natives had other names for these species already).
In the summer of 1991 my husband, baby daughter and I had the good fortune to be included in an Alaska contingency to Petropavlovsk (named for the St. Peter and St. Paul vessels constructed there for the expedition) Kamchatski to mark the 250th Anniversary of the voyage. We were treated as VIP’s in a city that was closed at the time to even the rest of the USSR due to its’ nuclear navy fleet. One of the most seminal experiences of my life. Just weeks later, the USSR ceased to exist, and the new Russia was born.
30 pvazwindy Says:
October 11th, 2009 at 9:06 AM
Last month, Stapleton said she contacted the RGA to reiterate Palin’s commitment to help McDonnell.
“Make no mistake, the Governor will move mountains if the campaign wishes,” Stapleton said
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Hallelujah- Well slap my ass and call me Judy. Rev. Muthee, still in town?
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Earlier this week, McDonnell reacted with a bit of sarcasm when asked whether Palin would be campaigning with him.
“There was a time earlier on when she was governor when I thought she would come here,” he said. “But I think she seems to be busy with books and other things like that.
We’ve still got about 20 different events scheduled down the road and she’s not one of them.”
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No one wants, needs or likes a SELF SERVING QUITTER!
Palin has proved that she is only interested in promoting herself.
If she were to “campaign” for anyone…………she would be focused on self promotion, then “writing” another “book” about it and they all know it.
Palin is pure poison now and she worked hard to become this.
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/11/palin-mcdonnell-personall_n_316685.html
Blue jays get a bad rap.
Sure, they can get territorial and loud but they are intelligent and colorful birds in the same vein as cardinals. I happen to like songbirds and greatly dislike the egg-stealing crow. Blue jays don’t like crows either. Therefore, the blue jay is my friend. And I keep them in mind when filling the bird feeders on the coldest and snowiest of winter days.
This link was over on Immoral Minority site:
http://www.furiousseasons.com/archives/2008/09/alaska_and_gov_sarah_palin_sued_over_drugging_kids.html
There was nothing further on how this was ultimately resolved… or has it never been resolved? How many other issues like this are hanging over her head?
WOW, it sounds like Ocean of Pea is quietly dissolving into thin air! Ram and JR are MIA, hmmmm, have they abandoned ship? do they know something the cult peons don’t know? me thinks so, HA.
Oh happy day! Scarah’s got political cooties all over the place.
McCain was interviewed by CNN’s John King about SP, video in a Huffpo story.
Body language says everything. His phony smile trying to act nice and deflect the questions without a straight answer is completely disingenuous. What a PHONY! Just watch his smile.King asks about conflicts between the two camps…. Ohhh that sort of thing is going to happen.
Howard Stern used to have a character ” Stuttering John ” in his show.
McCain has brought the character back.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/11/mccain-responds-to-palin_n_316655.html
too cool…….goodness, I think the media read mudflats.
re: Murdoch’s News Corp(se).
The White House (today?) was on CNN and flat-out said that Fox isn’t a news channel but stenographers for some in the republicant party.
Murdoch must be in the news today, I haven’t looked for anything yet, I’m finding quotes in comment areas of blogs…….
Rupert Murdoch is the world’s most powerful media baron and by his own account, “For better or for worse, our company [News Corp] is a reflection of my thinking, my character, my values.”
pearl89 Says:
October 11th, 2009 at 4:39 AM
After noticing all the bird lovers on the Mudflats, I started a thread on the Forum for the sharing of information among birders
Thanks for the thread, Pearl. I love birds and dogs and fish…..lol I have finches and cockatiels Indoors. My cockatiels are loud and grates the neighbors nerves………lol
I don’t have my own pictures, but this is what they look like:
http://www.efinch.com/varieties.htm
http://www.avianweb.com/cockatielinfo.htm
Nice photo, AKM
GreatGranny2B, I just signed up for Team Sarah. I’m waiting for approval.
I agree, AKM, some animals seem to enjoy attention and admiration.
Two public option polls up. Please vote.
http://alaskademocrats.org
and
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/10/11/792043/-Alaskas-Democrats-Pass-Health-Reform-Resolution
Stellar Jays are noisy and curious. They come through Kenai in the spring and fall on a migration route. Last fall several hung around my office building where a robin had had a nest in a spruce tree for the last 3 years or so. The robins were gone, but the jays picked apart the last shreds of the nest looking for??? This spring the robins came, inspected the site, and moved on. Did the robins know their secret hiding place had been discovered? Was there a reason the jays destroyed the old nest site? Any bird brained psychologists out there who deal with bird behavior issues??? LOL
Thank you Mr. President. I am so glad I voted for this man.
“Well the stories we heard today remind us that the American people cannot afford business-as-usual any longer. These Americans cannot afford high-priced lobbyists to argue their case. They are counting on us to be their advocate; to be their voice; to restore a sense of responsibility from Wall Street to Washington. That’s why we need a Consumer Financial Protection Agency that will stand up not for big banks and financial firms, but for hardworking Americans. That’s why we need regulatory reform that will reward innovation and competition instead of short-cuts and abuse. And that’s why we cannot let the special interests win this fight.
We have already seen and lived the consequences of what happens when there is too little accountability on Wall Street and too little protection for Main Street, and I will not allow this country to go back there. It is time to move forward. It is time for real change. And I am confident we will get it done. Thank you.”
Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/09/obama-slaps-congress-lobb_n_315728.html
Great Grey. Good grief. I should have seen your gravatar, but somehow totally missed it. I’ll put it down to early morning mental fog. Great picture you linked to. Thanks.
I have a pair of Scrub Jays ( not nearly as attractive ) that have made my backyard Home for a number of years and always have a young fledging in the Spring each year. I have never seen a nest… but it is close by somewhere.
Even when their ‘ young-un’ is almost as big as Mom and Dad and you can’t tell them apart, he will sit at on a branch and scream at the parents to feed him. The same way those young owls react.
Jays do have this ‘ attitude ‘. Even a larger Magpie has no chance of getting it’s way if he doesn’t agree. Obnoxious might be a better word when they feel offended or slighted. When Mr. Jay swoops down to feed at the feeder… everybody jumps away from the table to let him eat…. the sparrows and finches. When he has had his fill… they drop back out of the branches to resume their place at the table. They all know who is Boss.
It is a small price to pay though since they never have to worry about a neighborhood cat sneaking up on them. His voice rings out like an air-raid siren alert when a cat wanders through.
Mine only eats about half of the sunflower seeds he will collect from the feeder. The other half is hidden and buried throughout the yard. Sunflower plants will pop up all over the garden… as well as the little oak or pecan shoots.
Hiding those acorns is quite amusing. He will pound them in the ground, under a clump of grass or maybe try covering it up with a leaf. Step back… look at it quizzically cocking his head a few times to see if he has hidden it well enough to his satisfaction. The first time will not usually pass muster. The steps are usually repeated at least 3 or 4 times. It’s quite amusing to watch. They can be quite the perfectionist.
One of the links someone shared pointed out why they are so useful in getting new oak trees started in forests.
http://www.itcouldhappentoanyone.com/
Public Option Now
My mornings start with Stellar Jays, sometimes up to seven. They keep a watch for me to bring on the food. The call goes up! Yesterday, I pointed out to my Granddaughter a jay in a tall tree uphill from the house. He launched himself into the air, wings at his sides, and came on just like a bullet to a bush near the feeder. I get annoyed because they are pigs, not leaving much for the others. I have an enclosed feeder only the little birds such as chickadees and Oregon Juncos can use. It took them a couple of years, but two of the jays have figured out how to get seed from that feeder. I’ll have to try something else. The jays keep me company when I’m doing yardwork. They are good mimics and have a wide variety of noises they make.
My Dad, when he was still alive, living south of San Francisco, a slightly crippled Stellar’s Jay would come to him and eat already shelled peanuts out of his hand. that gave my Dad such pleasure. Here in Kentucky we have the Blue Jay. Some times I think when there are about10 in a tree, that they are having very important conferences! Such a racket. Love them.
Reposting…I have started a thread in the Forum about birds. Share your bird stories, recipes, pics. Anything you wish having to do with birds…tame or wild.
Buffalo Gal @ 38, I see you already mentioned “Going Rouge
The Sarah Palin Rogue Coloring & Activity Book” written by Michael Stinson and Julie Sigwart. I just searched Amazon dot com and Barnes & Noble and came up with no results, so I guess we’d have to order from their web site–see BuffaloGal @ 38.
I have no affiliation with the authors, just happened to come upon the link on TwitterGadget. Amusing satire of Palin and her forthcoming book.
For you humor lovers–typing the above book title on Google search brought up the hit– http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RougeAnglesOfSatin
(Television Tropes and Idioms). Humorous. Click on Main Tropes Index for a really great database of Tropes and descriptions.
Cool Picture AKM…Am a bird lover…
twain~ love your photos, they are awsome…
Our jays here a quite large..They love to harass the dogs..My g/s goes bananas trying to run them off…they eat her dog food…Not to choosy ..
We also have doves, and quail come in…I put a special blend out for them…
Stellar image AKM~
Great composition….and I absolutely adore the shallow depth of field, which creates the abstract imagery.
You have a great eye!
Going Rough is now a subscription freebie at Newsmax. You can get it for $8.95 if you are a new subscriber, and free if you renew your sub early.
Makes me think Newsmax is about to fold.
http://w3.newsmax.com/a/sarahbook/?PROMO_CODE=8AEE-1&gclid=COLs9Yyutp0CFSWlagodOAgSiA
This IS the open thread, so for all you bird-lovers who haven’t heard it yet, here is the link to Levi Johnston’s Blues (which is not a blues tune), lyrics by Nick Hornby, music by Ben Folds:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/09/ben-folds-nick-hornby-pre_n_315950.html
Hope to see some of you in chat!
Please help to halt the Execution of Reginald Blanton 999395, set for Tuesday October 27th 2009. Reginald’s case is riddled with injustice. The evidence against him is of two witnesses, his brother and his brother’s then pregnant girlfriend. Both have said they were threatened by the police with being charged with the crime. During his trial, African-Americans were excluded from the jury. Physical evidence failed to match to Reginald. In addition, they were glaring problems with his appeals attorney at the state level Reginald Blanton deserves a new day in court and to STOP THE EXECUTION!
Please write to the Texas Governor Rick Perry and urge him to halt the Execution of Reginald Blanton 999395, set for Tuesday October 27th 2009. If you live in the U.S. you can send Perry an email via his http://governor.state.tx.us/contact
Can anyone on here tell me at what time does it get dark in Juneau in the month of April.
A blue jay started spending time in my yard just a few days ago. I had seen him on occasion during the summer, but he’s been hanging out more than usual since last week, hollering at me every time I dared set foot out the door.
This afternoon, I was sitting on my patio, resting from several hours of get-it-done-before-the-snow-starts shrub planting, and watching a couple dozen sparrows waiting patiently on the branch tips of my three arbovitae for their turn at the birdfeeder.
Suddenly, the jay, which was sitting in a tree at the corner of my yard, let out a squawk, and with an audible “whoosh”, the sparrows disappeared into the bushes. As I looked around to see what had caused the ruckus, I saw a large shadow cross my patio. I looked up to see a big hawk slowly meandering across the sky overhead, checking to see if any of the tasty sparrow-y tidbits had missed the blue jay’s alarm!
when I was a hunting guide a jay landed on my back when i was skinning a moose .I did not move it was walking on my back 2or 3 minutes . that was cool.
Beautiful photo, AKM! You do such a beautiful job with all of your photos.
Re Jays: here in Central Oregon we have Steller’s, Scrub, Gray, and Pinyon Jays. The Scrubs are a fairly new addition, having crossed over the Cascades from the Willamette Valley in the past 10 years. All but the Gray live “down here” (3500-4000 ft elevation) in the desert areas, though the Steller’s prefer areas with Ponderosa pines (our two main native trees are ponderosas (“wetter” areas) and western juniper (“dryer” areas). The Steller’s and Grays live in the mountain areas surrounding us, the grays preferring the mixed conifer areas. The Pinyons fly around in flocks like blackbirds and make a huge racket. A pair of scrubs made a nest just outside my son’s bedroom window last year and the noise the chicks made was un-earthly awful, though it did force my kid to get out of bed.
Jays will all raid any food left out and even eat out of your hand. On a June camping trip in northern Washington years ago, we left a block of cheese in a ziplock bag in a leftover snowbank to keep it cold and a Steller’s poked a hole in the bag and chiseled out some cheese. They are survivors.
Re: Steller’s Jay. I really enjoy The Mudflats blog and agree with about 99 percent of what you discuss but, in your comments about the Steller’s Jay, you’ve given German naturalist Georg Steller a bum rap. Steller never named any animals or plants after himself. He died in 1746, just a little over four years after he returned from Vitus Bering’s ill-fated voyage that resulted in the first European landing in Alaska. Steller’s discovery (on Kayak Island-near Yakutat) and identification of the American jay now called Steller’s Jay, proved beyond any doubt that Bering had landed in America. The Steller’s Jay was named after Georg Steller by German biologist Johann Gmelin in 1788. All of the many other plants and animals named after Steller were named for him by other naturalists, biologists, etc., long after his death. Quoting from “The Birdwatcher’s Companion,” “…his extensive fieldwork and writings on the flora and fauna of the northeastern Palearctic easily merit his present nomenclatural prominence….” The Anchorage Museum gift shop has a great little book on Steller entitled, “Steller’s Island – Adventures of a Pioneer Naturalist in Alaska,” that provides a good overview of Steller’s contributions to natural science. The Steller’s Jay certainly doesn’t need a better name, it already has a great one.
(hand on heart) Mea culpa, and deep apologies to Georg Steller. He is not the megalomaniac I supposed him to be. I should have been much more careful before I leapt to conclusions. I still would rather see this little fellow with another name, though. Perhaps whatever his name was to Athabascans. I will have to pick up a copy of the book you suggest. Thanks for the correction!
AKM
I doubt if any of us would be able to pronounce its Athabascan names. In the Dena’ina language, in the Outer Cook Inlet region (Kenai, Kustatan), its name was “ulchena gisha” which meant “Alutiiq camp robber.” In the Upper Cook Inlet region (Tyonek, Susitna Station, Knik, Eklutna), its name was “ulchena ggaggashla,” which meant “Alutiiq bird,” both names apparently a dig at their regional enemies. I wish you luck with this one!
Bob W.
Another winner for photos. My computer desktop thanks you. I thank you. This one replaces, after long last, that lovely picture of the snail that you took last summer.
There’s a good reason so many species of North American wildlife are named for Georg Steller. In 1741, when Vitus Bering anchored off Kayak Island, a little south of the Copper River delta, Steller, the only bona fide scientist on the expedition, had about eight hours to collect and identify as many New World specimens as he could; he had expected to have eight weeks or more, and had been preparing for years. It’s not so much that he named species (exit ego argument) as that back in Europe others identified the species as the ones Steller had brought back. How did the Jay Steller found compare with the ones in Siberia? Steller’s Jay was a little different, and so were the other species he described, thus contributing to Darwin’s later formulation of the evolutionary understanding of species development.
I continue to eat crow (my own, not Steller’s) and apologize for my snarkiness regarding Georg Steller. Your comment and the one before yours are well taken. Thanks for the additional information. AKM
Another Stellar photo! The Steller Jay was a favorite of mine when living in Alaska. And thanks to Steve, I know now that they are also evidence supporting Darwin’s theory of evolution – yay!! That makes for a happy day