We've been hearing about the linguistic skills of African Gray Parrots for years, and how a budgie had a vocabulary of 800 or so words. Now comes news about some experiments with ravens that pertain to memory and to ability to associate different things and make connections with them. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/raven-intelligence-memory-1.4204396
Humans are looking less unique all the time.
Tuesday, July 18, 2017
Monday, July 17, 2017
Wildlife Versus Trump Wall
Texas is fortunate to have a string of wildlife refuges along the border that are vastly popular for bird and wildlife observation. Among these is the Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, nearly 2100 acres along the meanders of the Rio Grande, where the river habitat adjoins other distinct habitats, including desert, coastal plain, and wetlands. https://www.fws.gov/refuge/santa_ana/
The richest birding is along the river, and presumably ocelot and jagurundi are free to move across the river and thus across the border.
This will be changing, as the first segment of the Trump Wall is due to be constructed in the wildlife refuge, bringing a road parallel to the wall, nighttime lights, and noise as well as the 18 foot wall. https://www.texasobserver.org/trump-...fuge-breaking/
It remains to be seen how state parks and refuges along the river will be impacted by the border wall. http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wildl...ife-trails/ltc
Many of us had assumed that Big Bend National Park would be spared a border wall, but I'm not so sure now.
The richest birding is along the river, and presumably ocelot and jagurundi are free to move across the river and thus across the border.
This will be changing, as the first segment of the Trump Wall is due to be constructed in the wildlife refuge, bringing a road parallel to the wall, nighttime lights, and noise as well as the 18 foot wall. https://www.texasobserver.org/trump-...fuge-breaking/
It remains to be seen how state parks and refuges along the river will be impacted by the border wall. http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/wildl...ife-trails/ltc
Many of us had assumed that Big Bend National Park would be spared a border wall, but I'm not so sure now.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Kurt Maurer Photos
I want to refer you to Kurt Maurer's photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/67904872@N07/with/15912223623/ Great bird and other pics.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Window
Thursday I was soaking my bones in a tub of hot water and soap. Looking out the window at the neighbor's roof and a patch of sky. BIG bird flew over low, prob goose at 30-50 feet. 10-15 min later another largish bird flew over low, this one with rounded wingtips like a hawk or buzzard. Both rare occurrences.
Point being that if you are confined to a wheelchair, if you are flat on your back in bed, as long as you can see and have a window you can observe birds. If you can only hear and the window is open, you can listen to bird song.
Point being that if you are confined to a wheelchair, if you are flat on your back in bed, as long as you can see and have a window you can observe birds. If you can only hear and the window is open, you can listen to bird song.
Friday, December 23, 2016
Beak Evolution
More on dinosaur to bird evolution, especially with regard to beaks. http://www.cnn.com/2016/12/22/health/dinosaurs-that-lose-teeth-china-trnd/index.html
The key being a small dinosaur individuals of which lost their teeth and developed a beak at about 12 years.
The key being a small dinosaur individuals of which lost their teeth and developed a beak at about 12 years.
Friday, December 16, 2016
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