Dr. George Tiller Murdered

I am deeply sadden by news of the murder of Dr. George Tiller, a Wichita doctor who was one of the few physicians to perform late-term abortion procedures. Dr. Tiller was shot and killed as he attended church.

Dr. Tiller has provided abortion services since the 1970s, has long been a target of anti-abortion violence. In 1993 he was shot in both arms by an anti-abortion fanatic, but recovered. Dr. Tiller has also come under legal attack, with the most recent being a citizen-initiated grand jury investigation. Dr. Tiller was acquitted in March of charges that he had performed late-term abortions in violation of state law.

This tragedy illustrates the extreme measures anti-abortion fanatics will take in their attempt to control women's reproductive choices -- and it must be treated as domestic terrorism. This is the first murder to take place since the Department of Homeland Security was formed in 2002 and Yikes calls on them to investigate this. The person (or persons) responsible for this tragedy must be captured and brought to justice.

We have lost a brave and compassionate man who placed the well-being of his patients above his own personal safety. In memory of Dr. Tiller we must all rededicate ourselves to insuring women have access to safe and legal abortion.

My heart goes out to his family, friends, coworkers and patients.

Sunday Funnies

Van Cliburn Part 2 (Deux)

More angles of the angels at Bass Hall. So dramatic and such a pretty day for an international piano competition. Thursday 5.28.09 was splendid for a semi-final round and I enjoyed my afternoon immersed in a completely different world. I kept my mouth shut and listened to the musicians, to the audience, and then read the paper for what I should have heard or appreciated.

The kids all sounded great to me. Nary a false note in my humble opinion. I've read reviews that there's grandstanding, or rushing, or a steely sound. Huh?? Mariangela Vacatello (Italy) played a Nocturne for the Left Hand that was awesome. I hope she doesn't lose points just because her right hand rested on the top of the Steinway. Ran Dank (Israel) played chamber music with the Takacs Quartet. He was absolutely fine on his Brahms Piano Quintet in E Minor. The Quartet was a tad annoying - lots of violin drama and shaggy hair shaking. It was hard to see our sensitive young man, but he sounded lovely to me. Finally, Evgeni Bozhanov (Bulgaria) an obvious crowd favorite, proved flamboyant, dramatic, and fun. I personally liked the more "modern" White Lies for Lomax by Bates. It proved intricate, familiar, and intriguing. Hmm - does it sound like I know what I'm talking about. Nah.

All in all, there's pacing. There are sound levels - loud, quiet, playful, and moody. Between movements, the silence is like the white space in a poem. Take your time, pause, and then move on. And there's plenty of drama to keep one's interest. Kinda like writing. Sometimes, there's description and sometimes there's action. Just keep turning the pages and you'll enjoy the full story or experience.

Whew! Check out http://cliburn.org for the live webcast and information. This prestigous competition keeps Ft.Worth Texas on the music map. Kudos to Bass Hall, Sundance Square, Parking lots, and the City of Fort Worth - all an entertainment experience extraordinaire.

Joanne

(hiding her Billy Joel CDs for awhile)

Espécies

Se há coisa em que nós, humanos, somos bons é a contar histórias e a exagerá-las. O que significa que milénios de tentativas de entender o mundo e refrear o medo do desconhecido através de mitos, forneceu-nos um fértil terreno de situações, personagens e seres fictícios. Por outro lado, também significa que cada criatura ou espécie paranormal vem atrelada com uma cadeia de múltiplas histórias, muitas das quais divergentes.

Consideremos os lobisomens, por exemplo, a listas de coisas que fazem e são é interminável. Nem a sua origem é clara. Todos conhecemos a versão da dentada, mas em alguns países um lobisomem é um sétimo filho de um sétimo filho (estranho, já que noutros essa pessoa costuma ser provida de poderes mágicos, mas sem qualquer maldição acoplada).

Tudo isto para dizer que quando se decide escrever sobre vampiros, lobisomens e outras espécies mais ou menos conhecidas tem de se fazer uma selecção das lendas que se decidem aceitar ou ignorar. O que significa que, se por um lado, as escolhas possam agradar a alguns, infelizmente, não o podem a todos. É a desvantagem de trabalhar com materiais tão populares e acarinhados que, ao mesmo tempo, não têm uma linha condutora.

Por outro lado, também significa que há uma maior liberdade de criação.

Em suma, sei que posso vir a desagradar algumas pessoas com a minha concepção de vampiros e lobisomens, porém, espero que mantenham uma mente aberta como eu faço com as demais obras do género.

Not If ... But When

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Another reason my workplace is great

You'll recall this cool thing they did during Kids-to-Work Day.

Now, here's an email I just got from someone in HR:

Many of you have already heard that we have a mama and eight baby ducks in the courtyard. By nature, mother ducks are very protective. The courtyard will remain open but please respect the ducks and do not go looking for them in the grass or trees. You can see them swimming in the pond and waterfall area through the cafeteria doors. Thank you.

SWEET.

My birding plans for this weekend are pretty ambitious, and I'm totally pumped: First, tonight, Baby G and her girlfriend plus my girlfriend and I are having a double-date-birding-night-extravaganza! We're meeting at AB's (my wonderful girlfriend) house for dinner and drinks, and then we're all going out to the Scotia Barrens for more warbler/woodcock/whip-poor-will action!

Then tomorrow morning, AB and I are headed to Penns Valley, my old stomping grounds, for a little field birding in the mostly Amish-farmed fields, and then we're going to the Nittany Antique Machinery Show for fun and frolic!

I'm also hoping to do some birding on Sunday in an unspecified location (perhaps where they hide Dick Cheney?). Haven't decided where yet.

What are your plans?

Van Cliburn Part 1

Angel trumpets call. Steinways glisten. Bass Hall, Fort Worth TEXAS beckons - attend the 2009 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and you won't be disappointed. Fabulisimo - is that a word?? If not, it is now. Wow!

I know nothing about classical music, but left my writing computer to support the arts. Enter a whole new world, a realm of language with movements, artistry, and some damn fierce tinkling of the ivories. I attended the first semi-final performance this afternoon and was amazed at the skills. I didn't know when to clap - oops, not at the movements, but rather at the full blazing crescendo of sound. Don't cough, don't shuffle your feet, just embrace the sound and swoon - whether it's Beethoven, Brahms, or Liszt.

I'll be honest. I grew up with Billy Joel or Elton John banging the ivories, and I bet these kids could throw out some boogie-woogie. However, I'll discuss in Part 2 - sonatas in a minor key, suites for piano, or a nocturne I really liked. (yea - we're talking left-hand, baby.

I thought about this event and writing. There's a lot of similarities - pacing, drama, and arcs. I'll save that for part II

For anyone reading this in the vicinity of Fort Worth - get out there. Support a superb event and eat a burger at Billy Miners. Yum.

Joanne

Blog Surfing

I'm sure there are a lot of wonderful posts out there today, but I kind of got stuck at Shakesville. The stuff there was particularly good today. So please take a moment and absorb the following:



Quote of the Day

by Melissa McEwan at Shakesville



Detainee Abuse: New Details Reported

by Melissa McEwan at Shakesville



Fierce Advocate, My Gay Ass

by Petulant at Shakesville



And thank you to Dr. Zaius of Zaius Nation for his inspiration in the production of the following video.

Benedict Carter

Um detective de homicídios pançudo, de cabelo grisalho curto, grande nariz e um rosto sulcado com rugas de experiência. É um homem inteligente e astuto, um polícia competente e, ainda mais raro, honesto. Um agente da velha guarda, que fuma como um chaminé e não têm paciência para idiotas, incompetentes, jornalistas e para o facto de se ver “cada vez mais cercado de putos”.

Ao contrário dos colegas mais novos, Benedict já não tem nada a provar, muito pelo contrário, conta os dias para a reforma. Porém, até esse dia chegar vê-se forçado a manter-se no perpétuo círculo de desgraças e morte.

Apesar de não se ter esforçado para isso, acabou por se tornar, devido à sua extensa experiência, uma espécie de autoridade em casos macabros, sendo sobejamente conhecido e respeitado por isso. Contudo, para ele, esse facto apenas significa que quando o telefone toca de noite acontecerão duas coisas, terá de se arrastar da cama para o frio e ser-lhe-á queimada na memória mais uma imagem de morte e mutilação.

Prop Hate Upheld

The California Supreme Court decision upholding Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment prohibiting marriage equality for same-sex couples, is truly outrageous. The 6-1 decision closes the door on marriage equality in the state.

While the decision is a set-back for LGBT residents in California, there is cause for hope among marriage equality supporters nationwide. Iowa, New Hampshire and Maine have granted marriage equality, and the District of Columbia recently voted to recognize same sex marriages.

The outrage we feel over this decision must be balanced by our resolve to do all that we can to secure justice and equality for lesbian and gay couples. You all know my mantra -- Don't Agonize, Organize!

Mixed Emotions

President Obama announced his Supreme Court nominee this morning, Judge Sonia Sotomayor. MoveOn says: "Judge Sotomayor embodies the American dream. Born to Puerto Rican parents, she grew up in a South Bronx housing project and was raised from age nine by a single mother, excelling in school and working her way to graduate summa cum laude from Princeton University and to become an editor of the Law Journal at Yale Law School."

There is no question she has a compelling personal story, and her selection is historic. If confirmed, she will be the third woman and the first Hispanic to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.

And, Sotomayor was confirmed by the Senate for her current position, making it challenging for some Republicans to oppose her now.

Her confirmation is likely a done deal, but I do have a couple of concerns. Her record on reproductive justice and church-state separation is thin and somewhat troubling. I will reserve final judgment until the full story on her is revealed.

Camping adventures! and old business

My wonderful girlfriend and I went camping at Cunningham Falls State Park near Thurmont, MD, this past weekend; we joined some old friends of hers and had a great time building big fires, making s'mores, and cooking on the open flame.

I didn't see too many birds that weren't familiar to me; here's my list:
Red-bellied Woodpecker (they were everywhere!)
Eastern Wood Pewee
Song Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
American Robin
American Crow
Chimney Swift (weird, seeing as how there were no chimneys around)
Northern Cardinal
Eastern Phoebe
Northern Flicker
Warbling Vireo
Red-eyed Vireo
Blue-headed Vireo
Carolina Wren
Black-capped Chickadee

There were also some mystery birds:
--what looked like an Orange-crowned Warbler
--Water Thrush, either LA or Northern--sadly, my photo didn't help much with determining the ID:We couldn't get very close, lighting was bad, and my hands were a little shaky from the arduous trek. I got decent looks in the binocs, but I forgot to check whether it had that white eyestripe (Louisiana) or not (Northern), so I don't know which kind it was. It was, however, definitely a water thrush, and it made that "chik chik chik" of a Louisiana. ?
--some bird whose song went "pia-pia-pia tazip-zip!" Any ideas what that was? The leaf cover was waaaay too thick to spot him, though I tried and tried.
Not too bad, considering I only birded while doing other things. No Scarlet Tanager! Grrrrr.

We also saw some interesting non-bird things. Here are the falls, a 75-foot spectacle with some nice observation platforms at the bottom:(Definitely click on the huge version of this photo) To get to the top of the falls, you have to climb the rocks like all these people did. We didn't climb the falls, thank god, or I'd probably have fallen to my death.

We went on two long hikes, both of which were pretty strenuous for my old feeble body. I fell a couple of times and banged up my knee, but I survived. AB's back held up well too. I even saw a life-flower: Jack-in-the-pulpit!The distinct "leaves of three" of these plants are probably the reason I've never seen one before; I ALWAYS steer well clear of anything with three leaves because I am extremely allergic. This time, though, I was rewarded with a life-flower!

And we saw this weird fungal spire all over the place:
Any guesses as to what this is?

And this pretty green moth:What kind of moth is this?

Saw some cool-looking beetles who were either gettin' it on or having a beetle smackdown:We couldn't tell which. But the ooky-looking stuff they're on is that weird fungus or lichen or whatever that grows on old trees and looks like a soft light-beige shelf. I used to know the name of it but I forgot. I'm guessing the beetles were eating it, or the tree, or both.
- - - - - - -
The day before we left, I saw a Northern Flicker dead on the side of the road near my house:I always wondered why they call the eastern version of these birds "yellow-shafted;" now I know--the actual shafts of the feathers are a beautiful sunny yellow color:Amazing. I can't wait to see the western Red-shafted version, though I hope I see him alive. It was sad to see such a beautiful bird this way, but I did get to examine him up close for a long time. Look at those breast feathers, with the pretty spots on the ends. And those yellow feather shafts! Beautiful. What a lovely bird.

One Reason Sen. John Kyl is ...

an asshole. Kyl announced he will attempt to filibuster any Supreme Court nominee who has the audacity to try and understand how decisions my impact some one's life.

The Senate's No. 2 Republican on Sunday refused to rule out a filibuster if President Barack Obama seeks a Supreme Court justice who decides cases based on "emotions or feelings or preconceived ideas."

Sen. Jon Kyl made clear he would use the procedural delay if Obama follows through on his pledge to nominate someone who takes into account human suffering and employs empathy from the bench. The Arizona Republican acknowledged that his party likely does not have enough votes to sustain a filibuster, but he said nonetheless he would try to delay or derail the nomination if Obama ventures outside what Kyl called the mainstream.

"We will distinguish between a liberal judge on one side and one who doesn't decide cases on the merits but, rather, on the basis of his or her preconceived ideas," Kyl said.

The Democrats handed these jerks Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, and they dare to say they will filibuster someone who holds basically the same judicial philosophy as Justice Souter?

What assholes.

Memorial Day Means Indy 500 Racing

When you grow up in Indiana there are two things that are a must to like -- basketball and the Indianapolis 500 Mile Race. The fanfare and traditions surrounding the start of the race are fun to watch. And for the past 30-plus years it's also been fun to watch women enter what for decades was an all-male sport.

Janet Guthrie was the first woman to break the glass ceiling in Indy-car racing. Vastly underfunded compared to the men, she held her own for three seasons, with her best Indianapolis 500 finish being 9th place in 1978. Guthrie raced from 1977 to 1979.

Desire Wilson passed Indianapolis 500 driver’s test on May 11, 1982, but failed to qualify for the race.

Lyn St. James raced at Indy from 1992 to 1997, and again in 2000. Her best start was from the 6th position in 1994. And her best finish was 11th, in 1992.

Sarah Fisher was the next woman to qualify for Indy, and is a fan favorite today. Fisher raced in 2000 to 2004, and from 2007 to today. Like other women before her, Sarah has not had the same access to money so needed to be a real competitor at the Indy 500. Race cars and teams cost millions of dollars, and women have traditionally had a hard time getting sponsorship.

And in fairness to these pioneers, Indy hasn't been all that kind to women who wanted to race. Janet Guthrie faced outright hostility from male drivers. And even the Hulman family didn't seem to know what to do with the "lady" driver.

And then along came Danica Patrick.

Indy car racing was in a bit of a decline, and Danica is hot. Not only is she a great driver, but she possess the sex appeal that was sure to bring the fans -- read men -- back to the track.

Indy knew it, and so did Danica.

I must confess to mixed feelings about it all. Danica Patrick is a competitor, and the only way for her to have a chance at Indy was to have a sponsor with deep pockets. Advertisers could see right away that Danica would attract attention, so the courtship was on.

The big question to ask is would the sponsors stuck around had she not been such a good racer? But she is, having won an Indy-car race last year. Not the Indianapolis 500, but a competition in Japan.

Danica has milked her appeal for all it's worth -- often striking a pose that seems more fitting for Playboy than for a race car driver.

Even going after the lesbian fantisy crowd. So what do you think of Danica Patrick's path to stardom?


------------

And I can't post something about the 2009 Indianapolis 500 without mentioning my admiration for Alex Lloyd. Lloyd is driving a pink race car, with word "her" in large letters. Now THAT's a guy secure in his masculinity!

A comment next to Lloyd's photo on the official Indy 500 web site says: "Pink is the new black! Get use to it, all you macho Pink-o-phobes, PINK, PINK, is here to stay!!"

What Pink Lloyd DOESN'T know at the moment is that his wife, who is expecting a baby (due today) is having contractions. She told an ABC sports reporter the team has decided not to let him know until after the race is over.

Best wishes for a healthy baby ... and a good race!

Sunday Funnies

Is Obama Ready to Name a Justice?

It sounds like it! In the Washington Post today President Obama expands on his criteria for a justice.

President Obama said he is seeking a Supreme Court nominee who understands the "practical day-to-day" implications of rulings, as he pushed back in an interview airing yesterday against criticism of his emphasis on judicial "empathy."

It is "important this is somebody who has common sense and somebody who has a sense of how American society works and how the American people live," he told C-SPAN, in his most extensive public comments yet on his deliberations since Justice David H. Souter announced his retirement.

"What I want is not just ivory tower learning," he added. "I want somebody who has the intellectual firepower but also a little bit of a common touch and has a practical sense of how the world works."

Republicans have zeroed in on Obama's comments during the presidential campaign that he would "want people on the bench who have enough empathy, enough feeling, for what ordinary people are going through." They have argued that this is code language for judges who would apply an "activist" agenda not necessarily bound by constitutional constraints.

Liberals really must not let Republicans get away with this "activist justice" bullshit. Their "activist president and vice president" nearly ruined this country. It could take a generation to fix the mess they left behind.

I like that President Obama cited Lilly Ledbetter's story as an example of the kind of judicial temperament he's looking for. Ledbetter was discriminated against at Goodyear Tire. For decades she was paid less than her male counterparts. Any justice with a brain would know that employees rarely know what their co-workers earn. In Ledbetter's case, by the time she did find out it was past the legal deadline to file a discrimination claim.

She lost her Supreme Court case, but Congress has now fixed the problem so other women won't face this same obstacle.

Obama stuck to the same language in the interview while seeking to expand its meaning: He wants a judge who can not only understand the lives of ordinary people, he said, but also grasp the practical consequences of rulings on businesses.

"I said earlier that I thought empathy was an important quality, and I continue to believe that. You have to have not only the intellect to be able to effectively apply the law to cases before you, but you have to be able to stand in somebody's else shoes and see through their eyes and get a sense of how the law might work or not work in practical day-to-day living," he said.

As an example, he cited the Lilly Ledbetter case, in which the court ruled in 2007 that a woman who had suffered pay discrimination, but discovered it after the window for filing suit had passed, could not sue her employer. "I think anybody who has ever worked in a job like that understands that they might not know that they were being discriminated against," Obama said. "It doesn't make sense for their rights to be foreclosed. That's the kind of case where I want a judge not only to be applying the law in front of them but also to understand that as a practical matter."

The nominee will likely be named next week. Let's hope the president makes a good selection, and the Democrats have the spine to stand up to Republicans.

Memorial Day Read-a-thon

Happy Memorial Weekend!

Once Jim Nabors sings the Indiana song and they shout, "Gentlemen, Start Your Engines", Indy cars buzz like bees and go around in circles. Until someone drinks the winning glass of milk, you might as well sit poolside and read a book.

Just started reading Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. This is a serious hoot. Indeed, Mr. Grahame-Smith has adapted Ms. Austen's story, utilized her style and plot line, and inserted zombie attacks when necessary. Mr. Darcy admires Elizabeth for her deeply intelligent brown eyes and her dagger wielding skills. I'm laughing out loud not only for the story, but for the creativity shown. Goes to show, anything is possible. Rumor has it, Mr. G-S is now writing something that involves Abe Lincoln and vampires. I'll give a shout out to Quirk Books in Philly for publishing zany material.

Finished a delightful mystery by a first time author, Alan Bradley. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie introduces us in 1950 to Flavia de Luce, eleven years old, plus older sisters who torment her, a remote but loving father, a loyal gardener, and a man who expires in front of Flavia at 4 am in the garden. Flavia knows her poisons and works to uncover the mystery ahead of the Inspector. As she peddles her bike about the English countryside, we meet a cast of town characters, her father's long lost college roommates, and learn a bit about rare stamps. Well written, with an old fashioned style, and excellent pacing, this book is a winner. I look forward to further tales of Flavia, her nosiness, humor, and a love of chemicals.

Dip in the pool (brrrr), chow down a hotdog, remember those who came before us. And read!!!

Joanne

Agente Isabel Martínez

Isabel é o tipo de mulher que ninguém imaginaria como polícia. Baixa e magra, uma verdadeira peso mosca. Ao olhar para esta latina de corpo magro e sensual, seios pequenos e firmes, lábios vermelhos secos e cabelos castanhos pelos ombros, muitos estariam há espera de se deparar com uma flor delicada, porém, nada podia estar mais longe da realidade. É uma lutadora astuta e resistente, cuja agressividade em combate contrastava vivamente com os seus modos dóceis no quotidiano.

Apesar de se considerar, com orgulho, uma verdadeira durona, basta um pequeno incidente para pôr descoberto as suas fragilidades e virara o mundo que pensava conhecer em 180º. Dá por si, uma mera humana, no meio de um guerra sobre o qual nada sabe, a lutar para manter a sanidade no caos, ao mesmo tempo que procura sobreviver ao fogo cruzado, entre Ocultos e Obliteradores.

NUMBER 200!!! Whip-poor-will!

It happened! I got my 200th bird! And while it wasn't a Scarlet Tanager, or any of those crazy warblers, it was just as satisfying. Yesterday after work, I saw Matty for a while but he ended up cancelling on dinner so I went to TICK WORLD--the Scotia Barrens on the north edge of State College. I bought some Cutter's with 23% DEET and soaked myself in it, then I hit the trails. My best photo was of a Chestnut-sided Warbler who was driven nuts by my BirdJam:

These guys were everywhere, singing "pleased-pleased-pleased-to-meetcha" at the tops of their little birdy lungs. It was often hard to hear anything else over their din! I wish I could've gotten better pictures of this bird, but it was getting dark quickly, and we were under the canopy of leaves. He flew all around me, so close to me that many times I could've reached out and touched him. The hum of bumblebees doing their bee jobs was constant, like the drone of distant airplanes. Imagine my horror when I noticed that many sections of the path looked like this:

For a person who's allergic to bee and wasp stings, I was pretty freaked. I gutted it up, though, and walked through at a brisk but calm pace. These trees were incredibly fragrant, with a lilac-like smell. What are they? Here's a close-up:

Probably something invasive. It was everywhere. After an hour or so on this trail, looking at Canada Goose babieswatching an Eastern Towhee high in a treeand watching all the Chestnut-sideds everywhere, I made my way toward an area that's supposed to be lousy with American Woodcocks and Whip-poor-wills. I was hoping to maybe get a photo of a woodcock, and I figured that Katdoc's comment about hwo you can count it if you just hear whips (because they're almost impossible to see in the dark) made it okay to count any whips I heard as my big #200.

By now I was deep into the barrens, and I was all alone. I made it to the spot--a nice big clearing where people sometimes shoot skeet--about 8:15, as I'd been advised. It wasn't looking (or sounding) good until about 8:30, however; that's when I heard it: above the constant trills of Wood Thrushes, the never-ending songs of American Robins, and the whiny mewing of Gray Catbirds, I heard the unmistakeable "PEENT!" of a woodcock! Sweet! I strained my old eyes trying to see them in the fading light, but I didn't see anything.

Long around 8:40, I began to hear "whip, whip-poor-WILL! whip, whip-poor-WILL!" over and over again--that was it! Number 200! The best part: when I finally left, after video-ing the darkness with the whips singing in the background, I saw several of them in my headlights as they sat on the dusty dirt road! If only I'd had the camera ready!

Also on the way back, I heard a loud peenting just off the road, so I stopped and pointed my lights over a little ridge. Here's what I saw:
WOODCOCK! I realize I probably broke the ethical rules of birding by shining my headlights your way, Mr. Woodcock, but I was just trying to see you! It was only for a second! Sorry! Leaving now!

And so I saw and heard my #200th lifebird, and I got some decent photos/video. Pretty damned cool.

Listening to Whip-poor-wills with a big goofy grin on my face:

Note--that Eastern Towhee was singing a weird version of "drink your tea" in which he would say "teeeee-terrrrrr-tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet" with the 5 tweets sung in rapid succession after the two drawn-out syllables in front. Weird.

I heard a lot of calls I didn't recognize--strange gruntings (frogs, maybe?), weird little dry rattles (not like a Belted Kingfisher though--very quiet), and so many other sounds I can't even remember. As many songs as I've learned, there are still soooooo many more I don't know yet. It's frustrating, but I still had a great time.

And no ticks!

Of the calls and birds I did recognize, I heard and/or saw:
Field Sparrow
Chipping Sparrow
Common Yellowthroat
Northern Parula
Worm-eating Warbler
Killdeer
Hermit Thrush
Wood Thrush
Red-bellied Woodpecker
Yellow Warbler
Northern Flicker
Northern Cardinal
Red-winged Blackbird
Common Grackle
Mourning Dove

I think that was it. There were so many birds, but the trees are really leafing out now so it was hard to see them. It was so cool to have that Chestnut-sided so close to me; he was so tiny!

So now--the big push for 300 begins. My new goal: hit 300 by the end of the year! After all, California will offer a ton of new birds.

Cheney vs. Obama on National Security

Do I even need to ask who is the more trustworthy here?

President Obama and former vice president Richard B. Cheney yesterday gave the country the national security debate it never had during last year's campaign, with the two outlining starkly divergent views of American power and the presidency in the fight against terrorism.

In an extraordinary set of speeches, the still-new president, who refers often to the problems he inherited from his predecessor, and the previous administration's most forceful spokesman laid out their positions just minutes apart in locations separated by barely a mile. The virtual debate touched on Congress and the courts, interrogation tactics and truth commissions, and competing assessments of the nation's post-Sept. 11 history that are currently informing the debate in Washington over how best to balance public safety and civil liberties.

Presidential scholars could not recall another moment when consecutive administrations intersected so early and in such a public way.

Because we've never had a previous administration so corrupt!

In my lifetime I can think of only Nixon and Reagan who played fast and loose with the Constitution. Nixon is the epitome of why the founders included a process for impeachment. Nixon used the full power of the executive office for his own personal gain. Had he not resigned he would have surely been impeached. And I think his waiting so long damaged the country in a way we have never truly recovered from.

Reagan also used the powers of the presidency to advance a personal agenda -- one that would set this country on a course that would eventually lead to the brink of a second great depression. Regulations were imposed on corporations and the banking industry during FDR's administration for a reason. To prevent another great depression -- and for 50 years they worked! Then along came Ronnie, hell bent on deregulation and now look at where we are.

I've said before that I never thought there could be a president worse than Nixon or Reagan, but George W. Bush proved me wrong. He is the worst combination of the two. He used his pulpit to steal from the poor to benefit the rich. And his partner in crime, Dick Cheney, helped.

Cheney's fingerprints are all over the tortured prisoners at Guantanamo.

We may be in a serious depression, but that should not prevent the truth from coming out -- or from convicting Bush-Cheney for war crimes.

Adam Lambert and Gay Panic

It appears that American Idol voters were suffering from gay panic. What's up with that? Kris Allen is good, and very cute, but Adam Lambert has much more star appeal. I only watched the show a few times this season, but it seemed clear that Adam deserved to win.

So hey AI voters ... when are you going to let the gay guy win?

Warblers that could easily be #200

In which I continue to obsess over which bird will be my 200th lifer....

People on the state birding listserv are always seeing the following warblers all around the state, so any of these guys could easily be #200 on my lifelist:
Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla)
Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina)
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)
Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis)
Mourning Warbler (Oporornis philadelphia)
Wilson’s Warbler (Wilsonia pusilla)

I should probably review the important field marks or behaviors that each of these birds displays so I’ll be sure to know them if I see them.

Nashville Warbler—guitar (some spp. with pearl inlays) slung over scapulars, rhinestones studding primaries and uppertail coverts, whiskey bottle prominent near chins of older males and some females.

Cape May Warbler—“diamonds” (from Sunset Beach) on lores, often wears flip-flops in July-August, back is usually sandy.

Prothonotary Warbler—often seen carrying a crucifix and rosary.

Connecticut Warbler—noted for its bejeweled breast, well-manicured feathers, and all-white body.

Mourning Warbler—black mantilla worn over crown, single black wingbar, driving a hearse. Song sounds similar to this.

Wilson’s Warbler—only the crown and eyes can be seen. Fishing hat is prominent on crown.

Bird pics-o-rama!

As almost always happens, my big weekend plans for birding came undone. My girlfriend injured her back, so I spent the weekend nursing her back to some semblance of health. She's much better now.

So last night we went to Millbrook Marsh to really work the birds there. There were many young and beginning birders there too, which was really exciting. We saw the requisite Yellow Warblers and Common Yellowthroats, and we also saw a Chestnut-sided Warbler! I got some great pics of the first two, but none of the Chestnut-sided. Oh well. Here are the highlights from the walk (most can be clicked on for embiggening, though some are small crops of larger pics). A Yellow Warbler impersonating a missile.

An Eastern Phoebe got a little ruffled at me.

The phoebe and a Yellow Warbler preened together.

I drove this YEWA nuts with my BirdJam. But look how nicely he posed!

Overheard conversation between these two Barn Swallows:

"Stop it."
"No, YOU stop it."

"I'm not kidding. Stop it."

"No, YOU stop it."

"I'm gonna kick your--"

"MOM! He's threatening me!"

"Oh gees..."

A Red-winged Blackbird posed for us.


Perhaps my best pics of a Common Yellowthroat!

I love Barn Swallows!

We also saw and/or heard a Swamp Sparrow, a Gray Catbird singing a weird song, some sort of flycatcher, Song Sparrows, Grackles, American Crows, American Robins, Mourning Doves, and some other birds I couldn't ID (grayish brown, small, bird-like...). I think that was everything. It was a nice trip, what with the sun shining and the cool breeze blowing. This is such a nice time to live in Central PA -- when it's not raining, that is.

So the girlfriend and I are going camping with some friends of hers for the holiday weekend. I'm hoping to see Lifer #200 on that trip. At this point, I don't even care if it's my nemesis, the Scarlet Tanager. I just want #200!