Mar 31, 2012

RED TAILED HAWK NEST CAM AT CORNELL LAB

The female Red Hawk has been called "Big Red".
Popular voting has named the male "Ezra".
The clutch of eggs is likely complete and hatching is expected
to occcur during the week around April 13th, 2012


"Ezra"

 "Big Red"


George

at

BLUE HERONS - SAPSUCKER WOODS - WEB CAM


The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has two
live streaming cameras aimed
at a
Blue Heron's Nest.

This pair of Blue Heron's has been returning for
several years.
As of March 31st, 2012
two eggs have been laid and and a third is expected soon

George

at

Mar 21, 2012

Sun Blasts Planet Earth

MAGNETIC SUN STORM PUMMELS EARTH


Ten days ago planet Earth was pummeled by
the biggest solar storm in about a decade.
Days before a huge x-class solar flare (the most powerful category) had spewn
millions of tons of hydrogen into space, with Earth in the cross-hairs.

The eruption – called a coronal mass ejection – blasted through space
at more than a million miles an hour.

The leading edge reached Earth on March 8th and the full strength hit Earth two days later,
triggering a geomagnetic storm as well as triggering some concerns.
For what happens during a solar storm and how it can affect the Earth, its inhabitants, and our society point your browser to:


George
at

Mar 2, 2012

Eagles Nesting in Norfolk Botanical Garden

Last year the Eagles nesting at this site in the Norfolk Botanical Garden
met with disaster when the female was killed
by a jet plane from the nearby airport.
The three eaglets were rescued and raised in captivity.
When they reached flying ability they were released into the wild.

This year another pair can be viewed building a nest in the same location.

Point your browser to:





George
at

Jan 14, 2012

Ethanol Free Gas List

If you have problems with your chain saw no longer running
consider that the ethanol in the gasoline is the problem.
Your lawnmowers, stored for the winter,
should have been operated until the gasoline ran out.
Ethanol is a fancy name for alcohol.
Alcohol will affect rubber tubing, fiberglas etc.
So is there still ethanol free gas around?
If you point your browser to
pure-gas.org

you can select a listing by state of gas stations selling ethanol free gas.

If you access the pure-gas.org web site with an
iPhone, iPod or iPad you have the opportunity to click
on an App link which can then be installed on your device.

Ethanol Labeling Laws by State LINK

George
at

Dec 30, 2011

CHICKADEES

Chickadees Are My Favorite Winter Bird

When I exit from the kitchen door in wintertime I am greeted
by the chickadees at the feeder filled with sunflower seeds.

I find this little bird endearing with lots of personality.
They let me know when the feeder is empty.
While I refill it they can hardly wait to take a seed.
They never eat at the feeder but fly to a nearby branch
and dehull the seed.

The NY DEC has a page up from the Conservationist magazine
discussing the various winter birds we see at our feeders. (LINK)

The photos are by Jeff Nadler who works in
Finance for  General Electric in Schenectady, NY.
More of his bird photography can be viewed at his web site.

If you like to venture beyond your backyard bird feeder
click on the Link to Watchable Wildlife.


The Sapsucker Woods
across from the Ithaca Airport off Rt 13 is my favorite place.
LINK

LINK
George Vanderwoude
at

Dec 29, 2011

BAD SCIENCE

Every day we are bombarded by news about
findings and conclusions in medical research along with advice
about our health.

It is a never ending stream.
Most of it confusing and possibly slanted due to
corporate money moving behind the scenes.

At www.ted.com one finds a nugget now and then.

Click this link and view a 14 minutes video
putting a valid perpective on it all.

George Vanderwoude
at
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