Okay... Let's see what we've got...

• Woman attacks with a sledgehammer...
• Sex workers have a shootout...
• A naked unicyclist...
• Alien abduction...

• The role of union influence in government...
• The validity of Bill Gates' assertion that we are destined to have a robot in every home...
• The rise of radical Islam in Northern Africa...
• An explanation of what/who 'derivatives', 'bundlers', 'venture capitalists', and 'speculators' are...

Sooo... In keeping with a lower blood pressure and an acid-free stomach, here are a couple of hummingbird pics...

I promise I'll give you a more 'wordy' post next time, but for now...

Om by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First... news on the oriole front -- they're here, and they're here hungry! Like zombies lurching around craving brainnnsssss, these guys are insane about the grape jelly and the oranges, and will stop at nothing, including squabbling with siblings, to get some.

And speaking of the grape jelly, our local crows are not above doing an occasional air raid on the oriole feeder to get some for themselves. They perch on top of the trellis, scoping out the area to make sure no humans are watching, then zoom up to the feeder, wings flailing wildly, grab at the jelly, and return to the trellis. We can now see purple stains from blobs of jelly on the top span where the crows retire to eat their gleanings.

Beyond those guys, our hummingbirds have finally arrived. And once again, they've come en masse. As we reported last week, they've been at the feeders almost non-stop, so be sure to tune in to the streaming cam--you're pretty much guaranteed to see someone show up every five minutes or so... Like this guy: (See link to cam below...)

Perhaps the strangest appearance though, has been the little birds (titmice and such) who seem absolutely possessed with the notion of getting into the house. They flutter at the windows and create quite the distraction. I've read that they may be males seeing their reflection and trying to fight off a perceived rival suitor, but then again, they might in fact simply be looking for bugs... Who really knows? All we know is it drives the cat absolutely bonkers--what fun!

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Take a look at the pic below...

There... Does that look so tough??? Those walkie talkies always work... period.

Here's the backdrop to this post...

Yesterday, there was a beautiful oriole just splashing in our front birdbath -- it would have made for a fantastic photo. I grabbed my monopod/Kodak and set up what would have been a remarkable image... except that the batteries (or electricals on the camera) were deader than Julius Caesar... (It turns out it was the batteries...)

So why can't we in America make good stuff like we used to? Motorola (note the name on the walkie talkies) has long been known as a fine American product. Henry rifles are simply superb. Case, Kershaw, Buck, Leatherman, and Ka-Bar are all excellent and reliable as well. So putting aside cheap cost, why are we continuing to buy cheap junk from China when we can make (or at least assemble) quality stuff right here? All the savings in the world will never bring back the lost oriole...

Anyway, the photograph is gone, and we're stuck with a manufacturing society who doesn't even know who it is anymore... Oh, for a camera I can grab as reliably as I do my Motorola...

By those senselessly frustrating feeders...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 8:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

There is a rule of thumb on Cape Cod, as iron-clad as these rules get, that one should NEVER plant before May 15. While I am aware of this rule, and usually abide by it, I'm hoping that Mother Nature will not penalize me by sending a killing frost within the next nine days!

You see, after a few weeks of rain and chilly weather (I'm not complaining too much, we definitely need the rain!), we finally are blessed with a beautiful Sunday in May. Sunny and about 65° with clear blue skies and a soft breeze off the ocean, it's a perfect day to do a little gardening. Earlier in the week I had purchased some geraniums and petunias from the garden center at our local Shaw's market, and as always, having a myriad of useful pots in which to occupy said plants, I set out on this beautiful day to create some colorful planters to add to the ambiance of the garden which already abounds with blossoms.

The lily of the valley is in full bloom, and this year we have a few shy stems of blue snowdrops mingled with them.

I have always loved the combination of red geraniums and deep velvety purple petunias. The sharp scent of the geraniums cuts a bit of the sweetness of the petunias, and the combined aromas have always meant Spring to me. And for me, there's not much better than red geraniums and purple petunias in a big cobalt blue planter. This is nature in all her glory, in miniature, my friends.

As CapeCodAlan had mentioned in previous posts, we now have our hummingbirds back for the year, and they are so active around the feeders! If you keep the streaming cam open, you'll likely see at least one female and two males visiting the main feeder every five minutes or so. And the oriole feeder is up and full of jelly and oranges... if the hummingbirds are here, we know that the orioles aren't far behind! And the butterflies are starting to show up as well. Alan snapped a quick photo of one of my favorites, a Mourning Cloak, sunning itself on our deck railing a few days ago.

All in all, it's been a beautiful Spring so far, and a lovely Sunday in particular.

Oh, and by the way, I bought a gun...

See you by those feeders in Paradise on Cape Cod.

Mrs. CCA

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 4:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Check out the following...

You know, there are times when bird watching takes on its own certain snippiness -- its own distinct 'ticked off' attitude... The last couple of days have been like that... All I wanted was to snap a couple of cute shots of the countless hummingbirds (you really should be watching our streaming cam) and post them here. That's all I wanted. But would they sit still and let me take a lousy photograph or two? Absolutely not. (There are times... especially in the afternoon... when those ruby-throated little buggers will land on the deck railing and break out their tiny unicycles and tiny tubas. They're partial to riding to the beat of Polish beer polkas... And they ride and play and have a great old party until I try to unleash a camera, and then, "Poof!", they're gone... I'm just one photo away from a PhD in animal science... But nooo...)

Speaking of beer, the new beer closet is running at capacity... That's kind of cool.I don't know what I'm going to do come the summer months... (Most brew recipes aren't exactly designed for heat...) But still, it's nice on a rainy day to opt for closet beer vs. no beer..

What else is new here?

• Well, it looks like we need a new toilet. (I should actually document that process because because sooner or later we all need to fix the loo...)
• The yard chugs along most happily... The rabbits are out there, the birds are singing and playing the tuba (arghhh!) And in general we just keep on keeping on...
• The shop is fine except that I accidentally sanded one of my knuckles off...

By the frustrating and boring feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just a quick post to let you know that the hummingbirds have arrived on Cape Cod...

Is that little dude cool or what? Obviously, that isn't the greatest photo of all time, but there he is... Actually that's a screen shot from our eBirdseed.com streaming Web cam, so you can watch too...

Enjoy!

Prepping the sugar water...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Alrighty then... For some time I've been piling up pics for you, and of course not publishing them... Rather than responsibly and dutifully issuing them one at a time along with its own post, I decided to empty the SD and dump them in your lap... Ain't I a stinker??? (If you 'Google' on any of the subjects below along with 'ebirdseed and blog', you'll be able to find more info...)

First up... The 'Great Bird Hunt...' I'd been trying to photograph this flicker for far longer than I should have, and finally in a fit of frustration, abandoned the Canon for the monopod and a cheap Kodak... We're talking foul language and flying pixels, but I won!

I wasn't sure what the next bird was (told you I'm no ornithologist!) I recognized the female cardinal, but not the female red-wing... D'oh!

There! Now take a look at the feast below!!! Home brew, 'snausage', and crackers... Somewhere there's a cardiologist smiling...

Ah... The new bird house in action...

For you woodworkers, you might want to pay special attention to the shot below... If you need to round stock (for stuff like spars, masts, or walking sticks), use Dynamite Payson's technique (I don't know where he got it from) and make your own rubber covered drum that will chuck in a power drill... Then just turn a belt sander belt inside out and use your common sense... Sweet!

Have some Turk's Heads knots...

Lastly is the wife's trail kit... And yes that is a real pistol, and yes, she has a license to carry that concealed, and yes, she knows how to and will use it if there's no other way.

Phew! My memory card feels so much lighter!

By the feeders...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, here it is (left) -- the finished monopod... It's pretty much as predicted, though a bit more refined than my drawings... But the important things are that: it works, it's light, it's quality, and dag nab it, it has that elusive default 'use-me-first' presence... If you have any inkling towards birding (or walking or hiking or...) you need to make one of these for yourself.

Below, check out 'up close and personal'... ... ... the neat Turk's Head knot used to accentuate (and strengthen) the top of the staff... .........

I'm so very sorry... Time out... Time out... I've been fighting this post for half the day, and now I've learned that someone very special in the family has passed... I can't explain at the moment... But I give you my word... As soon as things settle down here, I promise that I will post on this character -- a sort of cross between Norman Rockwell and Hunter S. Thompson...

If I do my job, one of my next entries will leave you both laughing and crying at the same time... Until then... here's to you Rocky... May the 'Yellow Rose of Texas' carry you on your way to the Streets of Glory...

Weepy and extraordinarily grateful by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

• book logistics: This little softback is roughly 6" by 9" and consists of 192 pages of standard-quality paper. The font is fine... I find it to be perfectly acceptable as a read.
• ease of use: Couldn't be better -- read the intro, table of contents, and the first chapter, and you've got the gist of the book under your belt -- sweet!
• book organization: Speaking of the introduction/TOC...
  • Introduction
  • Chapter 1: Advanced Field Identification
  • Chapter 2: Birding by Habitat
  • Chapter 3: Birding by Geography
  • Chapter 4: Birding and Weather
  • Chapter 5: Birding at Night
  • Chapter 6: Birding with a Purpose
  • Chapter 7: Vagrants
  • Chapter 8: A New Jersey Case Study
  • Chapter 9 Patch Listing
• photography: Like the print and fonts, this is perfectly serviceable. (How much can Mr. Lovitch do with 6" by 9"?)
• overall impression: With one caveat I thought this book was fantastic. And that caveat is, IMHO, the title is poorly chosen -- this should be a starter book for all birders. To his great credit, the author has poked the sacred cow that is the traditional field mark system and introduced a 'whole birding' system that works in conjunction with the traditional field guides. Bird appearance alone does not the best identification make. A birder needs to ask questions such as, What tree was that unknown in? What's the weather like right now? What's the terrain like? He also wisely suggests that the observer take the time beforehand to do a bit of research on the Web, in the books, talking with locals, contacting forestry types and preparing for what might very well be out there tomorrow.

All told, super work delivered by an informal mentor -- highly recommended...

By the bookshelves...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, that didn't take long! You know, it's rewarding really... A few nights ago, that house was just some scrap sitting in a garbage bag. (Seriously, I was just going to throw it out.) But now it's a perfect home in an ideal location for a family of little chickadees. (Let me talk that back a bit... I think the final tenants are black-caps -- that dwelling has seen a ton of views.)

It's my fault really, but I look at stuff like bird houses (and boats and tools and cloths and cabins and...) as a sort of mild challenge to frugality and cleverness. I mean, what does it take to make a birdhouse? Call a lumberyard, a hardware store, or even a supermarket and ask if they have any scrap wood. Trust me, one of those places will have scrap galore. Beyond that, Lord knows the Web is choked with bird house plans. And old tools are everywhere... After that, it's all sawdust, pounding, and cussing. (I reign supreme in the latter.) Kidding aside, that's it -- get off your duff and go make something. But make something of quality and efficiency.It really isn't all that tough, and the rewards are remarkable...

By those stingy but well-crafted the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Since we lost the big maple last fall, we've been trying to figure out what the lack of shelter is going to do to the yard and the wildlife. So far, we've noticed that the birds are a bit more cautious around the feeders, and that it's sunny all day long. (The inside temp is already starting to climb...)

Hence, the flowering crab. We chose the Sargent Crabapple, which will provide shelter for the birds, but won't grow big enough to crash down on the house in a storm... We also like the fact that it will flower in the Spring and will bear fruit that the birds (and other creatures) enjoy later in the year.

I'm also extrordinarly pleased with our other tree, the dwarf weeping cherry. It's started to blossom already, and looks lovely. We planted it in a area between the house and the deck, where I'll perhaps add another bird bath and some low-growing plants for ground cover. It's already settling in well.

In other news, we've been standing by the hummingbird cam, ready to take a screengrab of our first visitor. However, despite the evidence of the migration map, they just ain't here yet. And that actually correlates weill with previous years: the rubies generally don't show up until mid-to-late April, so at this point, I'm expecting them any day now. Just keep wathcing the live cam--they'll be here, they'll be here!

And what post would be complete without a great photo of some of our tom turkeys displaying their masculine attributes? This was taken back in February, but aren't they just magnificent? I expect we'll be seeing Mama turkeys and poults running around pretty soon.

All in all, it has been an auspicious start to a lovely Spring season. Here's hoping Summer is even better!

See you by those tree-shaded feeders,
Mrs. CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Let's start with a snapshot of a bunch of work that needs to get done...

The above shows the new trees (arrows) just begging for a fresh home. It also reminds that the large maple pieces need to be slabbed, the shed foundation that longs for its final block enclosure, and the 16' 6x6 cedar beams eager to become part of the landscape. (Can you say "Bengay"?)

Around here, nothing gets done without the help of a turkey or twenty... Bet you can't spot him...

If you look carefully at the center holly tree, you can almost make out a dark gobbler... The next photo shows him as he emerges. Care has to be taken around these creatures in that surprising one might provoke an attack. (Oh goody!)

Finally, the trees are going in... (It's important to take into consideration the size and bird/feeder location... We spent considerable time picturing how the birds could best use these additions to better access the buffet...) The first in is the flowering crab apple...

And here is the second (red arrow), a dwarf weeping cherry... Good stuff -- small, yard friendly, inviting to birds, no raking, away from the septic, attractive...

Just another weekend on the homestead...

By those busy feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I like to think of the construction techniques used to create the above abomination as 'Slam Dash' -- I had the scrap and a few minutes, and I went for it. I used a simple box I built while practicing making finger joints (and stuck together with a waterproof polyurethane glue...) then ripped a back support and bottom, drove some screws, drilled a few vent holes, bored an entrance, slapped on some linseed oil, and she was done. If only mounting was that easy...

The picture above was taken using our new homemade monopod. After working with the mono, I'll rarely resort to a tripod unless I need a granite-solid platform and have the time to set it up. Granted, the monopod takes a bit of dexterity (you may end up riding it like a stick horse, but that doesn't take long to learn... Besides, the 'pod makes for the perfect walking stick... (BTW and FWIW -- a 5' long staff with a 1/2" long pointy bolt stuffed in the end might also make for a formidable defensive weapon out on the trail.... Just a thought...)

Getting late, so I'll wrap this one up...

As always, by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

(Contributing photographer Bruce 'Hole In One' Gibson)

Before I get to the bird stuff, I thought I might just throw in my unwanted, ignorant, and wildly over-priced 1/50th of a dollar concerning golf... You know, I never really understood golf. (The fact that I only traded blows with the so-called 'sport' a few times and was KO'ed in all bouts probably doesn't invigorate my objectivity... but like Carl, I digress...) The pic above speaks volumes as to what I perceive to be very physical proof of the asinine pursuit of this pastime. My idea of a sport is something along the lines of Frisbee or leisurely jogging down at the local track -- at least there's some aerobic activity involved. Golf on the other hand is at best (as so famously has been said) is a good walk ruined... and that's on a rare good day. No, more typically, 'club and dimpled ball' are fraught with lightning strikes, heat exhaustion, depression, suicide, divorce, bankruptcy, and sudden dismemberment by one of the course 'hazards' like the scaly brute above. Now, before I leave this topic to touch on birds, please allow me to be proactive and suggest how I would make golf sane. (For me anyway...)

I'd keep the game roughly the same. (I mean who doesn't see the reward of using a wildly expensive club to scoot a small ball into a slightly-less-small hole from long distances?) But, every third green would have a Hooters with bullet-proof walls and windows. Cheating and lying would not just be tolerated out on the links (as it currently is), but instead would be wholeheartedly encouraged -- anything to speed up the crypt-like pace. Better yet, if I had my way, my golf bag would contain more than clubs -- it would contain large caliber firearms to kill the derned reptiles. In fact, all said, the best approach would be to get rid of the clubs and balls entirely, and just carry guns. And when I'd yell, 'Fore!', people wouldn't just duck, they'd hit the dirt because they knew that that meant I was about to uncork my .44 magnum on one of the beasts. My gentleman's pursuit would be reduced to little more than a crazed drunken dash from green to sand trap to yet another Hooters blasting big toothies en route all the while hoping not to get shot by the following party. Now there's a sport even Ernest Hemingway would endorse!

Ah crud... I've used up all my bird time with you... But at least here's a couple of shots that Bruce also took of Sandhill Cranes at the Habitat Golf Course in Valkaria, Fla...

Sometime remind me how with just a few tweaks (chainsaws and flamethrowers) we could make the America's Cup more engaging...

By those never boring feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Before we talk birds, here's a reminder about the Texas twisters from a couple days ago...

Credit: This photo was taken by a NWS Storm Survey team in Lancaster TX on April 4, 2012. It shows EF-2 tornado damage that occurred in parts of Lancaster on April 3, 2012

Onward...

Well, we still haven't seen any hummingbirds yet, but they're definitely here. (Just check the hummingbird map...) Hence the lonely feeder to the right... (Note the green cup above the actual feeder -- that's filled with water and acts as an effective ant trap. I should think that making one of those with a liter soda bottle, a couple of threaded spacers mated with two long matching threaded screw eyes. Toss in a couple of washers, some sealant and a bit of creativity, and you should be good to go... Anywho... Our rubies aren't here yet. We'll wait...

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Before I get to the crows, I have to admit that I'm distracted by what appears to be a sizable outbreak of tornadoes in the Dallas/Fortworth Texas area... Here is the National Weather Service link... I hope this isn't as bad as it looks... Thoughts and prayers...

As for the crows... Yesterday, I set out some bread for them, and unfortunately the right lower section of the crow tray had a pool of water... I avoided the water, but later, when I went out, the crows had built their own little fence at the shore of the pool...

No great surprise given crow brains, but still fun. (It might be anthropomorphism on my part, but I can only imagine the thoughts of the corvids as they built their small dam... "Moron human needs to drill drain hole!")

I'm going to sign off now and keep an eye on TX...

By the feeders, but watching the news...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"What in the name of Sam Hill is that a photo of?" you might ask... Well it's the remainder of my favorite table saw push stick that got trapped in a batch of epoxy. Let me back up...

If you really, really need an adhesive for wood (and other materials too) that will face the rigors of the outdoors, there is no substitute. And there are other reasons for choosing epoxy as well:

• Epoxy is easy on the fumes, so it probably won't make your house burst into flames. (Nonetheless, be sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions!)
• When used in conjunction with the appropriate pump system, epoxy is easy to prep.
• Applied appropriately, epoxy is strong -- gruesomely strong.
• No other adhesive has the gap-filling properties of epoxy.
• Epoxy can be used both as a glue (discussed here), and as a wet-out resin for fiberglass.
• When used with the proper fillers, it can act as a glue, a fairing/smoothing compound, and a filleting goo.

1. First, you need get the right epoxy for the wood... Epoxy works with almost all woods -- the exceptions being exotic oily stuff like teak. Just ask the manufacturer beforehand.
2. Buy quality epoxy like Mas, West, System Three, and U.S. Composites For example, I use U.S. Composites 635 resin with a medium-speed hardener. And don't event think about those $5 syringe jobbers at the CVS. Those are for hobby applications. You're looking for the standard two-part epoxy resin/hardener used in boatbuilding etc.
3. Buy a gallon. With pumps, fillers, shipping, gloves, masks, eye protection, etc., expect to pay about $100 -- $150. That may sound like a lot, but it's some of the best stuff on earth. Just don't let it freeze and it may be the last glue you'll ever buy..
4. And here we go, off like a herd of turtles! First make sure your bonding surfaces are dry, bare, scuffed, and clean. You want to be working at a minimum of 65 degrees F. See instructions.
5. Practice by pumping the minimum amount of resin and hardener into a throw-away plastic tub and then mixing for several minutes.
6. Next, slather the surfaces with the unthickened glop and leave it alone... Pour a bit of the stuff into a seperate container for a followup coat or two and then add your thickener into the original tub. (I use a wood flour, but each maker has his own adhesive thickener.) What you want is a 'peanut butter' consistency.
7. O.K... Now look at the parts to be secured... Usually, the unthickened epoxy has soaked into the wood, and a second, or even a third coat is required. Epoxy is slippier than a greased eel, so you want to be sure that the wood is truly saturated.
8. Once that's done, securely mate the two pieces, preferably with hardware like screws or bolts. Be careful not to crush the two members together -- you can squeeze out the epoxy and create a weak, 'starved' joint. Now, just let it sit. I like to give my work a good week to really set.

I'll be down in the shop making a new push stick, and hopefully you'll be repairing that rickety old picnic table once and for all...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, here it is -- the monopod I mentioned last time, all spruced up and almost ready for action...

True, there is still suff to be done:

• the top black swivel/tilt mechanism has to be epoxied and pinned cross-grain into place
• the handhold in the staff itself has to be fitted for Mrs. CCA's grip
• a dash of accoutrement (like woven leather or cord handle) should be installed
• the pointy dirt jabber has to be installed at the earthy end of the stick
• it's going to need a few coats of a varnish
• the wife mentioned a lanyard... we'll see

And that's about it -- as easy as a project can get.... If you think any of the steps described here are 'uncharted water', no problem... Just post a comment and I can walk you through...

By those Shaker feeders...

CapeCodAlan

P.S. FYI... Here's an epoxy link every backyard enthusiast should have: http://www.systemthree.com/reslibrary/m_published-literature.asp

P.P.S. We still ain't seen no stinking hummingbirds!

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First of all, take a look at our new hummingbird feeder relative to the eBirdseed.com streaming cam... Little better ay? (Will look better still when I get around to cleaning the window...)

Now... about making that monopod... In general, a monopod is really just a tripod with one leg. It also makes for a dandy walking stick... (See photo below...)

What project would be complete without one of my hideous, out of scale drawings...

Monopods are very popular with birders for obvious reasons... What follows then, is a rough outline for making such a beast and then a few pics showing the build process so far...

1. Rip a 2 X 4 square such that it's 1.5" X 1.5" and about 5' high... (This will be shortened to fit Mrs. CCA)
2. Round the stick to a 1.5" in dia.
3. Find a way to attach a standard tripod camera attitude mechanism (up/down, left/right,tilt) to the top of the stick cutting the height appropriately
4. Bore a 3/16" hole in the bottom end of the 'pod and screw in a 1/4" X 1" bolt along with a dash of syringe epoxy... Be sure to leave about 1/4" of the bolt shaft sticking out
5. After the epoxy dries, cut the bolt head off and grind the remaining stub to a point -- this will be the pointy end that sticks into the ground
6. To mount the camera attitude mechanism, cut the top assembly off a cheap tripod keeping about 1.25" of the height adjustment shaft... (See photo below)
7. Bore a hole into the top end of the stick just big enough to hold the shortened height adjustment shaft and and some epoxy
8. Next-to last-step: Make a handle up by the non-pointy end out of appropriately placed old boot leathers secured with epoxy and a herringbone stitch or a series of Turk's head knots
9. Finally, just slather on three coats of varnish and call her done -- a great walking stick/monopod ready for action

Soon to be sacrificed tripod...

Square stick as it came off the saw...

'Pod blank readied for rounding...

And that's all for today...

By those hectic feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First, here's a reminder that the hummingbirds are on their way, and we hope you have your feeder(s) ready. We do...

The photo above is a shot of our public eBirdseed.com live cam... (Looks like I need to clean the window, and reorient the cam so that no indoor light can get between the lens and the glass thus causing bounce back...) Still, a glimpse of a hummingbird is still a glimpse of a hummingbird...

Onward

Below is a neat screen shot of Cornell's livestream...

This Cornell cam (and a very nice one at that) shows a Red-tail (male?) waiting to be relieved of his egg-sitting duties by his mate. It's fascinating to watch the male bring fresh bark and whatnot, and then leave it to the female to fuss with the nest. If I knew more and had the patience, I'd try to catch the actual hatching, but that could be a tall order... Again, the Cornell streaming cam is here...

By the CRT,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First off, many thanks go out to Lanny Chambers of St. Louis, Missouri for his permission to use the screen grab below of his 2012 Ruby-throated Hummingbird 2012 migration map...

My guess is that we're running about a week or two ahead of the 2011 pattern, because of our unusually mild winter... (According to Lanny's map(s), 2011 Connecticut had its sighting on April 5th, and this year it looks to be around March 20...)

And so with that, are you ready for your own rubies??? (How many times have I harped on you folks concerning getting your feeder/bird bath equipment ready for the Spring? Honestly... ) O.k., one more time...

To clean a feeder, use a solution of one part plain bleach to ten parts water. Be sure to thoroughly rinse with hot water before using. (Here's more info...) And the standard formula for sugar water is 1 cup of cane sugar to four cups of water... Refresh this every week or so...

And there is one of ours on our streaming cam just waiting for first guests...

Alright, so it's a tad high... we'll work on that...

By those sweet feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 7:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Tough subject tonight -- that of killing eagles for religious purposes... The fellow is a Bald Eagle...

Thinking by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Here it is March, and we're already in the 60s... Imagine what August is going to be like! I blame of course Mrs. CCA, who single-handedly wished this miserable weather upon us. Somehow, a simple calculus escapes her and her sun-worshiping ilk -- a person can dress in layers to warm in the cold... the converse isn't true. Arghhh...

Onward... About them feeders... The following descriptions for each pic read left to right...

The ball on the left is in fact a net bag containing nest fibers, etc. The birdbath on the railing is particularly popular with the robins. (The crows prefer to drop their food in the ground-level bath and leave it there...) The domed feeder supplies homemade suet for the bluebirds. In the background, you can see the squirrel feeder...

Next up is a little suet feeder I put in the trellis so that the crows could get to it, but the seagulls couldn't...

Here's the post on the deck railing for the hummingbird feeder, the usual flat crow tray, and the thistle feeder...

And finally there's a blurry shot of yet another ruby-throat feeder as well as the standard model...

All set and ready to go... Are your feeders ready for what will no doubt be a blistering summer???

Grumbling in the yard...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 7:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yeah, I know... I'm packing too much into a single post for the better welfare of human or beast... Tough... Here we go...

First up, a neato video I shot of red-wings and grackle...

This so much reminds me of the sublime poem by Emily Dickinson...

I'll tell you how the Sun rose --
A Ribbon at a time --
The Steeples swam in Amethyst --
The news, like Squirrels, ran --
The Hills untied their Bonnets --
The Bobolinks -- begun --
Then I said softly to myself --
"That must have been the Sun"!
But how he set -- I know not --
There seemed a purple stile
That little Yellow boys and girls
Were climbing all the while --
Till when they reached the other side,
A Dominie in Gray --
Put gently up the evening Bars --
And led the flock away --

Anywho... About the birdhouse... 'Tis the time to build those puppies and get them out there... Pictured below is a soon-to-be avian domicile constructed using box (or finger) joints...

It isn't pretty, but it will keep the pin feathers dry... Now is the ideal time to practice some basic joints on some scrap, and slam together a few houses... Before this one is done, I'll add a sloping roof, bore an entry and drainage holes, scuff up inside and out for little claws, and secure to a tree with that big honking cable tie (available at plumbing and electrical supply stores.) And that will be it...

There... Emily and birdhouses in one sitting... I should have worked in some Ella...

By the feeders!

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Be warned, you may have to turn up your speakers a tad, but the important thing is to listen...

Neat or what?!? Some are most definitely red-wings, and the others are probably starlings.. Growing up, I spent eons rowing around the local mud hole listing to that... And, for more than a few times, when the fish weren't biting and and the sun was setting, I'd row out and toss my 1/3^rd cement block over the side of my stupid little aluminum jonboat, curl up on its lumpy floor (I didn't mind the valleys of the external stamped skids, but the athwartship internal flooring supports were killer...) Still, listening to the above was how an extraordinarily lucky 10 year old got to go to sleep...

When I signed onto this blog, I never promised to be a bird expert -- far from it. And I've lived up (or down) to my word... But I do have a 'feel' for these animals that I think few others do have. (God how it frosts me to watch 'experts' net, band, and then manhandle them for the camera... IMHO, netting and banding is 90% ornithology... Manhandling for the camera is 90% human ego...)

I digress... Sorry this is a sore subject for me...

By those melodious feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First thing, we've been having some blah weather here (can't decide if it really wants to rain...) Sundown today produced the sky above. It was one of those weird things as if a storm had blown itself out. Probably this was the tail end of the cells that produced those terrible twisters in the Midwest... To help, you can contact the Red Cross here...

Onward...

Are you keeping an eye on the Ruby-throated Hummingbird migration? Right now, they're in the Gulf states, but soon... We expect ours around mid April, but time will tell... You can track them using hummingbirds.net. (Keep in mind that you can also study previous years using that site.) I wonder how this strange winter weather will affect their migration??? Hummingbirds won't be the first to be confused...

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As promised here is the remarkable high-speed Eagle Owl video. Please be patient!!! This video takes time to load... If you're willing to wait, click on the "YouTube" button for a larger size...

{It's important to credit sources whenever possible, but this hasn't been easy... It took some digging, but here is what I've got... I think this is correct, but if there are any errors, someone correct me... Thanks...

Photographer credits: Mark johnson from www.slowmo.co.uk and Andy Bilsborough from Turbary Woods, Owl & Bird of prey Sanctuary. The owl is named "Checkers" and was hand reared from the incubator and trained to fly to the falconers glove from an early age. He was only 6 months old when the footage above was shot. and he flies every day at the sanctuary for visitors.}

And that's it... A stunning snippet... On this one, I'll let the 1,000 frames/sec speak the 1,000 words and then some...

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First off, there's a bunch of copies of a fantastic video (various qualities) out there of an Eagle Owl shot at 1,000 frames per second. I've sent an email to the company that released the piece asking for permission to use it. More on that copyright info as I get feedback. (In this day and age of the Internet and YouTube, copyright doesn't mean what it used to, but still, I try to play by the rules...)

Now, about them seagulls... I'm not a huge fan of the concept of 'nuisance animals' but the gulls have got to go. They are obnoxious brutes who frighten off even the crows -- this means war.

The answer of course is to not feed them. But how to accomplish that? To feed the crows is to feed the gulls... Or is it? Earlier this week I began putting bits of suet into a standard tube feeder which is slung under the trellis. While the crows can easily worm their way to the suet, the hulking, awkward seagulls are pretty much out of luck. This is only a temporary test, but the secret seems to be revealed -- arrange/create a feeder that the crows can access that will either stump the gulls, or prove inaccessible to the idiots. Stay tuned -- this dust up isn't over by a long shot.

Lastly, here is just one more nag reminding you about turning your Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) report... To give you some perspective, here are the stats so far for 2012:

• Total Checklists Submitted: 93,755
• Total Species Observed: 609
• Total Individual Birds Counted: 13,219,893

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So have you submitted your Great Backyard Bird Count yet? Here's how ours broke down after 30 minutes of what I initially thought would be zipoid activity...

Note the two hawk sightings... Let's just say that they were up close...

Not bad... We even had a visit from a rather unusual downy...

Who knows why the orange undersides and eye stripe...

By those studious feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Thought we might take a 'bird-less-traveled' track this time... Take a look at the pics below...

There's a common theme here -- that of doing it yourself. The top shot is of homemade brew, and the one below is of a glimpse into our dining area. Aside from cost savings and getting just what you want, there's something comforting in DIY -- "Yeah, I made it or put it together myself..." There's no buck passing here. Obviously, this isn't the first time we've discussed taking on a project without hands-on professional help... There was the shed, the trellis, a farm table, a birdhouse, and even a Shaker clock... (I really should finish that clock...) Years ago I bought 'Buehler's Backyard Boatbuilding', and was struck by the preface... Part of it follows...

Somewhere our culture seems to have lost that spark of imaginative energy that created it. I was thinking recently that I can't remember the last tree house I've seen. Why don't high school kids build 'rods anymore? And why do so many people stand around with their mouths open, afraid to try anything unless they first take a socially-approved class to tell them how?

How, in just a few generations, did this country's soul go from folks who walked, rode horses, and dragged wagons clear across our continent, to a majority who spend most of their time staring at teevees; whose feeling of self worth is based more on income than on personal accomplishment?

When I asked Mr. Buehler if I could quote that, he emailed back permission in a colorful sort of way. But he has a point...

What is stopping you from measuring out your own yard and house and making a scale model complete with trees, a pool, a shed, and whatnot? Maybe your architect already has all that info. (We got a copy when we bought this house.) Then there's Google earth. But once you have the dimensions...

To make things easy, you might consider modeling in one of the more common scales such as N, HO, S, or O (1:160; 1:87; 1:64; 1:48 respectively) and in doing so have access to existing accessories. Or, you can design/build to your own scale (I build all my boat models to 1:27 because they fit easily on the mantle or the bookshelf that way.) With model done, you can experiment with feeder/birdbath/birdhouse locations to your heart's desire. And you don't even have to be limited by medium -- use paper, plywood, clay, or software like Sketchup... The variety of choices go on and on...

Just thinking for myself, and hoping you're doing the same...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First off, don't forget that the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) starts tomorrow! It takes as little as 15 minutes and is quite enlightening... don't miss out!!!

Next up... Back on January 22nd, I started wondering about bird activity and the barometric pressure (and the weather etc.) Was there any sort of correlation? So for the last 25 days I've been making quick notes on feeder traffic, and today, I looked up the atmospheric conditions for those days using the wunderground site. What follows is more or less self-explanatory -- my location's weather charts (in color) for Jan and Feb followed by my own charts (black and white) for observed bird activity. Take a second and it should all make sense...

Wasn't that exciting? (Before I go further, just a word about these charts and this 'research'... The stuff above is wildly unscientific: the sample size is miniscule, the observations are subjective and uncorroborated, and the initial objective was a blur to begin with. That being said, about the best we have is a 'hmmm study'.) The only things I find even slightly compelling are the activities around Jan. 27 and 28; and Feb. 11 and 12 -- when the barometer tanked (or was about to tank), the birds seemed to be riled...

As I said, not very scientific, but fun nonetheless...

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The photo below is that of a 'ghost'. Just note the circled area and then try to spot the dancing apparition in that area in the subsequent video...

Scary! Right? Not exactly... I first spied that last night when I paused to rethink something... My first reaction was the usual, "light off the bezel of my watch again..." except that no matter how I moved my watch the specter danced just the same... Ok... So it had to be a light off the street, except that the shades were down. At that point, for one fraction of a second I thought, "You know, this house has seen its share of tragedies", but then the skeptic in me regained control. Clearly this was more of photons than of phantasm. So I moved my arms around with no change. Finally I stood up, and poltergeist be gone. It was light bouncing off a whimsical pendulum wall clock Mrs. CCA and I made...

But it was that split second of doubt that's so dangerous... That's how legends and goosebumps start. (On a slightly related note, it's easy to tell that those 'Bigfoot' expedition TV shows are a scam. Do you think anyone in his right mind would wander off into the night wilderness looking for an unknown beast without carrying a large firearm?) But I digress... On to our cat and his hauntings...

That thar is Toby, and he's staring into the twilight zone that is our bathroom. Years ago, Mrs. CCA decided that Toby needed a bath, and he's never been the same since. I'm pretty sure he's forgotten the actual incident (Toby never got any fries with his Happy Meal), still, there's something eerie about that room...

My point in all this is simply to ask, "What about birds, especially the bright ones like the corvids?" Are they bedeviled by the 'bogeybirds'? Are they tormented by irrational nightmares and half-lit memories? What goes on in a crow's mind when the sun sets?

Wondering by those spectral feeders...

CapeCodAlan

P.S. This is my 850th post... Ta Daaa!

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Let's see... What have we got for this post??? There's a quick look see on a bunch of birds, an update on the shed, and of course, an update on our home brew...

This is an old photo, but it should give you some idea of today's activity -- grackles and robins galore... If only I could do a 'Vulcan Mind Meld' with one of those critters for just 30 seconds...

As for the shed... The roof is now pinned to the gable ends and the whole thing is pretty much buttoned together. I still have to drive a few over-sized screws, but In no time that stack of plastic panels will be transformed into an over-stuffed man cave. Oh goody... It just dawned on me, that if properly reinforced, that thing could be mounted on a sled, and come winter time, be dragged out onto one of the Great Lakes

Finally, there's the home brew. Here's the skinny:

• Coopers DIY Lager: 10 days in fermenter, 5 wks in the bottle... Not bad. Probably on par with a Fosters Larger.
• Coopers DIY Stout: 10 days in fermenter, 3 wks in the bottle... Ok, but it needs considerably more time in the bottles -- IMHO, 4 to 6 wks.
• Coopers DIY Bitter: 10 days in fermenter, 2 wks in the bottle... Respectable... Very respectable... Imagine walking into a small pub in England and asking for a pint of bitter -- there you go...

Next time by those busy feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Please forgive the lack of sanding, but I hope you get the idea. Here's the Rockler jig used to create that joint...

What this all really boils down to is the ability to create neat, strong box-type stuff (like the birdhouse components above) really quickly once the jig is configured properly... Something to think about for the backyard, etc...

Lastly (and on a different note...) The photograph below probably says it all, but it seems that the toms are... Well, you know... The other day we had 21 hens and 7 males. The yard is a mine field of turkey doo... Grrr... I'm going to have to find a way to use that box jig to make a turkey pooper scooper. Like I said... Grrr!!!

By those well crafted but messy feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First, the bad news... Earlier, I talked about brewing beer, and in that discussion I mentioned cleanliness... I guess I should have paid closer attention to myself -- one of my batches went bad (rotten egg smell), and I had to pour 6 gallons right down the drain. In brewing, there are three stages of prep to worry about: cleaning (no visible gunk); sanitizing (reduce the number of wee beasties to a tolerable minimum); and sterilizing (as in ready for surgery). Somewhere between stages two and three I blew it, and the mix was destroyed... If I had to guess, I'd say that my failure to sterilize the extract can itself was my downfall... Sooo... I cleaned up everything (bleach and steam are wonderful things) and started another batch. Time will tell...

On to the seed front,.. Do you by chance remember my 2007 entry about buying in bulk and vacuum bagging as a way to save money and keeping feed for the long haul? Well, it just so happens that we ran out of the stuff today and have nothing for tomorrow... except for that bag from four plus years ago, (see pic above). After all this time, that is hermetically tight, utterly bug-free, and ready for action. That is why we buy in bulk and seal for later. (I do the same thing for my brewing supplies -- not only do I always have the required materials on hand, but it's much cheaper in the long run.) Just sayin'...

Prepped and cooking by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 6:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Meet a couple of cardinals. (Or is it a cardinal couple?)

Yup, I've talked about this before... You set up the tripod, do your thing, maybe get a bird photo, and then go on with your life. But, (as the song goes) these are days you will remember...

Memoies of the mundane are funny things... For me, the first that leaps to mind is the boring oil change. I don't know why, but when I started this post, I searched my soul for typical memories, and the 'oil change' came up. Ditto for my apartment in Natick, and flying a kite. (Welcome to ADD.) Certainly, there are a ton of them, but perhaps the earliest memory was that of a seagull... I must have been in the first grade, and I spotted a gull out a classroom window and decided to watch it until it flew completely out of view. I don't know how long I watched it, but eventually, it reached the point beyond my eyes... I still wonder about the creature... Did it live a long life and have many chicks? Did it meet its fate at the bumper of a car, or the cold of a winter? In all its time aloft, what did it see? How high could it fly, and did it ever reach its highest altitude just for the sake of smiles and giggles?

Anywho... I ramble... The point is that we remember things even for a lifetime...some as mundane as an oil change, and some quite remarkable like a distant seagull... 'These are days you will remember...'

By those hopefully indelible feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Ain't they beauties? Those are 20 of 30 750ml bottles of home brew just waiting to head for dark storage.

Alrighty then all you adults... As promised, I'm taking a day off (sort of) from the birding theme and focusing on another aspect of cooking: beer. (Here are my posts on making chowder and bread.)

First up, a quick overview... Why home brew? There are a bunch of reasons: you like to cook; you want a higher quality beer than the stuff in the stores; saving money is always cool; it's nice to be able to tailor your own beer; etc.

So where do you start? That depends... If you want to get serious in a hurry, buy an equipment kit that includes a primary fermenter, secondary fermenter, bottling bucket, hoses, bottles, capper, caps, ingredients, hydrometer, thermometer, long spoon.. etc. Midwest sells a nice beginners package for about $200. I wanted to ease my way back into the hobby, so I settled for Coopers DIY setup for about $125. Coopers is a respected Australian brewery, and their DIY is simple and produces a decent beer. (Note on the bottles... I vastly prefer reusable plastic P.E.T. bottles -- no capping -- just screw on.)

General/subjective observations about the actual brewing process:

• After you decide what rig you're going with, order it and then hit the home brewing forums and start at least lurking -- knowledge is a good thing.
• When your gear arrives, open it and start reading... Don't even think about starting that night..
• Cleanliness is absolutely critical.
• Watch the temp of your wort... It matters.
• Be patient. If you rush your brew or its aging. Bad things happen to those who can't wait.
• Children and pets have no place around an active brewer. There's too much wet glass and hot fluids for something to get under foot.
• Keep a journal. (Years ago I created the finest red ale known to humankind only to lose the slip of paper that held its recipe. Sob!)

On a different note, if you're a regular reader of this blog, you may have noticed a number of reviews of bird books from Princeton University Press. And that's fine because, for the most part, the books focus on the birds of the U.S. But now I can start reviews for birds beyond the States... the Indian Subcontinent for example. Would you like me to review those sorts of books? Let me know via a comment or email me at: capecodalan@ebirdseed.com.

See you by those feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, the shed build is coming along nicely... Here, the roof support timbers are installed...

And now the roof itself is in place...

I still have to secure everything, but you get the idea... Truth be told, we're the third owner of this wee building, and is does show its wear, but there's nothing there I can't fix. {Why is it that we as a country (or China, or Japan, or Russia, or South Korea, or Australia, or Germany, or...) can't come up with a 20-year plastic home like these sheds for disaster, famine, and refugee victims? They'd have to be 12 volt, small, have outdoor plumbing... But all this is do-able... Imagine a semi-permanent home for $100... Native Americans, Thoreau, and Eskimos all thrived on less... Anywho, Rubbermaid came up with a fairly good design... If they still made them, I'd recommend one to a friend in a heartbeat.

Let's see... What else? Ah yes, bird activity and barometric pressure... A post or two ago I wondered about the possible correlation between these two, and decided that some sort of informal, simple, non-scientific, experiment was in order... Here's what I came up with... Each day, I'll watch the birds for around 15 minutes at 1pm. Based on my highly subjective analysis, I'll note their feeder activity on the kitchen calender. After a month of this, I'll go back and look at the barometric readings for those days and see if I can spot a pattern... Obviously, any correlation is suspect unless it is screamingly apparent that it is out of the norm... (I'd get nervous if a sudden violent drop in pressure coinciding with crows and seagulls trying to get down with their bad selves and doing the 'electric slide 'together...) Still, we might have something to mull over...

I'm telling ya' that backyard birding is more fun than watching a five-legged turtle trying to juggle 5.5 M&Ms...

By the feeders and the shed...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi,

Well, it took until January 21st, but we finally got a decent snowfall -- 6" to 8". Not a huge deal because we were prepared. (Are you prepared?) (It's also nice to have a generator and extra gas at the ready.) But I digress... The snow was liveable, as was the dig out... To borrow from Dorothy Parker, I dislike shoveling, but I take rewarding contentment in having shoveled...

About them birds... I saw the most beautiful cardinals (male and female) in the snow-covered trees this morning. They were something right out of a $3.95 Christmas card. But did they hold still long enough for just one pic? Of course not... Personally, I've found that birds are to photography as paper cuts are to a thumb. So no, I didn't get any images... You'll just have to take my word for it...

Yet again, the feeders continue to be uneventful. It's almost disconcerting. The birds feed in the morning, eat a light lunch, and then snack before nest. I keep wondering if this kind of act has something to do with barometric pressure. (And I'm not the only one...) Sure enough, the following is from birding.com:

"When hurricane winds rip roofs off buildings and toss mobile homes, what happens to the birds? Birds are very sensitive to changes in air pressure and know instinctively to take shelter. A sharp drop in barometric pressure alerts them that a big storm is on the way."

So... That begs the question... "Can I correlate past strange bird activity with unusual local barometric patterns?" Well, because of the need for experimental redundancy and third-party corroboration, the answer is, "No, but this is curious..." Stay tuned for next time...

By those mysterious feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

When I do these reviews, I like to look at the following factors: book logistics such as paper, binding, etc; the immediate and long-term ease of use; book organization; photography; and lastly an overall impression... Let's get started...

As for logistics, this 10" by 7.5" by 1.75" book consists of 520 pages, 975 pics/figures, and 66 maps. It's well-bound in cloth, and the paper is high-quality. This is 'library grade' stuff.

When it comes to use, I openly admit that the first thing I do is crack one of these tomes open and try to find a particular piece of known info. I my case, I wanted to see the petrel types that frequent the New England coast... I couldn't find a quick list... The best I could do was make a fast thumb through and look at the maps as I went... A more prolonged study showed that the author lists the North American ocean currents, and then provides a list of birds that inhabit those currents. It's then up to the user to look up each bird. (More on this later.) Beyond the reference issue (and I'm not sure how the e-book version handles this), Mr. Howell is remarkably thorough... Taxonomy, flight patterns, molts, wing spans and body masses -- you name it and he has covered it.

Concerning book organization... This is where standard Princeton University Press shines. Here's how it breaks down per bird:

• Bird Number (P1 -- P40 for petrels); (A1 -- A11 for albatrosses); (S1 -- S19 for storm-petrels)
• Identification Summary
• Taxonomy
• Names
• Status and Distribution
• Pacific (and/or Atlantic)
• Field Identification
• Similar Species
• Habitat and Behavior
• Description
• Ages similar
• On the Water
• Molt

What good is a photographic guide if it doesn't have good photographs? Not to worry... This one knocks it out of the ballpark...

Finally, my overall impression... This book is extraordinary in its depth... As far as I know, there isn't another one like it available... The table of contents is fine. The index could use a bit of fleshing out, but for me that's not a deal breaker The maps could be more extensive, but that's nothing to lose sleep over. IMHO, the only real weak point in this book is the lack of a simple table for quick reference of 'region to bird' including page numbers... But even that can be solved with a cup of coffee and a few minutes cross referencing ocean currents with birds. I'm just going to take a bit and generate my own local list.

All told this is obviously a 'must' for seabird fans as well as all serious birders. Mr. Howell's work would also be at home with those who live on any briny coast, with fishermen, in libraries, schools, and waiting rooms... You get the idea...

As always, by those feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As I've mentioned umpteen times before, so long as you locate your bird feeders properly, keep them clean and full with quality seed, and provide fresh water, backyard birding is pretty much a hands-off hobby... If you're not familiar with any of the steps above, please feel free to:

• Google on this blog for instructions
• Ask a question via the comment field
• Email me at CapeCodAlan@eBirdseed.com
• Call us at 1-866-324-7373

So, around here, it's 'gaze baby gaze...'

On to other more domestic stuff...

First off, we have our n-gauge train on our dining room table... Both seem to be aging well... (Who knows what we'll do with the train...)

Speaking of aging... Here's our third batch of home brew snug and dark. Give it about a month and it ain't bad... (Stay tuned... Sometime I'll write a 300 word post on how to brew beer for the first timer...)

Beer maturing...

Next up is the tall Shaker clock... The mock-up cardboard 'hood' (the wood enclosure that houses the actual clock mechanism itself) rests about midway... The final assembly height of the hood will match that of our hutch...

Here is the board that will be used to make the hood... I'd guess it's 125 years old, checked, painted, and loaded with iron nails... I glued the checks back together, the old paint will be carefully stripped, and the board will be cut to shape using a blade that can handle both wood and ferrous. -- time consuming but beautiful when done properly...

Outside to the shed! Work goes exceptionally well... All looks square, level, and plumb... Right now, the ridge beam is in place, and all that remains is to put in the 2 X 6 roof reinforcements and to install the roof...

One small problem -- the 2 X 6 timbers we bought don't seem to be the standard 1.5" by 5.5", but rather a true 6" wide... Nothing a table saw can't fix...

And that's about it from here on the back forty... Happy birds and projects galore

Always busy by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 4:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just 'watched' (glanced and typed actually) the Pats blow out Denver... For a New England guy, it might have been an orgy of chest thumping and, "Who's your man?!?", but not for me... Granted, there's nothing quite like watching Gronkowski thunder his way through the opposition (though that diving catch in the end zone is the stuff of Orr and Bird)... Still, there's something missing... Consider a screen shot I took last night...

All I wanted was a list of the bird/backyard pics I took over the last week. I was expecting a dozen or so, but instead, there were 41... That probably represents seven or eight times in the last week that something moved me to the point of dragging out the camera/tripod and then taking five or six photographs...

So how does a frenetic series of pigskin plays relate to a bunch of cruddy feeder photos? Here's how (at least for me.) Last night's Patriot's antics were fun, albeit fleeting; but the backyard moments were more subtle... peaceful... content... And for every ten seconds of ' Brady Magic', I'll bet there were 60 seconds of feather and down serenity, and unlike adrenaline, serenity lingers a long time...

By those feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 4:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not a lot to report... It has been an unusually warm winter here on Cape Cod. (Having said that, it probably will snow 10' deep tomorrow...)

The shed build goes relatively uneventfully...

Obviously, I need to get the ridge beam and roof on, but that's just a matter of time. The structure being thrice owned, I'll have to refine here and there, but all told, we're pretty happy.

It's interesting to note that the turkeys find the shed 'captivating'... They flocked around it, which at least suggests that they remember that once upon a time the building was not there. (I always thought of turkeys as idiot dinosaur spawn who spent half their lives just trying to remember where they were 15 minutes ago, and the other half trying to find our lawn so that they could do their 'business.'.) But apparently not so... Maybe a more accurate ratio is 40:60...

And that's the update on the shed, turkeys and all...

See you by the feeders and the storage facility... but be careful where you walk...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

That second shot contains a bunch of robins on the ground as well as a couple of downys on the feeder... Nothing fit for the cover of Nat Geo, but fun nonetheless...

While we're in the 'Serendipity Department', check out the cherry boards below...

Well, Mrs. CCA did it again...

On her lunch break, she headed off to a local estate sale and promptly called me that she might have found something... It was a dark reddish wood that was really heavy for $10 total... I thought she might have come across some 2 X 6 stained fir, but she stuck to her guns and claimed that it was cherry... So she bought it all for $10 and brought it home... When I opened the car trunk, I almost had a kitten --

Those are four planks of pristine, clear, finish-planed cherry:

• (2) Six foot by 1&7/8" by 5&5/8"
• (2) Six foot by 2&3/8" by 8&1/4"

And finally, there's our ongoing shed project... Not exactly cheap, but a windfall used...

Sometimes you do just get lucky...

By the feeders looking for another four-leaf clover...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If you look carefully, there are seven bluebirds/finches circled... Very cool...

Next up is a nice bluebird shot... A second glance will reveal that the bird is not only flicking the seed into his mouth, but also that you can see his reflection in the plexiglass...

Have some color...

What a fantastic expression... (Can you say, "Someone get me some mealworms!"?)

And finally, there is the shed... In the pic below, we're fitting the bottom... Looks like we're going to need a couple of sheets of plywood...

The shed flooring above is only roughed in place... We'll have to remove it, square and level it, and then put sheathing over the 2 X... Oh goody...

And so it goes here... Happy birds, relatively mild weather... Work in the yard... There are worse things...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Is that a title or what? Onward!

First the birds... All are 'systems go" here... feeders are clean and full... water is fresh and warm... birds are fat and happy... Just take care of your feeders, and the rest is sanctuary.

What else? Well, New Years has passed and we (Mrs CCA and I) hope you're taking advantage of sales, football etc... But there's something else haunting us -- for want of a better phrase, 'a need for back to the basics'... To that end, we got off to an early start and picked up a used Rubbermaid 'Big Max' shed. Below is the 'foundation' almost complete...

Perhaps, just once and for all, we can get that garage cleaned out!

Next stop... Beer Land! As I've mentioned before, I used to be a pretty fair home brewer... Time to go back to the fundamentals... Commercial beer has become so expensive and so 'bleck' that a reasonable soul has little choice but to brew his (or her) own. Below is my second batch -- a stout. My first was a lager, and the next will be an English bitter... The hobby takes time, practice, a thick skin... But it's like making chowder or bread... Just hang in there...

Here's a particularly cool shot of the very active froth of a primary fermentation... (The smell is wonderful!!!)

And finally there is this -- a simple N guage model train. I've wanted one of these since I was a kid. (I used to build in HO -- 1: 87, whereas N is smaller at 1:160 scale.)

Regardless, the mind boggles at the possibilities... I was thinking of setting up/securing a complete local diorama on a 36" by 72" sheet of plywood, and encasing it in a closeable box suitcase-style. It could be stored on edge and come each December unfolded and plopped upon the dining room table for all to swoon... Just a thought...

I'll be regressing by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I'll tell you, things never seems to get dull around the feeders. Last night and this morning we had a good deal of wind and rain; thank goodness no more trees came down! But I did notice a very wet hawk who flapped into the neighborhood and into a tree across the street.

Once he got settled on a branch, he began to spread and ruffle his wings and tail, in what I can only presume to be an effort to get somewhat less waterlogged. He remained on the branch, feathers all articulated, for at least half an hour.

Interestingly enough, the little birds of the area, the chickadees, the titmouses, the finches, et al, seemed to realize that the hawk wasn't a threat to them at that time, and they massed in the same tree, very close, just keeping an eye on him.

I stayed by the camera for a while waiting for the hawk to make his move, but he never did, even though the rain started again. The conclusion I came to is that he was either still too wet to seek more shelter, or he didn't care about the rain and wasn't interested in eating any of our little birds.

Regardless, a predator who refrains from attacking his prey seems a peaceful end to one year and an auspicious beginning to the new one.

Wishing you and yours a very joyous new year by the soggy feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, how's that for a compelling title? "Boring Finches" sure sounds like it's going to be a barn burner aye? Well, here are those finches (gold and house...)

Truth be told, I want this to be a boring post for a very good reason... I want people who are thinking about putting up a feeder in the backyard to understand how low-maintenance the hobby really is. You just locate the feeder properly, keep it clean, and fill it as needed -- easy breezy... In all seriousness, since you're reading this, odds are that you're not a 'bird nut'. If you were, you'd probably be pawing through the Cornell Ornithology site instead. And that's not to say that there's anything wrong with being a serious birder... far from it.. I'm just saying that most people I know who feed the birds do so for the momentary pleasure of it, and that, IMHO, is a good thing.

How did life become so complicated? As I sit here, I have four remotes: one for the TV, one for the cable system, one for the VCR, and one for the gas fireplace. Seriously, all I really want to do is watch the news; yet counting this computer and the watch on my wrist, I've literally got more electronic and computer horsepower within three feet than NASA had when they put a man on the moon. No wonder we like a simple hobby like feeding the birds.

By those peaceful, subtle feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First off, hope you had a wonderful Christmas! (There... I said "Christmas..." Big whoop... In these times of hyper-sensitive political correctness, I have the gall to utter that often unpopular word... Life can be so cruel for some.) I digress...

Spotted a goldfinch on our deck feeder... Didn't have enough time to get the camera, but there he was just chowing down on a fresh stock of thistle seed... It was so cool in that the feeder has been there for weeks with zipoid for activity, and then, there he was. Why is it the little things offer such subtle rewards? If you've read this blog for any period of time, you know that I'm not a bird geek, but still, for just a brief snippet, there was a "Cool!" rush. There's something special about little birds partaking in our efforts... Ok, so I'm a wonk... so sue me...

Speaking of 'wonk', here's my holiday gift - an n-gauge railroad set...

For those of you not familiar with model railroading, n-gauge is 1:160 and is the bees' knees. In general, model railroading is like sailing, golf, shooting, boatbuilding, and crack cocaine -- fun and addictive as all get out. In the case of n-gauge, one can build his entire little village on a half sheet or full sheet of ply and then frame it with 1 X 4 and store it out of the way on its side... Doomed...

Let's see.. What else for XMas? Gloves are always welcome... I got yet another woodworking plane with a Buck Brothers blade -- superb... There was a 9 LED pocket flashlight which is off the scales... My brother gave me a book and a movie -- more wonk stuff... He also tossed in a case of Sam Adams, which won't make it through the winter...

And finally, I treated myself to a home brew kit, which is long overdue. Bud has been soaring in cost and plummeting in flavor. (Lest anyone chirps the mantra that Budweiser never changes its recipe... read this Brookston piece.) I figure I can make a quality case of beer for around $15... If I still have the touch for brewing, expect some pretty good recipes in the not too distant future...

All for now...

See you by those merry feeders!

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We've got a relatively quick post for you today... (You see... I can hold my tongue when I put my mind to it!) But at least we've got some nice shots taken by Mrs.CCA...

First up... a nice pic of the back of a local...

Next, a suspicious glance...

Trying to get settled on a polywood roof... (Good luck!)

Tough to spot...

I love this! They don't call them 'Flickers' for nothing...

And that's it.... Simplicity...

By those beautiful feeders!

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi,

No telling how many times we've looked out at our trellis (and feeders) and felt a subtle sense of reward --- everything is visually so right with the things. What should be straight is straight; what should be a smooth curve is a smooth curve. (I know I've talked about this before, but things like plumb and square bear repeating ad nauseam.) Nothing foreshadows a final shoddy build like a warped beginning. The heart just isn't in it for the entire build when the start is flawed to the eye. Take a look at the clock case below...

As always, by those upright feeders etc...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Crud... It's been one of those days... The picture above pretty much says it all.

You see, it went this way... I was outdoors working on that downed maple, trying to split it up/cut it up into planks when I 'miss directed' a hand sledge into my left paw,. Can you say, "pain"? That was one of those bone-smashing numbers -- hurts my soul's shadow. Anywho... It looks like about two thirds of the back of my hand is swollen and turning purple... My guess is that I broke something and the best cure is to work harder. (Doctors and I have a hate/hate relationship...)

Next day... Swelling is down, but there is a noticeable lump... Probably a broken bone or bone chip... Hey! At least it's on my left hand which offsets the jutting broken finger on my right. Think of it as gory in stereo... Anyway, to finish up on yesterday's activities... I'd really lost my mojo when it came to jumping ugly on the maple, but the bazillion turkeys left behind their calling cards, and those needed to go back to the woods where they belonged in the first place.

Many locations deem turkeys as nuisance birds and I can see why... They over-run the feeding area, they're incredibly stupid, they can be aggressive, and they really need Pampers... So... I spent the next hour with a lump on the back of my hand that looked in profile like a mouse resting on a small hill... all the while using a shingle to fling turkey crap into the bark beyond...

Grumbling with a bag of frozen rice on my hand... Still... I'll be by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is going to be a short post because the topic dictates its brevity... (I'm miffed right now so I won't waste words... Unfortunately, I can't use the words that I want to use, but here goes...)

Let me explain... Many moons ago I used to be a pretty fair beer brewer, and now I want to get back into the hobby. My equipment is gone and I need to buy another set plus a beer ingredient kit or two. No problem right? I'll just hop online and get what I need (pun intended...) Problem freaking solved. But nooo!!! I have to play the 'shipping and handling' game; I either have to fill in the stupid online form just to get a quote, or call and then futz around to get a quote. I don't want that hassle. And I don't want to order a crock pot only to have to drive to the derned Sears in the mall (12 miles away) to pick it up! Just let me choose what I want, I'll pay with a credit card or PayPal, and my gear will be delivered to my door. Why is life so difficult???

To understand the phrase, "Time is money...", a person really needs to work for himself or herself. Unfortunately, I've spent hours I really can't afford trying to get a simple price on a beer kit... Arggghhh!!!

There... I'll get off my soap box now, and relinquish my crown...

My advice? Find the retailers who offer free shipping and use them. (Which is what I ended up doing for my suds...) Is anything really free? I doubt it, but neither is my time or patience... Since you're reading this, my counsel during the gift-giving season (and beyond), is to call Brooke, or go to the eBirdseed.com store, and make it short and sweet... Then sit down, crack a brewski, watch the birds and enjoy...

Simplified by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

P.S. I'll keep you posted on the beer recipes... I used to make a red ale that was better than anything you could buy in the store...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The weather is starting to cool (27F last night...) Time to get back to the shop... The Shaker tall clock build (right) progresses rather nicely, though there is some twist in it. I knew this had to happen -- the old pine boards just had too much warp and boogaloo in them to build anything anywhere near true... Oh well... If the Shakers could live with it, I guess we can. (Why is it that folks fret over things like cabinet work, putting up feeder posts, designing and building bird houses, or even fussing with an encryption contests?)

Anywho, there's the build as it stands now... Note the levels (red arrows...) Those levels are there to help truly flatten the base level and plumb. The case sits gingerly upon a sheet of glass and shims have been added to make the levels happy. That done, lines were drawn around the base and top to give true flat planes.

Once the carcase is copacetic, the shelves will be put in place and leveled. Glue block supports will be added to reinforce the case and shelves. Then off to the top -- that will be.a rectangular affair that will slip over the case and house the actual quartz time movement. Finally, the doors will be added and umpteen coats of stain/varnish will be applied.

All for now...

By the feeders...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:32 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You know, every so often, I've wondered, "What star is that?" (Truth be told I've taken several cracks at astronomy because I find its math interesting...) But I've never managed to crack its language and notation... until now. I rarely recommend software because people have such a hard time time downloading it and installing it. Here's a rare exception: Stellarium. (Keep in mind that you acquire, install, and use software at your own peril! However, Stellarium seems about as benign as anything I've run across.) Anywho, a couple of nights ago I spotted a particularly bright object in the cloudy sky and used a cheap camera to take a snapshot just for the fun of it...

Granted, the thing was blurry, but there it was... But what was it? (And no, the thought of UFO never crossed my mind.) As usual, I rummaged through the Internet and found a ton of sites basically designed by astronomers for astronomers. I had all but given up when I found the Stellarium SW, (below and below...)

Is that sweet or what? Meet Jupiter...

As for the Stellarium program... It's painless to install (you just need to know your longitude and latitude -- easily obtainable off the Web), and its interface is intuition itself. You can look from anywhere on earth (or other planet), each star and planet has its own info box, you can adjust the date and time, blah, blah, blah... Seriously, if you're a backyard person (and I assume you are if you're reading this post), you should really check this out...

Looking up by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is truly a gorgeous book. Aside from the informative text and marvelous photographs, the book itself is a simple masterpiece of printing. On the small side for a coffee table book, it still has heft and gloss. The paper for the pages is of decent weight to encourage flipping through; and not unimportantly, it smells good. Oh, not like wildflowers; it smells of good ink and high-quality paper, as a book ought, in these days of e-readers and Kindles.

Beyond that, what a book! If you're any kind of gardener, or even simply like seeing pretty garden flowers, you will enjoy this. The author, Bob Gibbons, wrote this almost as a travelogue, outlining prime wildflower areas in over four dozen locations on five continents (nothing listed in South America, and unsurprisingly, nothing in Antarctica).

"Wildflower Wonders" is divided into wildflower sites on each continent. There is a heavy emphasis on European locations, with over half the sites described being on that continent. That said, it would be difficult to point to any of the published European areas to leave out, in favor of wildflower areas in other world locations to include. (One might be sorely tempted to try to bring some of these beauties into his or her own garden, but that would necessitate contacting the USDA...)

The book is laid out by continent and region. Each section starts with a thumb-nail sketch, including location, reasons to visit the area, best times to visit, and protected status. Several pages of information--geographic, climatological, biological, and historical--follow... This may sound very dry and overly-scientific; however, it's anything but! The body of each section is really a compendium of what makes each particular area a natural wildflower site. Well-written, interesting, and just enough information to pique the interest.

Oh, yes, and the photos. Nothing I say would do justice to the lovely photos--not just of wildflowers, but also local fauna and an amazing variety of geographic details. But the flowers are the stars of this show. Author and photographer Gibbons justifies his world-renowned reputation with the images included in this book. And really the only way to understand this is to get the book and look for yourself.

Easy to pick up, browse, read all the way through, or just enjoy the photos, this is one book that you'll be glad to keep in your favorite reading spot, whether it's by the comfy chair, on the bedside table, or in the magazine rack in the reading room. I highly recommend Wildflower Wonders, and congratulate Bob Gibbons for creating such a beautiful book.

By the feeders and the bookshelves,

Mrs. CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I watched a Red-bellied this morning...

Not this one... (I was too slow on the camera, but a Red-bellied none the less...) He (or she) was absolutely remarkable -- the beak was perfect, the colors were stunning, and the flight back into the treeline was like watching an ice cube float up from the bottom of a glass...

Later on, I watched some crows grapple with a handful of old chips -- it was 'Harpo Marx/Edgar Kennedy' funny... The crows of course won, but the discombobulation was worth the price of admission...

And that got me to thinking... "What other hobby offers such serenity, beauty, ease, and humor as backyard birding?" No, really, stop and think... In my case, I collect tools, mess with boats, cook, clam, fuss with math and astronomy, write, study musicians like Ella, Louis, Karen Carpenter, Brian Wilson, etc... Each has their merit, but in one way or another, each takes real work. (You try finding a quality video link to the Carpenters' 1974 Budokan version of the Beatles' 'Help!') You might like to travel, embellish the wardrobe, roll in style... Whatever... Those are fleeting things, expensive thing, things of great preparation and passing reward...

I don't know, I really don't... But speaking strictly for me, I'll keep my modest birds -- they never grow old...

Content by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yup... How's that for ho hum? Truth be told, the birds are on best behavior. The weather is warm, the birds sing and eat, and all is peaceful with the world. (Just watch -- next week Bigfoot will crash the backyard and then be struck dead by an asteroid...)

I guess there's always the matter of a new/used shed yet to be assembled, and a new chainsaw that has yet to tackle the big logs behind the house, but that's all rather boring. (Detect a theme?)

I suppose I could shout another warning about the Euro and the global economy, but that is probably wearing thin...

Naw... I think I'll just put this one to bed early... All is cool with the birds and the rest will work itself out... Then again, winter is just a whisper away... Are you and your birds ready?

Snoozing by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, that was the idea -- I'd mount the streaming cam in the old waterproof Ikelite housing, and put that outdoors. Granted, I'd have to dig a trench for the wire, house the wire in a system of PVC pipe for burial, snake the wire through a 4 X 4 mounting post, plumb the whole mess into the homestead... After all that, I'd have no guarantee as to the effect of wild temperature swings and camera performance... Nope... Not gonna happen... Wouldn't be prudent. So, for the moment at least, the link below is the best streaming cam shot I've got...

Beyond the moving picture machine, things around here have been slow bird-wise. (Part of the problem no doubt has to do with all the activity that's going on as we try to repair all the downed-tree damage..) Still, we feed the feathered ones, and they eat. I do however, continue to notice one behavior in the crows that seems to cross at least a couple emotional boundaries -- whether they're frustrated or excited, they ruffle their wing feathers. Is it a single behavior for two sentiments? Am I missing a nuance that separates two different types of movement? Perhaps the birds are incapable of feeling the difference between frustration and excitement... Who knows?

Lastly, here's a neat little trick I learned while building a canoe -- use tire inner tubes as giant rubber bands/clamps for unusual shapes and for joints that want to slide around. Here's that Shaker tall clock being bound together for fitting and eventually gluing and nailing... Pretty clever, no?

Happy Holidays!!!

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Man oh man oh man, is it easy to get lost in the colors and the fonts or what? Truth be told, there's nothing wrong with the sequence. The only real problem is the duplication of the word 'and' in the instructions. And so it was for the contest -- the answer was there in the title but so easily skipped -- find a way to translate 2096 characters into a recipe in less than 60 seconds. 20/20 hindsight says there must be a converter or translator; and so there was.

In general, misdirection and inverted perception are nothing new... And so it goes with birds... A couple of weeks ago, I was working with a knowledgeable friend in the backyard, and when we got our usual turkey invasion, he gushed that one must have weighed 30 pounds. (Wild turkeys rarely exceed 20 lbs. The hen in question was more like 15.) When my friend spooked the thing, it flapped off at an estimated speed of 60mph. (Once again that was an overestimate. Turkeys have a top speed of about 45mph, and this one wasn't doing half that.)

The bottom line to all this (contest, birds, or UFOs for that matter) is that perception can be exceedingly persuasive. (I wonder how many 'Rare' bird sightings are legit'?)

I think I'll be by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, we have a winner! Kathy K. won. (She won a previous eBirdseed photo contest back in Oct. 2008.)

Kathy was quick on the draw and realized that all those ones and zeroes could easily be converted to plain old text using an online converter. (I checked... There are converters out there for every imaginable language and numerical expression.) So not only did she win a boatload of delivered birdseed, but she (and you!) also bagged a killer recipe... And here it is: all that binary converted into the following...

3 eggs, 1.5 c sugar, 2 c flour, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp cinnamon, .67 c oil, .25 tsp salt, 1 tsp vanilla, 3 pears chopped, .5 c raisins, Walnuts (opt). Mix all together, and bake in a 9 X 12 pan at 350 degrees for apx. 45 minutes.

By the demystified feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well, the old eBirdseed.com streaming cam isn't looking so hot right now...

Time to make a change... Granted, the window could use some washing, and the sun wasn't cooperating, but still... The cam is focused on a now-vacant hummingbird feeder, and where's the fun in that? No, it's time to get a cam outdoors. The problem of course is to get video 'out there' without destroying it. Here are my concerns:

• I need a good housing that will stand up to a drenching or two (or three... or...) At the same time, it will also have to endure countless blizzards. In that respect, I'm leaning towards my previous 'mailbox solution' -- modifying a standard mailbox and using that as a housing. The problem is that I'm not in the mood for setting up a thermostatically controlled enclosure. On the other hand, I'm not about to sacrifice our Logitech 9000 Pro either.
• The USB extension cable may not be designed for elements -- that would dictate shielding it in PVC pipe and burying it... Yech.
• Then there's always the issue of the mount itself... Do I want to go through the hassle of making a long-lasting mount for a short-lived project?

Onward... About that pesky $195 contest... I'm 99% sure that I know what I want to do, but the problem is that it's insanely simple and at the same time terribly offputting. The person who sets aside the intimidating and deals with the problem can solve in less than one minute. The individual who freaks at things that look scary will walk away disheartened. Probably the best way to handle this is simply to work as a team... You need someone who can solve problems by thinking outside of the box snicker snack...

Next time, the contest... Be ready...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Back around my 800th post, I mentioned that I wanted to do something special for the event... I never did. That got me to thinking about other things I've promised along the way and never followed up on. (Yeah, I know... I finished off that last sentence with a preposition... tough.) Anywho, here are two projects that go unresolved: the streaming eBirdseed.com Web cam refinements, and that pesky encryption contest from long ago... One thing at a time...

First, here's a screen shot from our streaming Web cam mid-day.

Not very exciting is it? The original plan was to house the cam in some sort of protective enclosure outside (see the link above), but that sort of fell by the wayside... Maybe it's time to re-visit that idea... The first step is to find the acceptable operating temperatures for the camera (a Logitech Webcam Pro 9000). Bummer that the Logitech manual and site doesn't have that info; I put in a tech request for same. We'll see.

Next up... that nasty old data encryption/decryption contest... Truth be told, it really isn't that nasty, and offers tremendous insight into the ease of data encryption. (Whether or not you know it, you're probably using some form of data encryption as you read this -- your banking, credit cards, and medical records all use this stuff.) Anyway, all it takes to win this is a brief bit of learning and then doggedness... Alright... Your silence (and the silence of those who read two other blogs) concerning this contest has been deafening. So, it's now closed... I need to simplify the contest, and at the same time change the rules and prizes. How about this? I can boil it down to a 30 second solution, change the rules as to who can enter (previous winners will be allowed), and up the ante on the prize. Let me mull it over... But in the meantime, here is the single lump sum prize for that future lone winner...

• Black Oil Sunflower - 10 lb - $24.19
• Cracked Corn - 4 lb - $14.02
• In Shell Peanuts - 6 lb - $28.50
• Large Striped Sunflower - 4 lb - $17.98
• Nyjer - 20 lb - $47.48
• Peanut Pieces - 5 lb - $19.55
• Safflower - 7.5 lb - $22.04
• White Millet - 10 lb - $21.40

Total Retail Value: $195.16 delivered right to your door in the continental U.S. only... (Value may vary with supply.)

Now there's something to ponder...

Tidying up by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:51 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Given the time of the year, I thought I'd do something a little unusual and wander around eBirdseed.com looking for gift ideas... (This blog was never meant to be a running advertisement for the company, but rather a place where backyard birders could meet and exchange ideas of all sorts. Still, eBirdseed itself offers good fodder for a post or two or...)

So, what would I buy that 'special someone' if I had birds on the brain?

• I guess first up would be a feeder, but that would be a function of the birds in the target location and the required feed... Well, it just so happens that WhatBird.com has you covered... Combine that info with our feed charts numbers one and two, and you're well on your way. Just pick the appropriate feeder -- keep in mind that if the recipient is young or infirm, you might want to vacuum seal 'serving size' portions for the birds... Not only does vacuum packing make the seed more manageable, it also preserves it.. The birdseed below (left) is perfect for one of our feeders. (The wild rice on the right was a gift from friends, and is still good after 2 -3 years... need to look up that recipe again...)

  

• Alrighty then... Now that you've got feed and feeder, what else? For sure, you're going to need a place to hang it. No prob... We have a number of mounts. Just remember the 'Five Five Rule' - keep the feeder five feet off the ground and within five feet of some sort of protection from hawks, cats, etc Beyond that, a squirrel baffle is a wonderful thing.
• Finally, a book is a must. I strongly recommend Sibley

By the feeders and not elbowing through the mall...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just stepped out on the deck and took a quick look at the sky and the squirrels...

A couple of things struck me -- the sky and the air have that "ominous" feel to them, and the squirrels are particularly fat and furry this year... Oh goody,.. Sounds like a mild winter... Not! So, here's a quick rundown in no particular order of the things you might want to be doing now:

• Stock up on birdseed and suet. Make sure the seed goes in a rodent- and bug-proof container. We've been known to vacuum pack the seed.
• Clean the yard of fallen branches, etc.
• Clean the bird feeders and birdbaths (and ready the birdbath heater...)
• Consider alternative communication options... Last year, we lost both our land-line service as well as cell service. Lesson learned... We now keep a pair of Motorola commercial walkie talkies charged.
• Prune your trees to avoid downed branches/downed power lines?
• Read and follow a good disaster preparedness manual. (Here is a great one from the Cape Cod Commission... Note, this is a lengthy download, but it's well worth it.) We try to have a month's worth of supplies on hand.
• Always carry a flashlight and a pocket knife on your person (unless the knife is prohibited by law.). A Boy Scout pocket knife or a Leatherman Squirt is sufficient. Ditto for a simple one-LED keychain light like the Streamlight Nano and a couple cards of spare batteries -- that will keep you out of the dark for days if not weeks when judiciously used.
• Prepping your vehicle for a storm emergency
• Making sure you can get to your feeders and birdbaths after a big snowfall... Remember that birds need water and high-energy food, especially under winter duress
• Lastly, consider a generator along with a heavy-duty extension cord, gasoline stored out of your domicile and garage, and a safe ceramic heater. (If nothing else, think of how much money you've got tied up in your frig and freezer right now...)

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Recently I've been a little busy on the home front. Aside from having two more trees down, there's still work to be done around the estate itself...

First there's the aging dining room ceiling light... 1970's chic... Out with the old, and...

In with the new...

Actually, the light isn't all that new. Mrs. CCA picked it up at a consignment shop for a song. (Why don't people do their research before they sell stuff?) Unfortunately, I had to reinforce the attachment point (leaded glass is heavy) which meant crawling around in the attic, but beyond that, the wiring wasn't all that different from the torchiere I discussed a couple of posts back -- just a hassle... Up close...

Onward...

Next up is a couple of shots of the before and after drama of splitting about 4' long by 2' dia. downed maple... Here's the split getting started...

Two hours, a broken splitting maul, a broken ax, and a fractured wedge later... Fini... A bit more battle, and we'll have two massive slabs ready for air drying in the basement. After a few years, these will be trued up, flattened and yield heirloom boards...

Finally, a little hairy woodpecker on our feeder...

So what in the name of Sam Hill do all these things have in common? Well... It took me a while, but I finally figured it out... For me, they all reflect accomplishment, peace and future. I'm looking at a bird carving now... There is a serenity in conviction of imagination -- determination -- home...

By those subtle feeders...

CapeCodAlan...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Sorry, but I've only got a short post for what are obvious (Nor' Easter) reasons...

Here are the same two trees down (with the massive maple -- a victim of Tropical Storm Irene in the foreground...) Oh goody... Two maples and a rock-hard cherry that all have to be parsed, then split (by hand) lengthwise for lumber.

In our "For What it's Worth Department", one rule stands tall -- birds like a bit of shrubbery around the feeder -- it provides them with protection from predators like hawks. We just wish that this temporary "protection" didn't have to come at the expense of two fallen trees.

Off to deal with the insurance company and the Conservation Trust that owns the property that housed the trees that crashed our party...

By the feeders if I can make it...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi,

The photo above seems apropos for the day -- grey, rainy, chilly, overcast, blustery --- fit for bacon and eggs, Emily Dickinson, Karen Carpenter, and clamming. (I wonder if crows get the blues on days like this, or perhaps better put, I wonder if crows become introspective? They certainly are intelligent enough for the process.)

Anywho... What to do? Well, there's the usual work... Beyond that, I guess I'll finish up my workout, clean (maybe later), write some emails, moderate a couple boat building forums, perhaps fire up the crock pot, ... (Ya know, it's too bad that I can't hit the mud flats -- fresh littlenecks steamed in white wine, some garlic paste, and butter would be killer tonight.) And then there's always the shop projects... Right now, I'm:

• building a tall Shaker clock to match the hutch
• making a Shaker wall clock for the shop itself
• fixing a tiny round end table
• hacking together a bunch of birdhouses
• slowly prepping to build another boat
• trying to keep the shop itself clean... (losing battle)
• making room for the maple lumber that will air dry in the basement
• sharpening/repairing all my chisels and planes (we're talking at least 100)
• pondering how I'm going to take care of a bit of rot in the fascia around the front door
• someday hoping to re-do the bathrooms, and re-shingle, and replace the windows...

Jeeze Louise, No wonder rainy days and Mondays always bring me down... (Sorry Karen...)

By those dreary feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi,

Not too much to talk about tonight, so I thought I'd dig out an old photo from the archive. The one above is from 2007 (gasp!) Kind of fun though. I used the now defunct NovaBird motion-triggered camera to take the shot. Unfortunately, both the camera and the manufacturer are now belly-up, but it was a blast while it lasted. (I'd guess that I got at least 10,000 pics out of that cam. Oh well...)

That gets me to thinking... I wonder what else there is out there that performs the same basic function, and how the pictures compare... Here goes...

I'm going to use my time-tested method of product searching by looking on Amazom, and finding the 'most customer reviewed'/'best customer reviews' to see what I can find. I guess I'm also going to want to see some photographs as well. I'm hoping for something with the same focal distance and resolution as the NB (20" and 2MP respectively.)

• First find is the 'Bushnell Trophy Cam': I've worked with Bushnell before, and they're a respectable optics company.... This one is weather proof, the quality of the 8 MP pics is good, it can handle the night, the Trophy Cam comes in a number of varieties... Al told, not bad for apx. $160 $260.
• Primos Truth Cam 35 Camera: This takes 3 MP images and has a 1.5 second trigger speed. The picture quality looks good. Once again, there are several models. Suggested prices range from about $150 to $250.
• The last rig I'm going to look at is the 'Cuddleback Attack IR'... Same kind of story as the ones above -- long battery life, simple to use, takes a ton of color pics, weatherproof. In this case, it takes 5 MP shots, but that should be fine.

And that's about it -- a quick, impromptu glance at the newest remote, movement-triggered cameras. After I figure out the details, all I have to do is talk with the boss...

As always, by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just this morning, we came home just in time to hear a murder of crows raising a huge ruckus just up the road. Being inquiring types, we grabbed the camera and trotted in the direction of the brouhaha. What we found just three houses up the road was an old oak tree with at least a dozen crows hanging around, and a red tail sitting calmly and admiring the view.

Every once in a while, a perched crow would launch off its branch and dive-bomb the hawk, zooming perilously close to the raptor before veering off and re-settling back at or near his original perch.

The hawk tolerated the aggressive behavior for about 10 minutes before deciding he had had enough, and he suddenly took to the sky in an effortless move.

Needless to say, the crows followed from a cautious distance; but the hawk seemed to have had enough of the mob for a while, and he easily outflew his attackers. They milled around for awhile, but without a target they lost their purpose, and ultimately most of them made for other areas; only our own locals stayed around, satisfied that they had protected their territory, and now loitered in our trees in hopes of garnering a treat of stale potato chips, or (even better) old taco meat.

They were suitably rewarded.

Guarding the skies by the feeders
CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Like Fox New's Shepard Smith and his sedated bear falling on a trampoline, I just have to have my crow with rib shot.... The flesh is weak.

Though this is a bird blog, it seems to me that it would be unfitting to fail to mention the death of Qaddafi... From the video I've seen, it looks like he was wounded and beaten, and then eventually shot in the head. Personally, I hope his torment lasted a full two minutes -- the length of time it took for Pan Am flight 103 to fall to the ground in Lockerbie Scotland. (Click here for a particularly sickening account of what those poor souls on 103 went through.) Looking forward, who knows what's going to happen in Libya (or Iraq, or Afghanistan, or...) But as for today, I've had worse.

Onward to the Great Backyard Bird Count... Yup, it's on its way... This is from the GBBC October 2011 eNewsletter:

The next Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) takes place Friday, February 17, through Monday, February 20, 2012. We're looking forward to it and we hope you are too! The National Audubon Society and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, with Canadian partner Bird Studies Canada will keep you informed of all the latest developments as the big event gets closer.

What's next? Ah yes, people and animals... Consider Terry Thompson... Here is a person who had 56 wild animals on his farm. Fifty six... Why? Well, at this point it looks like he was breeding them for sale. Great... I have a radical idea -- leave wild animals alone.and get a life. It's one thing to feed the birds (which we should do seeing how humans have thoroughly overrun and trashed their natural habitat), but it's entirely another to have lions and tigers in Ohio.

Enough for today...

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, so far, the best count for the turkey population in the neighborhood is 21, and that's from Mrs. CCA. It will be interesting to watch the predator (like the coyote) numbers increase as the food supply climbs. I just hope that I don't have the 'cycle of life' unfold in our backyard. But if it does, it does -- not much to be done about that.

Onward...

Sorry I'm late with this post... (It's been five days since my last.) This is number 802 and I've trying to think of cool new ways to bring birding info to you. Obviously, we already have this blog and Facebook, but what's next? I feel like some new conveyance is in order... Then again, maybe the problem isn't the messenger, but rather the message... Maybe I'm just too boring... (Sometimes, I bore even myself.) You know, in retrospect, the entry I got the most feedback from was the UFO post. (The survival piece did well too...) Maybe I should talk with the boss about more contests... Maybe we should increase the prize on the old encryption contest... How high do we dare go with the prize???

Need to think about this and talk with the boss...

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I learned to walk head-down in my not-too-distant youth, roaming the local woods and bogs at night. I used an alternating pattern of 'x' amount of steps looking at the ground to 'y' amount of steps scanning for obstacles before me, depending on light conditions. The better the light, the more I watched my footfall. In daylight, my vision is almost always earthbound.

And so it goes... In feeding the birds, including the crows... Lately, as I've returned from the crow tray, I've heard the gentle, "whoop, whoop, whoop" as crows' wings sweep over my head. This is not trivial. Crows are exceptionally wary creatures. Rightfully, they fear humans. (When I bought my first gun, the instruction booklet blatantly stated that shooting crows was good because they were 'nuisance birds'.) But over the years, the crows have learned to trust us. They aren't pets, and they're not stupid animals. Far from it... If I had to guess, they probably have the human equivalent IQ of that of about a six-year old. (See 'Crow Brains'.) I've seen firsthand how incredibly loyal to each in the murder. Somehow, it feels like we've become friends.

This is so strange for me, and I really don't know what to make of it... I put out scraps for them, and they warn of hawks... They display a clear sense of ire or humor... Impatience or gratitude... Fear and trust... And somehow, I find myself right in the middle of them.

One thing is for certain... When they fly so closely over my head that I can hear the wing flap, there's a bond. I trust them not to badger me, and they trust me not to turn and kill them. Remarkable...

By the feeders...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This here is the world's finest black pepper bread machine recipe... (This formula was more or less from West Bend for their 3/4 lb 'Just for Dinner' product.)

• 1/2 cup of very warm water
• 1 tablespoon of margarine
• 1&1/3 cups of bread machine flour
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon dry milk... (I've used a gentle splash of light cream with success.)
• 1 teaspoon of of dried minced onion... (I used onion powder and lived to talk about it.)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt... (Sea salt works.)
• 1/4 teaspoon of coarsely ground black pepper... (I'd go a smidgen heavy...)
• A hint of garlic powder
• 2&1/4 teaspoons (1/4 oz. package) of fresh bread machine yeast

The work in progress...

And here's the result...

This is exceptional eating... If you want to go goofy, serve this up in tandem with fresh littleneck clams steamed in white wine, a dab of garlic, and an accompanying dollop of real butter... Streets of glory...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

And while I'm talking, I think I'll pontificate... Don't ever dream of going near a firearm without proper training and certification. Trying to handle a gun without thorough training, sober and mature approach, and a heap of respect is like trying to climb a telephone pole and re-wiring your house -- I promise you, it ain't gonna' be pretty. And when your training is complete, just remember what my father taught me: "The gun is always loaded!" and "Don't point anything at anything unless you intend to kill!")

Yeah, I'm a gun person. So is Mrs. CCA... If you've been reading this blog for a bit, you know I grew up in the outdoors, and that included firearms. (As I write this, I worry over your reaction. One of my former bosses bewailed, "Oh my God!" when I mentioned that I was a Life Member of the NRA.) But here goes...

Anywho, the wife and I went shooting today -- target practice as always. For me, it's been a long time, but still, at least I didn't stink up the range...

That's from about 40', open sights, poor shooting glasses, and ear muffs that kept bumping the stock. With decent equipment and even a cheap scope, I can probably shoot 2" at 50 yards with a break-down .22 rifle. Similarly quasi-respectable results with a pistol. Not bad...

But getting back on the birding track... Watch the following video. (I took this with the range directly behind me -- a shot can be heard obviously downrange and away from us.)

This club has been in existence for at least 50 years, and conservation is an absolute. The pond is nice and clean for swimming. Fishing is strictly 'catch and release'. It's an ideal place for kayaking, picnicking, or canoeing... And the birds are everywhere.

Good day, good people, good wildlife awareness... Hope you think about talking with your local gun club... You might be surprised.

On the range punching paper and picking up... Peace...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 8:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yeah... I wanted a crow/blue jay pic, but all I could find was this old 'Blue Jay Eating Chinese Food' shot. Not that I dislike jays or Chinese food, but this wasn't what I was hoping for... Like I said -- I wanted crow and jay. Onward...

What follows is uniquely gross, and hopefully just a figment of a particularly skeptical mindset. Here goes.

The other day, I put out some old ham, and came in to watch for a sec... Fine... Crows descend on ham and that's the end of it... Fine...But I think something happened that lodged in my craw, and I only now can toss it out in the hope that someone can shed light upon my observation/hallucination. Here, with statistical certainty is how I would break down the events:

• 100%... I was watching the crow feeder/tray.
• 75%... The tray was quickly emptied. (There might have been bits of ham left on the tray.)
• 100%... A Blue Jay flew over the tray and let slip... ummm... Let's just say that the jay should have been wearing diapers. (Told you this was going to be gross.)
• 30%... When the jay 'did his business' at least some of it landed on the crow tray. (At the time, I thought, 'classy', but I wasn't sure he actually hit the tray.)
• 100%... One of the crows returned with a beak full of already-pilfered ham and deposited it in the tray.
• 99%... That same crow flew off with his package of ham now dripping white. (And no, it hadn't been raining.)

And I sweat blood for umpteen years earning my engineering degree for what?

As always... By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Okay... So, it's 796 posts -- close enough to 800. But I passed the five year mark with eBirdseed.com back on 9/28/11... Arghhh! Let's see... Roughly speaking, that's...

• One post every 2.28125 days.
• At 2&1/2 hours/post that equates to 2,000 hours.
• My 300 words/post adds up to 240,000 words total. (By comparison, Fyodor Dostoyevsky's 'Crime and Punishment' is a measly 203,000 words. {And yes, I did use both MS Word and Word Count Tool to check good ol' Fyodor.})

But for the moment, as promised, here's that crow with ham...

Since 2006... By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, at least the anarchy below provides shelter for the birds, squirrels, and stone wall panthers (aka chipmunks).

In general, the birds seem to be 'ho-hum' concerning the loss of the maple. I guess that's a good thing. I wish I could come to rest so easily with the vacancy. There's something almost tragic in the loss of a large tree...

Of course, come next summer, the house is going to get absolutely baked without the shade of the maple... Today, a friend mentioned that now would be a good time to install solar panels... I think he might just be right and will look into it. At first glance, I think we're talking $30K, but let's just see. There's a ton of homework to be done...

But back to the tree (above). As far as I can tell, it's going to cost apx. $500 to have that beast milled, which simply ain't gonna' happen. So the alternatives are to chop it up and burn it, or split it by hand and use it for lumber. Bluntly, the former is completely unacceptable, and the latter sounds mighty sweaty. So be it the latter. I'll keep you posted though this probably isn't going to be pretty.

Pensive by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Take a look at the image above... What to do with the remnants of tropical storm Irene? Essentially, we're facing a 'maple' quandary on five fronts:

• There is the stump itself... I guess we could cut it off at dirt level, and have the remains ground away. Ughhh...
• Note all them thar logs... 21st century 'wisdom' dictates that all those guys should have been ground to flakes days ago. Once again... Ughhh...
• There's always the option of chopping the lot up into firewood. In fact, some of the smaller stuff has been taken away for the hearth. (IMHO, better that than chipping it up into oblivion.)
• My first real choice though is that of at least milling the logs. Take a look at the beast below keeping in mind the vertical yardstick as a size reference...

  

  It doesn't take much imagination to see an heirloom blanket chest or table hiding in there.

• But what of the birds? Now we come full circle back to the stump... Mrs. CCA and I think we want to leave the stump, and turn it into perhaps a pedestal for a birdbath. Then again, it would make for a super-strong housing for a birdhouse pole. Maybe it could house a small water fall for the birds...And so it goes -- circle of life... My money is on the birds.

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

True to form, the Tree Co. showed up early -- a day early actually, and did a fantastic job. (You can see the 'before' here.)

But now the fun begins. Somehow, I've got to get most of those logs out of the yard -- supposedly a friend is going to cut them up for firewood. Beyond that, in theory, I'll take a shot at milling the big guy (18" in diameter by 6' in length). I want to split the trunk into a series of slabs, air dry them, and eventually turn them into heirloom pieces of furniture for both the wife and I and for the previous owners who planted the maple 40 years ago. Oh goody. However, not being one to unduly dwell on the dark side of a project like this (though I do reserve the right to be realistic), I think I'm up to the task... But what to make? I'm thinking blanket chest and maybe a jewelry box or two.

Time will tell... I'll keep you posted.

CapeCodAlan

P.S. The crows are already back, but they do seem a bit confused with the disappearance of one of their 'main perches'.

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi,

Just a heads up...

This Friday 9/23, (8:00 - 8:30 AM EST) we're going to have the pros (Tree Co. Inc.) come in and take down the tree below.

Unfortunately, because of Hurricane Irene and disease, the tree has to go. But at least you can watch some of the action on our live streaming Webcam, and, I'll (or Mrs. CCA) will try to watch this blog and the eBirdseed Facebook wall for comments.

In the meantime, I've got to clear a path to the tree (move the boat), make a template for chainsaw cut length, and figure out if I really want to try to mill six feet of the trunk itself. (Let's see... 18" in dia. by 6' in length weighs how much?!?)

Bracing myself by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well, this is a cute pic ain't it?

That's by Goya, and is entitled 'El Sueño de la Razón Produce Monstruos', or, 'The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters'. Searching Wikipedia for 'night terror' will take you to that image.

What prompts this post was the very-recent occurrence of not one, but two back-to-back 'night terrors'. (If my old psych major memory serves me right, the armchair definition of a night terror is that it's sort of a nightmare on steroids. It's rare but highly memorable, often accompanied by screaming, punching, and kicking. Also, the heart rate can go through the roof. A night terror is to a nightmare what a pneumonia is to a common cold.)

My first night terror occurred back when I was in my 20s... I was being chased by the famous, mounted headless horseman. I was so scared I awoke trying to scream, but could only grunt in a gasping sort of way.

Tonight, the first consisted of a disastrous explosion (a cross between a huge tree limb falling and a shotgun blast) followed immediately with me being in my pitch-black basement shop with my shoulder wedged against the door, and some large winged thing stomping on the stairs on the other side. To make matters worse, I'd left my pocket flashlight and knife on the workbench. I distinctly remember trying to decide whether to open the door and try to fight the creature in complete darkness, or to keep the door closed and simply try to hold the fort.

The second NT this PM consisted of a flying fairy that wanted to get in my face and not leave.

So why do we have these horrors, and why do they so often involve flying things? As for the former... who knows. 'Experts' say that the cause could be anything from excessive passivity to over aggressiveness to bad sleep habits. And the latter? There are some plausible explanations. Maybe we're born with a fear of flying things from an evolutionary standpoint... Perhaps flying is considered a super-human ability that can turn super-sinister... Then again, maybe the brain is just bored during sleep and decides to go on a bit of a tear with the psyche... Who knows? But I do know one thing -- the most terrifying movie I ever saw was 'Jeepers Creepers', and that winged thing was as bad as bad can get...

Yup... Horrific death from above in the darkness... That will do it...

Sleepless by the feeders and looking up,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well, our old friend and commenter Harry "Gipper" Morris has absolutely outdone himself... Take a look at the photograph he took of the image left behind after a non-lethal bird hit on his glass sliding doors...

Unfortunately, this isn't the only photograph of this type -- Google on: 'bird strike window' and then look at the 'Images'. However, it still Is very impressive. Here's Harry's explanation of the event...

The photo is real and it's all mine. I took it. It's in the original format directly from camera to computer, and unaltered in any way. Looking more closely at the image this morning, I think the image came about from oils in the bird's feathers combining with a thin film of dust on the window (glass door) which left such a perfect image of the bird on impact. I produced a similar "whitish" image when I pressed my finger on the glass near the bird image. The brightness, or whitish color, came from the sun at low declanation (5:30pm) refracting through the oils on the glass, back to the eye or camera lense. This morning the image is still there but only in faint grey tones.

My guess is that Harry is right on about the oil coming off the feathers and leaving their mark. That alone speaks volumes about the force of the collision. Though estimates vary widely, window hits possibly account for 100 million to 900+ million dead birds per years. (And here's a great series of suggestions regarding this problem from the Humane Society.)

So many thanks go out to Mr. Morris for this remarkable image!

By those wondrous feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Mrs. CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hi,

So far I've reviewed the following from Princeton University Press (PUP):

• "Birds of Hawaii, New Zealand, and the Central and West Pacific"
• "Hawks at a Distance"
• "Hawks from Every Angle"
• "The Crossley Guide, Eastern Birds"

On to the picayune and I'll get back to the bigger picture in a second...

• When I received the book, the printing process had folded over the corners of a number of pages, and consequentially, they hadn't been cut properly. For me, this is a non-issue, but if I bought the book as a gift, I would have returned it for a pristine copy.
• I spotted a couple of errors in the atlas such as the number of times Shakespeare mentions the bird 'Chough'... If that sort of thing 'derails your train', then the decision to buy or not buy this book is the least of your worries.
• This tome is loaded with references (over 150), but lack of corroboration of sources makes this old engineer antsy. At least 40% of Mr. Unwin's citations are from a single (and very well-respected) source -- BirdLife International. Corroboration might have been better, though, in the real world, that may not even have been possible.

• Introduction To Birds
• Where Birds Live
• Birds In Order
• How Birds Live
• Birds And People
• Birds Under Threat
• Protecting Birds
• Bird Table (including indices and sources)

So who should buy this book? Who will really read it? The answer is everyone. (Believe it or not, this is where I may truly tick off both the author and publisher...) Here's the deal... This book is ideal for the bird lover, the student who wants to learn how to write, and the coffee table. It's perfect for the auto repair shop, the doctor's office, and the dentist's office. You name the interested or idle moment and this book is perfect. But here's where I think it really shines -- in the bathroom. I don't say that in the least derogatory -- just the opposite. Whether we like to admit it or not, some of the most meaningful reading is done in the privacy of the 'loo'. Before you jump ugly on me, know that Mrs. CCA had the same first impression, and also some of my most treasured books are in the powder room. It is what it is...

Time to wrap this up... 'The Atlas of Birds' is a must. While a few of the numbers may be open to interpretation or confirmation, Mr. Unwin has nonetheless done himself proud.

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:29 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not sure what the birds think of the rain, but I can guess...

If you watch crows long enough, you might notice that they seem to ruffle their feathers when they're unhappy. If they arrive, and if I fail to put out food (or if I put out non-meat food), they become stand-offish and huffy. Their agitation is demonstrated by the herky-jerky scapulas -- a sort of bug-eyed bird version of Rodney Dangerfield adjusting his tie and shirking his shoulders, "I don't get no respect... no respect at all." (I wonder if crows have a sense of humor... After all, the corvids are some of the smartest creatures on earth... But I digress. Back to the subject of rain...)

Me? I love the rain. Oh to be out on the clam flats now, or in a rowboat in the rain. There's a peace there, a solitude, an unresolvable escape from the daily hoary... And even if a person is housebound, there's always Carole King's 'Tapestry' or the Carpenters 'Love Songs'... Do birds feel serenity?

Quiet by the feeders..

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I couldn't help but think of the following Emily Dickinson piece when I took this shot...

That just kills me -- high on nature. This little fellow looks (and acts) like he's bombed. Then again, in this heat, the sugar water may have fermented a bit (either that or he's on a sugar high...) I wonder what the world would be like from the perspective of a blasted bee? Inquiring minds...

Let's see, what else?

Ah, there's the 'new' crow feeder... I had a spare piece of 1 X 12 pine, and a length of 1 X 1. I just tossed in some stainless screws and some weatherproof glue, and presto, a new platform is born. (Note the watchful crow...)

(BTW, note the two monster cable ties used to reinforce the top of the support post. Those are a 'must-own', and can be purchased at plumbing and electrical supply stores.)

Time to go...

See you by those patched feeders if the bees don't get me...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

As promised in the last post, here are some thoughts about bird equipment survival during a strong storm... (I was going to include info on 'people survival' but I've done that to death already... Google on 'eBiirdseed prepare' and brace yourself.)

The old fella above doesn't look so happy does he... Wonder why? Could it be that his always-reliable 'crow feeder' below got smoked?

Thoughts on future feeder and bird house designs... Given their demise (the bird house is off to the left out of the picture), both units held up exceptionally well until a honking big branch fell on them. Still, I'll make changes in the future designs...

• I'm going to start seriously exploring 'poly-wood', -- a man-made, virtually indestructible plastic. There are pluses and minuses to poly-wood:
  • It can be worked with ordinary tools
  • It's relatively impervious to the elements
  • Poly-wood can be secured with standard stainless fasteners
  On the downside...
  • It's expensive
  • There are no glues for synthetic wood
  • It's heavy
  • Birds' claws can't take hold of it, so it will have to be grooved or a perch will have to be mounted
• I've got to do a better job of making the birdhouse cleanable... The breaking away of the bottom exposed a number of old nests... Shame on me.
• Speaking of 'breaking away', look at the 4 X 4 post in the shot above. See how it split away at the top where the post was set in. I always worried about that kind of a failure. In the past, I thought of using a stainless pipe clamp to 'collar' the area. Guess what I'll do in the future?

That should do it for now... I still have to put the garage back together again after the storm, repair the crow tray, change the oil in the generator and store that away somewhere, blah, blah, blah...

See you by those ever busy feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's our 1st of two entries on Hurricane Irene and the effect on our homestead...

Ok, a resounding, shuddering thud and the following scene is not the way to start your morning amidst hurricane-strength gusts...

And this is how close we came to losing the kitchen...

To put the damage in perspective mid-storm... (Also note the branch above the trellis 'cause it ain't going to be there much longer...)

Finally, here we are after the second branch was down... That one took out our birdhouse and crow feeder... Ah, there's nothing like half a ton of maple hurtling earthward to rearrange the bird accoutrement...

And that's about it... We lost our power for 24 hours, had some roof damage, went through the disaster preparedness drill for real... (Just because I wear an aluminum foil hat doesn't necessarily mean that the the occasional disaster isn't staggering down Fate's Highway towards us! More about that next time...)

'Til then... Alive and well by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

P.S. Heartfelt thoughts and prayers go to out to all who suffered in this storm, and especially to the 35+ lost souls and their families and friends... In the grand scheme of things, a lost maple tree, a one-day black out, and a dinged up roof is a blessing...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 7:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

I started writing this at 4AM, 8/26/11... (barometric pressure 1013...) It's now 3:38PM, 8/26/11... So if the info is dated, you know why. However the content is extremely relevant...

But first, the birds... As far as I can tell, so far, no change. The crows still arrive like clockwork at sunrise and afternoon demanding food. The smaller birds are doing the usual smaller bird stuff. (Oh how I wish that I'd been more 'Avian Observant' during our earthquake!) So far, so good.

Back to the weather... Take a look at the Irene-related pics below. These are screen shots from NOAA's web site. Interpreting these things is a bit tricky. (Well, except for the third...)

The first is of the probability for the Cape to get 58mph winds Thursday through Sunday... Not too menacing right?

Next is a chart showing how it's most likely (43%) that we'll only get a strong tropical storm out of this thing...

In short, the numbers aren't looking too bad for Cape Cod. But here's where people get lost in the weeds -- lost in the stats... Look at the size of Irene...

Irene is huge. That's 400 miles of hurricane/tropical storm muscle just rolling along the Eastern Seaboard... Will N.C. get absolutely gobsmacked by this thing? Probably... Will Cape Cod be swept from this earth? Probably not. But the point is that all it takes is a single tree limb to ruin your day just like it did during the blackout of 2006.

So... Numbers be hanged. Use your head and your common sense. Wherever you are, listen to the authorities. Know where your shelter is and go to it when warned. For you backyard birders... Have you considered that your feeders and/or birdbaths might just become flying missiles during a blow? There's so much involved here, and the numbers and the Red Cross can only explain so much. Be prepared...

Ever watchful of the birdies, but stocking up by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well... Now it's starting to look like we (Cape Cod) might get a hurricane after all...

So, here's what I'm going to do...

I'll keep an eye on the birds, the barometric pressure, the weather conditions, and 'live blog' (report) as best I can, when I can... (I've been through a couple hurricanes, and they can become hairy to say the least. To make matters worse, our computer room lies smack dab in the path of a humongous oak tree. So if things jump ugly, I'll be blogging from our basement and hoping that the cable service and casa remain unscathed.)

Right now, it seems to be a typical summer day, though the crows haven't been their normal pushy selves. My guess is that that is just a function of 68 degrees and steady barometric pressure of 1018.

Finally... Once again... Are you prepared?

This should be interesting...

Tidying the bunker by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Oh this was going to be such an easy post -- a quick, 'Looks like we'll get a blow so I'll watch the barometer and the birds and keep you abreast of any unusual avian activity' post...

And there's the barometer at the current Chatham 1018 hPa... Boy oh boy, I'll bet this is getting you all excited. (Like birds really care about hectopascals...) But then came 1:55pm EST... As always, I was working on the computer, and the table swayed... No big deal but definitely noticeable. Like so many souls on the East Coast, I just sat there and tried to figure it out. Was I dizzy? Had there been an accident? Had the furnace blown up? Nope... The only evidence of the earthquake was just a swaying cable before me. In all its majestic power and mystery, the earth had simply moved -- the crusted had ruffled itself ever so slightly, and we were there for the adjustment...

So... Between the earthquake and Hurricane Irene, it seems like this is a good time to remind you to prepare....

There, I've done my civic duty.

I'll get back to you with a report concerning the birds and the barometric pressure ASAP.

By the 'Danger Feeders',

CapeCodAlan

P.S. A word to the wise... Always carry a small flashlight and a pocket knife on your person. A $2 investment can save so much hassle...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

OK, enough with the cat suppositories stuff! (You pet owners have been warned...) Back to the birds.

No great secret that we talk a lot about woodworking here. (Just Google on 'eBirdseed.com woodworking' and there you go...) And over the years, it turns out that I have a slight, reluctant flair for design stuff. Nothing grand, but enough to get me into trouble. Consider the shelf and kitchen island below...

Mrs. CCA and I designed and built those. She chose the colors and the 'chicken' cast iron shelf brackets in red wisely. The design effect reflects us, the house, and the Cape -- straight-forward, functional, and unpretentious. But it's the chicken that initially tripped me up... I still struggle with it. (Perhaps better on a chicken farm in Kansas? Maybe a chickadee instead?) Still, the bird gets the pass and contributes quietly to the space... Next up is the new farmers table...

See anything subtle there? Look again... Look at the bird carvings at the base of the vase. (More on the Shaker clock build and its big brother in a sec...) But IMHO, the birds make the table come alive. I can't put my finger on it, but there's something there... Once again, it speaks (to me at least) as 'Cape Cod' and 'home'.

All I do know is that I think I'll leave the 20" clock alone. I can see it in the shop as the sun rises and the shadows will be perfect -- no embellishments -- no birds, no nothing... Just stark Shaker in a concrete basement surrounded by, wood, glass, steel, and iron...

I think that design is going to work...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In case you missed it, in a recent pair of entries we got to 'talk legal' about birds and their feeding... (See: 'Kindly Feeder of Birds or Neighborhood Nuisance?' and 'Fallout From 'Kindly Feeder of Birds or Neighborhood Nuisance?' Post'.) For reasons both understood and unknown, I don't like to banter litigation. It just seems that the world is choked with too many lawyers, politicians, and lobbyists. To me, it feels like common sense and decency are being replaced by agenda and the courtroom. Anywho, it's at times like these that I find some solace in ancient images like the one below. (Oh, I don't stare at bird books for hours, but there is a glimpse of peace there.)

I think the Red-wing is my favorite. (Though the Crow is rapidly moving up on the charts.) I'm sure I mentioned this in the past, but I'll reminisce again -- there are worse things than good memories. Back when I was a kid, I had an aluminum jon boat, and I'd row that thing for whole summers down in the local mud hole. I could spend an entire day in that boat just rowing and fishing and listening to the red-wings. There was something so right about it all. I belonged on that pond. The weather was always perfect. (My definition of 'perfect' is a bit more broad than others might choose.) Man oh man, did those birds make a racket. I miss them as I miss childhood friends; there's something numbing and terrible in growing up.

I'm just going to sit and think by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Here's the deal... I posted a piece about a backyard birder and his feeding habits. Neighbors were complaining that he put seed on the ground, and that attracted all sorts of 'nuisance' animals such as ducks and geese.

Fine... So far, so good. But then, our ever-faithful reader Harry 'Gipper' questioned the veracity of the story. (See the comment on the above link.) Now that's fine too... I love debunking a good urban legend as much as the next guy, but in this case, the story happens to be true. (Again see the above link.) So, I went to the Bloomington Town/City Ordinance in question. (http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/pccases/s10000g10_09_02_10.pdf, pg. 27)

My next move was to contact the City Attorney, Ms. Sandra Johnson. After a brief introduction and explanation for contact, here is the email I sent her:

"The phrase that leapt out at me was "non-birdseed mixtures" (emphasis mine). Does that mean that if Mr. Brown had been using birdseed mixtures, he would not have been in violation of the law?

Also, believe it or not, this is an important matter on another front. Mr. Brown is quite correct... Birds do scatter birdseed mixtures onto the ground. And as I understand it, this could mean that everyone in Bloomington who feeds the birds using feeders above the 5' ground level could still be conceivably in trouble with the law for inadvertently ground feeding wild animals.

I look forward to your clarification on this issue and will publish your response."

And here is Attorney Johnson's prompt reply:

Thank you for your email. You are correct in your reading of the ordinance, with one exception. If he was using birdseed and nonetheless attracting geese, ducks, turkeys, deer or raccoons (or other wild animals) to feed on it in noticeable numbers, such would be a violation. The ordinance was re-drafted at least once at the direction of the City Council so as to narrow it. Staff worked with some local birdseed vendors to avoid the case where spillage would constitute a violation. So if the substance Mr. Brown had been placing on the ground was birdseed and it only attracted small flying birds and not wild animals- there would be no violation. It is important to note that all residents are verbally warned before any enforcement action begins.

I again contacted Ms. Johnson asking:

So, do I have your permission to include your exact reply in my syndicated company blog (http://eBirdseed.com/blog/)? And also, where can I get a copy of the of the re-drafted ordinance?

Once again, her response was immediate and to the point...

Yes you have permission. The ordinance you have is the revised version that exempts birdseed mix - unless or until it attracts wild animals such as geese, ducks, turkeys, deer and the like. The original staff draft strictly prohibited any feed under 5 feet. The City Council wisely rejected that version.

Lessons learned:

• Bloomington City Attorney Sandra H. Johnson is a professional. Her responses to my emails were both immediate and relevant. If I had my way, Ms. Johnson would be promoted to the Federal level ASAP.
• It's tough to legislate common sense. To me (as I said before), if a person is doing something that's driving the neighbors crazy, the individual and the neighbors should work it out between each other. Busy people like City Attorneys have far more pressing concerns than issues like feeding the birds.
• My heart goes out to Mr. Brown. It truly does.
• Hardware like feed trays under the feeders go a long way...
• Finally, if my town were to pass such an ordinance, I too, could not feed the birds. Though our feeder is over 5', the blue jays routinely scatter the seed far and wide, and that routinely brings turkeys.

By the feeders as long as they last...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 4:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Regular readers may recall our previous posting back in June about the local Red-bellied Woodpecker family. Well they've stuck around all summer, and the mother and one of the offspring were flitting around the yard today and we were fortunate enough to get a few good photos!

Here we have both mother and one youth (don't know if it's a male or female) clinging to the bark of a tall old shaggy pine; mother, in typical maternal fashion, is trying to interest her recalcitrant child into actually pecking into the bark to find some tasty bugs. For all the interest shown by the youngster, she may as well have been coaxing him to eat the nice spinach...

Having been unsuccessful at the first attempt at teaching the youngster how to find food, she realizes he's just too skinny, relents, and pops a morsel in his mouth.

Mothers, including mother woodpeckers, are very wise. This one has decided that her young one needs some encouragement to get interested in this foraging for food business, so she proceeds to salt the mine, so to speak. She has taken a nut from the bird feeder and is caching it under some bark.


You just know her next words are going to be, "Honey, why not try looking under here?" Clearly, the ruse worked. The juvenile has found the hidden nut! Now he's got the idea!

Mrs. Red-belly looks on proudly as her offspring gets into the swing of things. It's hard enough building the nest, laying the eggs, fending off predators, feeding and fledging the young; but it's a good day when they get to the stage where you think they just might make it in the wild, after all.

The youngster may be thinking that this foraging for food business may not be as difficult as he initially thought. And Mom's still around and good for a free meal or two if he needs her...

Applauding the achievement by the feeders,

Mrs. CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

I'm just going to throw out some thoughts and go from there...

• If ever there was a loud, messy, raucous creature, the seagull would be it. Do I stop feeding the crows because the seagulls sometimes raid their feeder?
• Speaking of crows... What about them? They too can be a rowdy bunch. Do I stop feeding the crows? That would be a huge problem for me in that I've spent the last year or more studying crow behavior -- to shun the crows would be a major bummer.
• And then there are the squirrels who will find food and raise havoc come the river Styx or high water...
• Finally, there are the foxes, coyotes, grackles, and turkeys that gravitate to our feeders

I guess, the ultimate answer is simply to be aware of the concerns of those around us. Talking with neighbors and policing feeders probably isn't a bad idea either.

Deep sigh...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)

Ah yes... Bird identification for the slightly-less-than "avid birder"... (That would be me. Don't get me wrong -- I like my birds, but I'm just not one of those hard-core birders who can spot a bee hummingbird hiding in a thicket at 75yards.) So onward to the first two obvious suspects...

Tough to miss this guy -- a bluebird. Still, the thing is a beauty...

Next is the downy... I don't know why, but these critters just put a smile on my face. Maybe it was the fact that I really didn't see too many of these growing up, but still, the visitation by a downy always stops me in my tracks. (Man oh man do they love their suet!)

Alrighty then! Things start to get murky for me here... I think this is a house finch or a purple, though I'd just name it a 'McEnroe Bird' (because of the red headband) and be done with it. Somehow, I don't think Cornell, Princeton University Press, or David Sibley would agree with my naming process. Nomenclature aside, he is one funky little dude.

I'd group the last picture into our "LLB" ("Little Brown Bird") category and move on. Unfortunately, the lexicologists amongst us would have a hissy, so here goes... I'm going to say that it's one of the following:

• Chipping sparrow
• Song sparrow
• Swamp sparrow
• White-throated sparrow
• House sparrow

I don't know... By my eye, it could be any one of those. I just like to watch 'em.

Normally, at this point, I'd sign off, but I do want to give you a heads up concerning a book review I've been working on... The text under the glass is, "The Atlas of Birds" by Mike Unwin. This is a respectable project. Overall, it's an impressive work, but quite frankly, I'm starting to struggle with some of the stats and sources... Let me keep thumping away and see if the problem isn't on my end... I'll keep you updated...

By the feeders (I think that's what they are...)

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well, 'tis the time to start thinking about building birdhouses, roosts, etc. As I already have my hands full in that department, I thought I'd just throw in some basic woodworking math that will come in handy regardless of the endeavor...

Might as well cut to the chase -- how to handle that age old dilemma of, "What's the cheapest purchase of wood for a given need? (Do I buy a 12' 1X6 or a 6' 1X12? What happens when I start ripping lumber/sheet goods? How do I calculate the effect of the blade kerf etc.?") Alrighty then... Here's your answer short and sweet:

1. Draw out what you want. In the pic below, I'm anticipating ripping a sheet of 4X8 plywood into three equal widths ("X") for the sides of a boat...



Since the total usage will be three "X" and two saw kerfs, the fence setting on the saw needs to reflect this equation: 3X plus two kerf (or blade widths) equals to 48"

2. Next, I measure the blade thickness (with the saw unplugged) to give me the kerf. In my case, that equates to 1/8" or .125"
3. So... 3X plus .250" is going to have to total 48"... Or 3X = 47.75"... Or our mystery width "X" is 47.75" divided by three... That is "X" is 15.91667". Wonderful... How do I measure .91667" and set the rip fence accordingly??? Check the table below...



(Click on the above to see full screen...)

It turns out that 15.91667" is pretty close to 15 & 29/32". Set your fence to that, and you'll be well nigh to spot on... When you're done, just re-set the fence to the narrowest slice, and a couple clean-up passes will make all equal with only a smidgen of sawdust to tell the tale....

And that's it... I use this sort of calculation on virtually every project ... from crow trays to water craft.... Hope this make sense...

I'll be by the feeders making sawdust...

CapeCodAlan

P.S. If you really want to have fun, pick up a digital caliper from one of the woodworking outlets to measure the kerf... Yee haw!

P.P.S. Don't tell Mrs. CCA, but I've started building another boat... As long as we keep this on the 'hush hush', I don't think she'll notice a 16' sailboat taking shape in the garage...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First off... No, I didn't physically capture a hummingbird nor did I even try to. But I did try to snag one at our Live eBirdseed.com streaming cam. That's far easier said than done. But check out the pics below... The first reflects utter failure... The creature was right there a fraction of a second before I hit "Print Screen", and then, 'Poof!"... No bird...

The next shot is a little better... Granted, the subject was flying away, but still, I got something...

And finally, an almost respectable image via lightning fingers and dumb luck.

Who knows why this sort of diversion is so much fun... I guess it's probably like fishing -- part skill and part happenstance. It's all too obvious that the results aren't that grand... But once, I'd like to come up with something akin to our 2008 photo contest winner Kathy K...

One can dream...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Before I forget it, just a word to the wise... A couple of days ago, we looked out and saw a crow panting. (I wish I'd gotten a snapshot, but I was too busy making sure that the creature had enough water.) Like dogs, birds perspire (dissipate heat) by panting and salivating. This is a very big deal. Here's a fellow in less calamitous straights...

And then there's the grackle... Interesting to watch him... He hopped around the bath for a bit, and then went right for the fountain itself. I wonder if the water is cooler there, or being moving, perhaps cleaner?

And finally, there is the clock... What started out as a prototype for the tall Shaker clock has taken on a life of its own.

The dimensions are a bit tough to see, but all told, we're looking at 20" tall, 7 & 7/8" wide, and 3 & 3/8" deep. I'm planning on a 5 & 5/8 face with 2 & 3/4" bob. It won't be tretty, but it will be done...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 7:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Got a full plate today, so we might just as well take a look at the pic below, and I'll explain as we go along...

Let us see then... By the red letters:

• "A": Last winter, yet another of our mailboxes got popped by a plow. So now I have two. One will become a well-ventilated duplex birdhouse for the shade, and the other will be the overdue outdoor camera housing for the feeders. I can't cool it for the summer, but I can heat it for the fall and winter. Should be interesting.
• "B": That little black ring is a piece of 0.150" spring steel that has been bent into a loop complete with pointy ends. The idea is that it can be used for clamping two mitered boards together for gluing purposes.
• "C": Ah, "cramps". Like the 'pinch clamp' above, cramps are an 'old school' way of clamping a miter from the outside. Just rip a couple of right triangle wood strips with equal 3/4" legs, glue the hypotenuse to each side of the carcase, let the glue dry, and then clamp as shown. (Next time, I'll be careful not to let the cramps get so close to each other.)
• "D": Ever want to really "dial in" a saw -- get a really accurate angle on the blade? Meet "Wixey WR300". How did we live without this sort of calibration device??? Just plunk it on your tool's work surface, turn it on, zero it, and then let its magnet clamp onto the adjacent blade or fence. The LCD shows you the angle between the two. I've already used it to calibrate my table saw and radial arm saw. The band saw, drill press, and joiner are next. While it's jittery and fussy, for $30, this thing is simply a "Must Have" for anyone who has a shop.
• "E": Finally, there's the old standard, "The Complete Woodworker" by Bernard E. Jones. While obviously dated, this tome is superb. If you can pick it up used for a couple of bucks... Go for it -- the skills inside are both timeless and invaluable.

Gotta run,

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Let's see, what have we got here? Well, obviously, first a small rabbit...

No great surprise there. It's halfway between baby and adult... To be completely honest, I hate to look at helpless little things like young rabbits. Just seeing them makes me think of cars, dogs, hawks, coyotes, etc. I know, I know, I know -- it's Nature... But still, I'm uncomfortable being a spectator. What's next? Ah yes, our UStream live streaming cam...

Since I installed this, I've just taken it for granted... I hooked it up to a dedicated HP I rebuilt, and let her go. Oh, I'd check in on it from time to time using another system just to be sure that it was still visible to the world, but that was about it... Today, I took a peek-a-loo and discovered the cam wasn't broadcasting. D'oh! My mistake -- We've had a few brown outs, and I didn't check the system... Long story short... Should you by chance be surfing along and find the stream is down, please feel free to comment any post (I filter all comments) or just send me an email at: capecodalan@ebirdseed.com...

Well, that's all for today...

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

More summer joy...

Obviously, the shot above is of a Ruby-throat -- beautiful thing. Note the Monarda from which it is drinking... (More on that in just a bit...) Next, we've got yet another batch of colorful bird carvings...

Sorry for the small size, but if you squint, you can probably make out the following from left to right...

• Indigo Bunting
• Cardinal
• Downy Woodpecker
• Wren
• Goldfinch
• Kingfisher
• Painted Bunting
• Yellow Warbler

Just to give you folks who either don't collect bird carvings, or aren't from the Cape Cod area... The artisan who created these is F. Schmelke -- a local talent who's known for good renditions at exceptional prices. Every time Mrs. CCA happens upon Mr. Schmelke in a local crafts fair, she buys several of his carvings at a time. Word to the wise...

Finally, about that Monarda... If you carefully look back up to that last picture, in the middle... That's the hummingbird carving (it's tough to see) I've been working on with the organza wings cut to length but not shape... I think we can get a silk flower and secure the Ruby's beak in it for a most interesting display piece...

'Till next time, see you by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Nothing too earth shattering here... (Although Princeton University Press did send me another book to review -- "The Atlas of Birds" by Mike Unwin. That piece is going to take some time to review -- It's not a field guide but instead is an actual Atlas that discusses bird diversity, behavior, and conservation. I'll keep you posted on the progress of that review.)

The weather was almost ideal here today --- dry, cool, windy. That might have had some influence on the remarkable activity we saw around our feeders and yard... Below are a threesome of orioles fussing over the jelly and orange...

My guess is that the one on the left is a young'un who still struggles with the concept of feeding oneself...

However, the hummingbird seems to have no such troubles...

And so it went... A baby rabbit found the wife's garden a great place to take an extended meal... The hawks were out... The crows were being their usual pushy selves... All the ubiquitous "little black birds" flitted about...

All told, just a nice day...

See you by those uneventful feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

It never ceases to amaze us that the orioles come back to our yard annually. Spring after spring, soon after the hummingbirds arrive, we see that first brilliant flash of orange and black, and hear that first clarion call of, "Peter, Peter, cheer, cheer!" When we see and hear that, we know that spring has truly arrived.

And by the time July rolls around, we have whole families of orioles: adults who know where to find the jelly bowl and how to land gracefully in just the right position...

...and the juveniles, who are just trying out their wings, and have not yet completely mastered the art of landing where they want to, or sharing their place at the feeder.

Of course, as you can see the orioles are not the only jelly-lovers. When you can't get pizza or popcorn, why not settle for some grape jelly?

Waiting by the feeders with some peanut butter and bread,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yeah, you probably didn't see this post coming... What's a dog have to do with backyard birds? Well, nothing, and something as it turns out. About two years ago, this blog went into syndication on the Amazon Kindle. (We were one of the first 400...) And Dogtime.com was one of the first (and only) to pick us up. So it only seems fitting that every so often, I should make some mention of our four legged friends... Besides, dogs are cool!

Anywho... That's Cooper, my best friend Gerry's dog... Speaking of Gerry and dogs, the following story begs to be told...

Gerry (and his last dog, "Copper") was pulled over for a speeding violation. Copper being the excitable type, made a great ruckus during the stop... At some point during the "drivers license, and registration please" proceedings, Gerry tried to admonish his pet by snapping, "Shut up Copper!" Short story made even shorter, the police officer thought that Gerry was telling him to shut up, and things started to go downhill from there... (It was one of those, "'OMG moments --- 'This strapping patrolman thought I was telling him to shut up!") Gerry scrambled, and produced the animal's inoculation papers including the dog's name, and all was cool. The cop let my friend go with just a warning and a chuckle...

But anyway... That's the story of Cooper, Copper, Gerry and syndication... If you can help find a good temporary crib for Cooper, let me know post haste...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 8:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, here it is -- the not so new eBirdseed.com Facebook connection...

I'm telling ya', ya' gotta' check this out! Go ahead and "Like" us... Don't worry, we won't clutter your wall...

Let's see... What else? I just checked out our newsletter... If you don't get it, you should. There are all kinds of sales and discounts to be had as well as some interesting birding insights. (Did you know that fireworks can be lethally startling to birds?)

In another vein, I got an interesting email from long-time reader Harry "Gipper" Morris concerning my hummingbird carving... His idea was to simply outline the wing, metacarpals, etc. in wire -- that is to say, skip the fabric entirely. And that may well be a stroke of genius. I'll have to mock up some prototypes, and a lot will probably depend on the wire used and its color, but there's real potential there. Thanks Harry!

Funny how things work out... I intended to write a lot more about birds, (or even about an ancient, horrid sci fi flick -- "The H-Man". But for some reason, my eyes started tearing and burning in a rather extreme fashion. (The only time I've ever had a more severe reaction was when I was swimming in an over-chlorinated swimming pool... Oh well... Nothing that cucumber eye masks can't handle...)

Anywho... At least we can offer up a nice hummingbird video...

By the feeders (if I can still see them),

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Should you decide to take on a similar project, here are a few thoughts from first idea to last coat of finish...

• Number one... Figure out what you want! It's amazing how many people leap into a build (boat or furniture) with a blurred goal in sight. The end result is awkward (at best) changes on the fly. Do your research, and if you have to, make a scale model... Never forget the Golden Rule... In the end, light and shade matters!
• Consider leg kits. We used Osborne Wood Products, Inc. and were extremely pleased with their service.
• If you're going to work with old wood as we did, beware warping, cupping, dry rot, etc.
• Speaking of old wood, don't sand it to the point of destroying the patina.
• Keep in mind too that wide planks of any age will swell and shrink. Take a look at the peg/slot arrangement below for the mating surface between the table tongue and the breadboard slot..

  
  All too often, wood like this either moves or it splits.

• Choose your chemicals wisely... We like fresh, high-end stuff for glues and finish...
• And when the project is done, sit back and enjoy -- that is, don't sweat the small stuff...

Finally, beyond furniture... Just a few words on our happy creatures dancing, (obvious CCR reference)... Yesterday, I looked out the kitchen window and saw the largest menagerie of backyard critters... At a single moment, there were: squirrels, a chipmunk, mourning doves, a catbird, a red-wing, a black-cap, a crow, a hummingbird, and a Bigfoot. O.k., so I made up the Bigfoot part... But you get the idea... Quite a sight...

By those feeders...

CapeCodAlan

---

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 8:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First up, our resident Red Bellied Woodpecker (not to be confused with the lovelorn Flicker who kept pounding on our chimney back in April) has clearly been raising a wee one. He is now in the process of teaching the youngster how to find food--and it's a fascinating process.

First, he gets a good big peanut from the feeder.

Then he flies off to a tree and wedges the nut in some bark. Then he calls to the youngster and encourages him to find the nut. It'll be interesting to see when the young one graduates from trees to the feeder.

Next, we have our usual raucus family of orioles, frequenting the orange-and-jelly feeder we keep filled especially for them. (And the catbirds. And the woodpeckers. And an occasional cardinal... Oh, heck, everybirdy loves the stuff!)

However, the orioles love it. A lot. The practically dive right into the jelly bowl, and they really don't care who's standing there taking pictures. Case in point:

And more particularly, this:

We frequently see three, four, even five youngsters squabbling over who gets to eat jelly. And it's vastly entertaining to watch them learn how to hop from the pole to the feeder and edge their way to the jelly bowl. They learn fast!

So that's the early summer report. Hopefully, the weather will brighten up some in the near future.

See you by the feeders with an umbrella,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Moving on...

The next project will be the tall Shaker clock...

It will have to be 80" to match the height of the hutch. Also, I think I want to make the access door have a glass face which opens into a set of curio shelves... (Thick glass shelves maybe? Internal lighting maybe?) There probably will be a lower, finger-groove drawer which when removed will expose 50 pounds of lead on the clock's bottom as a steadying ballast. Believe it or not, I intend to dovetail the entire carcase together (by hand) using half-blind dovetails. By a quick, rough estimate, that will be 200+ dovetails, or 400+ pins and tails... Not a problem... I'm faster by hand than I am with machine... (I will have to look up the proportions of traditional Shaker dovetails though...)

Now... As for the 'mechanism' I think we want high-tech... (It will make for a great contrast...) Maybe something like this...

This project is right around the corner in that the farmers table is almost done, and I'm already selecting the boards for the clock. Expect another fast build with plenty of updates...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

In my last post, I mentioned some of the reasons I keep writing these things. In the comments section, old friend and faithful reader Harry "Gipper" Morris suggested another reason might be that of the sake his (and I assume others') readership. Excellent point Harry... Excellent point... But he also asked,

"BTW, did you ever finish that humming bird carving you started working one a while back?"

Funny you should ask that Harry... (For a more thorough understanding of our comments, just take a look at the last post and the exchange that followed...)

So... What of that model? Truth be told, I've been thinking about it... But it's not easy to catch one of these rascals in inanimate material...

For the hummingbird model, what I wanted was something light, organic, essential... Something that gently depicted the thing as if we'd left the screen door open and it furtively buzzed in to take a quick drink. Also, I felt it a shame to completely cover the wood grain -- I wanted that alive too... This is what I have so far...

Obviously, the beak isn't epoxied into place yet so the bird is drooping, but that's an easy fix when the time comes. As for the wings and painting,... Well... Those issues have garnered considerable thought... Regarding the wings -- I think I'm going to use the top photo as a sort of guide. Some sort of translucent glass complete with the outlines of the primary and secondary feathers. (Maybe thin gallery glass or polymer clay?) But no matter what, the wings need to "float". Ditto for the body... Perhaps watercolor paint or pyrography for the torso? In any event, I'm getting into techniques I've never explored before, so it will no doubt get interesting. (The phrase, "Practice first!" leaps to mind...) Depending on how it all works out, the table below may become its final home.

Concerning the table... The underside floating cleats of the table are finally in place, and the end bread boards are coming down the home stretch. All seems remarkably flat and square... (The real miracle is that the wide boards haven't split...) After the ends are fini, all that's left is to loose-clip the top to the skirt and hand it off to Mrs. CCA for tidy up. Let's see if our luck holds...

If I'm not in the shop, I'm by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, the next post is #750, and I got to thinking, "Why do I keep writing these things?" Take a look at the screen shot below. (Sorry about the size...)

That shot is of from our UStream live bird cam... Pretty serene isn't it? Now, let's see what was on the news today...

• Well, people were actually having fist fights to get into court today to watch the Casey Anthony trial.
• They're still talking about the Vancouver riots after the Stanley Cup Finals. The riots lasted four hours, did well over $1,000,000 in damage, and injured 100 people including one near-fatal stabbing.
• Sixteen people were shot dead in Syria... (The Middle East in general is a horror show...)
• In a hopelessly moronic and failed sting operation, the U.S. BATF sold guns to Mexican drug cartels and then lost track of those guns...
• The entire European economy is a mess, and they're rioting in Greece...
• Anthony Weiner...

By the feeders

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Back in the day of actual film, it used to be that photos had value... But now, with digital cameras, we (or at least I) just pound out the pics to our hearts' content, dump them on the computer and go out for more. Look at the Jay below...

Not bad, right? There's a little action in the blurry foot, there's plenty of sharp detail, it's a great close up... With a little attention, this isn't a bad shot at all... In the old days, I would have had this printed, and taken it to show off to my co-workers at the office. But in fact, was was probably just one of almost 600 taken by our now defunct NovaBird automatic camera in a single-day shoot back in 2007. Truth be told, I probably looked at it for one second on the initial review of the pictures (593 shots equates to 593 seconds which equates to almost 10 minutes just in the first pass). Later, I probably gave it another few seconds in my second perusal of probably 300 survivors (15 minutes). And finally, I winnowed it down to a handful. But the point is that I've only spent perhaps ten seconds looking at that photograph before I choose something else, and 'Poof!" it was gone from memory.

We're entering a strange time in history... In the "Digital Age" there is such a preponderance of stuff out there that it almost becomes moot, lost, meaningless... Yet, at the same time, so much of it still is out there... Just ask Representative Anthony Weiner...

So here I sit with over 10,000 bird photos... To give each just one minute of attention, that would take 167 hrs or seven days of 24 hr non-stop focus. At the rate I'm going, that number could swell by a factor of five or even ten times. And I got into the game late... Today, the average teenager has access to digital imagery if by no other means than the cell phone... Think about what that means for the way we as individuals and a culture process special moments and special memories...

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Slow days and slow nights now... We had a nice moonrise earlier, but I didn't get a photo of it... Hope you don't mind one of my archive pics...

Let's see... What else? What's going on with the birds? Not much really... We refresh the feeders daily and babysit the crows, but no great drama. They (the birds) seem to be perfectly happy with their feeders, water, suet, houses, etc. All told, our yard and environs looks to be a pretty good gig avian-wise. And the fact that we've got a conservative trust next door probably doesn't hurt either...

The farmer's table build proceeds rather nicely... All that needs to be done with that is fasten the underside cleats, attach the expansion springs, and then it's off to the finish team (Mrs. CCA).

(Like wow man... This is an incredibly boring post! I have a fantastic joke to liven things up... But if I told it you... Well... Let's just say that the boss would skin me alive and then he'd really get mad. So let's not go down that road!)

So I guess that's about it... Keep your feeders and sundries clean and well stocked, and life goes on... There are worse things...

See you by those uneventful feeders...

CapeCodAlan

P.S. I would have told you about the conclusive video proof that I now have of recent sightings of both Sasquatch and Elvis, but I figure I've given you enough "Ho Hum" for a while...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

That's a local Red-tail taking flight... Amazing... But have you ever wondered what these things are thinking? Yes, we've talked about crow brains and bird souls... I'm talking real-world consciousness stream...

At the moment of that photo, was it thinking hunger? Adventure? Irritation? Anger? And are some of the emotions/thoughts blurred together? (I've noticed in our cat "Toby", 'anger', 'frustration', and 'excitement'' all seem to meld into one particular set of behaviors that demonstrate themselves with the same dilated pupils and skin rippling.) Is this how it is for birds? We know that crows can recognize human faces, but what do they think? As we feed ours, do they think 'individual', 'good", 'food', 'relative' when they see us? Or are their thought patterns more complex? When I've thrown out my back in the shop, and my gait is slowed and awkward and my expression is of discomfort, do birds recognize discomfort and even feel empathy? (If I were a betting man, I'd say at least the crows do...)

But who really knows...

Birds and I thinking by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This happened yesterday...

Though scientists think this solar flare shall have a minimal impact for us here on earth, there is still the possibility of electrical grid problems caused by EMF disruptions just as we had back in 1989 when one of these things caused a nine-hour power blackout in most of Quebec... Given that most recent flare (and a gazillion other current natural emergencies) I repeat my suggestion from long ago (June 21, 2007) that you consider buying in bulk and vacuum sealing. Why look, here is some wild rice that we've had for at least a couple of years...

The sad fact is that we're in volatile times... Gas and food prices are skyrocketing with no end in sight... Since long before 2007, Mrs. CCA and I buy in large bulk and vacuum pack everything we can afford, including grains like the rice above... We buy bulk suet and either refrigerate it or freeze it. (For that matter, our freezer is packed!)

Look, I'm no fortune teller... The Middle East could calm down tomorrow... Oil drilling could open up... The economy could turn around... The cost of transporting birdseed could plummet... Etc., Etc., Etc... But I'm just giving you my own humble opinion (and not that of eBirdseed.com.) Just as back in 2007, I think now would be a good time to buy in bulk...

Wearing an aluminum foil hat and stocked up by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, here is a high-speed video of a Goshawk performing even more intricate maneuvers...

Is that amazing or what? But how many times have we watched a chickadee flutter away at a 45° angle or watch a humming fly backwards. And speaking of amazing... Here is one of out titmice taking one of its first flights

Sorry that the pic is so blurry, but you get the idea... The point being that the creature has gone from egg to air in roughly 16 to 17 days... For me, that's absolutely stunning...

Quiet by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

First off, hope you had a pleasant weekend, and as always, most sincere thanks go out to our veterans... Without you, none of this would be possible...

Thought you might enjoy a quick titmouse video...

Please forgive the sound of the car going by... Still, if you listen carefully, you can hear the newborns chirping for "mom" and food. (Ahhh... There must be nothing better than the taste of a raw earthworm in the morning.)

I wish we'd mounted the house a little higher. (You can see/hear the great caution as the parent enters and leaves the nest...) Still, this is our second or third year that we've had birds roosting there, so we must be doing something right...

That's about it for now...

See you by the feeders Cecil B...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In a word, this book is "magnificent". Its 160 pages are loaded with the kind of photos and artwork that we've come to expect from Princeton University Press -- exceptional. The font and printing are both clean and easy on the eyes. The table of contents cuts right to the heart of the matter by listing all 12 nest types, and the glossary and index are spot on as far as they go... I especially liked the occasional "Step-by-Step" guide for making a nest. With this book, I really think I could make a crude nest or two. (Granted, my nests probably wouldn't pass bird muster, but at least they'd be recognizable.)

In short, this book delivers 100% of what the title promises -- the the design, engineering, and building of birds nests.

I have only two regrets about Mr. Goodfellow's effort...

First, while each nest-type section contains several case studies of the relevant birds and a brief mention of others that use that sort of structure, it's far from comprehensive. Simply put, if I look out the window and see a nest, I'd like to know what kind of bird built it and, conversely, if I see a particular bird, I'd like to be able to make a reasonable guess as to where the thing might be nesting. As daunting as that project might seem on a global scale ("Avian Architecture" discusses everything from the Ostrich to the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker..."), on the local level the project shouldn't be so bad. Consider Smithsonian Handbooks' "Birds of New England"... That contains a nice listing of apx. 500 species and each is listed with its own nest type... (For a simple example of this type of cross referencing, see my seed charts parts one and two.)

My second wish is closely related to my first -- I wish this sort of cross referencing was built into an app for a hand-held device. That would be absolute killer for the field.

But those two "Wish List" hopes aside, this work is splendid... Just splendid. And who would benefit from this tome? I can think of five groups...

• The avid birder (duh)
• The backyard birder (son of duh)
• The young (this is an, "Oh cool!" effort)
• The retired (remember, they were the generation that cut its teeth on "Mouse Trap")
• And finally, any engineer, architect, or designer would flip over this thing (trust me... I'm an engineer...)

Once again... Great work by the folks at Princeton University Press... This is an heirloom reference...

By the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Now, about that hummingbird... Here's a screen shot of one of the little beggars coming from our live eBirdseed.com streaming cam...

Pretty cool, no? From what we've noticed, we've had quite a bit of activity since they've discovered the homestead... The hummers seem quite skittish though... Maybe as the summer unfolds, they'll calm down... Still, they're fun, and available for everyone to watch for free...

Guess that's about it from here...

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, it took a while, but the hummingbirds finally showed up. We saw one the other day, so I set up the tripod and went about business as usual. Sure enough, I was on a quick phone call and happened to catch the shot above. Not too bad... Granted, it had been raining, so the photograph is less than perfect. (You expect something more from moi?)

Onward...

That thar is the flicker that's been hammering on our chimney stack. (Some believe that the bird is trying to fight off its "rival reflection". I doubt it in that the bird hammers on almost anything including trees and telephone poles... My hunch is that he's just looking for love in all the wrong places including our roof.) Grrr!!! I've done some research on this problem, and the bottom line seems to be, "grin, bear it, and yell at the roof'.

On that happy note, we're just going to look at the hummingbirds and ignore the flicker...

By the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

For me, the photo at left prompted the question, "What happens to us after we're gone? Or maybe the better question is, "What happens to the stuff of our efforts, handiwork, and loves after we're gone?" Mrs. CCA picked up those miniature tools at an estate sale for a buck or two... Keep in mind that the hammer and adjustable wrenches are roughly 3" long, so we might be looking at a model maker...

But it really doesn't matter... These were unusual tools that mattered to someone or he (or she) wouldn't have sought them out. How can it be that such precious things end up in the, "Two Bucks and Get It Out of My Sight" category?

It's no great secret that I have a pretty good shop loaded with pretty nice tools... But to be honest, those that might command a few bucks are too beastly to be moved. (You try tearing apart a 300lb radial arm saw and then wrenching the monster up (or down) a flight of stairs... (http://instantboats.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=2833)

Below is one of my most precious possessions -- a circa 1875 Thomas Appleton coffin-sided smoothing plane with a Moulson Brothers warranted cast steel blade.

I've never seen anything like this before -- the cap and blade have for the most part remained rust-free for 125 years, and the blade itself holds an edge like no other tool I've ever known... Think about it... That tool has most likely gone through the hands of two (if not three or more) owners. And those men (or women) were craftsmen -- they were careful with the thing, or it never would have survived so well or so long... What ever happened to those people?

And so it goes for the living... What happens to us? What happens to our possessions that we know have great intrinsic value and that are reflections of our highest character? Put another way... Do we too ultimately end up in the "Two Bucks and Get It Out of My Sight" category?

Wondering by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 8:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Just an all-around update concerning the birds...

• The flicker continues to assault our chimney...
  (Ah yes... Nothing like getting just a few hours of sleep only to awakened by the sound of your home being destroyed, and consequentially having to stumble out of the house in your sweats and yelling at your roof. To the 'All Omnipotent', please don't let the neighbors see me in my mornings' less-than reverie... It just ain't pretty... I swear I'm going to hire a hawk to pick off that flicker's colorful backside.)
• Deep breath... The orioles are back... They're beautiful and they don't try to rip the smokestack apart. Pictures to follow... (Be sure to stock up on appropriate seed etc.)
• About them thar crows... I noticed from their failed attempts at the oriole feeder that crows like jelly... Sooo... I put grape jelly on some old bread in the crow feeder and watched from afar... What a hoot! Crows on a sugar high... I wouldn't do this every day, but then again crows eat August road kill, so I'd guess they have pretty strong constitutions.
• Onward... Where the heck are the hummingbirds?!? Everybody else has 'em... why don't we?
• We're starting to hear the chirps of the young... That's pretty cool.

See you by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 8:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

If by some wild fluke you haven't heard yet... Osama Bin Laden is dead -- U.S. forces killed him. So forgive me if the rest of this post is a bit off, but I'm going to do my best to do something I haven't done in ten years -- get drunk on my keister... God... What a great night...

Onward...

The farm table moves along rather nicely... here you can see it unpainted and dry-assembled...

Thoughts...

• The table itself is pretty simple. It consists of...
  • The two-board top
  • The "h-leg" assembly ("h")
  • The spreader ("s")
  • The skirt or apron ("a") which circumnavigates the table
  • The underside cleats, clamps, springs, etc.
• The trick of course is going to be getting everything square, plumb, flat, and level. Methinks the cleats and breadboard will flatten stuff, and then it will just be a matter of cross-measuring and using squares to take care of the rest. (Hopefully, that won't be a huge deal.)
• In the course of designing this table, I calculated the cost of the h-legs, spreader, and apron. I also figured in the time it would take for me to make those parts, and sadly, there's no way I could compete with having the components custom machine. So here's a hat tip to Osborne Wood Products. Deep sigh...
• My plan of attack concerning assembly is to square and glue the h-legs, then move on to the apron etc. When all supporting members are copacetic, I'll get busy with the top. In the mean time, there's a whole lot of priming and painting going on.

Hopefully toasty by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Amidst all the terrible destruction in the South... Here's a bit of peace from Cape Cod -- a bluebird video from last winter...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Deep breath... On to the table... Here's the problem... We have to join these two boards together somewhat permanently, yet at the same time allow them to move as they soak up (or release) humidity... Note the yardstick...

There are a couple of techniques that take into account such swelling and contraction, and the end bread board below with grooved pin areas is a good starting point...

And there's the floating underside cleat(s) that allow give and take...

But still there's the matter of keeping the whole thing together... As for uniting the top with the skirt and legs, I'll just use common metal clamps. But what of that "breathing" top? Here's my solution...

Yup, this thing is going to be spring-loaded so that it can move and at the same time look as tight as a drum....

I'm telling ya', I'm a genius... Now if I can just figure out a way to make that flicker leave us alone...

See you by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Have a female hairy woodpecker!

And here is a male red-bellied (red-bellies are cool because you can easily determine the sex by the red on the forehead...)

But of course, the day wouldn't be complete without a female snapping turtle lumbering in front of your house and into the neighbors front yard. (This isn't the first time this blog has run across a snapping turtle...)

Oh! Before I go, I found the following passage from a 1901 text... It looks like our chimney-banging flicker (last encountered at 6AM yesterday!) isn't trying to make a home, but is instead trying to... ... ... Well, you know...

"Other birds woo their mates with songs, but the woodpecker has no voice for singing. He cannot pour out his soul in melody and tell his love his devotion in music. How do songless birds express their emotions? Some by grotesque actions and oglings, as the horned owl, and some by frantic dances, as the sharp-tailed grouse, woo and win their mates; but the amorous woodpecker, not excepting the flickers, which also woo by gestures, whacks a piece of seasoned timber, and rattles off interminable messages according to the signal code set down for woodpeckers' love affairs. He is the only instrumental performer among the birds; for the ruffed grouse, though he drums, has no drum..."

"The flicker often telegraphs his love by tapping either on a forest tree or on some loose board of a barn or outhouse; but he has other ways of courting his lady. On fine spring mornings, late in April, I have seen them on a horizontal bough, the lady sitting quietly while her lover tried to win her approval by strange antics" (From: "The Woodpeckers" by Fannie Hardy Eckstorm... http://www.gutenberg.org/files/35062/35062-h/35062-h.htm)

If by chance you're reading this Mr. Flicker, let me save you some time, save us a piece of our home, and let you do what comes naturally... I'll buy you a six pack and play a little Barry White if you'll only stop clattering on our smokestack!

Who's the zookeeper of this joint anyway?

Befuddled by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

CapeCodAlan

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Snoring by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I know the hummers are around here. Take a look at the hummingbirds.net map...

Maybe I should make up some t-shirts that read, "I went to Cape Cod to look at Ruby throats and all I got was a chickadee and this stupid shirt!"

And following right behind the no-show hummingbirds in the "Uncooperative Parade" is the flicker who's determined to shred our chimney. At least twice a day, I have to go out and shoo away that dumb critter as it tries to crack open a new home in a place where he really doesn't want to be. So I have to walk out and basically yell at the roof. (What the neighbors must think... "Yup, there's crazy ol' CapeCodAlan shouting at the shingles again... It's a shame he went around the bend so young...")

But I guess this is the fate and allure of backyard birding -- sometimes you get lucky and simply miss an award-winning photograph, and other times, your beloved creatures try to tear your house apart... That reminds me of a National Lampoon poem -- a takeoff on the old faithful, "Desiderata..."

Stupid birds...

Crazy ol' CapeCodAlan mumbling by the feeders

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:51 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not sure who originally made the nest below...

Obviously, some creature took quite a bit of time in the process of construction, but Don the squirrel probably doesn't care much... (I wonder what wee beastie would dare nest so exposed? Was this originally a hawks nest?)

Moving on... A tom turkey passed by today... It was a beautiful thing, but all alone. I wonder where the hens are... hopefully taking care of poults... It's a hard world for little things.

Speaking of little things, we still haven't seen our first hummer of the season. Bummer! (But we're readying the camera!)

Well, the news isn't good this Monday morning...Over the weekend, at least 44 were killed by twisters in the South. (You can contact the American Red Cross here). And the economy isn't looking so good either -- Standard and Poor's just busted our long-term debt outlook down from a "Stable" to a "Negative". Right now, the Dow is minus 227... If, down the road, Moody reduces our credit rating from "AAA" to "AA", the economy is really cooked. (Didn't someone warn and warn yet again of the dangers of long-term debt?) Time will tell...

Finally, on a happier note, the farm table is coming along nicely. The top (showwn here with a yardstick for perspective) has been rough sanded, finish sanded, and the application of seemingly endless coats of varnish has begun. Oh goody...

With boards this wide, it's clear that any attempt to permanently affix them to the table and/or each other will split them wide open... No, I have a sliding system in mind with a spring-loaded resist that will keep the top in place and let it move and contract all by itself... Stay tuned...

See you by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Yup, after umpteen (interrupted) tries, the flicker has put in quite the dimple... Where's a hawk when you need one?

Onward...

After great discussion, Mrs. CCA has decided that she wants a rural farm dining table something like the one below...

This is not a huge deal for us -- I used to be a cabinet maker. But still, it does involve logistics which are not exactly my forte. Here are the two 18" boards that will be used for the top.

Naturally, I'll have to trim them to length...

The real trick in a table like this isn't the mortise and tenon skirts (the supports that bear the top and connect the legs) or the "H" web frame that offer rest for the feet... No, no, no... The dicey part is the top itself. We have two 60 year old wide boards, each of which wants to shrink and swell across each of their 18" widths at their own whim. And those critters will not be denied. If I try to glue, screw, and cleat those beasts together, I'll have more splits than you'll see in a gymnastics floor routine. Nope, believe it or not, the top has to be pretty much free floating. I'll use a series of wooden sliding cleats and clamps to keep the two pieces snug, and at the same time give them breathing room...

Time will tell...

As always... see you by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 4:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

But it was the picture's date that really got me going... The shot was taken taken on Friday, August 29th, 2008. What happened on that day? Well...

• Iran and Nigeria formed a deal in which Iran would "share" some of its nuclear power information. I remember that quite well... I remember thinking that that might not be the best thing for the world.
• On that Friday (or was it the day before?) then Gov. Palin admitted that she wasn't sure about the surge in Iraq because she hadn't really "focused much on the war." I recall that too, thinking, "Oh nooo! Alaska (like every other state) has men and women in uniform..."
• Senator Barack Obama accepted the Democratic presidential nomination... Yeah, that was a biggie.
• August 29th, 2008 was a busy day indeed... This was when John McCain tapped Palin for his VP pick. (In retrospect, he might have looked up at an earlier bullet point.)
• Michael Jackson turned 50. Little did he know that he had less than a year to live.
• On that Friday, I wrote about orioles and a summer that seemed just too long... (According to FEMA, Tropical Storm Fay was going to bring showers and thunderstorms up towards Cape Cod.)

I've always believed in the specialness of the moment, the time, the day, the place, the person, the event, the thing... It's as if all memories and emotions lie just below the surface. We just have to figure out how to get to them. Me? I use bird pix and the 'net...

See you by those feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Are you ready for the little buggers? While we're reliable informed that they've arrived here, we haven't actually seen any of them yet; but we're expecting them any day now, and no doubt, they'll be hungry.

Here's the proof that they're as far north as Cape Cod, and spreading fast:

The good folks at hummingbirds.net have been mapping the northward migrations of ruby-throated hummingbirds for over a decade now, tracking the little dudes as they fly north annually each spring. As well as accumulating a great deal of scientific data, they perform an invaluable service to us birders, allowing us to anticipate the presence of our visitors and to have plenty of food waiting for them when they arrive.

Here's their favorite nectar recipe, so simple and quick to make:

• By volume, mix 1 part sugar with 4 parts HOT water
• Stir until sugar has completely dissolved
• Let cool and fill feeder... Note: red dye should never be added
• Extra sugar water may be stored in the refrigerator for up to several weeks
• As always keep your feeders clean, and mold- and ant-free

See you by those buzzing feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

That there is a smart squirrel. The hawks have been out for hours, and the little guy above was apparently wearing a bulls eye.

It kind of makes one wonder (me anyways) what goes through a relatively small creature's mind when one of those overhead shadows passes by... We know squirrels can play, are bright, feel pain, feel fear... What do they think when death from above makes its ghostly presence fleetingly known? Do they simply react by instinct? Probably sometimes... But what of this dude? He must have been hiding in that old owl house for 30 minutes or so, so there was plenty of time for him to calm down and think through the situation... Was he resigned to becoming hawk scat? Was he miffed? Was he worried about friends and family? Did he (or she) have young and a parental instinct was afoot? Was he religious, agnostic, existentialist?

In situations like these, I tend to be a wimpy bleeding heart. I know the hawk(s) have to eat, and I know some of our favorite critters are going to get picked off. Still, I don't like to see it and hence avoid the windows for a while.

Wondering by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Not too much to report here... It pretty much rained all day, but we did manage to get out and purchase some killer 60 year-old, bone-dry, flat 18&1/2" wide pine boards for Mrs. CCA's yet-to-be trestle dining room table. I'll keep you posted concerning the final design. (I'm thinking that it, like the hutch, it will probably be a mix of Shaker and Arts and Crafts...) However, this should be a simple, fun project... Get the wood for the table top (done), understand the structural elements (done), get the design finalized (soon to be done), and then go at it. Unlike the hutch, there will be no need for doors, glass, recalcitrant cherry wood... none of that stuff... We're just talking plain straight-up cabinetry... This should be a joy. (Famous last words...) I also need to build the Shaker tall clock, but that's another story... (And I swear, before I say my last "So long", I'm going to build the "Surf" -- a plain but extraordinary boat.)

Before this entry "goes curtains",... Here's a shot from the past -- a dollop of starlings... Yeah, I know they're a nuisance bird, but I think they're beautiful... Go figure...

See you by those boring feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What's that? No, no children yet, but we have high hopes for a big brood very soon.

My, what a beautiful place you have here. Those nice woods next door, the pond across the road, and such a nice big yard with so many bird feeders! Goodness, what plump robins those are over there. Aren't they lovely?

Well, I don't want to keep you, but it was charming chatting with you like this. Let's keep in touch, shall we? I'm sure we'll be seeing lots of each other over the coming summer. Heavens, look at the time -- I really must fly!

See you by those feeders that look suspiciously like a buffet to Mrs. Red Tail,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

But this is indeed a different book, so let's look at this one on its own merits...

• True to form, Liguori's approach to hawk identification is both novel and brilliant. (Bird maven David Sibley actually wrote the foreword.)

  Once again, the reader can study migratory and location patterns, flight positions, anatomy, etc., but this time the full-page closeup photographs are left out and only distance shots of all 20 species are included. In fairness, the thumbnails are larger than in the "Distance" work, though in both books the shutter work is superb. ("Hawks from Every Angle" is a 9.5" by 7.5" field guide consisting of130 acid-free pages, 339 color photos and 32 B&W illustrations.) As expected, the list of identification options feels just right.

• If I had a complaint here, it would be that I had to turn to the "How to use this guide" briefly to understand the taxonomical difference between the accipiters and the buteos... That done, like its literary cousin, this truly is a "crack it open and you have a clue within 60 seconds" reference.
• And once again, the author's use of bold text to accentuate key points is precisely what the doctor ordered. (Thank you Jerry Liguori!)

Marveling by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

In case you're uncertain (and if so, you should consult the book I reveiwed the other day, Hawks at a Distance), that is a red-tailed hawk, one of a pair who has been flying all around the yard, the woods, and the pond across the road. They're taking in all the sights with those keen hawk eyes...

Honestly, though, it's truly difficult to mistake a red-tail for any other hawk when you see a beautiful sight like this:

While the crows are almost desultory in their occasional forays against this pair--almost as if they know there's nothing they can do to discourage these two from moving in--the squirrels retain a native caution, freezing the instant the hawks appear. And with good reason!

Hiding by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Before I get started on this most personal of posts, I just wanted to give you this teaser into a very near post... We've got our mitts on a new, superb birding book, and as soon as I can get the copyright/review stuff out of the way, you'll be the first to hear about it. Expect "Sibley-grade" work...

O.K... Down to brass tacks - Take a look at that radial arm saw to the right... Notice how it's connected to the ceiling by a rather hefty block and tackle system? The overt purpose of that contraption is to pull the top off the beast (all 250 lbs worth) and lower it to the floor. But it's not the tool that's the real story... not on your tin type... It's the male psycho-sexual story behind it that's really compelling...

I didn't need that saw. I really didn't. I already own two table saws, a saber saw, a band saw, a sawzall, a chainsaw, umpteen handsaws, a Skil saw, and three Japanese saws. You name it, and I can cut it. So why the attraction to such a monster? I'll tell you why in no uncertain terms - because I'm a classic American male going through mid-life crisis. (Please understand that Freud got it all messed up when he proposed that humans go through five stages... U.S. males only go through two - pre-pubescence and pubescence. Basically, we're babies until we reach the age of 12, and then we hit mid-life and are lust hounds until we stop breathing.) But that lust takes on two different forms depending on the age. In the early years, we yearned for the bunny babes... and if we were lucky we failed. Later it was the more the mechanical - cars, tools, planes, boats, submarines, aircraft carriers... That's it. I don't know of a single normal American male who doesn't follow this pattern. (Oh there are holdouts who try to cling to the concept of chasing young women - we in the head shrinking game call them "deniers"... That's another story.) But as for the purchase of the saw, that's just an expression of the second half of my pubescence. Think I'm kidding? The other night I had a buddy over to look at the behemoth. We must have stood talking and nursing beers around the thing for an hour. He couldn't keep his hands off the curves and lines and movements and substance. Hubba hubba! I promise you, if I had bought a paperweight, he wouldn't have shown any sort of interest whatsoever. See what I mean?

So there... You came here expecting to read about birds and instead were lucky enough to gain rare insight into the male American psyche. Talk about your value-added blog...

See you by those sultry feeders,

CapeCodAlan

P.S. Don't forget we've got a review on a "must own" book coming up ASAP!

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

That's a $700 - $1,200 near-new workhorse purchased for $100. (The blade alone is worth the price of admission.)

Here are just a few of the secrets to finding those sorts of "great deals".

• First, make Craigslist your best friend. Study it every which way to Sunday. Get a sense of the "going rates".
• Know your tool. Don't wander into a purchase because something "looks cool".
• Buy quality. Old no-name junk is even worse than new no-name junk.
• How is the tool structurally? Are there rattles? Binding spots? Slop? Is the thing rusty or broken?
• Make sure that the equipment is complete including manuals and accessories.
• Can you get replacement parts? If not, walk away.
• Will your shop hold the beast? Be honest!
• Can you move the thing? Once again, be honest!
• Overall, what's your impression of the tool and its owner??? If it looks like the owner was Attila the Hun, do a "Dione Warwick" and walk on by.
• Plan on spending 25% of what you would on an equal new tool, and at the same time getting 99% longevity and functionality - it's a buyer's market. Don't be afraid to wave bye bye.
• Finally, when the time comes and you've found the perfect deal... Pounce! (From the "Lessons Learned the Hard Way Dept.": In a moment of indecision and profound stupidity, I hesitated on a sweet $25 14" Craftsman band saw and let it slip right through my hands... An equivalent new one would run about $700. Ouch... Say no more.)

  In the sawdust and the joys and the miseries by the feeders...

  CapeCodAlan

  ---

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  Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Remember this hummingbird fellow?

Normally, I'm pretty critical of my work, but I must admit, so far, so good. Still, progress must continue... Here are my thoughts, and I certainly would appreciate yours as well...

• To get a sense of what I see as a final result, I'm picturing a 3D diorama, though I don't know if I want it glassed in, or just open...
• I want to carve a local flower... Perhaps a Cardinal Flower, or a Honeysuckle, or maybe a, Royal Catchfly. But probably I'll go with a Morning Glory... That seems the one most likely to be easily carved. (Then again, a nice silk flower would hold promise.) The bird's beak will be countersunk and glued into the stigma or pistil. With luck, the whole bird will simply "float" in the air. I want to reflect the lightness and momentary grace of the thing.
• I can't wait to take on the little metal feet!
• Painting is going to be a bear... Obviously I want the Ruby throat's natural colors, but at the same time I don't want to lose the wonderful grain of the wood... This shall be tricky.
• The wings too aren't going to be a cakewalk. Again, I need that ethereal feel all the while injecting an almost transparent sense of their blinding speed. Plastics? Glass?
• Not sure about the backdrop... I'm leaning towards a one piece laminated curving structure... Should I paint it? Carve more flowers? Silk flowers? Should the base be some sort of translucent material?

Having fun pondering by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Sorry, but I don't know how else to put this... Mr. Tom was clearly looking for Ms. Hen, and had the the snood, wattle, and beard to prove it. (And let's not forget the wonderful colorization of the noggin' as well as the fan!) But when all is said and done, I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder... If I were a female turkey, I wouldn't go near that guy even after he plied me with eternal promises of love, a fabulous dinner, and a twelve pack. (Wow! Who said that???)

That of course begs the question, "If I were a male turkey, what soul mate would I be searching for?" (I'll give you a hint - it sure wouldn't be Ms. Hen...) I think I'd shoot for the moon and hope for an open-minded Leda.... (I was going to insert a classic painting here, but after looking at umpteen paintings of Leda and her swan, I thought better of it. (What a bunch of "pervs"!)) So scratch the entire idea of me looking for a kindred feathered (or otherwise) significant other. I'd be a monk bird, or maybe a hermit bird.

You know... When this blog goes off the rails, it just goes all wonky...

See you by those Barry White feeders... Not!

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Longtime commenter, Harry "Gipper" Morris sent the following message:

"Hi Alan.
Can you identify the bird in this picture?
Cheers,
Harry "Gipper" Morris"

No problem I thought... Obviously, we were looking up into a tree and the beak was distinctively pointy. I replied...

"Hi harry,

Thanks for the question! May I use it (and your photo) as a base for a post... Between the wife and I, I believe we can make a stab at the ID... (I think the beak will give it away...)

Thanks again...

Alan (and Suzie)"

So, I showed the shot to Mrs. CCA, and her first guess was that it might be a thrush... But on second look, her appraisal was that it was a leaf... Hmmm... Then came this email from "The Gipper",

"Of course you can use the pic. But wait til you hear the story.
I was sure it was a Brown Thrasher back from a visit a couple months ago. I slowly sneaked inside to get my camera, set it, zoomed in all the way, and slipped back outside. Thank goodness, it was still there. Got a quick distant shot of it, then slowly moved closer and got the shot I sent you. Then, I realized it wasn't a Brown Thrasher. It wasn't a bird at all. It was a new seed pod from the palm tree that was just beginning to break open. THE YOKE IS ON ME!!!! I've been watching this thing sprout more each day, all the time, laughing out loud at myself. Cheers,
Harry "Gipper" Morris"

Ultimately, if left on my own, I probably would have gone with... I don't know what... But here is my reply back to Harry...

"Hi Harry,

Actually, the yoke is on me... Let me explain... Like you, I too thought the thing was a bird, but I wanted to wait for the wife's input - she always has a keen skeptical eye. Once I read of your discovery (that it was a seed pod and not a bird) I held my tongue and asked Mrs. CCA what she thought the bird was. Her first-glance guess was that it was some sort of a thrush, but then she quickly changed her mind and decided it was probably just vegetation (perhaps a leaf).

So, for me, this reinforces one of my "Engineering Mantras" - remain skeptical and inquisitive at all times. I guess I'm getting old and slack...

Thanks again

Alan

P.S. Once again, with your permission, I'd like to use our exchange on this issue as a post... Should be fun..."

Finally, here is Mr. Morris' reply and hence the title of this post...

"Good morning Alan.
Permission granted. Have fun with it.
I call it "Mother Nature's way of playing a practical joke on me." LOL
Cheers,
Harry "Gipper" Morris"

Well Harry, the Cornell Dept. of Ornithology, may not be breaking down our doors, but we do get our grins... Thanks Harry...

Laughing by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last time we looked at carving simple fish and birds. While this is far from a comprehensive carving course, it should be enough to get you started. Take a look at the torso of my first bird - a hummer, as well as a whimsical fish...

• Unexpected horizontal and vertical lines can be interesting... Note the "scales" on the fish...
• Curved lines in the form of a circle are usually a no-no. Ellipses, parabolas, and hyperbolas are more pleasing.
• Use repetition to maintain the "spirit" of the piece. At the same time, don't be afraid to mesh techniques to avoid boredom... Just don't ruin the overall harmony and flow.
• Keep the work in tune with its environment. (I'm not quite sure how I'll do it, but I want the hummingbird to be "floating" - only attached to the final display by its beak as it drinks from a flower.)
• Static objects should have a great deal of symmetry, but curves should reflect motion... In the case of the hummer, look at how I've got the rear half trying to adjust for the wind.
• Don't be afraid to mix mediums... Consider master boatbuilder and modeler Dynamite Payson's "Friendship Skiff"...
  (Yeah, that really is a model that mixes wood, glass, photography, paint, and metal to create the desire effect. BTW... Should you be interested in buying Mr. Payson's models, contact me; he is no longer making them, and there aren't many left.)
• Consider colors, perspective, shadow, size, value, and shape...
• Use all of the above to breath life into your bird/fish/boat model...

Making sawdust by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

First off, here's the bird... (Ummm... That didn't come out quite right did it? Onward...) The wife snapped the following this afternoon while running some errands... I don't believe I've ever seen the creature - a Cedar Waxwing...

So what should we do as a belated 700th anniversary? Let's see... I still haven't got that promised underwater bird photo, and I still have to put together that fusion powered submarine... These things take time. Maybe the best answer is this: Let me (us) fuss and fret over the blogging software (Oh, how I wanted to use the word "bleep"!), and then we can decide on what would be really cool. Expect "situation normal" pronto!

'Til then, I'll see you by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 8:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Alright, if the title of this post didn't say it all, let me be clear... I haven't carved any birds before... In fact, all I've ever carved are two fish decoys, and neither of those are done yet. But optimism springs eternal, and here we go...

1. So, what's the plan of attack? Well, I could break out the old jacknife and whittle away, but previous such attempts have ended in "birds" with shapes remarkably similar to Ozzie Osborne... No, there has to be a better way, and there is. First, gather a decent set of tools...
   

   We're basically talking about an old electric scroll saw, a Dremel, and a few hand tools. Throw in some sandpaper and that takes care of that.

2. But where to actually begin? (I've described much of this before, but a rehash can't hurt...) After you have your tools secured, pick a subject and think "head and torso". A hummingbird sounds good to me! The question then becomes, "How do I make a recognizable, curvey three-dimensional object spring forth from a boxy stick of wood?" I'm going to fall back on the old boatbuilding technique of working from the plan view (back image), and the profile view (side image). (Granted that there's a tad more involved with building boats, but at least that should give you some starting point.) More descriptively, I'm going to start with a scrap 1" X 1" X 1' soft-wood blank and outline the plan view on one surface, and the profile on an adjacent side. Obviously, I'll need to align the two views appropriately (hence avoiding "The Ozzie Effect"), but so far so good...
   

   (Note that I used the photos above to rough the views.)

3. Next comes the OMG step. Cut 95% of each of the two views with the saw set at 90 degrees. Don't freak because nothing makes sense. It will when you finish the cuts, and the whole thing falls apart....

4. Break out the Dremel! If you thought you knew birds before, you might be surprised. As you sand and form your bird, you'll probably be faced with all sorts of question involving shape, movement, color, light, background, etc... This is where the "Arteest" comes out. Don't worry about the wings, beak, paint, etc. right now... Just get the torso roughed...
   

   My little hummingbird is in the center. And that leads us to the last step on this windy night.

5. Don't get frustrated if your results turn out poorly. (I'm leading that parade...) People get so discouraged so easily nowadays... You've got to do a few face plants before you ice dance. In my case, I'll put a beak on the hummer, wings, some paint, and she'll almost be recognizable - something that I could give to a forgiving loved one... Besides, at least it won't look like it's fronting Black Sabbath...

See you by the sawdust and the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well... Here I go, sticking my neck out... But based on the following bird activity, I'd say that spring is just around the corner as far as Cape Cod is concerned... Don't get me wrong... No doubt there is more snow to follow (not to mention cold weather - right now it's 24... But the end is in sight...)

I especially like the last shot... That little fellow is chasing a grub that he dropped... Read that, "The bugs are starting to emerge... Birdies aren't alone...." Bugs and birds... There's a general feeling here that we've seen the worst of winter... The bird activity alone has been "spring-like". I'm probably wrong and we'll get buried by 10 feet of snow tomorrow, only to be iced over and then flooded until our tail sections cry, "Uncle!", but that's not what nature's telling me... Time will tell, but my money is on the birds...

See you by those warming feeders...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Guess who's coming to dinner...

...and lunch...

And even doing the Hokey Pokey...

And then we have those who decided to pose for us: first off, a mama cardinal and her sparrow buddy...

Another crow, feeling very full of himself...

Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird:

From our streaming web cam, a crow flying from the crow feeder with a large piece of bread (circled in red):

And last but not least, an insouciant house finch, just admiring the view...

Admiring the view by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Got a hodge podge, so we might as well get started...

Well, it looks like we dodged a major storm here on Cape Cod... The rain took away most of the existing snow, and then the plummeting temperatures froze everything. So now what we have is a dusting of snow hiding solid ice. Oh goody. Why do I not have the warm and fuzzy about this?

Worry not... The immediate "long-term" forecast for the Cape predicts snow/rain/sleet/whatever for next Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday. I'll let you know when it starts raining frogs...

At least the birds hold their own in this mess... Though we have noticed a sort of "puffed-up" appearance in them, so ample food and water is called for to maintain warmth.

Let's see... What else?

Ah yes... Do you remember I mentioned a broken bandsaw referenced in a comment? T'ain't broken no more! Here's what the part looked like new (without the crack of course...)

I learned a clever trick in the process of fixing the beast... Basically I tacked the broken part back in place using epoxy. Next, stressed woven steel wire (the type used to hold heavy mirrors) was wrapped around a secure sub-assembly and locked onto the severed part. Finally, the whole shebang was encased in a melange of epoxy, thickened epoxy, and wood laminates. When the dust settled and the fumes cleared, the saw was back in action. and better than new. (For more details, see the following "Instant Boats" forum thread.)

That's all for tonight...

See you by those slippery feeders if I don't fall and break my neck in transit,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 4:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well,

Here we go... The following is a screen shot of our streaming live Web cam

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So here is a video we made in the down-time of on Amaryllis blossoming. To be honest the blossom wasn't that great and ditto for the entire vid... But at least it's something.

Part of the problem was that the plant kept growing, and as a result I kept having to shift the tripod around to keep up with it. Add to that challenge the issues of changing light, changing camera settings, a final sudden growth spurt and moldy blossoms, and we do not have perfection. Such is life... I did however learn a lot. (In particular, I learned that I'm even less talented with moving imagry than I am with still...)

Let's see, what else is new? It looks like we're in for another large storm. Obviously, we hope you're prepared...

And then there are the small birds... They've been particularly active... Lately we've noticed the chickadees, titmice, downy woodpeckers... I think we even had juncoes... In general the wee ones have been very hyper, particularly in the morning and afternoon. We seem to have this kind of hightened traffic just before a storm. Oh goody...

Well, I'd better stop now and see if I can actually publish this post... Ah yes... Upgrades... And you thought you were the only one to get bitten.

See you by those persistent feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 5:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Well, what with the problems we've been having with our blog host, I'm not sure this will actually be posted, but what the heck, let's give it the old college try!

Regular readers know about our local flock of turkeys, and how they like to rule the roost. I'll give you a hint: our turkeys aren't the only ones who want to take over however. Yesterday, I happened upon this video of a turkey a few towns over which attacked a mail truck! According to the Cape Cod Times:

"As the truck puttered along, the turkey came up alongside the vehicle's starboard and launched into a series of side jumps, banging up against the truck with a thump and clatter that could be heard 100 feet away..."

Even the mailman was rather alarmed, as would you be if a large wild bird began flinging itself at the side of your vehicle!

We might suggest that the Post Office do a bit of revising to their unofficial motto:

"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night nor meleagris gallopavo stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

Running for cover by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:10 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, here we go... I'm taking on yet one more stupid project that I don't rate - I'm going to try to create a stop-motion video of an Amaryllis coming to bloom. (FWIW, CCA's definition of "stop-motion video" is the collection and splicing together of individual, still photographs of slowly-changing behavior for the purpose of creating a sort of continuous, real-time, high-speed movie of said changes. Think "Gumby" and claymation.) Anywho, here's the poor flora subject:

Already, I've vastly under-guesstimated the growth rate of these elegant stinkin' weeds, and have been forced to move the camera at least twice - a serious 'no-no' in the stop-motion community. So sue me. Also, I've changed my mind concerning the frequency of the still shots. What started out as timed four hour photographs has morphed into a mantra of, "Whenever I dang well get around to it..." (Why is it that I get the feeling that Ray Harryhausen isn't exactly trembling in his boots right now?) The end result will probably be that of an on-again/off-again apparent growth pattern... Don't take it too seriously. At least it will be pretty.

See you by those impatient feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 1:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Note: Sorry for the delay. The blog hosting service we use had "issues" that required remedy. Anyway, this post is roughly a week old. Onward...

"Sanctuary" - it's a warm word isn't it? For the last couple of days, I, like many, have been in a sad, sad funk over the tragedy in Arizona. Obviously, this isn't the first time we've been through these sorts of things: I remember when JFK, Bobby Kennedy, and Reagan were shot. All were bad times.

Anyway, in the midst of my funk, I happened to glance out at our birdhouse (right) and saw a downy woodpecker slip into the domicile. No doubt it was simply looking for a roost to escape the winter weather. (I tried to get a picture, but the creature wasn't wasting any time.) And for just a brief few moments, there was a bit of respite, a break from the senselessness. I find that backyard birdwatching is such a subtle pastime - not all-consuming, but there when you need it... Life goes on...

Speaking of life going on... Looks like we may have another storm heading our way. (Look out Cape Cod!) We're looking at Tuesday night through Wednesday night. 'Tis the season (to be miserable.) As always, we hope you are prepared...

Better get this posted...

See you by those feeders!

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Last time I noted that birds (and fish and crabs) are dropping dead at alarming rates... Here's a likely explanation from National Geographic:

But the in-air bird deaths aren't due to some apocalyptic plague or insidious experiment--they happen all the time, scientists say. The recent buzz, it seems, was mainly hatched by media hype.

At any given time there are "at least ten billion birds in North America ... and there could be as much as 20 billion--and almost half die each year due to natural causes," said ornithologist Greg Butcher, director of bird conservation for the National Audubon Society in Washington, D.C.

Not exactly the stuff of "The X Files", but still disturbing. You know, a part of me wonders if wildlife was like this before humans were around. Yeah, I know something like 99% of all species that ever existed on this planet are gone (Mr. Life, meet Mr. Darwin, existentialist), but it truly bugs me to see needless suffering and death... If it does turn out that something like fireworks did start the Arkansas panic, that would really be a shame... (On the other hand, I wonder if a shifting magnetic north pole had anything to do with this???)

Other stuff... We've finally got the hutch upstairs...

But the project didn't come without its more-than-fair-share of "ouchies". Each of the four major components (bottom and top carcases, drawers, and back) bear my initials in blood...

That really isn't so bad in that this was a large endeavor using a very hard wood (cherry) and lots of sharp tools. But the beast did have one last tantrum left in her. We were placing the 50 pound top when it noted my lack of leverage and felt the insidious urge of gravity... It dropped 40" (without the doors thankfully) taking out the bookshelf, phone, birdhouse, and yours truly. The noise was something spectacular really - sort of a sickening, chain-reaction roar. Here's my damage...

The immediate aftermath found me et al scattered helter skelter. Mrs. CCA kept yelling, "Are you alright?!? Are you alright?!?", to which I kept saying, "'Bleep' me, how's the hutch?!?", "'Bleep' me, how's the hutch?!?". Thankfully, I tend to overbuild things (in the extreme), and the monolith is now fine, all secure, and ready for the finish team. (Read that, "The wife and my old cabinetmaker boss, Rick...") Another day in Paradise... All told, it was a great undertaking - I learned so much.

And what's next? Well, the next adventure will probably be this work skiff - a cakewalk compared to the brute above... Time will tell...

See you by those never-boring feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 4:27 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Well, this is what a red-wing looks like when it's alive...

As you're reading this, odds are that you already know of the significant "die off" of blackbirds in Arkansas... But that's not the entire story... Check out the following from AFP:

The second unexplained mass bird death within a week has been discovered in the southern United States, this time in the state of Louisiana, officials said Tuesday.

The latest incident affected some 500 birds which were discovered dead in Pointe Coupee Parish, said Olivia Watkins of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Watkins said an investigation was underway into the cause of the deaths, which occurred just a few days after thousands of birds were discovered dead in neighboring Arkansas.

"We sent samples to a lab in Missouri and are waiting to get some results," she said.

Nancy Ledbetter at the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission said officials in that state were awaiting test results to find the cause of death of as many as 5,000 blackbirds in the small town of Beebe as well as deaths of 80,000 to 100,000 fish found floating in the Arkansas River about 160 kilometers (100 miles) away.

That's not good. Regardless of whether each case is related to the others or not, that's still not good. While I don't believe in UFOs or other foolishness, I do believe in "nature talking"... I say that we keep a close eye on this one...

Antsy by the feeders...

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The following montage sort of says it all...

We took that originally as a series of photos, after putting out some popcorn on the crow tray. We expected to get some good shots of the crows, but instead, a small war broke out, which the seagulls won decisively, leaving one last crow scavenging for kernels on the ground after the fighting was over.

That's not to say that there isn't beauty there, because there is...

and...

In general, the birds both large and small have been very active in the past few days because the weather, after our deep-freeze of last week, has been unexpectedly warm. Still, we've got to do something about these ongoing battles between the crows and the avian Visigoths (a.k.a. seagulls) and the wild Mongol horde (alias the wild turkeys), or there will be no peace in our backyard!

As I said, "Deep sigh..."

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

P.S. Note our new live streaming cam...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 12:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I initially was going to write just a simple post this morning reflecting on the impending 2011, but was interrupted by the following...

Yup... That looks like a "Big Tom" and I'd guess he's in the mood for 'Luv'... (It was kind of embarrassing really... He just stood there all puffed out, and barely moved... Oh Lawd, don't tell me I looked that way when I was younger!)

Alrighty then... Back to 2011... Don't really know what to say... Yeah, we've got some ongoing bird-type projects (like the live streaming cam), but aside from that, hopefully, it will be backyard as usual...

But far beyond the mundane, my gut says that there's something profound and worthy of mention... Something perhaps even ominous that lies in wait for 2011, but I don't know what it is. My hunch is that we all feel it in one way or the other, whether we want to admit it or not. There are just too many Damocles' Swords hanging by a collection of too-ragged threads...

• There's our long-term economy which is in ruins...
• In the shorter time frame, just the $2 trillion in red ink owed by 100 American cities lacks the warm and fuzzy...
• Let's not forget China, Russia, the Korean Peninsula, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the Middle East in general. (Don't even think about the African continent...)
• Take your pick:
  • Al-Qaeda
  • Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula
  • Home grown terrorists
  • ???
• No doubt there will be hundreds more of these types of senseless acts of slaughter
• Will the murder of children never end?

And so it goes... I'm sorry I'm such a buzz kill, but someone has to say it... I don't know of a single soul who doesn't feel that the world is coming to a boil. Is 2011 the year? Small wonder we feed the birds...

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 6:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Look carefully and you can see that ominous glaze... Oh goody!

On a completely different note... It's come to my attention that folks aren't crazy about entering contests for fear of giving out their contact info. (Four people that I know of have declined for just that reason.) There isn't too much that I can add beyond the standard eBirdseed.com privacy policy... We live in a strange time of phishing, identity theft, spam, hijackings, Wikileaks, China's hacking of Google, spyware, etc., etc., etc.

My guess is that eBirdseed.com is about as safe as you can get. (Nowadays, even your snail mail and your trash are at risk... Deep sigh...) I'll see what I can do to think up a new type of contest perhaps using the USPS, a land line, or a winning code.

In the mean time, here's a couple shots of storm-shocked birds...

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This is going to be a short entry... The weather is going crazy here on Cape Cod. Yesterday and last night we experienced snow/sleet/rain. Now the temperature is dropping and this whole mess is freezing in the midst of wind gusts up to 60 mph. I'm really not sure how much longer we'll have power.Oh goody! The following is from last night...

The birds have justifiably been going nuts on the feeders - no doubt desperate for food energy. Here are a few photos...

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

P.S. By some miracle, you might be able see our backyard streaming live here...

P.P.S. Keep an eye peeled for a new contest!

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 10:20 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Well, Merry Christmas to you all! (I know that that salutation may not be politically correct for some, but tough!) Here's the great Nat King Cole... (Did you know that he was an exceptional pianist before he became a vocalist? On the keyboard, Nathanial Adams Coles was comfortable with both jazz and classical music.)

Onward...

As I mentioned in the last post, the trick in getting the new cam outdoors is to keep it dry and warm/cool. Here's what I've got so far...

No, the main shelter is not a Quonset hut, but instead a mailbox. (And no, we do not receive our snail mail in the mailbox on our deck - that one is reserved for small gardening tools.) Anywho, I hope the drawing speaks for itself, but the idea is to bore two holes in a standard mailbox - one at the end which will be sealed by glass for the cam, and the other in the bottom that will allow a jar-mounted light bulb/fan to keep the thing warm/cool. I'm still mulling over the wiring and mounting details, though those don't worry me terribly... The other option is to simply buy an outdoor security camera housing; that too would bring the project in on budget. Hmmm... For a sneak peek of the indoors experimental version, go here to see the live streaming video in action. (Sorry about the commercials - understandably, UStream has to find a way to make money.)

Lastly, there comes those buzz kill turkeys... Jeez Louise, just when you have the backyard just a little tamed, the turkeys discover how to perch on top of the feeder and raid it to oblivion...

Geez... I wonder what's for Christmas dinner???

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

P.S. the "Word Search Contest" is now closed... Harry, we'll think of something... More on that later...

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 2:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Once again, we've got a lot to cover, so let's get busy...

First up is my Christmas present to you... What follows is an absolutely breathtaking rendition of Ave Maria (I believe this is the Verdi version) by the late Karen Carpenter and her brother Richard.

There's a funny/sad story as to how I happened upon the Carpenters' music... About a year ago I was rummaging through YouTube looking for my demigoddess of music, Ella Fitzgerald, and found a video of her singing with, of all people, Karen Carpenter. "Oh boy!" I thought... "Ella is going to rip that puff piece Karen to shreds..." Not so much. I have never heard a better duet, and never heard Ella in finer form. That brought me to the Ave Maria piece above. If you care at all for superb Christmas music, buy the Carpenters "Christmas Collection" - this really is a remarkable accomplishment, and Karen and Richard truly were/are stunning musical talents. (As extraordinary as Karen Carpenter was as a vocalist, she might well have been a better drummer.)

Now, about that hutch... Well, here she is in all her unfinished glory...

Obviously, the photo doesn't do it justice, but it really is quite nice... The stained glass is hand-cut... The drawers are dovetailed and epoxied together. The doors are all through mortise and tenon... Think of her as an Artisan Style/Shaker work in progress... (Speaking of a funny/sad story, when we were assembling it, the top became "gravitationally challenged" and plunged to the floor taking the bookcase and me with it. I suffered the worst damage but can still type, so no harm no foul. Onward...)

Now here's a teaser... The new streaming video camera is up, and you can't see it (Naw naw, na naw naw!) Let me work out the hinks, and we'll be good to go... At least expect the respectable. (Ultimately, the trick is going to be keeping the cam warm/cool/dry in the great outdoors... Oh goody!)

And with that, Merry Christmas and as always, we'll see you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 11:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Man, have we got a lot to cover... Let's get cracking!

I guess I can group the first two subjects as one: birds and our latest Cape Cod storm... As you can probably tell just by their demeanor, the birds were none too keen on our surprise storm...

Alrighty then... Do you remember just a few days ago, I thought (that is, trusted the weather forecasters) that this storm was going to swing out to sea... Not so much. Truth be told, we got about four to six inches of the wet, heavy muck and suffered four brownouts. Oh goody...

On a much more cheerful note, our new cam (below) arrived... Meet the Logitech Webcam Pro 9000. As the photo shows, it looks to be your standard webcam... I'll have to play some games to get it streaming live (not to mention the watertight, heated/vented housing), but all looks doable. Stay tuned for updates.

Now, about our word search contest... It's been brought to my attention by more folks than I care to think about, that people are simply reluctant to enter any contest for fear of being spammed, junk mailed, or pestered at home... Fair enough. About a year ago, the wife and I donated to a political party and have been hounded ever since. I really don't know how to speak to this issue except to offer the following company statement:

This Web site does not utilize cookies which request any personal information or collect any information that personally identifies you or allows you to be personally contacted. The only cookies used simply aid the checkout process. The only personal information gathered is your shipping and billing information which is not stored unless you create an account. We do not share any personal information with any third parties.

Finally, with your security and sanity in mind, let me informally offer this simple word of advice when it comes to buying a gift to the "un-giftable". Just buy an eBirdseed.com gift certificate. (And no, the boss didn't put me up to this - this is from the heart.) Just buy a gift certificate. Feeding the birds is a good thing and you won't have to fight the mall.

There! I'm done for now...

See you by the feeders,

CapeCodAlan

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Posted by CapeCodAlan at 8:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Check it out... (Sorry for the commercial in the beginning...)

Remarkable isn't it? (I told you I like old bird books!) But I do have one gripe, and it's a deeply personal one. (Read that, "Don't blame eBirdseed.com for what follows...")

My problem is that Audubon was a hunter who killed birds to make his paintings. Sorry, but for me, that's just wrong. (Before you jump ugly on my "Pacifist Side", understand that I'm a life member of the NRA - I'm not exactly "buddy buddy" with Code Pink.) Still, I just don't understand the satisfaction/enjoyment/glee/thrill/reverence in killing... From Monty Python:

Bevis: I always preferred the outdoor life... hunting... shooting... fishing... getting out there with a gun and slaughtering a few of God's creatures... Charging about the moorland, blasting their heads off.

In my not-so-humble opinion, killing should only occur for two reasons: survival and food. (And if we have to kill a million lab rats to save one child, so be it.) As for food... There are some of us (myself included) who digest meat better than veggies - sorry Porky. But no matter what, death is a bitter process, and I simply don't understand those who happily partake in the name of "Sport", or "Art", which takes us right back to Audubon...

I'd better quit now or I'll be looking for a soapbox and ticking off everyone in sight. My point is, "Don't kill unless you have to, and don't feel particularly grand about it afterwards. Needless dead beauty in every way shape and form isn't all that damnably profound."