Flicker news!

Okay, so I am a geek, but I am really into the Northern flicker, my favorite woodpecker. I about had a breakdown when I noticed one poking for ants in my back yard. I live in the Mississippi neighborhood in North Portland, which is pretty urban. Walking to breakfast on Saturday, I heard the flicker's distinctive "wicka wicka wicka" call LOUD right on Mississippi Ave. I looked up and saw a male flicker (the boys have red spots on each cheek) ducking into a hole in a telephone pole. At the foot of the telephone pole was a scattered heap of wood fragments, clearly whittled out by the flicker, who had built himself a nest. I've seen and heard these beautiful birds all over the neighborhood, but I've never seen the place one calls home. The male excavates a cavity nest, then tries to woo a sweetie to live there with eggs. Ramona and I are walking by a couple of times a day to see if he's home, and shamelessly pointing him out to passersby when he is. I think he should be our neighborhood mascot, and he needs a name. Any ideas? I think this will be my summer project with Ramona--keeping track of this woodpecker, taking some pictures, and watching to see whether he finds a lady woodpecker to have a family with.

Solar System? Systems.

(It seems this post is getting cut off if you have your web browser's font size too low, Cntrl+Mouse-Scroll Up remedies this problem)
As one who takes severe interest in the unknown (which is quite vast considering Earth's approximate 4.6 billion year history, or 6000 years if you're Christian etc etc.) I find our Solar System, as well as every other Solar System recently discovered, to be at the top of the list. Recently
astronomers have found a "planetary system" that highly resembles our own, although it's a 
staggering 5000 light-years away.  The two planets found are comparable to Jupiter and Saturn 
in our Solar System, despite the star they orbit being half the size of our Sun. With similar orbiting periods and radii, these planets and Systems are beginning to prove our own planetary situation is no anomaly. Thus, the possiblity of alien-life existing elsewhere increases dramatically, as who can honestly put a maximum on the number of systems, stars,  planets that are to be found? Some may have refuted this possibility twenty or thirty years ago, but ever since the first discovery in 1995 by Mayor and Queloz of planets orbiting sun-comparable stars, that refutation has seem duller and duller. As technology advances at a lightning-
speed rate, we can only guess what is to be discovered in the years coming. A 2006 estimate 
placed astronomers at discovering 25 new planets every year, and it is still increasing. A congratulatory  pat-on-the-back to science and technology with anticipation for the future. 

The American Pit Bull Terrier

From my personal experiences I have come to find that many people really do not know much about today's Pit Bull, and that because a few of us have chosen to exploit this amazing breeds natural attributes, they have in turn acquired a notorious reputation for violence. These canines are not the monsters that the press has made them out to be, and in actuality are very intelligent, very trainable, and emotionally stable creatures. Pit Bulls are athletic, strong, and highly motivated to please their masters. These dogs require responsible owners who will regularly exercise them, and properly train them. Pits are extremely loving and loyal, and make great companions.


Today many breeds that are known as "bully dog breeds," are being target through "BSL,." also known as "breed specific legislation." Due to this legislation Pit Bulls are being banned in many places throughout the U.S.
The only thing this legislation is accomplishing is the dismemberment of families from their cherished pets.


Here is a really short video that was created in response to BSL.
http://technorati.com/videos/youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DcJueekvhRDI

Plants of Pacific Northwest

I enjoy exploring outdoors and chose to blog about plants that we may come across while walking, hiking or just messing around in the yard.

Here is an example of one of the cool flowers I spotted while hiking at Multnomah Falls. They can be found in a variety of colors. I think the white and purple trillium is my favorite flower next to roses. According to my handy dandy plant guide you can also find them in Mt. Hood National Forest for anyone with some free time for plant watching!

Trillium ovatum

Habitat: Moist woods, shaded open areas
Bloom time: April to June
Range: British Columbia to central California.

Chickens

I decided to do my independent study on chickens. I recently had a hen who went broody (wants to hatch out eggs) on 3/30/08. It takes about 21 days for the chick to hatch. One night I candled (shined a light through the egg to examine the contents without breaking the shell) noticed the chick moving around, so I got my camera and recorded it. At the time it was about 7 days old. In the video you’ll see a dark spot appear and disappear. That spot is the chick. I can’t figure out how to add the video so I posted the link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqsYWrDrTY8

Today was day 27, and unfortunately the chick didn’t hatch. I figured the chick had died because there has been no noise or movement from inside the shell. So I took and cracked the shell, I noticed it had stopped devolving. By looking at the chick, I estimate it died probably around 1 ½ weeks along. The hen is pretty upset that her egg is gone. She tore the nest apart looking for it. I’d be upset too if I had to sit there 27 days straight!

Frogs

I decided to do my independent study on frogs because I like them and think they are cute. Here are some facts about frogs. When frogs swallow their food, their eyes close and go down into their head to push the food down their throat. Frogs have very small shaped teeth on the upper edge of their jaw and also on the roof of their mouth. They don't have any on their bottom jaw. They don't use their teeth to chew, just to hold their prey in place until they can get a good enough grip to swallow. Frogs have very strong legs. They can jump over 20 times their own length. Frogs breath and drink through their skin. They absorb oxygen from the water through their skin in addition to what they breath in through their lungs. It is very important they keep their skin in good condition because they rely on the extra oxygen absorbed. Frogs secrete mucus through their skin so they stay moist. If their skin dries out they could suffocate. Frogs shed their skin pretty often, some as often as daily. They twist and turn and look like they have the hiccups to stretch their skin out. Then they pull their skin over their heads and eat it! Lots of frogs live between 5 and 12 years. Frogs largest protection from predators is how they camouflage themselves. Some frogs can change their color based on light, moisture, temperature and even mood.

ride the express

the first new movie i decided to review was definetley hard to find considering it has not been promoted yet on televiosion. but after long hours of searching i finally found it, and im glad i did. the movie "Pineapple Express" is a film about 2 "stoners" who find themselfs in huge amount of trouble when Dale Denton (Seth Rogen) witness a cop commit murder. Dale Denton finds out that the marijuana he purchased from his friend and dealer Saul Sulivan (James Franco) is linked backed to the crooked cop who in fact worked for the largest drug lord in America. once on the run Dale Denton and Saul Sulivan must find a way to end the mess and keep their lives. directed by David gordon Green, pineapple express displays huge amount's of comedy and action that will keep you entertained from begining to end. featuring seth Rogen "Superbad, Knocked up", and james Franco "Spiderman 3", Pineapple Express is filled with talent and character. this movie comes out Auguest 8, 2008, make sure not to miss it!

In Flames: The beginning of the Gothenberg sound part 1

It all started in 1990, all thanks to guitarist Jesper Stromblad. He began In Flames as a side project while he was in the band Ceremonial Oath. He wanted to make a band his own and take metal into a new direction so he figured the best way to do that would be to create his own band. He teamed up with Glenn Ljungstrom and Johan Larsson to form In Flames. The band needed a singer, so they re0cruited Mikael Stanne of Dark Tranquility; He is no longer with the band. The band created their first studio Album "Lunar Strain" under Wrong again records. This album was the band's first breakthrough album that would get them from the underground scene.

Sea Lion Killing Authorized

The killing of sea lions that have been eating the salmon has been approved by the federal government. The sea lions at the base of the dam take up to 4 percent of the spring Chinook heading upriver to spawn. Many say that the problem lies in another form, mostly the hydroelectric dams which slow the salmon down when trying to head into the river. Other problems such as predator birds and pollution have also effect the successful spawning of the salmon. However in case of the sea lions many have been relocated to San Diego's Sea World for safe keeping. It is unlikely that they will be able to hold more however. When a sea lion is caught it must be held for 48 hours so that authorities can find a possible new home, rather than killing it. Both of these species are protected, but due to the sudden increase of these sea lions it is obvious what must be done. As sad as this story is I believe that this is the right choice in taking care of this predicament. I do not believe in unnecessary killing, but when most of our country depends on certain food sources its either us of them. And most would see it that way. I am sad to see these creatures being killed, but there is not much I can do. What they could do is get some of the inuit tribes to start hunting the lions so they could provide for their homes.

Geography of Croatia

My blog is going to be all about the country Croatia. About the history of the country, the geography, the language, interesting facts ect.
I will start off with a little bit of Geography about Croatia:
Croatia is located in south central Europe. To give a better picture in mind to the round abouts to where this country is located, it is by Serbia, Bosnia, and is North of Italy.
Croatia looks like a horseshoe, to also give the beautiful country a better picture in your mind.
Croatia is very famous for its Beautiful, breathtaking even, national parks. Full of amazingly green trees, fresh water, beautiful flowers, and many pretty flowers. It would be a wonderful place to vist if you love the outdoors, the air is fresh and every view is one for the camera and the eye.
The climate in Croatia varies: In the North and East parts, it is continental. Along the coast lines, it is Mediterranean, and highland climate is in the south central part of Croatia.
Offshore of Croatia consists of over one thousand islands.
Croatia is a very beautiful, geographically, country. The air is fresh, the grass is green. And, without a doubt, a place for those who LOVE the outdoors!!

What's hotter than the sun?

Here in the Northwest (rain capitol), everyone's seen a thunderstorm. They come as no surprise to us. But, believe it or not, thunderstorms are actually one of the most dangerous of all weather activity. Especially since 40,000 of them occur throughout the world everyday.
Thunderstorms are experienced everywhere; even in the polar regions-although they are very rare due to cold surface temperatures. They tend to be more frequent in tropical rainforest areas, where they occur almost everyday. A thunderstorm forms when "moist, unstable air is lifted vertically into the atmosphere". This results in condensation and the release of latent heat. During a thunderstorm you may experience hail, heavy rain, strong winds, thunder, lightning, and even tornadoes.
Tornadoes are very common in the Midwest and southern United States where warm air from the south collides with cold air from the north. This usually results in the formation of a mesocyclone. A mesocyclone is a strong "vertical updraft". Mesocyclones can form over a storm and produce a type of cloud dome. Half of these produce tornadoes.
We (being mostly me) seem to complain a lot about the rain here. We should be thankful, however, that we don't get worse weather. In some midwest and southern states, people experience hail the size of baseballs, wind gusts up to 97 kilometers per hour, and dangerous lightning. Did you know the temperature of a lightning bolt can be hotter than the sun?

IRAQ WAR

Over the last six months or so I’ve become really fascinated with the Iraq war.
I’m not for this war what so ever! I’ve come to finally realized that the United states is in the longest war involving U.S. soldiers since Vietnam, and the costliest since W.W.II. This is our generation going through this. Those are our brothers and boyfriends and pieces of our families over there fighting and everybody just wants to pretend that nothing’s going on.
I really don’t understand where all the flower children have gone? The Iraq war looks like the American experience in vietnam only no one wants to have a voice or rally against this war. One of the most obvious reasons to me why people aren’t marching against this was is because there hasn’t been a draft. Another reason i think may be because people aren’t really getting to see what’s going on over there. Unlike vietnam we don’t get to see the coffins arrive on the air-force base and the president doesn't attend military funerals and the television never shows the dead solders or the wounded ones. All these things combined kill the wars impact on our society.
It just hurts my heart see our country go through this and to see that people don’t want to stand up for it. Even people that are for this war aren’t standing out and showing there pride. It’s like America is numb to this whole thing. I feel like it going to come and bite us right in the butt and we are going to have no idea what to do or how to handle it.

On Global Warming and Human Narcissim

I've always been a skeptic of apocalyptic hysteria, as I'm sure all of us are to some extent, yet recently it seems people have worked themselves into a frenzy over the idea of global warming. We've got new emission laws popping up all over the place, politicians running around like maniacs (even a city commissioner who claims "Trees have rights"), and a new breed of activists, all claiming that if the human race doesn't stop poking at Mother Nature, she'll hit back, hard. Personally, I find it all a little ridiculous.

It's human nature to want to feel important and to feel in control, there's just no way of getting around it, and I think that explains a lot of the hysteria regarding global warming. We want to think we have a significant impact on the Earth's climate because it would make us important and give us some measure of control over our vast and ever-changing world. However, the numbers just simply don't add up. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, humans have emitted a total of only 3.298% of all the greenhouse gasses (aside from water vapor) in Earth's atmosphere. This means that 96.702% of emissions come from plants, animals, and other natural causes! I'm no mathematician, but I'd say that's pretty insignificant, at least not significant enough to cause such extreme damage as some would claim.

So what's the cause of temperature change then? Natural cycles, in my opinion. The Earth goes through hot and cold spells over time, it's to be expected. It's generally accepted that before human's time there were more than a few ice ages, yet somehow the Earth managed to heat itself back up into the state it's in today, right? We're just in another upper part of the cycle.

Do I really have a green thumb?

Gardening. I always thought it was the kind of thing that little old ladies did for fun after they had their morning tea, and went to church. But I guess I was wrong. Gardening is apparently fun for anyone who wants to get outside and do something with their unused plot of land. Since my family lives on a 5 acre farm, and there is an actual spot for a garden (the people who lived there before us made that area) I said, "Why not?" So here I am, just starting to wake up the garden from the hibernating winter weather which is apparently still lingering...(it actually snowed at my house today!) I haven't had a garden since like, 2 years ago, so I'm thinking I may be a little rusty. I wonder what I should plant? When do I start planting!? I'll probably begin planting after the last frost which is usually the last of April...lol. I just put a leaf mulch on top so hopefully most of the weeds will disintegrate, and I won't have to weed as much. Anyways, I am so ready to tackle this new project!

You Can't Put a Dead Bird on Your Life List

I became interested in birdwatching when I was pregnant with Ramona and had to give up my bad habits. I took a short hike in Oaks Bottom park and witnessed an osprey with a 4-foot wingspan (aka sea hawk) plucking a fish out of the marsh & taking it back to a nest that rested atop a power pole. I had never been aware that wild animals lived in Portland, and lived here well. I also saw a small owl perching in a tree just off the path, just about 20 yards off of Milwaukee, an extremely busy street. I got enamored of the idea of this whole secret wild life transpiring off the radar of our urban lives, and I bought a book about local birds. A few minutes with the book showed me that I had been blind for years to my surroundings: I used to think all birds in the city were sparrows or robins; I've since learned that some of the brown birds are sparrows, some are wrens, some are woodpeckers. Soon after buying the book I noticed an odd-shaped bird on the telephone pole outside my bedroom window just before it began hammering at the wood--it was a northern flicker, a beautiful, weird looking woodpecker that has sort of become my spirit animal. I am now on the watch for new birds everywhere I go. Let me explain the title of this post: when you become a birder, you start keeping a Life List, which is a list of all of the birds you have ever seen in person. The dean of my department is an avid and accomplished birder, and I learn a lot from talking with him about birds. I ran into him on campus today, and he told me that he had just disposed of the body of an orange-rumped warbler that ran into a window at Bauer Hall. I lamented that I had not seen it as I have never seen this bird before. Then it occurred to me: you have to see the bird out there doing its thing. You can't add a dead bird to your life list.

Now we start

Dear students:
You will pick your topics this weekend and begin blogging next week. I am very excited to learn with you.