notebookism

Inspiration: Calls of the Common Loons

'Anyone who has vacationed in the far north woods is instantly brought back to that place just by hearing the calls of Common Loons, an eerie-sounding water bird that calls from dusk to early morning. The loon is so much of a water bird that it is incapable of standing erect or taking off from land; even in the water, it takes 80 to 600 feet to get into the air, and as it takes flight it slaps water with its wings the whole way. This is the sound of a raft of eight socializing adult loons ending their get-together to disperse back to their own territories. Recorded in northern Wisconsin on June 22, 2006, in the early morning.' So writes today's contributor, the amazingly resourceful and dedicated nature recordist Rich Peet.

quiet american
one-minute vacation
[Scroll down to August 28, 2006]

happy Bday mothie

This post reminded me of the very same thing I used to do as a kid:

"I have a new pupa in a jar. I actually saved the "huge" caterpillar from being a play toy for Angel (the cat). The caterpillar was not too pretty...a dull gray with a creamy white belly. But it had dark purple blotches/spots everywhere his feet protruded. I thought he was hurt, but the cat, because every time I touched him he would flop around as if in pain. So I put him in a jar with some leaves and forgot about him for a day or so. Next time I looked in on him he has sealed/wrapped himself up in a grape leaf. I could hear him wiggling around from time to time so I knew he was still alive. Today, curiosity got the best of me and I opened the leaf up. Inside is a large med gray colored pupa. I wonder if this will be a big moth or a butterfly. He has been in this state for about 21/2 weeks or so...."

Rightside @ Notebookism/FLICKR
© All rights reserved

Birds by Jane LaFazio

Spring has sprung and so has Jane LaFazio's brushes.

Check out her new bird sketches

Visit Jane's website.

© All rights reserved JL

Book Bugs Wanted

A most unusual request over at Bibliophile Bullpen:

"My daughter has asked me several times for silverfish or book mites for her course work. Like a cop, they ain't there when you need them. She needs them by the end of November. If anyone is inclined to help, you would catch a few (that's the hard part), put them in a small stoppered vial with a little alcohol or something, package well, ship them off, and get reimbursed. I promised her I would try. - Shawn from balopticon.com

Email Shawn if you can spare some.
Details at Joyce's site.

Inspiration: life of a mescaline cactus flower

A series of photos recording the life of a mescaline cactus.

By lantern on FLICKR

Photographed by Marg Morrow and John Wigglesworth
© 2006. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.