This week brought a much-needed break up in the White Mountains. Denis and I try to go up to Black Canyon Lake before the snow has a chance to fly so we can make sure the critters are stocked up on raw peanuts and sunflower kernels for those long winter evenings. This was a very special visit indeed. Not only were the golden-mantled squirrels shoveling goodies into their cheek pouches as fast as they could, the Stellar's jays were practicing aerial bombardment-- swooping in with talons extended to snatch up a peanut to take it to a pine tree and stash it for a future snack.
Mule deer at Black Canyon Lake |
I saw a bird swoop down over the water, snatch something up and then fly over to a tree root and perch. It was quite a distance away, and I could only hope that my camera would be able to zoom in close enough so that I would be able to get home and identify the bird. Well, not only was I able to identify the bird as a belted kingfisher, I managed to get a couple of shots of it with the fish in its beak! I'm thrilled because this is the first time I've ever seen a kingfisher. I've heard them at the bottom of the Grand Canyon, but had never seen them before today.
Then on the way back on the fire road that takes visitors to the lake, Denis and I saw not one but two mule deer in the trees. One was very kind, letting Denis stop, put the Jeep in reverse, slowly back up, and giving me time to take a couple of photos. Of course I said, "Thank you!" when I was finished. Going out in nature is always good for what ails me. I'll be refreshed when Denis and I head to The Poisoned Pen to see Deborah Crombie!
Books, Movies & Other Interesting Tidbits
- Have you ever wanted to track your reading on a spreadsheet? I do, and it's simple once I set up a routine. As a result, I can pull up all sorts of statistics for my year-end blog posts. Here's some help setting up a spreadsheet.
- Fans of the cancelled televison program Longmire aren't taking kindly to the fact that A&E thinks they're too old.
- Some tidbits about upcoming Star Trek 3 are coming to light.
- The population of the internet-- in one map.
- The first "Gone Girl" movie reviews confirm that the book's ending hasn't changed, and it's an Oscar contender. (I couldn't finish reading the book; I wonder if I'll like the film any better?)
- eBook piracy is fast becoming a top concern.
- I may not like Budweiser, but I tend to love their commercials. They've got another winner out now.
Channeling My Inner Indiana Jones
- The second-ever photo of Billy the Kid has emerged.
- Think hair extensions are relatively new? Think again!
- Last week I mentioned the divers searching the ship graveyard in the San Francisco Bay. This week, news of the discovery of historic ghost ships is rising to the surface.
- Child goldsmiths went blind making some of the treasures at Stonehenge.
- It took eight long years, but archaeologists managed to uncover the hidden death chambers of Sobibór.
- Archaeologists are still discovering all sorts of things at Stonehenge.
- Sunk off the coast of South Carolina 157 years ago, the SS Central America-- otherwise known as the "Ship of Gold"-- is giving up a fortune in gold and jewels.
- The search for a 500-year-old shipwreck could rewrite Australia's history.
- Follow a journalist inside the long-unopened storage locker of the Beatles' American lawyer.
- More than 50 geoglyphs have been discovered in Kazakhstan.
- The discovery of a 4,000-year-old shipwreck could be the world's oldest.
I ♥ Lists
- 22 literary pun names for your dog.
- In honor of Banned Book Week-- Which banned book are you? I took the quiz and was told I am The Grapes of Wrath.
- How scandalous is your reading history?
- 17 things English majors are tired of hearing.
- The Huffington Post examines banned books in 5 infographics.
- A fellow book blogger has gathered together 30 book blogger booktastic boards on Pinterest.
Book Candy
- 25 vintage international book covers for H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds.
- 3 innovative outdoor libraries in Russia. (I wouldn't mind having the tube-shaped one to put in a private garden setting.)
- 9 charming things every book lover needs.
That's all for now! Don't forget to stop by next Friday when I'll have a freshly selected batch of links for your surfing pleasure. Have a great weekend!
That's so nice to see that you and Denis brought food for the birds and squirrels at Black Canyon Lake. I could ask where that is, but I could look on a map, too, so I will. I will vicariously enjoy that kind deed.
ReplyDeleteWho knows, Kathy-- you may not be able to find it on a map. It's a bit of an out-of-the-way place-- which is one reason why I like it so much.
DeleteCathy - So good to hear you had a chance to get away for just a bit. And what a lovely place too! Thanks as ever for sharing those links. I must check out the Stonehenge ones, and the article about Billy the Kid. I just love those historical links you share.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I get up there and we're headed down the fire road that takes us to the lake, we roll the windows down, and I probably look as close to a hound dog as I can get because my head is almost sticking out the window, tilted back, eyes closed, breathing in as much of the cool pine-scented air as I can get. Fortunately I don' t have ears that can flap in the breeze!
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