Thursday, October 17, 2013

dead crows

The Killing of the Crows


CrowResearchers for the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority found over 200 dead crows near greater Boston recently, and there was concern that they may have died from Avian Flu.  A Bird Pathologist examined the remains of all the crows, and, to everyone’s relief, confirmed the problem was definitely NOT Avian Flu. The cause of death appeared to be vehicular impacts.
However, during the detailed analysis it was noted that varying colors of paints appeared on the bird’s beaks and claws. By analyzing these paint residues it was determined that 98% of the crows had been killed by impact with trucks, while only 2% were killed by an impact with a car.
MTA then hired an Ornithological Behaviorist to determine if there was a cause for the disproportionate percentages of truck kills versus car kills.
The Ornithological Behaviorist very quickly concluded the cause:   When crows eat road kill, they always have a look-out crow in a nearby tree to warn of impending danger. They discovered that while all the lookout crows could shout “Cah”, not a single one could shout “Truck.”
Thanks Rich

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Our Last Sunset Cruise

So Monday night, Viola n I went over to friends house for a final fairwell.

Good friends - Wes and Sabine have sold their house and are back on the water planning to sail to the Naples Florida area for the winter, and then cruise the Gulf next year.
We previously went fishing off the coast with them and had a blast.

So Monday night was to be a relaxing last night until we meet again.
Loaded up the boat and cruised the St. Augustine Harbor and then down the intercoastal waterway for a while.

Jaycee - the fort is really neat from the sea, next time you come down, we'll take the cruise.

So we ended up at Hurricane Patties Harbor Grill and Pub.   We pulled the boat up to the dock and had some dinner and fine wine and listened to a great band.  After a while, someone was getting tired (me) so we headed home. 

If you haven't been on water at night, it was perfect.  No other boats, water calm and glassy, and just us trolling along.
Too soon we were docked and sat on their deck for a while longer.  Finally hugs all around and we went home.
Can't wait till later this year, we're going to haul our house to Naples and visit.

A couple pictures from that evening.   You can tell Viola was relaxed and enjoying it - just look at her face.


Viola and Sabine on the transom, the lights in background are on Highway 312 crossing the intercoastal.

 
Early in the evening, cruising,  Viola, Tom and Wes.

 
 Tom, Sabine and Wes

 Neat little 30 ft cruiser.  Wes has redone it and it is a neat cruising machine.

WE SHALL MISS OUR GOOD FRIENDS, but traveling to visit will be fun in the future.  

And that's how we celebrated life Monday evening in this Nation's Oldest City.