[OrchidJulie]

A strange animal corpse was found somewhere in SA (too long ago for me to remember specifics) that locals said was undoubtedly a chupacabra. Turned over for analysis by deeply knowledgeable scientists for anatomical and DNA analysis. Town gathered to hear results. "Without doubt, a stray dog suffering from severe mange." The townspeople attacked the scientists and had to be restrained by police. Note my sign off. The numbers are frightening, even in the USA.

Note the evidence of a mythical beast wandering locally, post #34398, currently the very last post on the "I Spy" thread.

And I forgot to list the eastern cottontail rabbits that sometimes destroy flowers and awaken Dahlia's scientific curiosity. She wants to open one to see what makes it go.

AND a male catbird.

Indeed, periodically there's some localized kerfluffle about a chupacabra killing domestic animals, almost always turns out to be a big dog. A coyote was the main suspect once, but never confirmed as far as I know. And, sadly, from time to time the culprit turns out to be two-legged, slaughtering horses <!> for meat.


Interesting catbird...the ones I've seen here (not in a long time) are colored differently, overall slate gray with a black "cap" on the top of the head. Yours is quite a handsome creature!

[WPRESTO]

Indeed, periodically there's some localized kerfluffle about a chupacabra killing domestic animals, almost always turns out to be a big dog. A coyote was the main suspect once, but never confirmed as far as I know. And, sadly, from time to time the culprit turns out to be two-legged, slaughtering horses <!> for meat.


Interesting catbird...the ones I've seen here (not in a long time) are colored differently, overall slate gray with a black "cap" on the top of the head. Yours is quite a handsome creature!

OOPS! mis-typed. That's a male COW bird. I'll go back and correct. We do also have the standard catbird here. They come to our feeder & birdbath.

And FYI I have three problems when typing these comments for a post: 1) I'm a clumsy typist, two left hands and both are all thumbs* 2) I am a creative speller - took remedial standard spelling in grade school, but they failed, dismally; 3) I am an incompetent proofreader. My brain knows what I intended to type so my eyes fail to see misteaks (rare or well done).

* and for gardening, all ten thumbs are brown, not a trace of green.

[OrchidJulie]

OOPS! mis-typed. That's a male COW bird. I'll go back and correct. We do also have the standard catbird here. They come to our feeder & birdbath.

And FYI I have three problems when typing these comments for a post: 1) I'm a clumsy typist, two left hands and both are all thumbs* 2) I am a creative speller - took remedial standard spelling in grade school, but they failed, dismally; 3) I am an incompetent proofreader. My brain knows what I intended to type so my eyes fail to see misteaks (rare or well done).

* and for gardening, all ten thumbs are brown, not a trace of green.

Ah, no worries. My claim to typo infamy is blaming the horrid keyboard on this laptop...it refuses to rearrange keys to locations where my fingers want them to be.

Regarding proofreading, during years of hard time as an ad agency production manager, one law remained firm: for projects that had had too many hands and eyes on them, final proofreading was always assigned to a team that had never seen the project before. Those too familiar with it would never see their own errors, the brain becomes conditioned.

[WPRESTO]

Ah, no worries. My claim to typo infamy is blaming the horrid keyboard on this laptop...it refuses to rearrange keys to locations where my fingers want them to be.

Regarding proofreading, during years of hard time as an ad agency production manager, one law remained firm: for projects that had had too many hands and eyes on them, final proofreading was always assigned to a team that had never seen the project before. Those too familiar with it would never see their own errors, the brain becomes conditioned.

Somewhat similar. When M received galleys for a scientific paper to be published, I would sit and read the original MS while she read through the galley. Laborious. I would sometimes make an error reading the galleys and M would catch me. M is far smarter and half a galaxy more accurate than I. After marriage I never needed a dictionary, I'd just shout "How do you spell - - - - " She's was and is never wrong.

[OrchidJulie]

Somewhat similar. When M received galleys for a scientific paper to be published, I would sit and read the original MS while she read through the galley. Laborious. I would sometimes make an error reading the galleys and M would catch me. M is far smarter and half a galaxy more accurate than I. After marriage I never needed a dictionary, I'd just shout "How do you spell - - - - " She's was and is never wrong.

I am an excellent speller, a so-so typist...thus 99.99% of my errors can be blamed on my fingers...I know how to spell it, I just mis-typed it.

[WPRESTO]

A great blue heron that is almost camouflaged in the uncroped image, easier to spot after cropping. Also a plump little chipping sparrow on a branch rather than foraging on the ground where I usually see them.

[jquill]

New Arrival on Assateague Island.

[wtlwdwgn]

[WPRESTO]

Tom turkey showing off his fan tail, coming and going.

[Tonytee]

Tom turkey showing off his fan tail, coming and going.

Beautifully captured Walt. Any chance he may deserve one of your Presidential Pardons? )

Thnx for sharing, friend.

tt

[WPRESTO]

Beautifully captured Walt. Any chance he may deserve one of your Presidential Pardons? )

Thnx for sharing, friend. tt

Insofar as the turkey is in Quabbin Park, a protected area where dogs, firearms, and hunting are forbidden, that turkey and many others are theoretically safe. BUT, there are always some guys with guns who are not deterred by mere laws.

[RobG]

Curious Swift Parrot by RobGeraghty, on Flickr

[WPRESTO]

Flicker. I posted a different image from a batch taken on this occasion.

[jgnfld]

NOT AVIAN! Has no business at my bird feeder.

Early summer before berries/etc. is PRECISELY when bears think bird feeders are a great place to dine out!

Note the bear still is rather thinnish.

[Tonytee]

Insofar as the turkey is in Quabbin Park, a protected area where dogs, firearms, and hunting are forbidden, that turkey and many others are theoretically safe. BUT, there are always some guys with guns who are not deterred by mere laws.

Quite true. People with guns with the bonus of being empty headed.

tt