THE LITTLE BLOG

"The Little Blog" is back

2011-11-02T11:17:00.000-05:00

I'm returning to "blogger" once again! Not that I will be blogging much tho :o)

Wings UP!

2010-02-22T12:15:00.001-06:00

I’ve finally added a new album in my Picasa Web Albums. You can view all of the latest uploads in “Wings Up”.

Downy Woodpecker (male)

Northern Cardinal (male)

Cardinal on a Snowy Branch

2010-02-21T09:39:00.001-06:00

It’s time for the Westminster Dog Show!

2010-02-14T19:20:00.001-06:00

It’s the 134th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. One of my favorite things to watch on TV. I’ve missed this program only one time in all the years that USA has been showing it.

Tune in to USA and CNBC for all the live coverage on Monday and Tuesday night … Feb. 15 & 16.

This years favorite for Best in Show seems to be Sadie, a Scottish Terrier. Last year Stump, a Sussex Spaniel took the top honor. Two years ago it was Uno, a Beagle. Who could forget that adorable little dog …. he was just wonderful!

UNO Best in Show 2008

USA Network and CNBC will be home to The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Pedigree®, for the 27th consecutive year in 2010. USA Network and CNBC airs exclusive live coverage from Madison Square Garden on Monday, February 15, and USA Network airs exclusive live coverage on Tuesday, February 16.
Schedule
NIGHT 1:
Monday, February 15
Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Groups
8-9 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network
9-11 p.m. (ET) live on CNBC
NIGHT 2:
Tuesday, February 16
Sporting, Working and Terrier Groups, Best In Show
8-11 p.m. (ET) live on USA Network
Breed judging highlight videos are available throughout the day on Monday and Tuesday on the Westminster Web site. These highlights will be available after the show, as well.

Frozen Fog

2010-02-01T08:55:00.001-06:00

Early yesterday morning the temp was –1 and we had freezing fog. It was gorgeous

Birds are cold this morning ….

2010-01-30T10:01:00.001-06:00

Hey …… did you know it snowed and it’s COLD out here

I have to stay all fluffed up to keep warm

Please bring us some seeds out NOW!

This Titmouse looks a little PO’d because I haven’t filled up the feeders yet :o)

Cardinals (male & female)

2010-01-19T11:41:00.001-06:00

Taken during our little snow and BIG COLD spell .. shot through the window!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T09:42:00.001-06:00

Wishing all of my readers a very

“MERRY CHRISTMAS”

Woodpecker Stack

2009-12-22T12:57:00.001-06:00

Click on the Woodpecker to go to the “stack”

UPS is NUTS!

2009-12-18T07:38:00.001-06:00

I ordered an item from Newegg.com on Monday, Dec 14. It shipped out on Monday from Memphis, TN. I live in southern IL. The package was originally scheduled for deliver on Wednesday, Dec. 16. So, I look at UPS tracking info on Wednesday morning and it is in Earth City, MO where it sits for three days … or so I thought. NOT … it was sent to Dallas, TX. HUH??? Now the delivery date is Dec. 22. What happened to Newegg’s “UPS guaranteed 3 days shipping”? Of course, it is UPS that screwed up and not Newegg.

WHAT CAN “BROWN” DO FOR YOU

Doggy Christmas Surprise … too cute!

2009-12-10T14:18:00.001-06:00

Last of the Leaves

2009-12-01T11:02:00.001-06:00

Floating on Dolans Lake

Happy Birthday Jan!

2009-11-25T08:26:00.001-06:00

This is one of my favorite shots of you …. I took it in 2005. You and Trish were sitting on Milly talking and laughing. Of course you weren’t all “gussied up” but this is they way I like to see you …. just Jan …. the Jan that I have known and loved ever since we were tiny little tots.

Many years have come and gone …. some bad and some good! You have managed to make it to a very important milestone in your life. I hope you continue on a happy path for many years to come.

Happy Birthday Old Friend

Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii)

2009-11-23T17:12:00.001-06:00

He had his eye on “lunch” so he let me walk very close to him.

Among the bird world’s most skilful flyers, Cooper’s Hawks are common woodland hawks that tear through cluttered tree canopies in high speed pursuit of other birds. You’re most likely to see one prowling above a forest edge or field using just a few stiff wingbeats followed by a glide. With their smaller lookalike, the Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cooper’s Hawks make for famously tricky identifications. Both species are sometimes unwanted guests at bird feeders, looking for an easy meal (but not one of sunflower seeds).

Look for Cooper’s Hawks to fly with a flap-flap-glide pattern typical of accipiters. Even when crossing large open areas they rarely flap continuously. Another attack maneuver is to fly fast and low to the ground, then up and over an obstruction to surprise prey on the other side.

Verizon Wireless Launches More Anti-AT&T 3G Network Commercials

2009-11-10T11:11:00.001-06:00

Even though AT&T filed a lawsuit against “Big Red” they are still coming out with new commercials. You go VZW!!

These are just too cute ….

CHICKADEE

2009-11-01T13:01:00.001-06:00

Cutie!

BABY ALERT!

2009-10-08T06:32:00.001-05:00

Grandma Cruser called me a 5:30 this morning, screamed in my ear … We’re having a baby! Yes, Lindsey is finally having the baby. Grandma & Grandpa Cruser are on their way to Lexington. Poor Ryan is probably a nervous wreck …. first babies tend to make fathers that way :o)

I hope everything goes well for Lindsey … can’t wait to see a photo of that sweet baby girl.

And, on another happy note …. I’m picking up my son today! He will be arriving at 2pm from Rhode Island. YaY! He will be here for almost 2 weeks ….. so, it’s a GOOD day for everyone!

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris)

2009-10-07T07:49:00.000-05:00

Two more hummer shots from several days ago. Most of the hummingbirds have departed from this area. I have a couple that are still buzzing around the feeders.

Duckies at Burdette

2009-09-29T11:25:00.001-05:00

These images were taken at Burdette Park in June and July of this year during a couple of my visits to Heavensville. We always go to Burdette early in the am and sit for hours …. she reads and I shoot a gazillion photos ….. always loads of Ducks and Geese around the water.

Hummingbirds

2009-09-27T17:07:00.001-05:00

I haven’t shot any hummers this summer so I decided to take a few shots today.

Fungi …..

2009-09-24T14:40:00.001-05:00

I took this photo in August when I was at Dolans Lake. It is some kind of Fungi but I don’t have any idea what kind it is. It was just gorgeous!

I grabbed the little Canon P&S, jumped out of the car and started taking shots …. Mother was with me and she was just amazed at the beauty of this thing. Now, I could kick myself for not taking the time to change lenses on the DSLR and getting some decent images.

View this image at the larger size to see how pretty it is.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

2009-09-15T18:16:00.001-05:00

“Old Blue Beauty”

A couple of intruders in his territory

A Double-crested Cormorant Take-off (Phalacrocorax auritus)

2009-09-13T09:07:00.001-05:00

One lone Double-crested Cormorant on the lake yesterday ….

The double-crested cormorant is a little more than two feet long with a wingspan of about four feet. It has dark brown to black feathers, a long hooked bill with an orange throat pouch, a long tail, and webbed black feet. Adults have tufts of feathers over their eyes. Males and females look alike.

Cormorants dive for fish and marine invertebrates from the water's surface. After catching a fish, the cormorant surfaces, flips the fish in the air and swallows it head-first.

The double-crested cormorant doesn't have well-developed oil glands and isn't waterproofed very well. It often dries its feathers by perching on a pole or tree limb and stretching its wings out.

9/11

2009-09-11T06:35:00.001-05:00

Leaves in the early morning …….

2009-09-10T10:40:00.001-05:00

“The Government Can”

2009-09-06T08:54:00.001-05:00

It will make you laugh …..

Top 100 Web Sites of 2009

2009-09-06T07:26:00.001-05:00

Two sources for the Top 100

PCmag.com

Time.com

Some I agree with , most of them I don’t!

25 Best Blogs 2009

Time.com

The Huffington Post??? give me a break ……

Assassin Bug

2009-09-04T10:36:00.001-05:00

Wheel Bug, Arilus cristatus

This silver-gray insect is the largest assassin bug. The “Wheel Bug” gets its name from the structure on its thorax which resembles a gear or saw blade. It has a

hinged Beak used to inject poisonous digestive fluids into its prey, which can immobilize it in seconds.
It is then used to extract the digested Insect or Caterpillar,
leaving only the empty skin of its victim as evidence of the event

Although assassin bugs are not considered dangerous, most can bite, and should not be handled.

I was outside talking on the phone with Jan when I saw this “assassin” on my old petunias. They are truly one ugly bug!

Look at the larger size to see just how ugly he is :)

Great Egret (Ardea alba)

2009-09-03T09:27:00.001-05:00

The Great Egret is a large bird with all-white plumage that can reach one meter in height and weigh up to 950 grams (2.1 lb) It is thus only slightly smaller than the Great Blue Heron. The Great Egret can be distinguished from other white egrets by its yellow bill and black legs and feet, though the bill may become darker and the lower legs lighter in the breeding season. In breeding plumage, delicate ornamental feathers are borne on the back. Males and females are identical in appearance; juveniles look like non-breeding adults.

There were plenty of Great Egrets at the river yesterday, along with several Great Blue Herons and Cormorants. This image is my favorite of the day.

Red-headed & Pileated Woodpeckers

2009-08-28T08:48:00.001-05:00

He was far away but I got off one shot!

Nearly as large as a crow, the Pileated Woodpecker is the largest woodpecker in most of North America. Its loud ringing calls and huge, rectangular excavations in dead trees announce its presence in forests across the continent.

I was trying to hide in some low hanging tree branches but the Red-headed Woody spotted me anyway .. ha

An unmistakable bird, the Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) is striking at rest and in flight, showing its colors of red, black, and white. It is one of the most aggressive members of the family and one of the most omnivorous

Wild Flowers

2009-08-27T08:55:00.001-05:00

In the early morning sunlight ….

The little orange flowers are “Jewel Weed” (Impatiens capensis)

The Day’s First Stop Is Online

2009-08-13T13:44:00.001-05:00

I will be the first to admit that I check email and news sites before I do anything else in the morning. Most of time I don’t even wait until I get out of bed to do it either. I will roll over and boot up the laptop ….. then I get up and make coffee. On the way to the kitchen, I boot up the desktop if I turned it off the night before.

The article by the New York Times is quite an interesting read. It made me think about what I did before the “computer age”. You know, I can’t even remember. I suppose I turned on the trusty TV to find out what had happened over night …… those days are long gone and have been for many years.

Read the article HERE

OBAMACARE!!! NO NO NO

2009-08-03T09:05:00.000-05:00

I'm Not a Doctor but I Play One on TV!

found on The Weekly Standard

OBAMA/KENNEDY

2009-07-31T15:00:00.001-05:00

The “anointed one” is giving that fat old bastard a “Presidential Medal of Freedom”! The ballooned faced drunken moron is nothing more than a MURDERER! How can this happen? What about Mary Jo Kopechne? Her birthday was July 26. She died on July 18, 1969, 40 yrs. ago. Did we hear her name mentioned by the MSM? Of course we didn’t. The young woman was left to die when Kennedy drove his Oldsmobile 88 off of a small bridge on Chappaquiddick island, into eight feet of chilly water. The vehicle landed upside-down. The “drunk” left her there to die.

BO is a racist and TK is a murderer but the MSM will bend over backwards to paint both of them as “gods”. Naturally the “fat boy teddy” had to have some kind of payback for supporting BO during the campaign.

Do you think old teddy is suffering with brain-cancer? His suffering will only begin when he finally bites the dust.

“MAY YOU ROT IN HELL, TEDDY” …. that is your payback for murdering a young woman.

This is the most disgusting article that I’ve ever read.

ABC and NBC Jump to Herald Obama's Presidential Medal of Freedom Picks

By Brent Baker | July 30, 2009 - 21:08

When Obama does it, it's news. ABC and NBC on Thursday night made time to highlight who President Barack Obama will bestow with a Presidential Medal of Freedom in two weeks -- on Wednesday, August 12. Both started with Senator Ted Kennedy. On ABC's World News, which never touted President George W. Bush's picks in advance, fill-in anchor Elizabeth Vargas trumpeted:

The White House announced that Senator Ted Kennedy, who is battling brain cancer, will be among sixteen people given the nation's highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom next month. President Obama said he's honoring Kennedy and the other recipients for their contributions as agents of change. Among the other medal winners are tennis great Billie Jean King, former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and physicist Stephen Hawking.

Found on NEWSBUSTERS.org

Oh that silly Squirrel

2009-07-01T10:46:00.001-05:00

This little squirrel has become my buddy over the past few weeks. I put out pecans for him so he hangs around most of day. He always manages to keep me laughing with his silly antics. He is a very young squirrel so he is just learning the ropes! I've seen him fall out of the maple tree twice and I'm sure it's not the only two times he has made a crash landing.

I opened the front door a couple of days ago and there he sat on the porch eating a pecan. Needless to say, I scared him and away he went like a streak of lightning .... out to the road and climed up a pole. He sat up there for about 10 minutes just staring at me and then decided he would cross the wire to another pole. A couple of times he nearly fell but he kept right on truckin. He's a wreckless little guy so I have named him "Kamikaze".

He makes it over to the next pole ….

He almost didn’t make the “swing” around

Oh yeah … he’s gonna make it … LOL

He’s looking at me as if to say “I knew I could do it”

Little “Kamikaze” is quite the entertainer!

(all photos are clickable for a larger view)

Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth

2009-06-30T07:00:00.001-05:00

I’m always delighted to see these beautiful little moths. At first glance, you might think it is just a bumblebee ….. some people think it is a hummingbird because their wings are constantly fluttering.

Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus)

2009-05-04T19:28:00.001-05:00

I was looking out the kitchen window at one of the feeders and saw what I thought was a male House Finch. I left the kitchen and headed for the front door and it hit me …. no, not a House Finch, a Purple Finch! So I grabbed the camera and took some shots of him. He certainly is a beautiful little thing. I haven’t seen one around here for over a year.

The Purple Finch is the bird that Roger Tory Peterson famously described as a “sparrow dipped in raspberry juice.” For many of us, they’re irregular winter visitors to our feeders, although these chunky, big-beaked finches do breed in northern North America and the West Coast. Separating them from House Finches requires a careful look, but the reward is a delicately colored, cleaner version of that red finch.

Purple Finches are numerous and conspicuous during spring migration; pairs are territorial, the brightly colored male displaying in front of the female with his rich, spirited, warbling song. After the clutch is raised, they may be seen in large flocks visiting orchards, parks, and other woodlands. In winter they visit feeding stations in large numbers, showing a fondness for sunflower seeds.

Female Purple Finch

This image was made in February 2008

Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia)

2009-05-02T07:25:00.001-05:00

One of the cutest little warblers ever!

The male.

Small warbler with olive-yellow upperparts and bright yellow underparts with rust-brown streaks on breast, sides. Wings are dark with two white bars. Tail is dark with yellow-tinged edges. Has a wider range than any other North American warbler. Eats insects, larvae, and some fruit.

Preferred habitats include edges of marshes and swamps, willow-lined streams, leafy bogs, thickets, orchards, farmlands, forest edges, and suburban yards and gardens.

This is the female.

The nests of the Yellow Warbler are frequently parasitized by the Brown-headed Cowbird. The warbler often builds a new nest directly on top of the parasitized one, sometimes resulting in nests with up to six tiers.

Preferred habitats include edges of marshes and swamps, willow-lined streams, leafy bogs, thickets, orchards, farmlands, forest edges, and suburban yards and gardens.

The basic mating song of the yellow warbler is often written as “sweet-sweet-sweeter-than-sweet” or “sweet-sweet-I’m-so-sweet”, but males sing various other songs as well, some of which resemble those of the magnolia or chestnut-sided warbler or the American redstart.

Enough Already with the RAIN!

2009-05-01T13:35:00.001-05:00

I’m sick of RAIN …. look what’s coming right at us.

Rain Rain Go Away …………..

Dogwood Flowers

2009-05-01T08:40:00.001-05:00

Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata)

2009-04-29T10:25:00.001-05:00

Three to five brown and gray marked, white to creamy white eggs are laid in a bulky nest made of twigs, rootlets, and grass, lined with hair and feathers, and built in a conifer. Incubation ranges from 12 to 13 days and is carried out by the female.

In summer, both sexes are a smart gray with flashes of white in the wings and yellow on the face, sides, and rump. Males are very strikingly shaded; females are duller and may show some brown. Winter birds are paler brown, with bright yellow rump and usually some yellow on the sides.

The Yellow-rumped Warbler is the only warbler able to digest the waxes found in bayberries and wax myrtles. Its ability to use these fruits allows it to winter farther north than other warblers, sometimes as far north as Newfoundland.

Yellow-rumped Warblers are common and widespread. Their populations are stable or increasing in most areas. Migrating Yellow-rumped Warblers, like many migrants, are frequently killed in collisions with radio towers, buildings, and other obstructions.

Duckies and Geese

2009-04-17T17:44:00.001-05:00

I went off without my good camera and lens today so all I had was a little Point & Shoot in my purse! Someday I will learn not to leave the house without the “big guns”. These images are totally blown out but that is to be expected with the camera that I was using :(

The little ones were just adorable.

And the geese ……

Happy Easter

2009-04-11T07:46:00.001-05:00

Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)

2009-04-09T17:23:00.001-05:00

I went to Burrell’s Woods today to find some little birds. Imagine my surprise when I saw a pair of Wood Ducks! I got some good shots of the Male but the female was hiding in the shade behind a bunch of tree branches.

I was out there last week to leave a turtle by the water (don’t ask, long story). I saw these two ducks then but didn’t know what they were. They didn’t hang around long enough for me to get a good look.

I’m thinking that this pair have a nest in one of the trees close to the water. I’ll be going back next week to see if they are still in the area. This is the female …. a really bad shot of her too!

I didn’t realize they nested in trees. Below are some interesting facts about the Wood Duck.

“A colorful duck of wooded swamps and streamsides, the Wood Duck is one of only a few North American ducks that nest in trees. Many people consider it to be the most beautiful of all waterfowl.

The Wood Duck nests in trees near water, sometimes directly over water, but other times up to 2 km (1.2 mi) away. After hatching, the ducklings jump down from the nest tree and make their way to water. The mother calls them to her, but does not help them in any way. The ducklings may jump from heights of up to 89 m (290 ft) without injury.

Predators and Competitors: Starlings, common goldeneyes, hooded mergansers, American kestrels, squirrels, screech owls, and wasps will compete for the nest cavities and boxes. Nesting hens, eggs, and ducklings are preyed upon by raccoons, fox squirrels, gray squirrels, mink, opossums, rat snakes, snapping turtles, fish, and predatory birds”

Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina)

2009-04-08T20:37:00.001-05:00

They are such cute little birds ….

Guiding Light is over ….

2009-04-05T07:37:00.001-05:00

Guiding Light is currently in its final season on CBS, as the network announced on April 1, 2009 that due to low ratings the series was being canceled. The final episode is scheduled to air on September 18, 2009.Series producer Procter & Gamble Productions has said that they are not going to give up on the series and are exploring other options, including cable networks (a move similar to the one employed by the producers of Passions when the show was canceled by NBC) and Internet broadcasts.

Guiding Light was created by soap writer Irna Phillips, and began as an NBC radio serial on January 25, 1937 before moving to CBS on June 30, 1952, as a televised serial.

My great grandmother watched this show when I was a little girl. She would pull her chair right in front of that old black & white tv and crank the volume up so loud that it could be heard from at least three blocks away. The daily episode only lasted for 15 minutes back then …. that was many years ago. I don’t know for sure but my guess would be that she started with the program when it was on the radio.

It’s rather sad to see this old “soap” come to an end. I even watched it for awhile during the 60’ and 70’s.

White-tailed Deer

2009-04-04T16:48:00.001-05:00

While driving through the country, I spotted these four deer running across an open field.

They finally saw me watching them and decided to retreat into the woods.

Red-winged Blackbirds

2009-04-02T20:19:00.001-05:00

Took these photos today at the lake. These beauties entertained Mother and I while we had lunch. Lots of males but no sign of any females today … I’m sure they were close by though. All these shots were taken especially for Jan (the redwings are her favorite).

The rest of the images can be seen in my Picasa Web Albums.

The Toaster turns 100 today

2009-03-31T17:32:00.001-05:00

The cleverest little kitchen gadget since – well, long before sliced bread surprisingly – celebrates its 100th anniversary this year.

When Frank Shailor, a technician with General Electric, dreamed up his D12 toaster in 1909, it was 20 years before there was such a thing as a sliced loaf.

He invented it so people could still eat bread that was going stale and it was an overnight success. Bits of bread were simply wedged inside the exposed “wire fence”.

Unfortunately, this would prove quite hazardous because the bread had to be turned by hand to make sure both sides were toasted.

After a decade of people getting their fingers burnt came the first covered, pop-up toaster in 1919.

This led to the world’s first automatic electric toaster, the Toastmaster, in 1926.

When Otto Frederick Rohwedder invented a machine to slice bread in 1928, no home could be without a toaster.

The gadget has been through so many incarnations, there is a museum in Kettwig, Germany, with almost every toaster ever made, including the willow-patterned Pan Electric Toastrite and the modernist 1930s Saluta revolving toaster in nickel-plated steel and red Bakelite.

A spokesman for breadmakers Kingsmill said: “Bread has been a staple part of our diet for 6,000 years, but toasting is relatively new and it’s interesting that the process hasn’t changed that much in 100 years.

(Daily Express) (image found at Jitterbuzz)

The Lazy Way

2009-03-31T09:12:00.001-05:00

What do you do when you wake up with a headache and don’t feel like getting out of bed? You just roll over, grab the laptop and stay in bed? Who wants to get up anyway …. it is dark, gloomy and raining (probably the reason for the headache). I would love to be able to stay right where I am all day long … do nothing but play on the laptop …… ain’t gonna happen though. I have never been the type of person that could sleep late or stay in bed all day … no, not even when I was young. I had friends in High School that could sleep until the afternoon ……. never understood why anyone would want to sleep the day away. Sunrise is the best part of the day. Robins swear by the old saying “the early bird catches the worm”

Linux … always the winner!

2009-03-30T12:01:00.001-05:00

Always secure, fast and FREE

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)

2009-03-25T15:14:00.001-05:00

I saw this woodpecker when I was driving down the road … not a very good shot but at least I got him

ALL ABOUT BIRDS

“Although most non-birders believe that the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker is a fictitious bird created just for the humorous name, in fact it is a widespread species of small woodpecker. Its habit of making shallow holes in trees to get sap is exploited by other bird species, and the sapsucker can be considered a "keystone" species, one whose existence is vital for the maintenance of a community.”

Seagull and Greylag

2009-03-24T18:04:00.001-05:00

I think he was conducting the “River Orchestra”

Actually, we had two maestro’s that afternoon. The Greylag Goose decided he would join in too

Common Merganser Duck (Mergus merganser)

2009-03-19T18:55:00.001-05:00

I saw these two ducks at the river yesterday morning. I think most people around here call them “diver ducks”. They were fun to watch and what wicked looking hair … LOL

Eastern Bluebird

2009-03-17T18:46:00.001-05:00

I went to the river today in hopes of finding the Bald Eagles. I found them but they were across the river and high up in the trees. I got some shots of them but the quality is not too good ... I may post some of them later.

The little Bluebirds were all over the place and I did get some decent shots of them. They are just the cutest little bird and their coloring is beautiful.

Seems like this little guy is "flipping me the wing" ha. He was having a grooming session .... he put on quite a show.

Here is another male sitting a bit farther away from me. I was shooting out of the car window.

This one was sitting in the tree behind a branch peeking at me. He decided to move to the sign so I could get a better shot of him. Sometimes I think they know what us humans are doing so they sit and pose for us. ha

The females seemed rather shy today and didn't come as close as the males. Finally managed to get a shot of this sweet little lady.

First Look: Burger King’s New ‘Whopper Bar’

2009-03-11T10:18:00.001-05:00

Next time you have a rough day at the office, Burger King hopes you’ll cozy up to one of its new Whopper Bars set to open around America. Just don’t stay for too many rounds, or you might regret it the next day.

The Whopper Bar: All Beef

To be clear, the Whopper Bar won’t actually be serving alcohol — but it will be serving plenty of beef. The Burger King venture will offer Whoppers, Double Whoppers, and Steakhouse XT burgers, along with new Bourbon Whoppers, Three-Cheese Steakhouse XT burgers, and Pepper Bacon Steakhouse XT burgers. Each will come with options for 22 different toppings. Among the choices: guacamole, smoked bacon, or steak sauce.

found at Inquisitr.com

At this bar, it's all about the Whopper

Burger King Corp. opens its first Whopper Bar on Tuesday. The Universal CityWalk location will share dining space with Panda Express and Moe's Southwest Grill. (RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA, ORLANDO SENTINEL / March 10, 2009)

The second Whopper Bar is scheduled to open this spring in Munich, Germany. The company plans to have six to 10 outlets operating by the end of June, Klein said. It has selected locations on the West Coast as well as in Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

OrlandoSentinel.com

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

2009-03-06T15:26:00.001-06:00

I was looking out across the field yesterday and saw two of these gorgeous Hawks sitting up in the trees.

Today I saw one them sitting in a small tree by the creek. I was in the car ... grabbed the cam and started shooting. Quality is not very good .... cloudy and overcast day.

Only got one shot of him in the tree and then he took off.

He was soaring high in the sky .... looking down. I'm sure he had his eye on a squirrel as there are quite a few that play around the creek all day.

I've always thought the Red-tailed Hawks are so beautiful. They always amaze me with their beauty and grace .... those big wings and that lovely red tail.

Blue Heron

2009-03-02T12:57:00.001-06:00

Old Blue was fishing for his lunch and stayed in the same spot for hours.

Took this shot the last time I was at Jan’s …… we made our usual numerous trips to Burdette Park.

He has his eye on a fish but he missed!

He tried several times to stab one but he was never successful. I grew tired of watching him and moved on to taking photos of all the ducks and geese.

Paul Harvey Dies at 90

2009-02-28T20:52:00.001-06:00

Paul Harvey, a radio legend, has died at the age of 90, FOX News has confirmed.

ABC Radio Network spokesman Louis Adams said Harvey died Saturday at his winter home in Phoenix, surrounded by family. No cause of death was immediately available.

Harvey, who was born and raised in Tulsa, Okla., was married to the late Lynne Cooper of St. Louis who died less than a year ago. They had one son, Paul Jr.

continue reading at FOX News

Recap of the First Month with Obama ........

2009-02-28T13:58:00.001-06:00

This would be extremely funny if it weren't so true! Obama is leading us in a downward spiral ......

(the following was sent to me in an email)

Let’s Recap regarding Obama

1. The American people elect a black president with a total of 42 days experience as a U S Senator from the most politically corrupt state in America whose governor is ousted from office. The President’s first official act is to close Gitmo and make sure terrorists civil rights are not violated.

2. The U.S. Congress rushes to confirm a black Attorney General, Eric Holder, whose law firm we later find out represents seventeen Gitmo Terrorists.

3. The CIA Boss, Leon Panetta with absolutely no experience, has a daughter Linda we find out, that is a true radical anti-American activist who is a supporter of all the Anti-American regimes in the western hemisphere.

4. We got the most corrupt female in America as Secretary of State; bought and paid for. Hillary Clinton.

5. We got a Tax Cheat for Treasury Secretary who files his own taxes. Timmy Geithner.

6. 2 Commerce Secretary nominees who withdrew due to corruption charges and conflicts of interest. Judd Gregg and Bill Richardson

7. A Tax cheat nominee for Chief Performance Officer who withdrew under charges. Nancy Killefer

8. A Labor Secretary nominee that faced charges of unethical conduct, over her husband’s unpaid business taxes. Hilda Solis

9. A HHS Secretary nominee that withdrew under charges of cheating on his taxes. Tom Daschle

And that’s just the first month… But who’s counting?

America is being run by the modern-day Three Stooges ~ Barrack, Nancy, and Harry ~ and they are still trying to define stimulus. And the Republican Party is sitting around with its thumb up its ass saying duh.

Stimulus is where the government gives a smidgen of your tax dollars back to you making you feel so good about yourself (stimulated) that you want to run out to Wal-Mart and buy a new Chinese-made HDTV and go home and watch Telemundo!

Lovely Duck

2009-02-16T10:56:00.000-06:00

Taken at the "duckie pond" in Evansville.

TEST

2009-02-04T18:53:00.001-06:00

Cardinal on an Icy Branch

2009-01-29T15:53:00.007-06:00

Lots of ice and snow in this area. The birds looked so pretty sitting on the icy branches. This little lady gave me some really good poses.

My Sweet Albie

2008-12-17T07:55:00.000-06:00

My sweet little Albie went to "doggie heaven" on Monday December 15. He lived a happy life for 16 years.

Rest in Peace my sweet little boy

I love you Albie and will miss you so much

Ain’t it the Truth….

2008-12-07T18:36:00.001-06:00

Too Cute ... 3 yr. old Sarah Palin

2008-11-03T11:19:00.000-06:00

Joe Biden on WFTV in Florida

2008-10-26T06:47:00.000-05:00

Old Joe is too accustomed to being interviewed by CNN, NBC, MSNBC, ABC and CBS ... they ask all those "softball" questions.

This interview proves what a liar Mr. Biden really is! He cannot handle the "tuff" questions. Can you imagine what CNN, NBC, etc. would have done if Sarah Palin had responded to a question with "Are you joking" ....

Barack Obama’s campaign killed all interviews with a Florida TV station after Sen. Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, faced tough and critical questions from a reporter at the Orlando station, the Orlando Sentinel reported .

During a satellite video Thursday, WFTV’s Barbara West quoted Karl Marx and asked Biden how Obama’s comment to “Joe the Plumber,” about spreading the wealth wasn’t being Marxist.

“Are you joking?,” Biden asked.

West replied, “No.”

Later in the interview West questioned Biden about his comments that if Obama wins the election next month, he would be tested early on as president and wanted to know if Biden was implying America was no longer the world’s leading power.

“I don’t know who’s writing your questions,” Biden asked her.

The Obama camp then killed a WFTV interview with Biden’s wife Jill

More Obama CRAP!

2008-10-23T09:18:00.003-05:00

This guy is so full of himself .... an egotistical idiot!

I never knew that the press had to pay big bucks for election night coverage!

Obama campaign selling Chicago election night coverage packages to news outlets

Sarah's spin on Biden's warning

2008-10-23T08:26:00.000-05:00

Northern Flicker (yellow shafted) - Colaptes auratus

2008-10-20T19:01:00.000-05:00

"Although it can climb up the trunks of trees and hammer on wood like other woodpeckers, the Northern Flicker prefers to find food on the ground. Ants are its favorite food, and the flicker digs in the dirt to find them. It uses its long barbed tongue to lap up the ants."

Female Northern Flicker

Male Northern Flicker

I've waited a long time to get a decent shot of the Flicker. The female landed on a branch right in front of me. If I would have been an inch closer, I wouldn't have got the shot with the lens that I was using (Canon 400mm) The male landed on a pole right in front of my house :o)

Whitetail Deer

2008-09-17T11:40:00.001-05:00

Isn't she a little beauty

This image is from March 2008.

Gray Catbird & Brown Thrasher

2008-09-16T14:16:00.001-05:00

I heard this little Catbird “meowing” across the road yesterday morning so I went over and looked for him. He wouldn’t come out of his dark hiding place and I didn’t want to use the flash and scare him off. Photos are kinda dark but you can still see what he looks like.

GRAY CATBIRD/Dumetella carolinensis

"A secretive, but curious skulker of dense thickets, the Gray Catbird is heard more than it is seen. Its rambling song contains imitations of other bird songs, but the characteristic "mew" that gives it its name is not an imitation and sounds only vaguely cat-like."

This Brown Thrasher was in the Maple tree in the backyard so I had to shoot him through the window!

BROWN THRASHER/Toxostoma rufum

"Brown Thrashers leave the nest at only 9 to 13 days old, earlier than either of its smaller relatives, the Northern Mockingbird or Gray Catbird.
An aggressive defender of its nest, the Brown Thrasher is known to strike people and dogs hard enough to draw blood."

source of information: Cornell Lab of Ornithology/All About Birds

Sarah Palin Acceptance Speech

2008-09-04T09:31:00.001-05:00

Here is the “PALIN” speech for anyone that might have missed it last night. Sarah is a fabulous speaker!

Now this is funny!

2008-08-31T07:20:00.000-05:00

Ebony & Ivory ... what a pair!

2008-08-25T08:40:00.000-05:00

found here

"Change" you can laugh at ......

2008-08-25T07:47:00.000-05:00

Biden will always give us a good "belly laugh" ... what a dork!

Farmers' Almanac says cold winter ahead

2008-08-21T09:54:00.001-05:00

Households worried about the high cost of keeping warm this winter will draw little comfort from the Farmers' Almanac, which predicts below-average temperatures for most of the U.S.

"Numb's the word," says the 192-year-old publication, which claims an accuracy rate of 80 to 85 percent for its forecasts that are prepared two years in advance.

The almanac's 2009 edition, which goes on sale Tuesday, says at least two-thirds of the country can expect colder than average temperatures, with only the Far West and Southeast in line for near-normal readings.

"This is going to be catastrophic for millions of people," said almanac editor Peter Geiger, noting that the frigid forecast combined with high prices for heating fuel is sure to compound problems households will face in keeping warm.

The almanac predicts above-normal snowfall for the Great Lakes and Midwest, especially during January and February, and above-normal precipitation for the Southwest in December and for the Southeast in January and February. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions should be getting an unusually wet or snowy February, the almanac said.

Article link

Most people wouldn’t like a forecast of cold snowy weather but I would love it! I’m a cold weather person. So now I’m sitting here dreaming of snow, ice and freezing temps. Here is an image from Feb. 12, 2008 …. everything was encased in ice! The little birdies were freezing!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

2008-07-28T08:58:00.001-05:00

Early morning sunlight action ……….

Baby Robin

2008-07-25T19:34:00.001-05:00

Opened the front door to take Albie out for a walk and this guy was sitting on the porch …. good thing Albie had on a leash or this baby would have been history! I put Albie back inside and grabbed the camera to take a few quick shots ……

He finally made it across the road and was hiding in the field. If you look closely, you can see him.

The “NOBama” T-shirts

2008-07-22T07:39:00.002-05:00

Michelle Malkin is having a contest …. The Obama World Tour T-shirt

One of the best entries portrays the biased media … I LOVE IT!

Take a look at Michelle’s blog … she always has great things to say!

2 Florida Men Will Spend a Year Prison for Killing Goose

2008-07-19T11:39:00.001-05:00

Breaks my heart when I think of what they did!

…. these morons are getting exactly what they deserve! Except I think they should be receiving a more severe punishment.

LAKE WORTH, Fla. — Two men will spend a year behind bars for killing a goose in South Florida while a 17-year-old will serve his time under house arrest.

Twenty-year-old Christopher Mullan, 18-year-old Anthony Karney and a 17-year-old were sentenced Friday. They pleaded guilty to felony cruelty to animals and will also serve three years' probation.

The judge required that they earn high school diplomas during their time, perform community service working with animals and undergo psychiatric evaluations.

The goose, Lily, was killed in December. Authorities say the three defendants chased the goose around a Lake Worth yard and took turns swinging an aluminum bat at her.

A tip led to their arrests in March. The three apologized in court.

From FoxNews.com

Go Broke with the iPhone 3G .... LOL

2008-07-19T08:01:00.000-05:00

Video tutorial: unlock iphone

A True Redneck

2008-07-12T14:36:00.001-05:00

We have enjoyed the redneck jokes for years. It's time to take a reflective look at the core beliefs of a culture that values home, family, country and God. If I had to stand before a dozen terrorists who threaten my life, I'd choose a half dozen or so rednecks to back me up. Tire irons, squirrel guns and grit -- that's what rednecks are made of. I hope I know several of those. If you feel the same, pass this on to your redneck friends. Ya'll know who ya'll are.

You might be a redneck if: It never occurred to you to be offended by the phrase, 'One nation, under God.'

You might be a redneck if: You've never protested about seeing the 10 Commandments posted in public places.

You might be a redneck if: You bow your head when anyone prays.

You might be a redneck if: You stand and place your hand over your heart when they play the National Anthem

You might be a redneck if: You treat our armed forces veterans with great respect, and always have.

You might be a redneck if: You've never burned an American flag, nor intend to.

You might be a redneck if: You know what you believe and you aren't afraid to say so, no matter who is listening.

You might be a redneck if: You respect your elders and raised your kids to do the same.

You might be a redneck if: You'd give your last dollar to a friend.

I guess this means that I’m a “redneck”

Tony Snow, Former White House Press Secretary and FOX News Anchor, Dies at 53

2008-07-12T07:47:00.001-05:00

Breaking News ... FOX

Spike Lee … his NOBAMA prediction

2008-07-12T07:16:00.001-05:00

His predictions are foolish, unintelligent and stupid. Wait … there is one word that describes him … asinine. However, in the case of Spike Lee, the spelling should be “ASSinine”

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) - Spike Lee says the Rev. Jesse Jackson's crudely phrased criticism of Barack Obama won't affect the Democrat's campaign, which the filmmaker expects to succeed at bringing ``seismic'' change to the world.

``I don't think his (Jackson's) comments help anybody. It's just unfortunate,'' Lee said after taking part in a Television Critics Association panel.

Lee predicted Obama would be elected in November.

``When that happens, it will change everything. ... You'll have to measure time by `Before Obama' and `After Obama,''' Lee said during the panel. ``It's an exciting time to be alive now.''

The presidency of the first African-American will ripple throughout arts, sports and more, said Lee, whose films include ``Malclom X'' and ``Do the Right Thing.''

``Everything's going to be affected by this seismic change in the universe,'' he said.

the rest of the article

John McCain TV Ad: LOVE

2008-07-11T09:19:00.000-05:00

American Robin (Turdus migratorius)

2008-07-02T14:46:00.000-05:00

I was sitting in the front yard watching for the Catbird to pay a visit to the Mulberry Tree or the Blackberry bushes and this little guy flew right over the top of my head and landed up on a wire. He sat up there and peeped and peeped until mom finally came over and sat by him. She made numerous trips over to the Mulberry Tree … trying to get the baby to follow her. He wasn't having any part of it!

Mom gave up on trying to teach the baby anything and brought over a couple of berries for him. She sat there for several minutes before he realized she was close by.

Then he saw her! I'm sure he was thinking …. "wow I hope those berries are for me" ;)

How sweet is that …… mom feeding him the berries. Just look at that little wing … haha
You will want to click on this image to view it larger … too cute!

Sunflowers, Cardinals & a Hummingbird Moth

2008-06-27T17:09:00.001-05:00

I took Albie out for a walk and started to come back in when I noticed a Snowberry Clearwing Hummingbird Moth on the shrub. I was surprised that he was still in the same place when I came back out with the camera (wrong lens of course). I could only get a shot of him from one angle so you can’t really see him very well.

Decided to take a few shots of the Sunflowers while I had the camera in my hands. Not very good shots as the wind was blowing .

I only have two sunflowers and they came up voluntarily from the seeds dropping out of the bird feeders …. ha!

This one just started to open up this morning.

I was standing close to a feeder and this Cardinal was not to pleased with me …. giving me the look!

FEEDLY …..

2008-06-27T13:33:00.001-05:00

WOW Feedly is GREAT! I love Google Reader but this thing is so cool. It grabs all of your GooReader feeds and puts them into a clean, streamlined interface.

Just check it out …. you’ll love it! Feedly is now my new favorite Firefox addon. And, my new start page …. a cup of coffee and Feedly at 6AM makes a super start for the day!

OBAMA … the more I read, the more angry I become!

2008-06-26T12:36:00.001-05:00

They (being the black race) don’t actually care that this man has done nothing for the good of this country. “They” only want a “black” man in the white house! Of course, that shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone seeing as how the majority of these singers have the mentality of a “first grader” ……..

Sean Combs chanting “Obama or Die” …. how intelligent is that? What does that actually mean? Either vote for NOBAMA or you die?

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Barack Obama didn't attend the BET Awards, but that didn't stop attendees from talking about him.

"If we all register and vote, we will have the first black president in the history of America," Sean "Diddy" Combs told the crowd Tuesday at the Shrine Auditorium before chanting "Obama or Die" - a declarative remix of his neutral "Vote or Die" motto from the 2004 presidential election, when he attempted to boost the youth vote.

Obama, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, was just a few blocks away at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for a fundraiser with a Hollywood guest list that included supermodels Heidi Klum and Cindy Crawford, boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and movie stars Samuel L. Jackson and John Malkovich. While Obama didn't make an appearance at the BET Awards - either live or on tape - his presence was felt.

As she picked up her award for best female R&B artist, Alicia Keys told the crowd that it's time for black people to erase the word "can't" from their vocabulary.

"Together we can do anything," she said, playing on the Democrat's "Yes We Can" mantra before shouting: "Obama y'all!

the rest of the article

Scarlet and Green Leafhopper (Graphocephala coccinea)

2008-06-21T08:54:00.001-05:00

Size: 3/8"

Life Cycle Eggs are thrust into soft plant tissues in early spring.

Saliva injected into a plant by this leafhopper blocks plant tubes essential for the transport of sap, causing the plant to wither and drop leaves.

This beautiful leafhopper is a brilliant green to blue-green, with lengthwise bands of orange-red on wings

The image below is OOF but you can still see the bubble … so I named him “bubble butt”

Great Blue Heron

2008-06-19T07:16:00.001-05:00

Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus)

2008-06-15T10:05:00.001-05:00

These are not great images but at least I got a couple of shots of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I’ve only seen this bird a couple of times before and was not able to get ANY shot at all. These birds are shy and elusive making them easy to overlook.

I was sitting at a picnic table eating lunch and saw this guy land in the tree … nearly broke my neck getting back to the car to get the camera. ha!

200kbps Officially No Longer Qualifies As 'Broadband'

2008-06-13T10:59:00.001-05:00

The FCC has shifted the definition of broadband from 200kbps to 768kbps, probably not as high as it should be, but a vast improvement. The agency says they'll also start tracking both downstream and upstream speeds and will scrap the zip code tracking methodology for more substantive census-track level reporting. Carriers still won't be required to release data on the prices they charge for different speeds.

Today that order officially went into effect. Broadband Reports

I had to chuckle when I read this article ….. my connection for years was a measly slow-ass “768kbps". I won't mention the name of the company that provided the service. Not once in all those years did they ever offer to increase the speeds and they charged you and arm and a leg for that awful service. So, now they are at the bottom of the barrel in the broadband world! Thanks to NewWave Communications, I'm now browsing and downloading at 10MB .... for almost half the price that I was paying for less than 1MB. The "no name" company that I'm referring to should have been run out of this rural community years ago. A small independently owned company that has been ripping off this community for YEARS!! Even though NewWave offers digital phone (comparable to Vonage), the "no name" company managed to block the service in this area! When will the people in this backwoods joint come to their senses and tell this company to TAKE A HIKE. The whole idea of a small independently owned phone company in the year 2008 is way beyond my comprehension!

Quantum Wellness by Kathy Freston

2008-06-13T10:15:00.001-05:00

The book is about creating a shift on both a personal and "big picture" level. I chose the word "quantum" because I think it is the perfect word to describe making small changes and seeing huge positive results that are even more far-reaching than you may ever have expected.

In my experience and from what I've observed, the path to wellness is made up of small, easy to take steps that anyone can take. These steps have not only a positive impact on our personal and spiritual health, but on the environment around us -- this is the quantum leap that is implied! It's an approach that is personal AND big picture and I think that is the key: that we look beyond just "me" as we try to make improvements. Every choice we make effects others. The sooner we start looking at ourselves as part of a bigger whole and making - for example - purchasing choices that positively effect others, the sooner we can start to feel our spirits lift.

I wrote the book because I realized that wellness is not just a matter of being physically healthy. You can be physically fit as a fiddle, but if you have emotional issues, you simply don't feel "well". If we want to feel happy, whole and free, we have to address our wellness in a multi-dimensional way, tending to body, mind and spirit. The way we treat animals who are raised for food, the way we have exploited the environment, and the way we are at war with each other is not sustainable. If there is going to be a change - a healing - it has to start at home, with us as individuals. I do believe that healing ripples out and creates a shift in a cultural way.

What role do you see pets and animals playing in a person's overall wellness?

continue reading this article at PET TRENDS

Healthiest Supermarket Foods

2008-06-12T14:08:00.004-05:00

Interesting ... I've never heard of half of these products but that is because I live in a "god-forsaken" rural community! I wouldn't exactly call them the "healthiest" foods either.

The 125 Healthiest Supermarket Foods in America

The only trouble with this site is that you must click on each item to view the product unless you are using Cool Iris Previews An easier and faster way to browse!

FireFox 3

2008-06-12T10:00:00.001-05:00

The official date for the launch of Firefox 3 is June 17, 2008

DownLoad Day

Wild Roses

2008-06-11T18:23:00.003-05:00

Took a quick drive thru the country and found lots of wild roses.

Post Turtle

2008-06-09T07:24:00.001-05:00

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75 year old Texas rancher, whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up a conversation with the old man. Eventually the topic got around to Obama and his bid to be our President.

The old rancher said, 'Well, ya know, Obama is a 'post turtle'.'

Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a 'post turtle' was. The old rancher said, 'When you're driving down a country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a 'post turtle'.'

The old rancher saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain.

'You know he didn't get up there by himself, he doesn't belong up there,

he doesn't know what to do while he is up there,

and you just wonder what kind of an idiot put him up there to begin with.'

Oh that silly "wabbit"

2008-06-07T15:19:00.003-05:00

This little guy thinks he lives in my yard. He usually comes over late in the evening, eats all of the birdseed that is on the ground and then stretches out for a rest. I looked out the kitchen window about an hour ago and there he was .... all stretched out in the middle of the afternoon! I don't know where his buddy is today .. they are usually together all the time. The other rabbit is pretty shy and timid but not this guy. I can walk within 4 feet of him and he just looks at me :o)