I just had to dig up this old thread after reading a couple of cool stories recently. :) Fastest Known Muscles Found in Songbirds' Throats - I bet Olive could give them a run for their money when she's yelling at Barry. LOL And Rescued Cow Doesn't Know She's a Cow - I wish Milkshake could come live with me!! :) Brenda

Tally - good that you are making some headway. We went to Galveston this past week and this was our observations: It looked like 'big businesses' had bought out small businesses or residences to get into Galveston. We were a little saddened that mom and pop places might suffer. Guido's (our favorite) was wonderful, but only 1/2 of it is open. We saw what you meant about the west half getting the goods. We were surprised about the build-up on on the west end of the island, and equally surprised about the shape of some of the buildings/residences that sorely need restoring. I was wondering about the Flagship. Glad to hear something will be happening with it. We stayed at the (newly re-opened) Tremont, and walked along the Strand. Really enjoyed it. Also enjoyed Murdock's along the seawall. We realized just how important that seawall still is. I don't understand why New Orleans doesn't do something like this. It made a big impression on us how much of the city it saved after we went across to Boliver - total destruction. We drove all the way to High Island in amazement at how badly Boliver was hit. So sad. We talked to a few of the employees at the hotel and restaurants. Most seemed to have moved there recently. I'm sure the entire island got a lot of residential turnover. Tally - I'm glad you stayed and are rebuilding. Galveston is still a beautiful place to visit, and I'm sure to live. In time, I'm sure it will be restored to all its glory.

One morning a husband returns after several hours of fishing & decides to take a nap. Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out. She motors out a short distance, anchors & reads her book. Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman & says 'Good morning, Ma'am. What are you doing?' "Reading a book," she replies (thinking, 'Isn't that obvious?')" You're in a Restricted Fishing Area," he informs her. "I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing, I'm reading." "Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up." "For reading a book," she replies. "You're in a Restricted Fishing Area," he informs her again. "I'm sorry, officer, but I'm not fishing, I'm reading." "Yes, but you could start at any moment. I'll have to take you in and write you up." "Yes, but if you do that, I'll have to charge you with sexual assault," says the woman. "But I haven't even touched you," says the Game Warden. "That's true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment." "Have a nice day ma'am," and he left. MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It's likely she can also think.

Very cute little merganser there! I don't know much about duck migration but I checked Birds of North America Online (Cornell subscription site) and they say "Spring A late migrant and breeder. First migratory movement in Mar, intensifies in Apr; most breeders arrive on breeding grounds mid-to late May." and "At Cape May, NJ, overall numbers begin to decline mid-Apr; few observed after late May (Sibley 1993). In Massachusetts, movements late Mar–May with peak of 15,000 observed in Cape Cod Bay, 31 Mar 1984 (Veit and Petersen 1993). Winter birds depart Boston Harbor, MA, late Mar (Miller 1996). In Vermont, move mid-Mar–mid-May (Laughlin and Kibbe 1985)" It sounds like they all should be gone from CT soon and are unlikely to breed in your area. That said, I saw the first Brown Thrasher of the season today - they do breed here. Here with a Red-winged Blackbird: One of my favorite birds (I have a whole lot of favorite birds). Claire