Sparrowman’s Perch

I’ve had a good bit of visitors over the past year to my entry on the bald eagle cam in Shepherdstown, WV. Thanks for visiting!

Well, Pittsburgh has a couple of peregrine falcon nests with online cameras as well! Plus, both sets of birds have had chicks very recently. It’s so good to see these raptors making a comeback. Anyway, the peregrine cams (like the photo here) are provided courtesy of the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.  The live cameras are updated every thirty seconds. Check out the “hot chicks”:

Peregrine site at the Gulf Building, downtown Pittsburgh (I think it’s the third tallest building downtown):
http://www.paconserve.org/rc/peregrine.html

Peregrine site at the Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh (the tallest classroom building in the western hemisphere):
http://www.paconserve.org/rc/pittvideo.html

More information on the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy peregrine program:
http://www.paconserve.org/rc/peregrine.html

Information on the buildings:
Gulf Building:
http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=6355
http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/wt/html/gulf_building_1930-1932.html

Cathedral of Learning:
http://skyscraperpage.com/cities/?buildingID=1894
http://www.umc.pitt.edu/tour/tour-080.html

Hey, I found this girl on a flower downtown.  I wish I had gotten another picture of this bee since it’s kinda neat to see a new foraging honeybee.  She most likely put in her tour of duty cleaning the hive and serving the queen a few days before venturing to this flower.  I hope to put more photos on my Flickr site.

Click for larger picture

Okay, I’ve gotten in recent conversations with several people about wooly bear caterpillars (the larva of the Isabella Tiger Moth or Pyrrharctia isabella for those of you who are scientific minded) and if they can "predict" the severity of the upcoming winter.

Today, I was walking on one of our rail-trails and I found some examples for you.  (I walked 11.5 miles pretty much without stopping, with the exception of short periods of caterpillar abduction.  I am feeling the burn though).  The picture above has five wooly bears that I found within several yards of each other along the trail near the Uffington Bridge, Morgantown, WV.  Fellas A, C  and D are your "standard" variety, but note the nice broad brown bands.  Fellas B and E are almost all brown.   (You can click on the picture to get a bigger one).  Looks like a nice mild winter!  I found other mostly brown ones but they were ran over and wouldn’t make a nice picture.

Also, don’t get wooly bears confused with the caterpillar of the Giant Leopard Moth (Hypercompe scribonia): http://bugguide.net/node/view/35365/bgimage

Some further information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyrrharctia_isabella
http://bugguide.net/node/view/539
http://lancaster.unl.edu/Feature/guess10_3.htm
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/hortnews/2005/11-9/caterpillar.html

Great site for caterpillar identification:
http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/america/index.htm

Vermillion, Ohio actually has a big Wooly Bear festival!
http://vermilionohioharbourtown.homestead.com/VermilionOhioWoollyBearFestival.html

“My belief is that what comes across on the television is a capture of my enthusiasm and my passion for wildlife.”

“I have no fear of losing my life - if I have to save a koala or a crocodile or a kangaroo or a snake, mate, I will save it.”

- Steve Irwin

I still cannot believe that Steve Irwin is dead.  I remember hearing of this during a newsbreak on late night radio.  I was starting to fall asleep.  I woke up the next morning thinking that the thought was just a dream, but the morning news confirmed the bitter reality.

Many of you already know of the fascination that I have with the guy and his show.  Okay, yes, he was definitely a ham but I believe his enthusiasm for animals did represent a real concern for them.  I didn’t get to see some of the last shows of the Crocodile Hunter since I gave up standard cable some years back.

I’m going to miss some of his catch phrases:
Crikey!
Look at the size of it!
You wouldn’t want to muck with it!
Danger, danger, danger!

I hate to say it but I always wondered what creature would “get” him—not necessarily killing him but injuring him.  It could have been one of the many highly venomous poisonous snakes of Australia or of course, a croc.  A sting ray?  I knew that folks actually could pay to swim with them.  It just shows how we as humans must be mindful of the power of such large creatures when we try to interact with them.

Unfortunately, some folks out there took it upon themselves and sought some sort of revenge for his death by killing and maiming stingrays.  Not long after Steve was killed, authorities found the remnants of about 10 of these animals.  (CNN story) It is a shame that some did not get it about his whole life message of animal conservation!

I watched snippets from various media sources of the memorial service today.  I’m amazed at his little daughter, Bindi.  One, in how big she is, and two, her ability to deliver such wonderful words about her daddy to the 5,000 people.  What saddens me is in seeing this family without Steve.  

I also have a fascination with couples who are active in a common “mission”.  On top of that, the whole family had involvement—however, some more than what should have at particular times.  

Anyhow, he was one of the media personalities that I really did want to meet eventually.  I wish I had about one tenth of his enthusiasm.  With that I’m sure his words will remain true in the years to come:  “There’s one thing I want to be remembered for, it’s my passion and enthusiasm for wildlife.”

Crikey, man.  It’s too damn soon.  “Rest in peace” just does not sound like an appropriate thing to say for someone like Steve Irwin.  My thoughts and prayers go out, big time, for his wife, Terri, and the two young ones, Bindi and Bob.

Animal Planet’s Memorial pages:
http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/crochunter/steve/steve.html

Further information for any who wish to contribute :
http://www.wildlifewarriors.org.au/

More on the memorial service from the BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/5363342.stm

Crocodile Hunter/Australia Zoo website:
http://www.crocodilehunter.com.au/

This cardinal has been banging into my bedroom window for about a month or two now. I guess he sees his reflection in the glass and thinks it is a competing male. He starts in the morning and goes all day long. He pecks from this perch and then then flies into the glass.

Peck. Peck. Peck. BANG! BANG!
Peck. BANG! Peck. Peck. Peck
BANG! Peck. Peck. Peck. BANG!

Listen, fella, you don’t do your species any favor by doing this. Plus, keep it up and you’re not going to get any….
a mate, food, etc., etc.

On a positive note, he has kept me from being late to work on a couple of occasions when he starts pecking and banging at 7:00 AM!