In addition to flowers blooming and warmer weather, the birds that live in the area around our home begin showing their spring behaviors. This mockingbird sits atop a power pole in back, or a nearby tree and does his imitation of countless bird calls while flapping and flitting, doing his mating song and dance.
From early in the morning until the last light of evening, his chirps and warbles can be heard throughout the neighborhood. Mockingbirds are very pretty birds as well.
I didn’t know that atmospheric gravity waves existed – at least not by that name – until I read the NASA article, “Gravity Waves Make Tornadoes.” I knew that gravity waves on a cosmological scale exist that are generated by high-density stars or black holes. Gravitational waves have been indirectly detected by observing deep space events, but have yet to be detected on Earth.
Anyhow, getting back to the atmospheric gravity waves, these are generated in the troposphere by frontal systems or by airflow over mountains. This interesting time-lapse video demonstrates the motion of gravity waves as they propagated over Iowa in 2006.
For a moment it was fun to think that our Sacramento Gun and Ammo Grabbers might be overruled by Federal mandate . . . but it’s probably going to be DOA in the House.
Image – A California-educated gun protester.
U.S. Representative John Boozman (R-AR) today introduced bipartisan legislation that protects the rights of gun owners. The Secure Access to Firearms Enhancement (SAFE) Act allows law-abiding citizens who can legally carry guns in their home state to carry all across the country.
“The right to bear arms shouldn’t end at a state’s border,” Boozman said. “This legislation is key to giving gun owners the rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.”
The SAFE Act will replace laws that only establish reciprocity between gun control states forcing gun owners to get carry permits before they bring their firearms into neighboring states.
“Growing up in Arkansas where it’s not uncommon to see gun rights held in high regard, I never felt like there was any potential for questioning this right,” Boozman said. “I feel very strongly that this law is needed to address national gun right concerns.”
Gun Owners of America, a non-profit lobbying organization formed in 1975 to preserve and defend the Second Amendment rights of gun owners is a proponent of the SAFE Act.
“Americans can travel from state to state with their driver’s licenses. Now, it’s time to do the same thing with our concealed carry permits. Kudos to Rep. Boozman for introducing this reciprocity bill,” said Executive Director of Gun Owners of America, Larry Pratt.
The SAFE Act has 33 bipartisan original cosponsors.
These lovely flowers just opened today. We have had some of these outdoors, but this one was in the loft upstairs. I brought it down to where the sunlight comes in from overhead where I took this shot. Click on the image for the 1024×768 version in the image viewer.
More proof that “wheel guns are purdy,” as asserted by Ride Fast and Shoot Straight. Thanks for the link Ride ‘n’ Shoot!
Ride ‘n’ shoot also has some practical information about insane California politicians.
The Sun is at solar minimum these days. That is, the eleven year solar cycle is passing through the period of lowest activity. Yet there is this spectacular activity revealed by the STEREO (Ahead) solar probe in this video from the SOHO website.
A close-up of the Sun from the STEREO (Ahead) spacecraft showing a pair of active regions (that appear as brighter regions) with some interesting activity over a two-day period (April 5-6, 2008). Two surges of material burst out from the region to the left, and the second surge appears to break away from its magnetic bindings.
Not long after, particles from one area along the Sun’s edge rise up and, following unseen magnetic field lines, connect with another area before material above each area spirals alone. None of these events caused any solar storming.
It never ceases to amaze me that our stellar companion is downplayed by the left in its contribution to global climate.
Years ago, my Grandfather was employed as a motorman for the Pacific Electric Railway. He operated the famous Red Car (as seen in the semi-cartoon Roger Rabbit). Later in his career he operated an electric tender in the rail yards at the Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors. His job was to move rail cars to and from the piers for loading and unloading the ships in the harbor berths.
One time, he smuggled me and my brothers on the tender for a ride up and down the tracks of the harbor. As we passed the ‘control tower’ he would instruct us to ‘get down ’til we’re past the tower.’ Trains and railroads have been a fixation of mine ever since those times.
Yesterday, we were in the harbor area and Damsel took this shot of a couple of Union Pacific locomotives as they headed along an elevated track toward the Los Angeles side of the harbor. I like that they have the U.S. Flag on some of their engines.
Click on the image to view full-sized.