The Cap’n has been scrambling at work to get successful certification of one of the products, so he asked me to post one of the nice photos we took last weekend. This is a view of the Point Vicente Lighthouse on the grounds of the Coast Guard Station there. With Catalina Island visible in the background, this is one of the many very photogenic lighthouses in California.
An old, trite expression, “Sly as a Fox” was put to the test by a group of scientists and students in the Pacific Northwest several years ago. They baited and set humane traps in a forested area known to be a Kitt Fox habitat. When a fox was trapped, it was tagged and released.
The group ran their experiment for several weeks during a time when foxes were known to forage for their winter stores. When the results were compiled they discovered that not only were individual foxes trapped multiple times, but most of the repeats were trapped in the same traps as their prior entrapment. What aren’t they learning one might ask? These foxes didn’t quite live up to the “sly” parameter — or did they?
If you look at it from the perspective of having been trapped, fed, tagged (a non-invasive process), and then released again and again, it seems like a good deal for the fox. The fox knows that he gets fed and released each time so why not take the bait? Seems like a “sly” way to deal with the system.
That brings us to regard how Illegal Alien Criminals in America are working the catch and release system; the process is described in the article below. Read also how only a handful of agencies get 70 percent of Federal Funds for Immigration Enforcement and read how some of those actually offer sanctuary to illegals:
From the Washington Times — Criminal aliens set free on the streets of America:
Update III: Not as bad as thought. See RECAP Below.
Update II: Looks like the count is 8 homes destroyed, 5 damaged and no injuries reported.
Update: Live TV Feed.
Breaking news: A wildfire threatens many celebrity homes in the Malibu Colony area.
Photo: A Structure fully engulfed in flames. Courtesy KTTV Fox News.
Update: Map of the Malibu Colony fire area:
RECAP: Only 4 homes with significant damage – one guest house destroyed. Many celebrities own homes in the area but no specifics on whether any of them received damage.
Continue reading…
Archeology is one of my favorite interests. I am always interested in what’s going on in the world of unearthing ancient artifacts. We will probably watch the segment on PBS’ Nova tomorrow evening that deals with satellite surveys of ancient ruins.
January 5, 2007: For many years, space archeology has been a favorite topic of Science@NASA readers: NASA scientists use Earth-orbiting satellites to find ancient ruins invisible from ground level. Prime real estate for this kind of discovery is Central America. In that part of the world, satellites are not only revealing long-held secrets of the Maya, but also improving the everyday lives of modern Central Americans by helping them monitor and manage their environment.
Image: a 2,000-year-old mural, one of the greatest discoveries of ancient Maya art ever found – NASA
For an update on this important work, we encourage you to tune in to a new PBS broadcast on Tuesday, Jan. 9th. It features pioneering space archaeologist Tom Sever (Marshall Space Flight Center) and colleague Bill Saturno (University of New Hampshire) discussing their latest discoveries.
- Channel: Your local PBS station
- Program: Nova scienceNow
- Date: Tuesday, Jan. 9th at 8 pm EST. Program times may vary. Check local listings for confirmation.
The 60 minute program features four 15-minute reports on various topics. “Mayan Ruins” is second in line and is narrated by astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson.
About a year ago, I snapped a picture of a spouting whale swimming offshore near the Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Yesterday, I caught this whale-watching vessel cruising offshore near the same location. I didn’t spot any spouting whales this time, but when I do, I’ll be ready with my new telephoto lens!
I can almost see people in the vessel . . .
New York is seeing temperatures in the 70’s today and in Washington, the cherry blossoms are blooming. Meanwhile, in Colorado, avalanches plummet down slopes onto the interstate and ranchers can’t find their cattle for all the snow. Six hundred miles to the southwest, along the Southern California coastline, mild weather and sunshine prevail. There, the seagulls perch atop fence posts while the sun turns the ocean into millions of tiny twinkling diamonds across the Catalina Channel. What’s up with the weather? Nothing, actually, it’s just business as usual as the Sun dominates all major weather on Earth like it always has and always will.
Oh, and before you decide to rush off to California, don’t forget to consider that we’re long overdue for the next major quake along the San Andreas.
We get a lot of feedback from bloggers and others who display our Never Forget Tribute on their websites. Were always delighted to read everyone’s thoughts, especially when they come from a member of our wonderful armed services. Coconut Commando, a soldier recently returned to Iraq, took the time to share this nice note with us:
I got back in country a few days ago from being home for Christmas. I have to tell you that, despite the current political atmosphere and moronics by Washington, I was treated like royalty by everyone enroute home. From the flight attendants to other passengers going by. In Atlanta, when we got off the plane, people just stood by and clapped as we went by. I guess I’m just not accustomed to it. I just wanted to share this experience with you and your readers and let you know that we truly appreciate your kind words and support. I also wanted to thank you for making it possible for me to add your Never Forget Tribute on my blog. I think that is the most dangerous threat facing the United States right now, politicians and celebrities trying to make us forget September 11th. Take care and I hope this note finds you and yours doing well and have a great New Year! (AKA-Coconut Commando)
Be sure to visit Coconut Commando‘s excellent blog.