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[ Swinhoe's Turtle ]
[ It is a lucky day ]
[ Sex is a spectator sport ]
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[ Say...is that a Phoebe? ]
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[ One Fine Day at Jornada Lake Ranch ]
[ Now to bring you up to the present moment ]
[ Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge Pt.2 ]
[ Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge – pt 1 ]
[ The Eagle Flies on Friday ]
[ Merry Merry Samhain ]
[ One last time ]
[ Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge ]
[ Well, it flies ]
[ Just a note ]
[ Arizona Woodpecker ]
[ Welcome to the desert ]
[ Dragonfly Festival at Roswell, NM - Bitter Lake Wildlife Refuge ]
[ Tulsa to Tucumcari - the short verson ]
[ Charming little story ]
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[ A lovely story to share ]
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[ Penguin Rescue ]
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[ Boy, it's hot out there ]
[ Some interesting ideas ]
[ Great Blue Heron photos and wallpaper ]
[ I and the Bird and Kingbirds ]
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[ Beaver! ]
[ Evening Heron ]
[ Anniversary Edition of I and the the Bird and a bold little hawk ]
[ How about Ten Grand for birdwatching? ]
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Swinhoe's Turtle
Today the birds will simply have to step aside and let me talk about this fascinating reptile. Recently researchers found this amazing creature, Swinhoe's Turtle, alive and well in a lake near Hanoi in Vietnam. This largest of all freshwater soft-shelled turtles, weighing in around 300 pounds, and 3 foot in diameter, is impressive enough just for size - but what captured me was the photo of his face! I couldn't resist a sketch of my own: 
No wonder he has a feature role in a Vietnamese folk tale. Is that the face of a wise old dragon, or what? There are only two other individuals known to be living - both in zoos in China. I only hope these wise old souls have a secret breeding population somewhere deep in the wild... Summer
Posted: Saturday 10th May 2008, 9:58 AM
It is a lucky day
There is a pair of Bullock's Orioles trying very hard to figure out how to break into the hummingbird feeder. Both have been by a couple of times. I just set them out a little fruit plate, as I seem to recall they will also eat fruit. They have a selection of an orange (cut open), a strawberry (also cut in small pieces), and a few white grapes. It is right beneath the hummingbird feeder and right outside my window. With some luck - perhaps tomorrow I can share some really exciting photos!
Meanwhile, I and The Bird #74 is up and is not to be missed! If you do nothing else, please drop by and sign the petition to save our boreal birds. Ah, like a watched pot, this little plate of fruit outside my window... Good birding! Summer
Posted: Thursday 1st May 2008, 10:48 AM
Sex is a spectator sport
Sitting at the computer this morning I started hearing all sorts of noises outside. The window is open to welcome in a cool breeze and the sun is blazing down. I peered this way and that, but couldn't spot the source of the noise - wings flapping, all sorts of odd churring and cooing. I got up and stepped onto the back deck. Oh. White Winged Dove whopee-making. Voyeur that I am, I leaned on the rail and watched. I noticed, too, little birds flying from all corners of the yard and perching in the trees above the amorous couple as they pranced and preened and danced between brief mounting sessions. Huh. Birdie porn? Summer
Posted: Thursday 24th April 2008, 10:52 AM
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