Just now, 12:48 CST, when arriving back home after a little holiday shopping I first heard then saw a flock of about 25 or so cranes heading south for their annual migration. I haven’t seen them leave this late before. I’m not sure if it means anything but it is unusual. I must check my previous entries to check the dates.

Took the day off to get some things done around the house and wanted to take a quick ride to pick up the Sunday paper. As I turned onto the road toward the store I noticed a doe standing by the side of the road. As I always do I slowed to a crawl not sure what she had in mind to do next, sometimes they just bolt in front of you unaware of the probable outcome. She turned her head toward the forest and a very recent edition to our resident deer came jumping out, mom watched it frolic near the road, huffed a little and they both ran back into the woods. As usual I didn’t bring my camera because I thought there would be nothing of interest to shoot on such a short trip. Boy was I wrong, needless to say a big smile came across my face. Made for a great start to a beautiful day.

A Fresh Squeeze is a great site for environmentally friendly resources. Check them out and subscribe to their e-mail program.

Earth Hour began with the goal of “inspiring people to take action on climate change.” Initiated by the World Wildlife Fund Australia and the Sydney Morning Herald, the first Earth Hour took place in Sydney, Australia on March 31, 2007. The goal: get as many people as possible to turn off their lights for an hour, and lower power consumption by 5%.

“On March 31, 2007, 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses turned off their lights for one hour,” the Earth Hour website proudly proclaims. This marked a reported decrease of 10.2% in Sydney’s energy use in that hour, “…the equivalent of taking 48,000 cars off the road for a year.”¹

One might think that doing something as trivial as turning lights off for one hour would have no impact on the environment. Major cities, Chicago included, have reported significant usage reductions during last year’s event. If we all do that one trivial thing we can make a difference.

The first video linked here will show you what has been done and what is being done to “celebrate” dark skies. The second video linked here must be viewed through completion to get full appreciation.

Join me and several million people around the world and do your part. And don’t forget to tell friends and family.

^1. Reprinted from the WWF website.

Everyone must do their part and get involved in this annual event. Tell everyone you know that with everyone’s help we can put a check on the detrimental affect global warming has on us all. Watch the video and pass it on you your friends, family and employers.

Earth Hour

I came upon the this article discussing how algae can be used to clean Carbon Dioxide from industrial smokestacks and maybe even make a profit. We should all get involved in getting this information out.₂

1420 hours, December 4, 2008.

Three very large flocks of migrating cranes flew overhead this date. I had thought it was later than usual so must check previous logs to see for sure. I wish I had a GPS so I could plot the longitude and latitude for all but the area zip code is 60491, Homer Glen, IL

I am trying to help the Animal Welfare League win a makeover. In order to do this I joined Zootoo to help raise awareness. The Animal Welfare League located in Chicago Ridge, IL receives no money from any governmental body, which means they survive on personal donations only. Their annual budget is over $1,000,000.00 and they have helped an average of 22,000 pets each year. Please consider signing up with Zootoo, check out my profile and add this great organization to the shelter you want to help.

It has started, at least in my part of the world.  Those magnificent cranes have started to fly overhead on their annual migration south.  Although I did not see them I sure did hear them.  Sounded like a small flock maybe a vanguard either way I will listen and look for the next several days to get my semi-annual fix.