CLEAN COAL?

I’ve heard a lot of discussion about using “clean coal” as one of the alternative sources of energy. So along with wind, geo-thermal, solar and nuclear I wondered if the term was a fact or an oxymoron. Here is something I found about clean coal that might shed some light on the issue. You decide.

Mushroom crop arising.

It is that time of the year again when my three “clumps”of Maitake mushrooms are begining to form.  Last season the largest one was about the size of two footballs.  Hopefully this years crop will be equally as large if not larger.

Hitchcock revisited?

A small portion of thousands of black birds

Just snapped these pix around camp. There were thousands, yes thousands of blackbirds swarming above and around my usually tranquil location. Alfred Hitchcock eat your heart out.

What a relief!

As you may have read in a previous post I was extremely concerned that I had not seen our resident Red-tailed Hawks this entire year so I was relieved to see a mating pair and their one offspring soaring high above my humble abode.  There has been a lot of farm loss and new home construction going on here so I assumed that these magnificent creatures just decided it was time to go elsewhere.  Needless to say I am no longer sad.  I am not sure if the two are the same pair that had a nest in the woods closest to me but they are here.

Good news and bad.

A friend whom I have not talked to in all too long called me today wondering why I hadn’t jotted any thoughts here lately.  I was quite flattered in that she read my missives so I just had to put something down, but what?  It dawned on me that I had been planning to comment on how, for the first time in many years, we have no red tailed hawks in the area.  We usually have a nesting pair with one or more offspring.  Not this year.  Also no hummingbirds, bluebirds or owls.  Not sure why they aren’t around and that bothers me.  There is a little good news though.  Several people have said that they had seen a new fawn in the area and today while chatting with my friend I finally saw it – cutest little thing I’ve seen in a long time.  Also, seems that a couple of baby raccoons must have lost their mom – they have been out and about in broad daylight the last couple of days.  Had a baby opossum but haven’t seen it in a while.  I don’t like the changes, hope it gets better.

I missed it.

I’m thoroughly upset with myself.  I don’t know how but I missed the mass annual crane migration north.  I had in the past been very observant waiting and watching for this spectacular sight.  It would the most fantastic event for me.  There were thousands of cranes flying high in the sky.  This year, for no apparent reason, I missed all but a handful of these majestic birds. 

Crocus, crocus who has seen the crocus.

I have, they started popping up two days ago. WOOHOO!!

Could it be?

This morning while setting off for some errands I saw a large “V” in the sky.  It was high enough up there were cranes usually soar.  Could it be that this was a vanguard flight of those beautiful creatures.  Since I was enclosed with no windows open I did not hear the very recognizable sound they make so I can’t be too sure.  If it was this seems to be one of the earliest moves north I can remember.  I must check last years blog entry to confirm that one.

Spring must be coming.

Today at my birdfeeder I saw my first Redwing Blackbird of the season.

Homer Glen Dark Skies

After many years of trying, the town that I now call home has passed an ordinance that specifically targets light pollution. You can visit Homer Glen’s website to get a copy of the ordinance for use with your own efforts in creating similar initiatives in your community. I am proud to have been a member of the committee that worked on the ordinance. When I was asked to join with other like minded individuals I jumped at the chance. I was first introduced to such efforts when I lived in Whitefish, MT. They have had a long standing program that helps reduce the amount of light thrown into the skies allowing its citizens to enjoy the view of the night sky as it was meant to be seen. It will be a continuing effort in educating our citizens, business owners and developers, both residential and commercial, showing them the benefits of such an ordinance. I can only hope that other communities take a similar stand and bring back the night skies.