Jacqueline

definitely my hubby, followed closely by my furbabies :)

Jesse Helms has passed from this world.

There's enough vitriol on my friends list regarding this person, and rightfully so; I won't add to it here, except to say: may the space his passing leaves be filled with more positive and less hateful and destructive influences.

http://www.birdchick.com/2008/07/seeing-how-other-half-lives.html

I think my favorite organized field trip that I took at the 2008 American Birding Association Convention was the Upper Deseret Ranch Field Trip, in part because there was a double Bill for field trip leaders: Bill Fenimore and Bill Schmoker. They are two of my favorite Birding Bills and was excited to watch them as field trip leaders. Fenimore leads trips regularly to Deseret Ranch, so if you are in or near Layton, UT, I highly recommend contacting him for his daily guiding rates. He's pleasant company and he knows the area and birds like the back of his hand--also, it's privately owned by the Mormons and you're really not getting in without him. However, it is SO WORTH IT--absolutely gorgeous.

Here is a life bird that I got on the trip--a MacGillivray's warbler. I decided to see how the other half lives on this trip--I became a lister for this convention. I've always just made little checks in my field guides for new birds and about a week before the con, I decided to count them. I learned that I was 25 species away from 500 birds on my North American bird list--who knew? I also did some research and found that there were close to 40 potential species I could get in Utah. I decided to go for it.

Check out this pack of birders, focused and ready on a cool bird. One of the cool things about going to an ABA event when you are close to a birding goal is that EVERYONE comes out of the woodwork to help you. Even though I was there helping at the Swarovski Booth, some of the Leica guys came over to go my bird potential list and give tips on where to go--heck they even invited me on the flammulated owl posse. The man who organized every field trip for the convention came by to offer pointers on my list, field trip leaders made it there personal goal to get me to my 500--it was wonderful camaraderie and really reminded me of why I love the birding community. Listing is not bad and I wish more listers and casual birders would get along. They are two different types of birding but each fun in their own way.

There were some familiar birds around, like cedar waxwings. I wasn't paying much attention as everyone was watching them and Fenimore came over to me and said, "Sharon, these birds are so close and a great shot, can you get a photo?" I think that because I was so focused on getting as many species as possible this trip that my digiscoping suffered a bit for it. Thanks for the reminder, Bill.

It cracked me up that super colorful birds like this western tanager always managed to be just out of reach for a great photo...

...but the brown birds like this nesting cordilleran flycatcher were up close and almost seemingly eager to pose.

But where many of the birds lacked color, the Deseret Ranch landscape more than made up the palette. I sat in the back of the bus with Father Tom (well known Texas birder and one of the organizers of the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival that I'll be going to this fall). FT and I had both been on the owl posse the night before and were both operating on three hours of sleep but each kept pointing out the magnificent views and colors of the landscape.

For lunch, we stopped by a mountain stream to relax. The stream was made up of freshly melted snow and ice in the surrounding mountains. It was 90 some odd degrees out, so after lunch, I stepped in the water.

It was toe numbing cold, but felt so, so good.

Here's a golden eagle chick. Golden eagles in Utah were about as common as bald eagles in Minnesota. It was fun to scan the cliffs for patches of white--indicating lots of poop and raptor nests. We also found a prairie falcon aerie too. You really felt like you were on some sort of adventure riding around in these mountains.

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net//projects/how_to_draw_a_chibi_easy_style

How To Draw A Chibi (easy Style)

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ICanHasCheezburger/~3/326664144/

http://icanhascheezburger.com/?p=70388

http://www.birdchick.com/2008/07/funny-moment-in-sundance.html

One of the funniest moments I witnessed during the ABA Convention was at Sundance Resort. Our field trip had the option of wandering the property or taking a 45 minute chair lift ride to get a lay of the land. I opted to do the chair lift--despite my fear of heights but I had WildBird on the Fly with me and Gail (the woman who is in charge of repairs at Swarovski) with me to keep me focused on the natural beauty.

The view from the chairs was spectacular and many were aiming their cameras to get the mountain landscape and even try to get shots of birds flitting around the tops of trees, including western tanagers.

I was watching the birders in front of me snap photos and watching the people on the opposite chairs. Some on the other chairs were leisurely reading, others were coming up with mountain bikes to ride down the side of the mountain, and others were on their way up for a hike. I noticed a young attractive couple coming towards us on the opposite chairs. They were completely decked out in skin tight spandex bicycling wear. The birders in front of me were aiming their cameras towards the mountain vistas. The young woman of the biker pair struck a pose worthy of a sage grouse. She puffed out her chest, stretched out her arms and stuck one of her shapely legs high in the air, the chair moving her right into the birder's field of view of the camera. The birder put down his camera, and young attractive bike girl relaxed her pose and said with a disappointed giggle, "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought you wanted a picture of me!" while her male companion shook his head.

Emma has finally heard from the liver specialist, and she is scheduled for a biopsy on Tuesday morning. We are glad that they are going straight to a biopsy because we want to know what this is as quickly as possible. I will be going into Syracuse on Tuesday to be close to her. She said I didn't have to (she has a very close girlfriend who will be with her and she worries about our financial situation with gas prices being so high and all), but there is some risk from the procedure, and I want to be there.

Just updating since I have posted about it before. Positive thoughts, prayers, and lots of good energy are still welcome!

Look at the pretty new user pic bunnykissd had made for me! I absolutely love it!

Sunshiny summer here I come!

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net//projects/little_elfs

Elfs

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/blog/moving_home_podcast

There's a new CO+K podcast with Cat Morley and this one is all about moving home, including tips and tricks for easing the stress and staying organized.



You can listen to the podcast directly from CO+K or, if you want to do us a very lovely favor, subscribe to our podcast in iTunes and you'll get the latest podcasts direct to you as soon as they're released.

We're hoping to bring the podcast back as a regular feature, but we'd like your say on what themes to cover. Head over to this thread on the board where we're discussing it now. Also, make sure to check out the cheesy new theme tune.

- Subscribe to the CO+K podcast in iTunes.
- Stream the podcast.
- Have your say on the next theme.

HAPPY JULY 4TH!

Getting to Know You--A Five Item Scavenger Hunt Swap List


Item #1 : Introduce yourself! Make or buy a postcard that shares something about you as a person. Use the back of the card, in whatever way you choose, to share more about yourself and your own, unique viewpoint on the earth or life or paganism or whatever you are inspired to share.

Item #2 : Explore Common Ground! Read (and re-read) the Member Surveys that both you and your partner filled out. Do you have anything in common? Do you share a hobby or a favorite color or anything else that makes you want to say, "Me, too!". Share and celebrate this common ground you hold by giving an item related to this common element in your surveys.

Item #3 : Share Something Fun! By now, you should be beginning to develop an impression of who your swap partner is and the sorts of things he or she enjoys. This week, find something fun to include in the box.

Item #4 : Expand Their Horizons! With this week's item, gently expand their horizons without completely abandoning their stated preferences. Based on something they like, introduce them to something else you think they'd also enjoy. It should work something like, "If you love __________, I think you'd also like ____________." Books, music, ritual tools, fragrance, hobbies, crafts, symbols, etc--go with your gut here.

Item #5 : ? To Be Revealed July 11th ?

~*~

Next Friday, the final item in the Scavenger Hunt Swap will be revealed. If you have any questions or are stumped on any of the items thus far, please feel free to email me (songtoisis@gmail.com) or contact the Moderation Team as a whole at full_moon_mods.

Happy Swapping!

Rachel
(songtoisis)

http://mfrost.typepad.com/cute_overload/2008/07/ommmmmmmmm-mah.html

I can see you have traveled far, young seeker.  Rest awhile at my feet and I shall assist you on your path to Enlightenment.  In the high mountains, beyond the trees, beyond even the clouds, there is a cave.  Many men have perished looking for it -- many more have turned back.

And what is in this cave that should drive men so?  A creature of radiance, or so the legends say.  Joy flows forth from it, bathing the soul of all who gaze into its eyes. To stand in its presence, it is said, is to know all that is hidden, and grasp the true harmonies of the universe.  The mountain people call him Azla'ach Flazim -- The Hamster of Ultimate Happiness.

Whoa, Missy P.

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net//projects/iron_maiden_t_shirt_recon

T-shirt recon tutorial

http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/ICanHasCheezburger/~3/326527426/

http://icanhascheezburger.com/?p=70811

http://www.comics.com//comics/getfuzzy/archive/getfuzzy-20080704.html

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net//projects/curtains_made_from_paper_clips

Another thing made from newspaper.

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net//projects/recycled_wrapper_baby_bib

These make fun, unique baby shower gifts! :D

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net//projects/candy_box_decoration

Use chocolate box and re-fill with my own 'candies'.

http://www.cutoutandkeep.net//projects/neon_beads

bright colorful beads that