We’ve had Great Blue Herons visiting our pond for decades. Seeing this pose is a first.
This pose is known as “horning” or sun-baking (often referred to by birders as the delta wing pose).
While it looks like it might be trying to do a yoga stretch or impersonate a dragon, I discovered there are a few practical reasons behind this striking behavior:
1. Thermoregulation (Sunbathing)
On cooler mornings or after spending time in cold water hunting for fish, herons … Read More
If you’ve ever heard a bird song and thought, What bird is that? The Merlin Bird ID app is for you. It’s free and it’s fabulous at what it does. (Scroll to the bottom of the post to get the link.)
This screengrab shows what’s currently singing in my neck of the woods. I’ve used this app for so long now, that I can identify most of the bird songs on this list. The Song Sparrow iw always a little … Read More
I don’t know about you, but I’ve had it with ever-rising, never-ending subscription costs by digital monopolies, invasion of personal privacy, and now hijacking of my content for AI training.
So I started making changes. I moved from Microsoft Office to LibreOffice (FREE). From OneNote to Joplin (FREE). From OneDrive, Google Docs, and Dropbox to pCloud Drive (FREE, with an option for a lifetime purchase if you need more storage). And, last but not least, I moved from Gmail … Read More
I have three dogs with completely different internal thermostats. Here is the current temperature breakdown for the pack:
Kenzie is always looking for the blankets to snuggle under or a warm body to press up against. Riley prefers a cooler temp, preferably with a slight breeze. And Arrow is a Husky in an Aussie’s body. He’d live outside if given the chance—the colder the better!
How do they keep themselves happy? It turns out, the sliding glass door is the … Read More
The results are in, and for the fourth consecutive year, the French Bulldog has claimed the #1 spot in the American Kennel Club’s registration statistics. While the Labrador Retriever held a legendary 31-year reign until 2022, the “Frenchie” has officially proven it’s more than just a passing trend. Its compact size and big personality have made it the ultimate companion for modern living, but it wasn’t the only breed making … Read More
I work hard to keep this space a happy place for people to come. I rarely post anything political or controversial, but something so serious is going on that everyone needs to be aware of it. If you don’t know yet, you need to know that if they reach General AI, that will be world-ending. No conspiracy theory. No exaggeration. Just facts.
Please educate yourself and take action now so that your children can have a future. I’m including a … Read More
If you’re considering adding an Aussie/German Shepherd mix (AKA German Aussie) to your family, there are a few things to consider. No doubt, you’re likely drawn to their intelligence, loyalty, and stunning appearance. But is this mix the right fit for you? Let’s dive into what you can expect from this combo and whether it’s a good idea for your lifestyle.
The Australian Shepherd/German Shepherd mix combines two highly intelligent, hardworking breeds. Both … Read More
There was a brief window in my adult life — maybe a couple of years — when I lived without dogs. My business had taken off, I was earning a good living, and my house reflected it. I’m talking actual white furniture. A cream-colored area rug that I vacuumed voluntarily. Friends would come over and compliment the place, and I’d do that thing where you wave your hand like it was nothing, when really I’d spent the whole morning … Read More
