Linear view vs. Masonry View

Jurassic World Vocals

Excellent article from Audubon showcasing the wide variety of bird sounds used to vocalize the dinosaurs in the smash summer hit Jurassic World. Very fitting since birds and dinosaurs are so closely related!

If you haven’t seen the movie yet, do so. It was a fun romp, the special effects are amazing, and there is a moral aspect to it that should leave you with plenty to ponder.

And because I’m a Parrothead – keep your eyes peeled for the guy “rescuing” not one but two margaritas. It’s Jimmy Buffett’s cameo and a perfect role for him.

11941813723_f0804daf35_bHarris’s Hawk, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, 12-27-2013

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Play a Game, Feed the World

Apparently, I don’t get out much, I only learned about this brilliant online game, Freerice yesterday. When you play you not only work on your vocabulary skills you also help to donate food to the hungry through the World Food Programme.

The advertisers on the page buy 10 grains of rice every time you get a right answer.

You don’t have to sign up, you can just start playing, but if you do sign up you can track your scores through time. I think everyone should give it a try – not only is it for a good cause but it’s fun!

Fair warning, it is addicting! I popped over to just check it out. An hour (or so) later it was awfully hard to turn it off…

If you try it – and trust me, you should – let me know what level you reach. I’m trying to get past Level 46!

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Poor Mr. W…

Nobody really likes Mr. W – and I count myself among that group. But after watching the video I realized, there is a place for Mr. W, a way to harness his energy.

Of course, it wasn’t until the very end that I realized it was a commercial for the wind division of a power company. I’m not the only one who found it to be an ingenuous, inventive, and entertaining bit of advertising. When it was released in 2007 it won a Cannes Gold Lion award and the following year a Creativity Award. This article features an interview with the design team who created the web film for Epuron.

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Travelin’ Doggie Style

IMG_2948According to his owner, Sparky loves to feel the wind in his face. It looks like patient Sparky is ready to get moving!

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Tucson is a Quiet Place of Resort…

Tucson SignOne hundred and fifty one years later, most folks down here would agree that this sign is more descriptive of Phoenix. Must’ve been quite a rowdy town back then!

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Talking Buffelgrass on TV

To be clear, buffelgrass doesn’t talk. I was interviewed* by Domenica Fuller of KVOA news yesterday during one of my buffelgrass removal projects. I appreciated the opportunity since my job is to raise awareness about the hazards of buffelgrass. And the best part? I didn’t make a fool of myself!

Screen shot 2015-05-03 at 2.00.28 PM*To watch the news story: click on the link above, once the KVOA page loads, click on the lead photo to start the video.

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Fun Virtual Birding

I just found out about this cool new online birding video game developed by Mr. Nussbaum, a teacher and avid birder. I figured I better spend a few minutes and check it out (ya know, in the interest of research). So far, the game showcases 4 locations back east and uses real bird data. I found it to be well-designed; you can choose between Beginner and Advanced, there are several different views/angles of each species, features different habitats, and includes bird songs. If the game is well-received Mr. Nussbaum promises to add birds and locations. Therefore, I expect it to be growing soon!

I gave each location a whirl and did fairly well, though to be honest, my warbler and sparrow skills need serious work. I dabbled around long enough to rack up over 35,000 points. I was having such a good time it was hard to wren-ch myself away (pun intended).

Give it a try, I think you’ll like it!

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