A study long over due? The Partridge (Ruffled Grouse)

Maine State Wildlife Biologist Sullivan with a study subject
Photo: Brian Feulner, Bangor Daily News

  The State of Maine is studying the Ruffled Grouse (Partridge) a very common bird in Maine Woods.  Why?  Just because it's never been done before.  So, they received a $190,000. grant for the project.
  To be honest, the study isn't really needed.  Most people who hunt or grew up in Maine country towns are well aware of Partridge.  They've been served on many dinner tables.  Partridge was a staple for lumberjacks in the woods camps in the past, often cooked right in the pot with bean hole beans (a very common meal).
  So, now the State in all it's glory will spend the money to find out that when one of the birds fly up in front of you it will startle you.   I used to come across them while walking the rail-trail in Medford; they will just sit until you nearly step on it and they with a great deal of noise take off leaving the victim (me) with an improved pulse rate!  And to think when I was a kid I could get a shot off with my trusty 410 gauge shotgun.

Fitted with a radio collar, ready for release
Photo: Brian Feulner, Bangor Daily News

I stumbled across...

Army in Calgary, Alberta
Photo: Miranda Hilgers

...this photo of an army in the snow,
and it came to mind that soon it will begin to blow;
the cold, wild winds of winter and what it brings.
Snow and ice, cold weather those sorts of things.

I'm not looking forward, nor am I looking back,
we all know it's coming, it'll be all white not black.
The temps will drop to record lows and we'll shiver at the thought,
for all the good that Jesus did, look at what we got!

Alberta, Canada the other day
Photo: yahoo.com

Was it worth...

Progress on the Dome Sept 10, 2014
Photo: the geezer hisself

...the trip, you ask?
Was it you who was up to the task?
Traveling 200 miles, like a trip there and back?
Oh sure you say it's worth it all, yessir all of there and back.

We went to check on the Capitol Dome,
which isn't really too far from home.
The top is done, new copper can be seen,
all shiny pretty, and it looks oh-so-very clean.

The old stuff just plain wore out,
holes big as dimes made a water spout.
It needed replacement after 100 years or so,
No one was too sad, to see it go.

And the trip was nice the air was good,
and I knew ahead, it was understood;
it was her day for vacation, she had it planned.
It went off without a hitch, it's been canned.

The old Dome
Photo: Troy R Bennett, Bangor Daily News

I'm traveling today........

Work continues on the Capitol dome in Augusta
Photo: Scott Thistle, Lewiston Sun Journal

  ....me and that girl,
she wants to give September a whirl,
a vacation day, that's what it is for her;
giving two cities in Maine a quick blur.

We're going to Belfast, it's right on the way,
but it's one place to stop, she has the say.
Then on to Rockland - Staples is there,
that's the real reason we go anywhere.

The off to Augusta, use route seventeen,
and we'll see some of the towns that lie in between.
Right into Augusta, to Target - the store,
don't miss a chance to spend a little bit more.

And they have a Staples too, it's not by chance
we'll give that laminating machine a real reason to dance!
Then on towards home, it's the end of a day,
and a good time by all, she's had her say.

A

Helping the Dunlin

Dunlin - a shore bird - click to enlarge
Photo: www.wiki.org

Two California Rice growers open the gate of a dam
Photo: Lisa Park, The Nature Conservancy

  I found these photos, and an article, on www.sfgate.com (San Francisco Chronicle) but now I can't recover the photo spread.  So - let me explain.
  The Dunlin is an endangered species and needs a wet environment to breed and thrive.  The two California rice growers let the water run from their properties to help save the birds.  Now, the farmers have lost the wet land type conditions needed to raise their crops.  They considered the sacrifice worth the loss to help recover an endangered species.

A flock takes flight - click to enlarge
Photo: Drew Kelley, The Nature Conservancy

You've got to know your ropes, sometimes.

Ready, set, go!
Photo: Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News

  Teams made up of Councilors and executives from the Cities of Bangor and Brewer recently had a contest at the new ropes course in Brewer.
  It looks pretty tricky and must take a certain amount of skill and some nerve to complete.  The course also includes a zip line for a ride near the end.
  I don't know exactly how this is scored but Brewer won.  The Bangor City Council will wear the Brewer t-shirts at their next meeting.
  Read more, watch the video http://bangordailynews.com/2014/09/06/news/bangor/youre-going-down-bangor-brewer-city-teams-compete-in-ropes-course/

Swinging along, doesn't that look like fun?
Photo: Nok-Noi Ricker, Bangor Daily News

There is nothing.......

....different for me to say today,
and it wasn't just because I wasted time away.
I was kind of busy, it was my daughters day,
she just keeps me busy in the nicest way.

Nothing much has changed over the course of years,
she just does her thing, while her dad cheers.
Just the same routine you've read about before,
so we are going from this to that store.

Tuesdays coming up, we'll be gone all day,
not so far this year, in the mileage way.
It's her "vacation day" we do two each year,
she'll enjoy herself, and the dad will cheer.

This is post 1780 (that's over five years folks!)