I don’t think I’ve seen this variety of succulent flowering before. It looks like an overturned Ferroseed or the plant version of the Omnidroid from The Incredibles.
covid-adjacent, trying to figure out current rules
I went out for a walk this afternoon and saw a lot more people than usual and a lot fewer of them wearing masks (until I got closer to the business-zoned streets), and with the recent change in CDC recommendations, I’ve been trying to find the current status of outdoor requirements in all the local cities, county, and state…and I’m not finding a clear answer.
Getting my second shot tomorrow, figure I’ll keep masking for the next 2 weeks anyway
Apparently if I go out walking to birdwatch or to get somewhere, I still need to keep my distance *and* wear a mask along the way, but if I go out walking to exercise, I only need to keep my distance. ???
Realized I’m stressing out over the vaccine appointment tomorrow because part of me is convinced Something Will Go Wrong before I can get to it.
And partly wondering if it’ll knock me out worse than the first dose did. (Serious fatigue for about 24 hours starting later that afternoon.)
Still, better and shorter than even a “mild” case of the actual virus, though!
I really liked Outer Wilds
In response to a post about “chill games”
I really liked Outer Wilds. A space exploration game that starts in a forest, where you can toast marshmallows on multiple planets, the whole system is in a time loop, environments change drastically between the early and later parts of the loop, and you find other astronauts by listening for the music they’re playing.
Is there a Skrull named Otto?
Is there a Skrull named Otto?
Crows and Ravens
This crow started swooping toward a hawk almost as soon as it perched on top of an electrical transmission tower. It tried a bunch of times to scare it off, but the hawk ignored it.
Red-tailed Hawk (on transmission tower, May)
This hawk glided across the sky, then alighted on top of an electrical transmission tower. Almost immediately, a crow started trying to scare it off, swooping toward it repeatedly. The hawk remained unfazed and just stayed put while I walked around to the other side of the tower.
European Starling
Nervous Squirrel
I heard chattering and slowly walked toward this tree in a city park. Once I got to it, I stopped, and slowly looked around until I spotted the #squirrel up in the branches, just looking at me and waving its tail very rapidly. I took two photos, then walked away.
Plum blossoms, somewhere in the neighborhood.
House Sparrows (dusty)
The sparrows were bobbing up and down, but not like they were digging for food. As far as I could tell, they were playing in the gopher holes.
Note: A commenter on iNat pointed out that they were likely dust bathing
House Sparrows (three at base of wall)
Sparrow
Warning, schmorning. I perch where I want!
Warning, schmorning. I perch where I want!
(To be fair, the kingbird is unlikely to dig into the pipeline. Or damage the sign. Much.)
Cassin’s Kingbird (on brick wall)
Black Phoebe
Young European Starling
Northern Mockingbird
Spiders
House Sparrows
A male and female house sparrow hopped across the street together, then stopped in the middle of the bike path and started mating. A second male sparrow showed up and the two males fought briefly. I think it was the second one that flew away. Then the female sparrow flew to the grass at the side of the path and they picked up where they left off.
