Monday, June 18, 2007

Too Many of Something

Tom Stienstra, Outdoors columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle wrote on the SF Gate blog about a mountain lion eating a pet cat near Eureka, CA, "This is another loud, clear warning that there are too many mountain lions out there."

His conclusion: Time to manage (kill) mountain lions. My conclusion: The ramblings of a deranged mind.

How many humans are there in California? About 37 million. The state Department of Fish and Game estimates there are about 5,000 mountain lions.

House cats are an invasive species. They kill millions of wild birds each year. Maybe it's time to manage house cats. Maybe it's time for humans to manage their own population. Instead we have "sportsmen" who want to kill everything that interferes with their pathetic existence.

Thursday, June 07, 2007

Photo of the Year

I just realized I forgot to select a Photo of the Year for 2006. I was saving up all my vacation time so didn't take any exotic trips last year, and it just slipped my mind. I did put some effort into snapping the birds in my back yard because I knew I would be selling the house this year, and this blue jay photo is from that effort.

Even though I forgot to have the contest (which only I am allowed to enter), I did remember to award myself the prize, which as usual was an all-expense paid trip to Keokuk, Iowa in the dead of winter.


Blue Jay

Here are my POY selections for 2002-2005.

Young red-tailed hawk Junior I (2002 edition) right outside my office window.
Junior I
2002
Gentoo penguins greet each other, Jougla Point, Dec. 4, 2003.
Gentoo Penguins
2003
Puffins on Machias Seal Island, Gulf of Maine, 2004.
Little Brothers
2004
Bald Eagle along the Mississippi River, 2005.
Bald Eagle
2005