In the past few days, Southern Californians have been treated to the sight of some magnificent night skies – beautiful sunsets and silvery moons are Mother Nature’s gifts after a days of punishing storms.
Please join me in enjoying the sights and sounds of a lovely California evening.
From Canadian musician, fighter jet pilot and humanitarian, Tom Cochrane ...
The recent Southern California storms have left quite a bit of damage in their wake. Even our feathered friends are not immune from the ravages of the recent rains and high winds. As the story below, from KTLA - Channel 5, describes the California brown pelicans have been hit especially hard.
SAN PEDRO -- Nearly 70 California brown pelicans have been rescued by wildlife officials after days of heavy rains and flooding in Southern California.
Most of the birds are suffering from hypothermia. Their feathers normally protect them from the cold but oil, grease and other contaminants washing into the ocean as a result of storm are preventing the birds from getting warm and dry.
Many of the birds are being brought to the International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro, near Los Angeles Harbor. Volunteers are gearing up for dozens more.
Center spokesman Paul Kelway says the incessant rain has prevented the birds from getting dry and that has weakened their immune systems. At least two birds were found dead and two more died after arriving at the center. Kelway says most are doing well. The center is treating 33 pelicans and Santa Barbara County authorities are bringing in 36 more, he said. Crews are being sent to Santa Monica amid reports that dozens of birds are in trouble.
"Seabird feathers provide a natural barrier to water, as well as insulation from the cold" said International Bird Rescue and Research Center's director, Jay Holcomb. "These pelicans are getting cold and wet because the water quality is so poor right now and these added contaminants are preventing the feathers from doing their job."
"As well as coping with the storms, many of the pelicans we have received have seal bite injuries, a result of feeding frenzies due to commercial and public fishing. These injuries make it even more difficult for the birds to cope with the severe weather conditions out there this week."
Over the next week, workers will feed the birds, warm them up, wash them off and get them ready for release. That process could take five to seven days per bird.
The long-beaked pelicans weigh 8 to 10 pounds, stand about 4 feet tall and have a 6- to 7-foot wingspan. They are a symbol of the Pacific Coast, and were recently removed from California's endangered species list, Kelway said.
Treatment costs about $500 a bird, Kelway said.
The center is asking for donations to help support the care of these animals. To help save these pelicans please go to Pelican Rescue.
If anyone comes across sick or injured seabirds they should call International Bird Rescue Research Center at (310) 514-2573.
Finally, this is why pelicans could not weather the January storms - we must all do our part to keep the environment clean.
I have literally spent 100s of hours watching these beautiful, graceful birds fly in formation up and down the Ventura coast. I never get tired of watching, in total amazement, as they dive from high above, right into the ocean to catch fish; I love to photograph them flying solo or in formation.
If you live in Southern California and see what you think maybe a pelican in trouble (a pelican in trouble is just about any pelican that is not flying or floating upright as shown on the video) please call the number listed on the above story. And if you are not completely tapped out from donating money to the victims of the Haitian earthquake, please consider sending a few dollars to the International Bird Rescue Research Center in San Pedro.
Arcadia Asylum was, and remains, one of SL’s most legendary builders. Arcadia’s specialty was astonishingly realistic looking “slum” items that have to be seen to be believed.
Arcadia built incredible objects, which she then gave away free. Every object built by Arcadia came with the following disclaimer:
“All Objects created by me (Arcadia Asylum) are FREE and open source. you can copy and modify and pass around to anyone anywhere, the ONLY stipulation is:
*YOU CAN NOT RESELL ANYTHING WITH MY NAME ON IT FOR EVEN ONE LINDEN DOLLAR*
That sed, you may distribute in any way you like, you may use the things anywhere and even blow them to bits if thats your thing. I only don’t want the stuff sold.
As FREEBIES theres no warentees or product suport.
Thats it, KIS (Keep It Simple)”
(NOTE: I did not edit the original note from Arcadia, hence the typographical mistakes.)
Then sometime in 2007, Arcadia disappeared; she went off the grid, never to be seen again.
Her legion of fans still remember her. Here is a tribute to a one-of-a-kind builder.
(Thanks to Super1 Turbo for alerting me to this wonderful video tribute).
ARCADIA ASYLUM – A Tribute
A TRIBUTE TO ARCADIA ASYLUM
I would like to slow dance to these two songs...
MALO - Suavecito
EL CHICANO - Tell Her She's Lovely
Finally, here are some photos from today's bike ride. Compare these "after the storms" pictures to the "during the storms" pictures. What a difference 48 hours can make!
The storms are over, for now at least, so no more pictures of waves crashing into the seashore. But the storms that recently blew over Southern California have left behind a delightfully rare treat: snow!
This morning I awoke to an unusual sight - a car covered by a thick layer of ice and the wonderful sight of snow covering the peaks of nearby mountains.
The snow won't last long, it never does around here. In the meantime, however, join me in enjoying the sight of snow in Southern California.
These photographs are from the third of three major storms that have hit otherwise sunny Southern California since this past Sunday.
The weatherman says that the worst is over. I hope so because while the storms have created some spectacular views I am getting, quite frankly, tired of all the wetness - if I wanted wet weather I would have moved to Oregon or Washington!
Enjoy and remember - stay safe and dry!
(Click on image for larger view)
This seagull decided that staying grounded was the better choice!
For some reason these two songs seem to match my mood as I look at these pictures. Are there any other songs that you think of when looking at these pictures? Let me know. Thanks!
Yesterday I received some very sad news. The mom of a person who is very dear and near to me passed away after a long illness.
He is, of course, heartbroken and I am heartbroken for him.
Glo, may your mom rest in peace. May you find peace.
Here Comes the Rain Again - Eurythmics - Peace Tour
Here Comes the Rain Again (lyrics)
Here comes the rain again Falling on my head like a memory Falling on my head like a new emotion I want to walk in the open wind I want to talk like lovers do I want to dive into your ocean Is it raining with you
So baby talk to me Like lovers do Walk with me Like lovers do Talk to me Like lovers do
Here comes the rain again Raining in my head like a tragedy Tearing me apart like a new emotion Oooooh I want to breathe in the open wind I want to kiss like lovers do I want to dive into your ocean Is it raining with you
So baby talk to me Like lovers do
Here it comes again! ooooooooh,oh,oooooooh.. hey,hey,hey,hey,heeeeeeeeeay
Here comes the rain again Falling on my head like a memory Falling on my head like a new emotion (Here it comes again, here it comes again) I want to walk in the open wind I want to talk like lovers do I want dive into your ocean Is it raining with you
RYAN ADAMS - You're My Wonderwall
You're my Wonderwall (lyrics)
Today is gonna be the day That they're gonna give it back to you By now you should've somehow Realized what you gotta do I don't believe that anybody Feels the way I do about you now
Backbeat the word is on the street That the fire in your heart is out I'm sure you've heard it all before But you never really had a doubt I don't believe that anybody feels The way I do about you now
And all the roads we have to walk are winding And all the lights that lead the way are blinding There are many things that I would Like to say to you But I don't know how
I said maybe, You're gonna be the one that saves me And after all You're my wonderwall
Today was gonna be the day But they'll never bring it back to you By now you should've somehow Realized what you've gotta do I don't believe that anybody Feels the way I do About you now
And all the roads we have to walk are winding And all the lights that lead the way are blinding There are many things that I would like to say to you But I don't know how
I said maybe You're gonna be the one that saves me You're gonna be the one that saves me You're gonna be the one that saves me And after all You're my wonderwall
The much predicted rains have finally arrived. It has been raining hard since about noon (Sunday). According to the weather forecast we can expect more than a week of rain (is this Southern California or Seattle?).
In anticipation of all the rain coming our way I snuck out a bike ride along the beach before the heavy rains began. The big waves, however, arrived on schedule, ahead of the rain.
In this series of ten photographs you can see a wave roll in, rise above the sea wall and then soak the road. Incidentally, that is the very same road that I ride my bike on when I go to the beach.
Today I got a good soaking from the waves and then from the rain. By the end of the ride I was very wet but also very happy.
