Friday, August 14

Potpourri + A Biology Lesson


My cats seldom get this close to each other unless they are on my lap - so I thought it was important to record this time for posterity. The one on the left does have a tail, but I think she must have been lying on it.


YIKES! Nothing. No. Thing. N.o.t. a. d.a.r.n. t.h.i.n.g.

That's what I said tonight when I clicked on the edit file and saw that I had no ready post for today.

So, I searched my photo file to find something you hadn't already seen - and found the cats.


I searched for quotes and found just one:

"I had rather take my chance that some traitors will escape detection than spread abroad a spirit of general suspicion and distrust, which accepts rumor and gossip in place of undismayed and unintimidated inquiry. "

Judge Learned Hand (1872-1961). Judge Hand may not be around today, but his words are apropos and more important today than ever!

As we await more photos from my daughter from her trip to The Galapagos Islands, I'll share one day in her itinerary on that trip:

Tuesday, July 21: Isabela - Punta Moreno and Elizabeth Bay

The western islands of Isabela and Fernandina
sit in the coolest nutrient-rich waters in the Galapagos. As a result the marine life is abundant including the largest populations of whales in the Galapagos. Cruising from Santa Cruz to Isabela we should be on the lookout for Bryde's whales, short-finned pilot whales and both common and bottle-nosed dolphins. We will start our exploration of the western islands at Punta Moreno in Isabela where we should glide past our first Galapagos penguins before threading our way through mangroves to our dry landing site. The hike is a bit difficult through rough terrain, but the contrast between the dry lava fields and the wildlife rich lagoons and ponds make it worth the extra effort. With luck, there will be white-cheeked pintails and flamingos on the ponds.

In the afternoon, we will visit Elizabeth Bay. Our visit will consist of a panga ride that begins by circling a few rocky islets that are home to a penguin colony. This will also be an opportunity to see flightless cormorants. Both these birds are found in the colder, more productive waters of the western islands. Marine iguanas frequent these islets and this subspecies is the largest in the Galapagos. After exploring the islets, we will enter a narrow cove lined with red mangrove trees which could provide excellent looks at green sea turtles, rays and some shorebirds."


There now. Don't you feel as though you've had a biology lesson? I hope you enjoyed it. I have to work with Mel Day today; doing and delivering flowers for the Jim Valvano Gala (a part of the Jim Valvano Celebrity Golf Tournament, here in Raleigh). If there's no post tomorrow, you'll know why.

12 comments:

Shiny Rod said...

That reminds me of my two cats. Don't talk about them much. I think they like it that way. The older cat Bibs was ornery old cuss. He would always hiss and spit at visitors, he would hiss at me if I wasn't doing things his way. On the contrary, Mitts is gentle and sweet. Bibs was all black except one paw and small patch on his chest. Mitts is a tuxedo cat. It literally looks like he is wearing a tuxedo. Unfortunately, Mr Bibs took ill and I had to have him euthanized. It was a hard thing to do but he was suffering from a cat version of Alzheimer's. The biology lesson was superb. I learned a few new things. Thanks darlin, luv ya.

John said...

I don't mind seeing those beautiful cats anytime :)

Grannymar said...

I learn something new everytime I visit!

Pat said...

I know very little about cats but is it the way they are lying or do they like pies a lot:)

Arkansas Patti said...

As a marine biology drop out, I glummed on to the lesson by your daughter about the Galapagos Islands. Unless Lotto comes through, this is as close as I can get. Thank you.
If you daughter is interested in whales, have her read The Last Whales by Lloyd Abbey. That book has haunted me through out the years.

utenzi said...

You did a lot of link searching on this post, Judy. Good work!

Evil Twin's Wife said...

I'm not one who enjoys traveling myself, so I always love to read about others' adventures. :-) Thanks for sharing!

Dianne said...

I love the cat photo alone! they're beautiful and you could blog them any time and I'd be happy

rosemary said...

Wow, see what you can do when you have nothing!!!! That's a lot of link work, Judy.

Darlene said...

I wish I could write a post this interesting when I have nothing. Good job, Judy.

themom said...

The cats are beautiful. And the quote...definitely appropos for the day and times.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

That trip sounds like it was an amazing and fantastic experience. I look forward to seeing more of the Pictures from your daughter...!

How sweet that your two cats got that close together...! As always, dear dear Cats remain totally unpredictable, don't they? (lol)