Dan Allender on God's wish that we have a day of wonder, delight, and joy.
Grotesque Caturday | Bad Astronomy
A few years back, I was out with Mrs. BA and we happened to see some gargoyle statuettes. I was surprised to find out she liked them (surprising people are the best people to know). Over the years I’ve picked up a couple, and one in particular we hung up outside the front door.
We like it there, and we’re not the only ones. This young lady decided it would make a nice home:
She showed up last week, and within a few hours had built that nest. And she and her hubby — common house finches — didn’t waste any time, either, laying eggs within a day or so.
This picture, taken by my brother in law Chris, is already out of date; just yesterday we saw that two of the eggs had hatched. I’m not sure of the third egg’s status right now; at first she flew away every time we walked by (the gargoyle and nest are right next to our front door), but now she seems a lot more confident, and sticks around. We can’t see inside the nest now, but I expect we’ll be hearing from ...
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It's not exactly the world's most action-packed video, but it provides a very thorough point-of-view perspective on exactly what you'll see if you tour the place where new Camaros are born. There are some great views of the inside of the plant. Plus, there are Camaros in every state of assembl
Caladesi Island State Park and Beach in Clearwater, Tampa
Caladesi Island State Park
Clearwater, near Tampa, Florida is known for its beautiful beaches and shell collecting opportunities. And as Uptake blogger Britt Reints pointed out, its beauty, even by Florida beach standards, means that 1,001 people are usually on the beach with you at any given time. However, there is a hidden gem near Clearwater that fewer tourists know about, and it’s called Caladesi Island State Park. The beach here was rated as America’s best in 2008, and even a short visit will help you understand why. The sand here is incredibly white, the water very clear, scenery is truly breathtaking.
Hike around or kayak through Caladesi Island's lagoons
Getting to Caladesi Island isn’t that easy, which means that you’ll never have to deal with huge crowds. You can take a 30-minute ferry there from Honeymoon Island, take your own boat or walk; you’ll have to hoof it from Pier 60 on Honeymoon Island. The ferries depart twice a day and are $12 round-trip for adults and $5 for kids (kids under five are free).
If you’d prefer a more active stay on Caladesi Island (you’re only allowed to be there for 4 hours), try the 3-mile hike along the island’s nature trail or a 3-mile kayaking trail.
Photos: Santafeegret, pbyrley
U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition in Imperial Beach, CA July 22-24
Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition
When I was a kid growing up in San Diego, my family used to take a trip to Imperial Beach every July to witness something truly spectacular – the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition. The outing would bring back back memories of our family vacations in St. Croix, where my dad would build my sister and I lovely sandcastles on the beach every day. All he used were buckets, sand and water, and yet he managed to create remarkable sandcastles complete with turreted towers, moats, windows and courtyards. Truly magical.
Extraordinary Detail Work
The sandcastles at Imperial Beach, however, are more than just magical — they are truly works of art, masterpieces that look as though even the always encroaching sea waves can never touch. Hour after hour, the artists sweat in the hot sun using delicate “sand scalpels,” spray bottles, brushes, buckets and even tooth brushes. Graceful arches are measured and balanced so as not to topple, realistic-looking windows you want to peek into are carefully carved out and spiraling staircases gradually wind their way up turrets; they look so real that I could imagine a princess walking down them. Castles were not the only works being created from the sand – fantastic-looking sea monsters, humorous cartoons and replications of famous paintings could all be found on the beach. As a young teenager, I once read that Michelangelo remarked that he carved his sculptures by simply chipping away the excess stone to reveal the figure inside. This is what watching some of the sand artists felt like.
At the end of the competition, the castles are left to to be weathered by wind, sun and water. Most people let them be and merely walk by in admiration and respect.
If you have the time, do attend this remarkable event with friends and family. It’s a joyous celebration of talent, whimsy and artistic expression that will not soon be forgotten.
Photos: Port of San Diego
Seaside Florida – The Truman Show Beach Town
A beach near Seaside, Florida
Have you seen The Truman Show? If you have, you probably remember all of those gorgeous, white and pastel-colored houses along the beach. So pristine, so perfect. I don’t know about you, but when I saw the movie, I wanted to visit that town, and I just found out a couple of years ago that I actually could! The movie was partially filmed in Seaside, Florida, a gorgeous little planned community/beach town on the 30A, about 15 minutes north of Rosemary Beach and 45 minutes south of Destin. Seaside was founded in 1981 by a couple who wanted to bring back the charm of Florida’s wooden beach cottages that used to dot the coastline at one point. Their vision has been crazily successful — the town does feel like a movie set with white picket fences, immaculately manicured lawns and gorgeous wooden beach cottages. Umbrellas dot the beach, and the sand is very white and soft.
All of the colors in Seaside seem crisper and more pure. The green grass, the blue blue sky, the blue-green crystal clear water. It makes me want to bottle the place up and take it home with me.
Gorgeous Seaside, Florida
If you don’t want to spend all day at the beach in Seaside (sacrilege!), there are plenty of other things to keep you occupied. Small cafes, restaurants, art galleries and independently owned shops and boutiques are fun to explore. The entire area is only 80 acres in size, so it’s very small and walkable.
Florida has its share of gorgeous beaches, but the beaches in Seaside are definitely at the top of the list. Check one one more photo:
Another view of Seaside's pristine beach
We’re in the midst of summer, so it’s more expensive to visit now; I’d wait until early fall, when temperatures drop a little, the crowds leave and it will be just you, a book and a beach.
Photos: mariko, Ran Yaniv Hartstein, I’ll Never Grow Up
Surfing Geese at Glenwood Whitewater Park
River Surfing
And now, a truly light-as-a-feather post: check out these geese “surfing” at Glenwood Whitewater Park. They’re Canadian Geese, apparently — don’t they make you want to go grab your wet suit and join in on the fun?
The Colorado River is very swollen this ear due to incredible amounts of rain this winter. Surfing the river’s breaks aren’t just for the birds — they’re for people too! If you plan to be in Colorado this summer, check out the Colorado River Surfing Association. They prove that you don’t have to be anywhere near the ocean in order to catch a wave!
When I hear “surfing,” I usually think of Hawaii or California. I’m happy to have a new image in my head now, thanks to this great video shot at Glenwood Springs Whitewater Park.
Photo: lilhelen
Corsica’s Southern Beaches
Corsica is home to some of the best beaches the Mediterranean has to offer. Vimeo user Emeric’s video highlighting the southern part of the island portrays some of the island’s beautiful landscapes. When it comes to Corsica, I believe that the island’s best features are the unnamed beaches hidden all over the island like little pockets of paradise. Imagine renting a bike and discovering these little gems of seclusion. As always, if you do find a hidden beach, be careful and keep in mind that there isn’t a lifeguard. I mean, c’mon, it’s a hidden beach after all. In case you are in need for a quick beach fix here are some beaches in the southern part of the island to check out:
If you are looking for white sands and clear water the obvious choice for you is Roccapina Beach. Be warned, if you are in Corsica during the high season keep in mind that this beach gets pretty packed.
Corsica’s “signature” beach would have to be Palombaggia. That being said, this beach is very popular and, once again, is busy during the summer months. Then again, to me it is a “must see” simply because of the beautiful palette of natural colors; turquoise water, white sands, green pines in a backdrop of red rocks.
Enough of the popular places already, where can you get all of the above with less people? Rondinara is the beach for you. It is less well known and the shallow waters here are also ideal for families with small children.
If you have access to a boat and are willing to really be blown away, check out the Lavessi Isles which boast some of the best untouched beaches thanks primarily to it being a part of the nature reserve. Outfitters are available to take you out on day trips.
Watch the original video here.
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Billy Shiel – a legend in his own time
Billy Shiel (John Walton)Friday 17th June comments: Today has been a sad day for the Farne Islands as it has lost one of its own. News broke early this morning that Billy Shiel had passed away in the early hours of this morning and everyone involved with the islands will be saddened by the news.
John Walton, Farnes Property Manager, writes: Today marks the end of an era – with the passing of Billy Shiel, aged 83, a chapter of Farnes history closes. For well over sixty years his name was synonymous with the islands and, for over forty of those years, he was the Trust’s ‘official’ boatman.
I met Billy in 1979 when I arrived for my first season on the islands – little did I realise that our friendship, and professional relationship, was to last for 33 years. Billy’s ‘Glad Tidings’ were (and are) our lifeline – taking all the kit out at the beginning of the season, and carting it all back in December, trips to the mainland, water supplies, food supplies and, this may come as a surprise to today’s wardens, post!. Mobile ‘phones – unheard of, laptops/Face-book – not even thought of!
Memories of Billy, and his team, are myriad but one will suffice. It was early December in the winter of ’83 and he and his brother came out in the old fishing boat ‘G.T.3’ to bring the team off. I was on Brownsman Island with my team and Billy, with a storm brewing, was in a real dash to get us off – the odd swear word may have passed his lips! We got to Inner Farne to pick up that team and, just as we were about to cast off, he muttered the immortal words ‘I think we’d better have the lifejackets’. ‘Old Jack’, his brother, turned to me and said ‘ah divvn’t want to worry you son, but it’s ownly the second time in 40 years he’s asked for a lifejacket’! I’ve never seen a sea like it, before or since, but Billy got us safely home – the same wasn’t true of our breakfasts!!
Billy was not, of course, a saint – he could be cantankerous, tetchy, and there were days when you just left him alone. He was human – like all of us. The messages that have been coming in today from wardens spread over forty years are all genuinely grateful for having known the man. I’ve heard some brilliant stories – he left some great memories. Can anyone be a ‘legend in their own lifetime’? If so, then Billy would be a contender.
John Walton (Property Manager), David Steel (Head Warden) the entire Farnes team together with National Trust staff and volunteers extend there condolences to Joyce Shiel and her family.
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Life!
Welcome to the world...an Arctic Tern chick (Wez Smith) 
Hatching everywhere
Adults with food (Joe Cockram)Thursday 9th June comments: Life! In the last few days we’ve had a mass hatching of Arctic Tern chicks across the islands and soon adults will be busy bringing huge quantities of sand-eels for hungry little mouths. It's the same story across the cliff-tops as adults feed hungry youngsters and we even have our first fledglings to report as Guillemot chicks have already started leaving.
On the work front, the wardens continue to count the cliff tops and we reached the half-way stage early this morning, so things progressing well. We'll soon have a clear indication of how the colonies are doing and I'll bring you the news of all the up's and downs from this year's breeding totals.
Although migrants are few and far between at this time of year, we've had three lingering little Gulls including as adult which is entering the Arctic Tern colony on a regular basis and even displaying to us – it’s an impressive site!
Goodbye…
Guillemot with chick 
Guillemot chick - leaving after 21 daysSaturday 11th June comments: I've said it before but I'll say it again....just how quick is the season progressing? On Friday evening we witnessed a true 'Farnes experience' as hundred's of Guiellemots with 'fledged chicks' departed the cliffs for the open sea.
The chicks, only twenty-one days old (or so) are encouraged to jump from the cliff-tops by their parents (usually the father), so they can whisk them away to the safety of Dogger Bank and beyond, where they will grow flight feathers and become independent. The best time to witness this spectacular event is a few hours before dusk and the first real movement of the season occurred yesterday.
Approximately 1,000 'jumplings' departed Staple and Brownsman indicating a very successful breeding season. It'll now be a matter of weeks before the cliff-tops are bare and all 50,000 Guillemots have departed the islands for another season. It'll be a strange (and quieter) place without them but we wish them good luck and hope they return next year to start all over again. Just how quick is this season going.....
Almost finished
Counting on the outer group with pinnacle in background 
1, 2, 3......Ciaran counting
Wez taking notes takenSunday 12th June comments: Despite the weather, despite the advanced stages of the breeding season, the counting is almost complete. The cliff counts have been a huge success, the tired team will soon be catching up on sleep and the seabirds of the Farne Islands will have been counted for another year.
Hopefully by the end of this week, we'll have most counts in from the outer islands and then I can start bringing you results. As always wee have some good news and as always, we have some bad....its never dull on a seabird colony and its never dull on the Farne Islands.
Wardens on tour!
An eastern gem - White-throated Robin (Andy Denton)
Team on a wall
Birding from a ladder...
...and a van!Tuesday 7th June comments: It was no ordinary day on the Farnes yesterday or should I say off it. The day progressed as normal, with a 6am start, a completed cliff-count and then various island work including welcoming lots of visitors. Even the first Arctic Tern chick hatching could not distract from the main event – the Farne Islands tour.
Last night the Farnes were empty. Ten wardens, two cars and several miles later the team arrived in Hartlepool to experience one of the most bizarre twitchers ever. A White-throated Robin, the first ever English record (and only 2nd for UK – a third has been seen on the Isle of Man) was discovered on Hartlepool headland earlier in the day. The keen birders amongst the warden team were keen to go and soon everyone was mainland bound and heading south.
We arrived to be greeted by ladders and scaffolding erect on a van as the bird was showing very well from inside a walled garden. Soon the team were either on the van or up a ladder enjoying fantastic views of this little eastern gem. What a way to see a bird and what a bird! I must comment and say the locals were very friendly, very helpful (thanks for the ladders) and some were even selling sandwich's to my team. Birding, it really is a crazy hobby.
The triumphant team returned to the islands and this morning we were back into the routine, we’ve got birds to count, and plenty of them.
Inner Farne counted!!
03:50 - dawn over the islands and the counting starts
Counted - a Black-headed Gull nest
The lads at work - counting every inch
Intense Sandwich Tern colony count
A happy but very tired Inner Farne team - job complete!Friday 3rd June comments: Job done. The Inner Farne team of six were up at 4am today and went on to successfully complete an island count of all ground nesting seabirds. The job took all day, as the team eventually finished just after 6pm and although tired, were delighted to have completed the job in one day.
Every nest was counted and logged over the island, from nesting Eiders to every Arctic Tern. The concentration levels remain high throughout the day as one wrong step can result in disaster for a nest and it's made that bit more difficult by our 'friendly' Arctic Terns. With heads well pecked, I suspect the team will have an early night tonight but I have to congratulate them on a job well done.
The job is a real team effort as the Brownsman wardens cover all visitor work (working both Staple Island and Inner Farne all day) and we have great support from Anne Wilson who helps police the islands during this hectic period. And as for a rest...don't be silly, tomorrow we have to do it all over again on Brownsman...
Today's results from Inner Farne only:
Arctic Tern 1,133 pairs (up 23)
Sandwich Tern 453 pairs (down 308)
Common Tern 100 pairs (down 10)
Black-headed Gull 424 pairs(up 83)
Eider 415 pairs (up 22)
Now I need some sleep and tomorrow role on Brownsman.
Nest counts continue
The count starts on Brownsman 
Ciaran and co counting on BrownsmanSunday 5th June comments:
The weather has changed yet again, despite me thinking that we had turned the corner. The Brownsman team were up early ready for their nest count day but unfortunately unlike the glorious sunshine from the day before, they were greeted by cold northerly winds.
The weather has changed yet again, despite me thinking that we had turned the corner. The Brownsman team were up early ready for their nest count day but unfortunately unlike the glorious sunshine from the day before, they were greeted by cold northerly winds.
Despite the drop in temperature, the team completed another day's counting and we have yet another set of results. Disappointingly the results were not as good as we had hoped as breeding Arctic Tern numbers have dropped whilst no Sandwich Terns are present. The results of the nest count on Brownsman:
Arctic Tern 658 pairs (down 421 pairs)
Eider 178 (up 17 pairs)
Oystercatcher 10 pairs (up one pair)
Black-headed Gull 5 pairs (down 21 pairs)
Although our nest counts are complete we still have another nine cliff counts, so still plenty to go - June is never dull on the Farnes!
