Saturday, September 29, 2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Friday, September 21, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Rings of happiness
If you know what are these, then you are smart. If not, then you will find out in a moment.
Bike infrastructure, everywhere
If you've ever locked a bike to one of Toronto's ring-and-post stands, thank Jack Layton. Layton, working with designer David Dennis, popularized the ring and post fixture, the first of which was installed in 1985. Layton always claimed the initial design happened on a bar napkin (something Dennis denied) but that wasn't the only way Layton made the city bike-friendly. He fought to get bikes allowed on the TTC, and created the city's first cycling committee—working outside of council at the beginning, until the city officially recognized their work. Source: Openfile.
More here.
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Friday, September 14, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Monday, September 10, 2012
Sunday, September 09, 2012
Saturday, September 08, 2012
Grackle
The range of this bird expanded west as forests were cleared. In some areas, it is now considered a pest by farmers because of their large numbers and fondness for grain. Despite a currently robust population, a recent study by the National Audubon Society of data from the Christmas Bird Count indicated that populations had declined by 61% to a population of 73 million from historic highs of over 190 million birds.
Unlike many birds, the grackle benefits from the expansion of human populations due to its resourceful and opportunistic nature. The common grackle population has greatly increased in the Austin, Texas, area in recent years and is regarded as nuisance by some, due to aggressive behavior. Common grackles are considered a serious threat to crops by some, and notoriously difficult to exterminate and usually require the use of hawks or similar large birds of prey.
Unlike many birds, the grackle benefits from the expansion of human populations due to its resourceful and opportunistic nature. The common grackle population has greatly increased in the Austin, Texas, area in recent years and is regarded as nuisance by some, due to aggressive behavior. Common grackles are considered a serious threat to crops by some, and notoriously difficult to exterminate and usually require the use of hawks or similar large birds of prey.