A bittersweet result of hearing the melancholy news about Aralbai below was a note from my old friend Canat with great photos. We did mourn a bit of lost youth (he was moved by my white hair and grandchild, which he knew of only abstractly)– was it really fifteen ears since I first set foot …
Month: January 2012
Hot Links
A recent drought has exposed the remains of a Byzantine port city located just west of Istanbul. Turkish archaeologists report artifacts dating most commonly from the Fourth to the Sixth Centuries, including these bricks stamped with the name “CONSTANS” (see picture) that resemble some used in the construction of the Hagia Sophia. The archaeologists are …
Science, Art, Helicoprion, Ray Troll, more…
Dr H at Diary of a Mad Natural Historian just published a piece on Helicoprion, the impossible fossil shark that appears to have a circular saw in its mouth, and mentions artist Ray Troll. All natural history buffs mad or not should buy and read Troll (or wear him– he does T shirts, and pins …
Mission Dam
I recently returned from an agency field visit for a project we have in the San Diego area. One enjoyable aspect of the trip was a visit to the Mission Dam. The dam was built across the San Diego River in 1813-1816 to supply water and water power for the San Diego Mission. The Franciscans …
Pronghorn snow
A few images of pronghorn antelope in the snow yesterday – western Wyoming. Snow was falling like a light mist, with no direct sunlight, casting a gloom across the range. Beautiful in ways that only wild things are. Click on image to enlarge.
Rangeland rescue
We finally got some snow overnight, covering our rangeland in a blanket of white. Our pregnant ewes love it, with the snow unable to penetrate their dense wool, but the moisture softening the vegetation. After checking the sheep this morning, we watched a herd of pronghorn antelope running across the Mesa behind the house. Their’s …
NSFW Rifle?
…so first, MaryAnn sends me this pic from her recent safari, of amorous lions…I am of course reminded of this Rigby double rifle with the same “theme” on the plates (click to enlarge; plain vanilla version, slightly used, on sale for a not-ridiculous- these- days $59,500, below it). Jonathan Hanson sent the last words on …
Two Links
Vadim Gorbatov has his own website at last! It is in Russian but just click around– you don’t need language to appreciate a great painter. Click the second button (“Novosti”) for not only tigers battling bears but great sketches and images including ones on this Samurai falconer.You can buy his prints from Al Gates– links …
Sad News
Alan Gates writes: “I have sad news that Aralbai has been diagnosed with throat cancer, he refused the laser treatment he was offered at the UB hospital because he believed that those that had had this type of treatment, die quicker. “He has deteriorated a lot from the time I last hunted with him, and …
Working Rifles
A .30- 06 on an 03 A3 Springfield action (lower) and a modern Euro- style Czech Mauser .223. Any of you scholars know why the Springfield has a military trigger guard but a blind magazine?