A few thoughts from Jeff on the nature of species my prompted by my “Big Black Nemesis” post. I like “constrained perspectivism”. And notice he is a fellow Asia- phile (;-) Book reviews and some photos coming… “The photos at “Lauren” are great—I love the eagle booties and the landscape images (I’d swear that Mongolia …
Author: Steve Bodio
Worst NYT piece EVER?
Unfortunately the Times is not up to Jeff Lockwood’s standard today, at least outside of their science pages. Last night Daniela sent me this essay by a philosophy professor at Rutgers who is also a visiting one at Princeton (which at least balances him and Peter Singer with Freeman Dyson, who outweighs them both together …
Jeff Lockwood checks in: of Passenger pigeons and Cicadas
Jeff Lockwood, entomologist and first- rate writer from Wyoming, checked in re passenger pigeons with a link to an amazing essay and some thoughtful commentary: “Great to hear from you! I loved your piece on the Passenger Pigeon (and thanks for the plug/quote!), having recently discussed 1491 with a colleague. Your essay elegantly captures the …
One Link…
Long day, more visitors coming. But my speculations on the nature of the passenger pigeon at Living Bird are now online. Check them out and let me know what you think?
Joel
Our friend and sometimes neighbor Joel Becktell– we say “sometimes” only because he is a full time freelance cellist and though he has lived here for years travels every month of the year, somehow managing to maintain a garden and cook good meals for his friends, and staying up with me all too late to …
Eagle Accessories
Lauren brought back a lot of eagle equipment from Asia (as we all do) but as she had spent more time and been more places. Most useful were a couple of pairs of eagle — boots?– gloves? At any rate, foot warmers for the birds’ naked feet (golden eagle legs are thickly feathered). The boots …
Vodka from our Mongolian “Home Town”
Lauren brought among other things (like eagle tack I have never seen– be patient!) a bottle of new vodka named after the capitol of Mongolia’s Kazakh “Aimag” or state, therefore the de facto “Berkutchi” capitol. The back is attractive enough, with a Berkutchi painted on it (all photos enlarge if clicked on): But the front …
Back Again… (and Guests)
Only this time I have never left– just been ridiculously busy. To reassure– my health is the best it has been in a year, though my vigorous and always expanding exercise routine takes up a surprising amount of time, and neglecting it brings on a slide if I do it very long. Add guests to …
He has a Head Under his Hood
And now must learn how to use it. Pix by Daniela– in the first, he is taking a tidbit.
To Come…
Reviews, short notes,and recommendations on things as various as a strange English memoir with angling (Luke Jenning’s Blood Knot), a fairly technical and indispensable book on bird anatomy and evolution (Gary Kaiser’s The Inner Bird– see Darren; link later), and Sy Montgomery’s Birdology, which I will review at length in Living Bird– my favorite books …