As most readers probably know, I love French shotguns! Perhaps even prettier than the Darne is the Manufrance Ideal (say “ee- day–ahl”, not “eyedeel”). Round- actioned like the Scottish Dixons and McNaughtons which cost ten times more (though mechanically, because of their coil springs, more like the early side- lever Grants), light, strong, elegant, and …
Author: Steve Bodio
Animal toys
Blame Darren for starting this thread. I suspect many naturalists, as part of their childlike delight in the diversity of creatures (a GOOD thing) secretly or not- so- secretly collect animal toys. He has inspired us to put up a selection of our odd bunch. From the left rear: warthog, Snowy owl, Patagonia’s Penguino (Libby …
Around the Blogosphere..
Still busy, but still collecting tidbits… Weird– and ominous. The Chinese are modelling Indian mountain ranges. I keep saying this: drinking is good for you! Hantavirus strikes in California. It has been dormant in New Mexico recently, probably because of the drought– but the rains will likely bring it back. Nothing is simple. Apparently some …
Pup and Other Updates
Even a pessimist like me must admit that after years of drought we now are in the midst of a real monsoon. Which as been known to bring the puppies inside. So we are relieved that they have now figured out how to use the doghouses to stay dry.
“The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good”
The headline in the Albuquerque Journal for Thursday, July 27, says: “Falcons set for Return to Wild”. But the subtitle adds “Lack of Protection Angers Activists”. As many as 150 individual Aplomado falcons will be released this year in NM under a hack program not unlike the one that restored the Peregrine. But because they …
Rifles: Of Roosevelt and Russians…
Winchester recently closed its doors, an event that some slightly overwrought gunwriters have likened to the end of our civilization. I am not quite that depressed, but I am glad I own one of their more obscure products: a Model 1895 rifle in .405 Winchester: Introduced in (of course) 1895, it was the first lever …
Toulouse- Lautrec and Falconry
Henri de Toulouse- Lautrec’s father was a falconer and sportsman, and though he painted everything from ladies of the night to horses, many do not know that he also painted hawks. Here is his portrait of his father, Count Alphonse de Toulouse- Lautrec, painted by Henri in 1881 when he was just seventeen (the color …
Motorcycle Nomads
Roseann sent this insightful piece on the use of motorcycles by nomads in Tibet. I have seen the same thing in Mongolia. It got us to musing on some westerners’ desires for “purity” in the Third World, which often translates into “stay romantic for OUR sake”. Says Roseann: “I loved that photo – over the …
Latest AR Atrocities
I do believe somewhere deep down they really hate animals. From The Lady With The Black Dogs: “I’ve just learned that the City of Denver, under the direction of their city court, and their Animal Control officer, has seized and euthanized 38 Pit Bulls. “.. some of these dogs were nursing puppies when they were …
Linkfest
A few interesting things from here and there. Lucky Pluvialis, having just been to the shore, is going to Central Asia. I have been warning her in the comments section about correct drinking habits. Looks like the magnetic poles are due to flip again. Many are worried about migrating animals. I am too, I guess, …