Exercised futility
Oct. 2nd, 2025 12:58 pmFilled out the forms to claim a pittance from that AI copyright lawsuit settlement, for the four novels of mine that show up in their search. I don't know how many claimants will sign on, but my expectations are that the pot will be split into portions small enough that they won't pay for the postage . . .
Snowbird watch begins
Oct. 2nd, 2025 11:31 amWe've seen a couple of turkey vultures cruising in slow spirals, heading south-ish. They don't hang around here except in migration, spring and fall. And I'll check on houses on my walk route that I know are summer residents. Many of them time their arrivals and exits according to tax law, as Florida treats some kinds of income differently than Maine does.
(no subject)
Oct. 1st, 2025 05:55 pmYou can still spend money here . . .
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/10/01/hancock/congress-shutdown-acadia-park/
https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/10/01/hancock/congress-shutdown-acadia-park/
Tuesday goose/duck report
Sep. 30th, 2025 12:48 pmMixed flock of maybe four dozen out at the cemetery this morning. Guess they found out that segregation is now illegal. Only the geese seemed to be grazing out among the graves, while both geese and ducks were hanging out around the pond.
One roadkill porcupine on the other side of the road at about mile five on my route, smear of green guck across the asphalt at about mile nine. The latter was probably porcupine stomach contents left when the corpse went elsewhere. Both locations are known porcupine death zones.
Asters blooming in profusion along with the other usuals. Most of the red maples have dropped their leaves in the bog while the upland trees have barely started to turn. Touch of yellow on some of the tamaracks.
Got out on the bike when the temperature reached 60 F, up to the country club and over to the road through the bog and home. Not a lot of wind, comfortable biking weather. Did not die.
15.33 miles, 1:28:43
One roadkill porcupine on the other side of the road at about mile five on my route, smear of green guck across the asphalt at about mile nine. The latter was probably porcupine stomach contents left when the corpse went elsewhere. Both locations are known porcupine death zones.
Asters blooming in profusion along with the other usuals. Most of the red maples have dropped their leaves in the bog while the upland trees have barely started to turn. Touch of yellow on some of the tamaracks.
Got out on the bike when the temperature reached 60 F, up to the country club and over to the road through the bog and home. Not a lot of wind, comfortable biking weather. Did not die.
15.33 miles, 1:28:43
Abomination of desolation
Sep. 30th, 2025 06:52 amAir temperature 50 F, wind near calm, sunny if the sun ever bothers to rise. A few gulls patrol the far side of the park, but whatever draws them seems to be on the wane. Plan to snatch a bike ride from the jaws of advancing winter once the world warms up a bit. Any one of those may be the last of the year . . .
Sunday floral/avian report
Sep. 28th, 2025 11:50 amMasses of the brilliant purple asters by the roadside, mixed again with the chicory and goldenrod. More milkweed pods starting to split open. A few of the highland trees turning, red and orange and yellow.
Flock of about 10 turkeys by the roadside, about 4 miles into my route. No threat postures, at least one tom. Airport metal birds limited to a couple of commercial takeoffs and the Army whirlybirds. No roadkill beyond a couple of small patches of flattened brown feathers.
Got out on the bike, temperature about 62 F when I headed out and 75 F now, wind gusting over 15 mph but at my back on the way home. Did not die.
15.69 miles, 1:30:04
Flock of about 10 turkeys by the roadside, about 4 miles into my route. No threat postures, at least one tom. Airport metal birds limited to a couple of commercial takeoffs and the Army whirlybirds. No roadkill beyond a couple of small patches of flattened brown feathers.
Got out on the bike, temperature about 62 F when I headed out and 75 F now, wind gusting over 15 mph but at my back on the way home. Did not die.
15.69 miles, 1:30:04