Date: 31 May 2006
Miles: 12.58
Average Speed: 14.4
May Mileage: 303.89
Weather: 101°F. Sun
Bike: Roadie.
Temps are expected to hit 110 by Saturday. I suppose that is hot. Most staggering is the relative humidity, which has been as low as 4%, and less than 8% for most of the daylight hours. Talk about sucking the juice right outta your pucker. It is really just hot and dry. Burns one's lips to inhale.
Someone I don't remember, called out to me today at work to ask if I had ridden in to work -- and I had to say no -- tomorrow. I think I may becoming known as that guy that rides his bike dispite the heat, which I haven't actually done that much of yet. This is really something because two of my coworkers ride everyday -- but their commute is much shorter.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Bike Commuter Practice Session
Now that it actually works. I am reposting this in case you missed it. I have a faster connection now so hopefully it won't take too long to download.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Further Still
Date: 27 May 2006
Miles: ~6
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 291.31
Bike: Commuter
When I was leaving the library there were a couple of young riders locking up their bikes next to my commuter. The kid says, "Wow, that's a real nice bike, Mister." I kid you not. I said "Well, it's old and heavy, but we get by." So he explains to me why it's a nice bike, that it's a Bianchi, and it's steel, and so on. I think, now there's a kid who's paying attention. And I remember, that yep, I am still pretty cool. It was fun.
So the next day I took the roadie out for a spin.
Date: 28 May 2006
Miles: 14.2
May Mileage: 305.51
Bike: Commuter
Then I ran a mile at the Gym.
On Sunday I took a hike out at the Blevins trail, I was looking for a Hawk nest out there. I ran the first mile there and walked the last two. Saturday AM I will be heading back to find it, with the camera.
And now I am sort of caught up ...
Miles: ~6
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 291.31
Bike: Commuter
When I was leaving the library there were a couple of young riders locking up their bikes next to my commuter. The kid says, "Wow, that's a real nice bike, Mister." I kid you not. I said "Well, it's old and heavy, but we get by." So he explains to me why it's a nice bike, that it's a Bianchi, and it's steel, and so on. I think, now there's a kid who's paying attention. And I remember, that yep, I am still pretty cool. It was fun.
So the next day I took the roadie out for a spin.
Date: 28 May 2006
Miles: 14.2
May Mileage: 305.51
Bike: Commuter
Then I ran a mile at the Gym.
On Sunday I took a hike out at the Blevins trail, I was looking for a Hawk nest out there. I ran the first mile there and walked the last two. Saturday AM I will be heading back to find it, with the camera.
And now I am sort of caught up ...
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Learning to Fly (Red-Tail Hawk Fledglings)
I met the folks in the house behind which these guys are learning to fly. It seems they already know how to eat. The flying bird is the adult male I think, having delivered lunch.
Digital Photographs of Red-Tailed Hawks. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved. These photographs may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of Shawn Kielty.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Further on up the Road
It's a Robert Johnson song I think, but at the hands of a master, it great to ride to. I stopped in to see the normally friendly bike guy, and we threw the commuter up on the scale. 47+ lbs. Go figure. Without the camera it is a mere 39 lbs. That helps explain why it is so much fun to ride. Maybe I can add on an extra room.
Last night's ride:
Date: 26 May 2006
Miles: 12.6
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 267.31
Weather: Dark, 100°F., calm.
Bike: Commuter
Today so far (I am currently using the computer at the library. because, well, the internet is turned off this weekend at my place).
Date: 27 May 2006
Miles: ~18
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 285.31
Weather: Dark, 93°F. wind, dust.
Bike: Commuter
On the ipod: Eric Clapton, Further on up the Road
More later and pictures, later, later. It turns out that if I bring the card reader to the library I can get the pictures from it. Who knew?
Last night's ride:
Date: 26 May 2006
Miles: 12.6
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 267.31
Weather: Dark, 100°F., calm.
Bike: Commuter
Today so far (I am currently using the computer at the library. because, well, the internet is turned off this weekend at my place).
Date: 27 May 2006
Miles: ~18
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 285.31
Weather: Dark, 93°F. wind, dust.
Bike: Commuter
On the ipod: Eric Clapton, Further on up the Road
More later and pictures, later, later. It turns out that if I bring the card reader to the library I can get the pictures from it. Who knew?
Friday, May 26, 2006
Night Riding
Date: 25 May 2006
Miles: 14.68
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 254.71
Weather: Dark, 87°F. stars, calm.
Bike: Commuter
Last nights ride to test out the night riding philosophy. It seems to work. Although slower. Today I received a cool deck bag from the Banjo Brothers. So last night was it's maiden voyage.
Miles: 14.68
Average Speed: 11.7
May Mileage: 254.71
Weather: Dark, 87°F. stars, calm.
Bike: Commuter
Last nights ride to test out the night riding philosophy. It seems to work. Although slower. Today I received a cool deck bag from the Banjo Brothers. So last night was it's maiden voyage.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
About the House Wren Nests
I am not sure I agree with the BirdChick. She says:
Wren decoy nests?
I understand that the House Wren is a total slut. The male builds a nest and tries to entice any female into finishing it and setting up house. If he succeeds he continues to build nests and tries to entice (other) females to raise a family with him. He builds the nests as a way to attract the female and to take possession of the nest site. If he fails to attract a female he continues to build nests and try to entice females ... He may build 5 or 6 (or more) nests. There's an interesting polygynist behavioral pattern which includes secondary mating and "extra-pair" breeding. According to this set of articles a female will even destroy an existing nest and kick the resident female out to get access to the prime real estate, and the male.
Although the nests may serve later as "decoy" nests, I don't believe that is their initial purpose. Are they specifically to enhance the breeding opportunities of the male House Wren and lay claim to the resources, a by product of the extreme competition for nesting sites and opportunities, or -- as the Bird chick indicates -- to decoy against nest predators? Such predators -- it seems -- may in fact be other House Wrens.
... (the) bird houses I put up this spring, all of them have been claimed as wren boxes. Not only that, they all appear to be wren decoy nests as opposed to the actual wren nest. (For non birders--house wrens will build several nests--sometimes 5 to 6 and only actually lay eggs in one of them. The others serve as decoys against predators).
Wren decoy nests?
I understand that the House Wren is a total slut. The male builds a nest and tries to entice any female into finishing it and setting up house. If he succeeds he continues to build nests and tries to entice (other) females to raise a family with him. He builds the nests as a way to attract the female and to take possession of the nest site. If he fails to attract a female he continues to build nests and try to entice females ... He may build 5 or 6 (or more) nests. There's an interesting polygynist behavioral pattern which includes secondary mating and "extra-pair" breeding. According to this set of articles a female will even destroy an existing nest and kick the resident female out to get access to the prime real estate, and the male.
Although the nests may serve later as "decoy" nests, I don't believe that is their initial purpose. Are they specifically to enhance the breeding opportunities of the male House Wren and lay claim to the resources, a by product of the extreme competition for nesting sites and opportunities, or -- as the Bird chick indicates -- to decoy against nest predators? Such predators -- it seems -- may in fact be other House Wrens.
Yellow Feet
This bird -- seen previously -- has yellow feet. This confirms it's existance as a Snowy Egret. Despite the doubter -- my co-worker -- who earlier today disputed the claim of the earlier post. Look again.
Bike Commuter Practice Session
And you think you have it bad.
I ran one mile on the treadmill today with half mile splits at 4:20 and 4:37. According to the heart rate monitor (and my burning thighs), I was well over my 85% of VO2 max. It sure feels good to work really hard for about ten minutes.
I ran one mile on the treadmill today with half mile splits at 4:20 and 4:37. According to the heart rate monitor (and my burning thighs), I was well over my 85% of VO2 max. It sure feels good to work really hard for about ten minutes.
Tour de Cure 50K, Palo Alto CA
Date: 21 May 2006
Miles: 33.58
Average Speed: 13.0
May Mileage: 240.03
Weather: 60 ish °F. Overcast, light rain.
Bike: Roadie
The pace setter Lauralyn.
Foster and Devon register.
The starting line.
Elise (I'd never met her) with a couple of cameras at the first rest stop, taking pictures of her husband riding. She had cool gear.
It was a good ride.
Miles: 33.58
Average Speed: 13.0
May Mileage: 240.03
Weather: 60 ish °F. Overcast, light rain.
Bike: Roadie
The pace setter Lauralyn.
Foster and Devon register.
The starting line.
Elise (I'd never met her) with a couple of cameras at the first rest stop, taking pictures of her husband riding. She had cool gear.
It was a good ride.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Avocet in Summer Plumage
Avocet in Summer Plumage. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.
White Faced Ibis in Breeding Plumage
There's a whole weekend of news to report. but this was exciting. These shots of White Faced Ibis came from a brief stop over at Kern National Wildlife Refuge today.
White Faced Ibis. Digital Photographs. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Test Ride
Around my Mother's place.
Date: 20 May 2006
Miles: 4.14
Average Speed: 14.4
May Mileage: 206.45
Weather: 65°F. Overcast.
Bike: Roadie
Date: 20 May 2006
Miles: 4.14
Average Speed: 14.4
May Mileage: 206.45
Weather: 65°F. Overcast.
Bike: Roadie
Friday, May 19, 2006
Ivory Billed Woodpecker?
Nope. Gilded Flicker. This lacks the red moustache so presumably it is the female. Black crescent on the chest with the yellow on the wings and the tail were the deciding factors. Gilded Flicker. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.
2 Doves and Blooming Saguaro
Some Lucky Day. Digital Photograph. © 2006 Shawn Kielty. All rights reserved.
I believe these would be white winged doves.
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