the frig blig

My wife and I have been discussing the possibility of retiring, eventually, to Florida’s Gulf coast. But now that, thanks to the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion, the Gulf of Mexico contains a hundred or so million gallons of oil, not to mention toxic dispersants such as Corexit and methane gas…I’m wondering if Florida’s Gulf coast will be such a desirable place to live in upcoming years.

I’d really like to see some serious scientific forecasts of the extent of the effects of the oil plumes, dispersants, and methane on Florida’s Gulf coast. This information could (and should) bear on our decision to spend years of our lives there.

Looking at a photo in the paper this morning of an oil-coated pelican being cleaned up at a wildlife rehab center, made me wonder: what percentage of birds covered with oil are lucky enough to end up at a rehab center where they are cleaned? What percentage of the cleaned birds survive the ordeal? What percentage of the survivors end up back at the oil spill, and get messed up again? How can humans communicate to birds the danger, and to stay away from it?

Upon reading news of ‘the world’s cheapest car’ it made me notice an apparent contradiction between people’s efforts trying to slow global warming, and trying to slow global economic recession. Bailing out the U.S. automakers, for instance — possibly helps slow the recession, while possibly hurting the environment.

Which leads me to the headline question: Did mother nature have a hand in causing the global economic recession, in order to slow global warming? Could Mona be another ‘invisible hand’ on the market of which economists speak?

We’ve received more than average snowfall in the past few days. Here’s a few photos from the hood for my friends and loved ones who are far away:

Federal agencies will no longer have to consult scientists about whether projects, such as the building of dams or mines, would harm wildlife, according to this report published by the BBC.

Weakening the Endangered Species Act when so many critters are already facing destruction of their habitat as a result of mining, drilling, clearcutting, toxic dumping, and other civilized activities strikes me as the equivalent of hitting a man when he’s down. The kind of man who would push legislation like this is the kind of man who wouldn’t hesitate to hit a woman if by so doing he earned a few bucks for his pals. Disgusting.

Somewhere in Washington state … the leaves are leaving.

Ferns don’t just grow on trees ya know… or do they? It’s a walk in the park (discover the park and you could win big).

Last month Suzan and I drove to Silver Creek Falls State Park, and while hiking part of the northern loop trail looking at all the waterfalls, an archetypical northwest moment occurred: it started raining. I love watching raindrops falling on water, and when I realized I had a camera I captured these 17 seconds.

Walking home from dinner through the alley last night we came upon this bee doing his job in this sunflower. I can’t believe how well the photo turned out (full size is even more impressive).

Hanging loose at the beach in Yachats, in the zone.