Burrowing Owls

Burrowing owls are found across the flat dry grasslands of North and South America, where they use burrows often built by ground squirrels, prairie dogs, marmots, badgers and even tortoises to nest and raise young. They are the only species of owl to nest in the ground.

These are tiny owls in the owl kingdom, measuring less than 30 cm. tall and weighing less than 200 grams. Although they are active during the day, they do most of their hunting for rodents and insects in that time between dawn and dust.

The decline of the species can be directly linked to human activity: the human use of the habitat and the use of pesticides has resulted in less prey, fewer burrows and fewer of these wonderful little owls. 

There's a project on in British Columbia though, on First Nations land near Merritt, BC. Three pairs of captive-bred burrowing owls will be released into burrows already waiting for them. Precautions will be taken to be sure that the little owls don't themselves become prey before adapting to their new homes. Banding will help determine if the owls return after migration

Hopes are high for success and an increase in the BC population of burrowing owls. We'll all be the beneficiaries.

Here's a website for more info and here's another.
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Lighting up the Desert

This is an art installation in Australia called Field of Light:

It opened on April 1 and is situated near Uluru, that sacred monument of red sandstone rising out of the desert in the Northern Territory. The lights are powered by solar panels and are turned on for several hours twice a day, dawn and dusk.

See a description of the building of this phenomenal art installation and more photos at PBS.org

Call a Random Swede

I just heard about this initiative on the radio this morning:

The number to call is +46 771 793 336, but remember, long distance charges apply.

"In troubled times, many countries try and limit communication between people, but we want to do just the opposite," Swedish Tourist Association CEO Magnus Ling said in a statement.

"We are making Sweden the first country in the world with its own phone number and giving our fellow Swedes the opportunity to answer the calls, express themselves and share their views, whatever they might be."

Suggested topics include northern lights, darkness, meatballs and suicide rates.

Lois Cunningham - almost 100

We seem to have an on-going theme of elder excellence. Here's the awesome 98-year old Lois Cunningham appearing just last February at the Grand Ole Opry to add to the mix:

Beverly Cleary at 100

You probably already know that Beverly Cleary is the author of kids' books such as Ramona Quimby and Henry Huggins and the creator of characters beloved by generations. She authored more than 40 books that have had lasting popularity with new readers and won multiple awards for many of them. In spite of having been written as many as 65 years ago, they are still popular today.

Now you probably think that someone who had books published that long ago, well, that we would be talking about her in the past tense. But not so!

Like Herman Wouk, Beverly Cleary is about to celebrate her 100th birthday (on April 12). Of becoming a centenarian, she says, "I didn't do it on purpose!"

Here's a recent interview with Beverly Cleary. Pretty sharp for almost 100!

Update: 

On April 9 the Toronto Star reprinted an article from the Washington Post with a lovely photo.
Cleary is looking forward to some carrot cake on her birthday. May it be the best ever!

Sailor and Fiddler: Herman Wouk Looking back at 100 Years

It's not often we get to read the memoir of a 100-year-old person who is still alive. Wouk is the well-known and well-respected author of such gems as:

• The Caine Mutiny (which won the Pulitzer Prize)
• Marjorie Morningstar
• Youngblood Hawke
• The Winds of War
• War and Remembrance

In this surprisingly brief (considering the time span involved) volume, Wouk takes us from his beginnings as a gagman, through the circumstances in which he wrote his various novels and screenplays and tells us about the people he rubbed shoulders with along the way. The one person who stands out as his particular treasure is BSW, Sarah, his beloved wife of 66 years, his confidante, his interior decorator and also his literary agent for many years. Sadly she passed away in 2011 and he now carries on alone.

The Sailor part of the title refers to his Navy years, both in the service and as a chronicler of events and people he encountered there. In the Fiddler section, Wouk shares the lessons learned in his faith journey as an observant Jew. All is told with wit and good humour though he also shares his and Sarah's grief and continuing sadness at losing their 5-year old first-born son in a drowning accident. 

Herman Wouk will celebrate his 101st birthday in May. What a force he is! Thanks for all your great novels, Mr. Wouk. And Happy Birthday!