July 11, 2011

FIVE-PETALED BLAZINGSTAR Ann Telling Photo July 8, 2011

Often found at high altitudes, the Cassin's Finch is a locally common and conspicuous resident of western mountain conifer forests, especially spruce and fir trees.  Males sing from treetop song perches or during smooth horizontal sallies on slow wing beats known as "moth flights."  These flights are most common during the breeding season, which extends from April through early June.  Breeding adult males stop singing when nest building begins, and, as befits a semicolonial species, song is not important in territorial defense.  The males defend only a small territory around their own females and nests. Small foraging flocks of the nomadic Cassin's Finch are usually found in different locales throughout the year, except during the breeding season (although, even at that time, flocks of unpaired males may be seen). After breeding, flocks often head up into the scrubby forests just below tree line.

Female	Male

The Cassin's Finch is one of three similar rosy-colored finches of the genus Carpodacus found in North America. This finch is a chunky, sparrow-sized bird (5.0 to 6.5 inches in length) with a large head, conical bill, and deeply notched tail. Sexes differ. Males have a bright red crown that contrasts with the brown on the rest of their head and hindneck. The crown feathers are habitually raised to produce a short, spiky crest. Back and scapular feathers are brown with dark centers, edged with pink; the rump is pinkish, and the tail and wings are dark brown. Chin, throat, sides of the neck, and upper breast are rosy pink. Belly and undertail coverts are white, with sharply defined dark streaks on the undertail coverts. Flanks and sides of the belly are buff-colored with fine streaks.

Like the closely related Purple Finch, the Cassin's Finch feeds primarily on vegetable matter including buds and seeds, especially those from conifers and fruit.  They eat some insects during the summer.  Migrational movements depend on the supply of food within their breeding range.  During autumn, Cassin's Finches descend into the lower elevations; occasionally, flocks wander well out onto the plains in search of food.  These finches may associate with Red Crossbills and Evening Grosbeaks in winter flocks.

When first introduced to England around 1654, they were considered full of dangerous chemicals and fit only for use by experienced pharmacies. British authorities eventually declared them safe with the addition of one particular substance. The power of the John Company, the largest, most powerful monopoly to ever exist in the world (except for Microsoft of course) was based on the importation of them. They have caused many international conflicts, and helped establish the reputation of the Yankee Clipper ships. It is said that the origin of the custom of tipping was related to them. Pidgin English developed as a method to facilitate the trading of them. Richard Blechynden of England and Thomas Sullivan of New York helped to popularize them in the U.S. in the early 20th century. They also played a major role in the development of the supermarket. They are sold at auctions around the world. What are they  ??? PASS YOUR MOUSE OVER THE QUESTION MARKS FOR THE ANSWER!

This is Griz about 14 years ago.

Wild Blue Flax Ann Telling Photo

THE MORTERATSCH GLACIER UPPER ENGADINE VALLEY PONTRESINA, SOUTHEAST SWITZERLAND

The Morteratsch Glacier is the largest glacier by area in the Bernina Range of the Bündner Alps in Switzerland. It is, just after the Pasterze Glacier and Gepatschferner, the third largest and by volume (1.2 km³) the most massive glacier in the eastern alps. The Morteratsch Glacier is a typical valley glacier with a pronounced ice front.

Who is he?  See below.

THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN--SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA

Sherman's march to the sea was the beginning of the end for South Carolina. In 1864 the Confederacy was tottering to its fall. By that time the crisis of the war had passed with the fall of Vicksburg on the Mississippi and the battle of Gettysburg. Most of the seaports had fallen and the South was shut off from commerce, except such as could be carried on under blockade conditions. The people went back to home-made clothes and raised less cotton and more grain. Coffee, tea and other luxuries were not to be had, while such necessaries as salt were hard to get. Sherman began the Georgia expedition with the intention of destroying the military resources of the state. He entered Georgia in May, 1864, with nearly 100,000 soldiers. He was opposed near Dalton by General Joseph E. Johnston, with a force of 50,000, later increased to 64,000 men. Johnston had difficulty getting his commanders to stand and fight, and fell back again and again. Johnston was unable to stem the Sherman tide. Johnston retreated before Sherman's greater army until he reached Marietta, where in the mountainous country he made a stand for twenty-three days of hard fighting. Johnston lost 10,000 of his men, but Sherman's loss was 25,000 (putting the numbers at ~75,000 versus ~54,000). Early in July Sherman forced Johnston to fall back again to prevent being cut off from Atlanta.

The Battle of Ezra Church was the third of three desperate Confederate attacks on the forces of Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, which were closing in on Atlanta.

The Battle of Ezra Church, also known as the Battle of Ezra Chapel and the Battle of the Poor House was fought on July 28, 1864, in Fulton County, Georgia, during the American Civil War. The battle was part of the Atlanta Campaign, which featured Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman's Union Army of the Tennessee against the Army of Tennessee, commanded by Lt. Gen. John B. Hood, which was defending the Confederate stronghold of Atlanta, Georgia.

HARRY DAVIS CAPTURING THE BATTLE FLAG OF THE THIRTIETH LOUISIANA REGIMENT, AT THE BATTLE OF EZRA CHURCH

"At the Battle of Ezra Church, Harry Davis, a soldier belonging to the Forty-sixth Ohio regiment, advanced far to the front under the fire of rebel batteries, and reaching over the breast-works of the enemy, grasped the colors of the Thirtieth Tennessee from the hands of the rebel standard-bearer and brought them off as a trophy."  From Harper's Weekly, September 17, 1864.

INDIAN RESCUE

ONE HUNDRED FAMOUS VIEWS OF EDO (TOKYO) NUMBER SIXTY-EIGHT

OPEN GARDEN AT FUKAGAWA HACHIMAN SHRINE

This brightly colored print shows one of the most famous temple gardens of Edo, that of Eitaiji in the Fukugawa district.  Eitaiji and Tomioka Hachiman Shrine together constituted the largest and most popular religious complex east of the Sumida River. The view here shows the simultaneous blooming of pink cherries and red azaleas.  Even twenty-five days would not normally be enough to encompass both, but given the variability of the lunar calendar, it would have definitely been possible to see both over a period of several years.  Thus Hiroshige seems to have provided a portrait of the potential of the garden, rather than its actuality at any given time.

EAGLE CLIFF FRANCONIA NOTCH, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Thomas Birch, Cape Henlopen Beacon, Delaware

Beacons of hope and safe passage to generations of homeward-bound American mariners, some of the older lighthouses in the northeast have been on duty for over 200 years. Located on some of the remotest cliffs and shoals that a new nation had to offer, the siting of America's landmark lighthouses was entirely driven by need.  Later, with the passage of time and a growing familiarity with the rhythm of the seasonal whims and moods of the local environment, these coastal beacons, while often desolate and severe, took on a unique beauty of their own. This vision was shared by some of America's greatest artists, whose images of these historic structures are often counted as their finest works. Fitz Hugh Lane and Edward Hopper immediately come to mind.  Each produced stark and powerful images, uniquely American in style and subject.  Additionally many other artists contributed to this, until now, ignored sector of marine painting.

Blazingstar (Mentzelia laevicaulis)--Among the showiest-flowered of the native plants in the Rocky Mountains are these perennial herbs of sandy and/or rocky areas, summer-dry flood plains, washes and sometimes road cuts.

JOHN PATRICK McENROE, JR. INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME ENSHRINEE--CLASS OF 1999 Since 1955, 177 people have been elected to the INTERNATIONAL TENNIS HALL OF FAME.  Eligibility was extended to include candidates worldwide in 1975.  Players are elected based on their records of competitive achievement, with ancillary consideration given to sportsmanship and character. JOHN'S GRAND SLAM RECORD French Singles finalist 1984 Mixed 1977 Wimbledon Singles 1981, 1983, 84 Singles finalist 1980, 82 Doubles 1979, 81, 83, 84, 92 Mixed finalist 1999 U.S. Singles 1979, 80, 81, 84 Singles finalist 1985 Doubles 1979, 81, 83, 89 TOURNAMENT RECORD Davis Cup Team Member 1978-84, 87-89, 91, 92

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