So Much for My Weekend Plans...
Friday, September 30, 2011
Woke up chilled and achey this morning, as if I were running a fever - except my temperature was a bit low, rather than high, so I spent a little while hoping it was just aftereffects of yesterday's chilly, wet trek through Beartown. No such luck... by lunchtime it became very clear that I was indeed running a fever, and I spent much of the rest of the day sleeping and generally feeling like crap when I was awake. I can only assume I wore myself down sufficiently yesterday that some bug in my system was able to gain a foothold... gah.
So no trip to see Ann this weekend, and no Rochester Autumn Classic Duathlon. And a gorgeous sunny day spent mostly asleep... sigh. Being sick sucks.
JMH
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Magnificent Monarchs
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monarch butterflies, that is.
Over the last few weeks I've freqently seen solitary monarch butterflies fluttering around, which has me wondering - why now? So I did a little research and learned a bit more about these beautiful, fascinating insects.
The monarchs that I've been seeing recently are probably the 4th generation this year, having been born about a month ago, though it's also possible they're 3rd generation looking to mate and lay eggs to produce the 4th generation. Turns out that each year the 4th generation monarchs migrate south to Mexico (about 2500 miles - incredible!) to spend the winter in a warmer climate, then early in the year they mate and head back north to lay their eggs in the southern USA. These eggs hatch into caterpillars which eventually metamorphosize into 2nd generation adults, who repeat the process to produce 3rd generation adults, spreading over the summer into the northern US - and then the process repeats again in the late summer/early fall, producing 4th generation adults that end up migrating to the same locations their great-grandparents did to spend the winter (no one understands how they know where to go back to each winter, given that they're several generations removed from the adults that migrated the previous winter.) It's also not clear if we understand why the spring and summer generations only live for about a month, while the generation that migrates lasts approximately eight months.
For more info, I recommend the Monarch Butterfly website and Monarch Watch. A google search will also reveal many sites about these fascinating and lovely orange and black butterflies.
So it seems like the monarchs I've been seeing are either 3rd generation adults looking to procreate and produce the 4th, migratory generation, or they are part of the migratory generation themselves. Regardless they are incredible to watch and I always pause when I see one go by, especially if there's an opportunity to get a photo.
The thought of these tiny, fragile-looking butterflies flying 2500 miles or more to reach winter roosts boggles the mind. Just amazing.
Unfortunately, like so many wild creatures, monarchs are on the decline due in a major part to loss of habitat both here and in Mexico. The migrating population this year is among the lowest ever, and drought conditions in the south are causing higher than normal mortality rates. Monarch Watch has some excellent articles on monarch conservation, including suggestions as to what can be done to encourage the population of monarchs to recover.
JMH
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Monarch butterflies, that is.
Over the last few weeks I've freqently seen solitary monarch butterflies fluttering around, which has me wondering - why now? So I did a little research and learned a bit more about these beautiful, fascinating insects.
The monarchs that I've been seeing recently are probably the 4th generation this year, having been born about a month ago, though it's also possible they're 3rd generation looking to mate and lay eggs to produce the 4th generation. Turns out that each year the 4th generation monarchs migrate south to Mexico (about 2500 miles - incredible!) to spend the winter in a warmer climate, then early in the year they mate and head back north to lay their eggs in the southern USA. These eggs hatch into caterpillars which eventually metamorphosize into 2nd generation adults, who repeat the process to produce 3rd generation adults, spreading over the summer into the northern US - and then the process repeats again in the late summer/early fall, producing 4th generation adults that end up migrating to the same locations their great-grandparents did to spend the winter (no one understands how they know where to go back to each winter, given that they're several generations removed from the adults that migrated the previous winter.) It's also not clear if we understand why the spring and summer generations only live for about a month, while the generation that migrates lasts approximately eight months.
For more info, I recommend the Monarch Butterfly website and Monarch Watch. A google search will also reveal many sites about these fascinating and lovely orange and black butterflies.
So it seems like the monarchs I've been seeing are either 3rd generation adults looking to procreate and produce the 4th, migratory generation, or they are part of the migratory generation themselves. Regardless they are incredible to watch and I always pause when I see one go by, especially if there's an opportunity to get a photo.
The thought of these tiny, fragile-looking butterflies flying 2500 miles or more to reach winter roosts boggles the mind. Just amazing.
Unfortunately, like so many wild creatures, monarchs are on the decline due in a major part to loss of habitat both here and in Mexico. The migrating population this year is among the lowest ever, and drought conditions in the south are causing higher than normal mortality rates. Monarch Watch has some excellent articles on monarch conservation, including suggestions as to what can be done to encourage the population of monarchs to recover.
JMH
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
13.1 Mile Ride on the Mohawk Hudson Bike Path
Monday, September 26, 2011
Finally got back out on the bike tonight... seems like my body is adjusting to being back to work, I was tired when I got home but didn't end up falling asleep before I could get changed and head outdoors. Legs were definitely tired from yesterday, which made it easy to keep my ride relatively short - even though I've got 20 miles of riding coming up this weekend at the Rochester Autumn Classic Du, at this point hammering my legs into mush isn't going to do any good.
The parking lot at the Niskayuna Lions Park was closed - looks like they might be planning to repave it - so I parked at Lock 7 and headed west toward the old landfill, then east to the wastewater treatment plant and back to the car. Mosquitoes were brutal, just like almost every time I've been outdoors in the last couple of weeks. Along the way I spotted a couple of herons and quite a few geese and ducks - and what looked like a juvenile eagle in the dead tree out on the river. I haven't seen any eagles around here at all this summer, so that was a welcome sight.
The only annoying part were some of the other riders on the bike path - a number of them buzzed by me and either passed way too close for my comfort or cut back in in front of my far too soon. And yet no doubt they would be the first to whine about it if we had collided. What a bunch of self-centered fools.
JMH
Monday, September 26, 2011
Finally got back out on the bike tonight... seems like my body is adjusting to being back to work, I was tired when I got home but didn't end up falling asleep before I could get changed and head outdoors. Legs were definitely tired from yesterday, which made it easy to keep my ride relatively short - even though I've got 20 miles of riding coming up this weekend at the Rochester Autumn Classic Du, at this point hammering my legs into mush isn't going to do any good.
The parking lot at the Niskayuna Lions Park was closed - looks like they might be planning to repave it - so I parked at Lock 7 and headed west toward the old landfill, then east to the wastewater treatment plant and back to the car. Mosquitoes were brutal, just like almost every time I've been outdoors in the last couple of weeks. Along the way I spotted a couple of herons and quite a few geese and ducks - and what looked like a juvenile eagle in the dead tree out on the river. I haven't seen any eagles around here at all this summer, so that was a welcome sight.
The only annoying part were some of the other riders on the bike path - a number of them buzzed by me and either passed way too close for my comfort or cut back in in front of my far too soon. And yet no doubt they would be the first to whine about it if we had collided. What a bunch of self-centered fools.
JMH
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
It's The Little Things...
Saturday, September 24, 2011
... that really get to me at the moment.
For the first time in 22 years - I'm the only one who needs to be fed when I get up in the morning.
I can walk out of the bedroom without stumbling over someone darting between my legs.
The constant background "drip... drip... drip" of the bathroom faucet (someone's preferred source of drinking water) is gone.
I can sit all the way back in my chair at the computer without squashing a furry body.
I can get up off the couch and still have a place to sit when I come back.
I can leave the front door open when I'm bringing stuff in and taking stuff out.
Sigh.
The apartment is seems a whole lot emptier. Last night before my run I was tempted to cancel my trip south to run the Sloppy Cuckoo Trail Half Marathon - but now I'd say it's for the best that I'm spending time this weekend in NJ and PA instead of Albany.
JMH
Saturday, September 24, 2011
... that really get to me at the moment.
For the first time in 22 years - I'm the only one who needs to be fed when I get up in the morning.
I can walk out of the bedroom without stumbling over someone darting between my legs.
The constant background "drip... drip... drip" of the bathroom faucet (someone's preferred source of drinking water) is gone.
I can sit all the way back in my chair at the computer without squashing a furry body.
I can get up off the couch and still have a place to sit when I come back.
I can leave the front door open when I'm bringing stuff in and taking stuff out.
Sigh.
The apartment is seems a whole lot emptier. Last night before my run I was tempted to cancel my trip south to run the Sloppy Cuckoo Trail Half Marathon - but now I'd say it's for the best that I'm spending time this weekend in NJ and PA instead of Albany.
JMH
Friday, September 23, 2011
GOODBYE, CHAOS (1990-2011)
Friday, September 23, 2011
Chaos took a turn for the worse last weekend and went downhill this week, showing no interest in food. This morning she was having difficulty getting around, so I made the decision to get her to the vet this afternoon to see what could be done, knowing that the likelihood was that she wouldn't be coming home with me.
The vet said she was in pretty rough shape, most likely first stage kidney failure - and that the only option to perhaps allow her to recover would involve very expensive hospitalization and medical treatment. Given her advanced age, I decided it made more sense to end her suffering.
Despite her very weakened state, Chaos spent the entire time trying to get off the examining table and out the door. The vet said the only reason she was still going was her extremely strong will - something I'm very familiar with, at times she could be a real pain in the backside because of that. I take comfort knowing she's in a better place now... but I'll miss her a heck of a lot.
JMH
Friday, September 23, 2011
Chaos took a turn for the worse last weekend and went downhill this week, showing no interest in food. This morning she was having difficulty getting around, so I made the decision to get her to the vet this afternoon to see what could be done, knowing that the likelihood was that she wouldn't be coming home with me.
The vet said she was in pretty rough shape, most likely first stage kidney failure - and that the only option to perhaps allow her to recover would involve very expensive hospitalization and medical treatment. Given her advanced age, I decided it made more sense to end her suffering.
Despite her very weakened state, Chaos spent the entire time trying to get off the examining table and out the door. The vet said the only reason she was still going was her extremely strong will - something I'm very familiar with, at times she could be a real pain in the backside because of that. I take comfort knowing she's in a better place now... but I'll miss her a heck of a lot.
JMH
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
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