Final post of 2008

Hi everyone. Just wanted to get in one last post before 2009. We had a wonderful Christmas here with friends and family. We got some bird feeders, various books and DVDs, a new lawn mower(!) and Sarah got me my very own pair of super awesome yellow crocs! I also picked up the very cool new album by
Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet
Jerry says "Merry Christmas!"

I guess I'll end my 2008 North American Year List at 350 (it might be a couple more than that but I kind of lost track a little). Highlights included Pink-footed and Barnacle Geese on Long Island, Slaty-backed Gull in Ithaca, Snail and Swallow-tailed Kites in Florida, Swainson's Warbler in West Virginia, Cape May Warbler and Sedge Wren on the OAS Birdathon, Razorbills and Atlantic Puffins during our honeymoon on Machias Seal Island, tons of great birds in California including Phainopeplas, California Quail, Snowy Plovers and Black Oystercatchers, White-headed Woodpecker, Prairie Falcon, Yellow-billed Magpie, three species of shearwater, my first Albatross and at least five South Polar Skuas on our first real pelagic trip in Monterey Bay, and finally some amazing looks at Cave Swallows at Fair Haven. I saw a total of 47 life birds in 2008, bringing my North American Life List up to an even 450. I missed lots of really common stuff like Eastern Screech-Owl, Common Nighthawk, White-winged Crossbill, Northern Goshawk, Willow Flycatcher, White-rumped Sandpiper and Lincoln's Sparrow. It's looking like 2009 will be a great year for birding... more about that soon. Hope you all have a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Reflections on the Dietary Habits of Noah VanNorstrand (Vol. III ~ 2008)

And now... the moment you've all been waiting for... my annual Reflections on the Dietary Habits of Noah VanNorstrand (Vol. III~ 2008). For those of you who are new to my blog; throughout the year I meticulously document my brother's culinary inclinations while we're on the road and I am very pleased to be able to publish my findings in this report. Warning: the following images contain graphic depictions of food being eaten by a teen. Viewer discretion is advised.

We'll start things off with this robust portrait of Noah engaging with a certain cornbread muffin at The Whitewater Whirl dance weekend in Beckwith, West ViginiaNoah seems a bit surprised by this tasty flat bread in Portland, OregonThis sandwich in Black Mountain, North Carolina was no laughing matterIt was a sad moment when Noah finished his breakfast buffet plate at the Pig Out BBQ in Little River, South CarolinaOur noble subject, chomping down on some deep fried alligator in Naples, FloridaEveryone has a dark, sinister side and Noah is no exception; here with his trecherous fruit loops somewhere in the wilds of VirginiaSome of the most exquisit clam chowder ever tasted by mortal tongue was in Keene, New HampshireThis distressing quesadilla was found in San Fransisco, CaliforniaNoah is the very embodiment of fine dining here with his beloved catfish carcass in Darien, Georgia (okay, to be fair... it was my catfish carcass)Lost in contemplation, our subject was barely aware of my presence (deffinitely not just trying to ignore me) as he partook of a cheeseburger club in Madison, ConnecticutAnd finally, a piercing glance through a piece of pizza in the greatest metropolis of them all... Manhattan, New York CityCheck out my Reflections on the Dietary Habits of Noah VanNorstrand Vol. I ~ 2006 and Vol. II ~ 2007

And yes, he is still wearing the same hat.

Iceland Gull pics

2nd winter ICELAND GULL - Phoenix, NY

Home from Ohio

We got back last night from a nice trip to Columbus, OH. Great Bear played for the Winter WarmUp (or is it Warm Up? Warmup?) and it was one of our favorite dance weekends we've been to so far. Unfortunately I came down with a little head cold so I couldn't dance as much as I wanted to. But we got to see some of our old midwest friends again meet a few new ones.

Sarah and KearaThe always charming Gaye FiferOur hosts David and BesselinaMr CookieMe and my not-so-evil twin TravisSo this week I've got to start thinking about Christmas! Might have to make a trip to Carousel tomorrow. I want to get out and look for some Snowy Owls too. Right now I'm listening to all three Dido albums on shuffle. "When you see-eee her sweet smile baby, don't think of me..."