A new study reveals that greater bird biodiversity brings greater joy to people, according to recent findings from the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research. In fact, scientists concluded that conservation is just as important for human well-being as financial security.
— Read on www.ecowatch.com/birds-happiness-study-2649413979.html
Instead of feeling trapped at home, I’ve been enjoying the great outdoors more than ever—even when pedaling up the scariest hills in town.
— Read on www.fastcompany.com/90582978/e-bike-pandemic-2020-gazelle-van-moof
Deep in the valley, all along the Salish Sea. This three-day itinerary works its way through several unique coastal communities on Vancouver Island.
— Read on bcbirdtrail.ca/trails/central-vancouver-island/
#Sunday stills
Terry Webster Schradt posts a weekly photo challenge and what better way to fill up guarantine time than culling pictures on your computer. I figure this will be a weeks worth of work.
So here are photos of some of the paths I’ve taken. I am an avid walker and have taken lots of pictures along the way. Let’s start out in Mexico. You never know what you will encounter on the sidewalks of Mexico but it is sure to be colourlful.
The sidewalks in Toronto are a little European in flavour and you also may be suprised by encountering sculpture or weddings!!!
Moving on to Ottawa, the seasonal colours are one of the distinctive features of the landscapes. There is a unique walk around the parliament buildings that few people take.
Vancouver sidwalks are often wet, but if you look carefully you will find little and big surprises.
In her latest book, out now, Oluo examines the cultural and political underpinnings of what she calls the “mediocre-white-man-industrial complex.”
— Read on www.fastcompany.com/90580960/ijeoma-oluos-new-book-interrogates-white-male-mediocrity
This is my first autumn in Courtenay BC and there has been an abundance of auburn everywhere. The trees are a stunning contrast with the blue sky, which is normally grey by now.
Much of the wildlife appears auburn if you look really closely.
And looking down at my feet I see this stunning seaweed.
#sundaystills
http://secondwindleisure.com/2020/11/15/sunday-stills-fall-color-challenge-shades-of-auburn/
According to the CDC, 24% of people who transmit the virus to others never develop symptoms and another 35% were pre-symptomatic. It also said 41% infected others while experiencing symptoms.
— Read on amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/11/20/health/cdc-coronavirus-spread-asymptomatic-website-wellness/index.html
A comprehensive list of research related to vitamin D and Covid-19
— Read on vitamin-d-covid.shotwell.ca/
I am disappointed to see COVID -19 cases rising to record levels. I had hoped it would have been over by now. On Vancouver Island, we have been lucky to avoid the worst of the outbreak, in part due to the closing down of the ferries, being an island, good weather, lots of outdoor space, stores who enforce masking, distancing, hand hygiene and people who have been deligent about social distancing.
I have posted a link to coping strategies as we see more quarantine months ahead of us. I had a chat with my fellow blogger/zoomers about strategies to cope and from that discussions I made 3 lists: things I want to keep on doing, things I don’t want to do anymore and new things I want to do. This was helpful because I was beating myself up because I have abandoned painting and the clarinet for the time being. Since I have been on my own most of my adult life I am used to amusing myself. I started working from home in 2013 and started teaching online is 2017 when I retired. By now now most of us are experts at amusing ourselves and our families. Most of my friends are retired and they already has adjusted to life “at home”.
So the new thing I wanted to do was buy a new camera with a zoom lens. I bought a Canon Powershot SX 70. However, I forgot that there is a vertical learning curve with all new products and a 150 page manual to download. What was I thinking? I have an aversion to instruction manuals.. too much information, overwhelming, fine print etc. I have tried to keep this in the quarantine project mindset and take a couple of pages a day. What else do I have to do right? At the same time I just went out and started shooting.
I did not realize when I moved to Courtenay that there is abundant bird life and I have found myself fascinated to discover so many varieties of birds within walking distance. It is intriguing to see the details of colour and patterns on the birds. Now I have joined the ranks of the people with their zoom lenses who often stop to chat with me. So here is my first round of photos without doing much reading of the instruction manual. The camera is wifi enabled so the photos can be easily uploaded to my computer and iphone. I also found a Facebook group called BirdFanatics Vancouver Island and a couple of bird identification apps.. another good activity to eat up more hours of my day. Ebird, Merlin Bird ID and Smart Bird IQ. I feel I have fully joined the ranks of the retired now.
I am new to bird identification so any corrections welcome.
Carpe Diem: Ten ways to give new structure to your days
Carpe Diem: Ten ways to give new structure to your days
— Read on newtricksforolddogs.net/2020/10/26/carpe-diem-ten-ways-to-give-new-structure-to-your-days/
