Bird at the Musee Rodin

This inquisitive creature was playing in the flower bushes of the Musee Rodin. So often I don't think to take picture of sparrows, pigeons and other common bird species. But, as these shots prove, if you take a close look even unremarkable species are worthy of study.

Bees of London

In London there's a liquor store that should be selling honey. Jeany spotted this bee hive as we walked to Brick Lane for dinner a couple nights ago. I don't think I've ever seen a wild hive like this in my life, and the last place I would think to look would be the side of this building. It was a heartening sight, considering all the concern over Colony Collapse Disorder and the widespread disappearance of honey bees worldwide.

Le Confort des Animaux

My animal sleuthing does not end at the border. Oh, far from it!

I was lucky enough, my first day in Paris, to meet The Bird Man of Notre Dame. At least that's what I call him. A latter day Saint Francis, standing next to that grand cathedral (one of our first stops) surrounded by pigeons and sparrows. Creature Comforts does not give out awards for awesomeness, but seeing this guy makes me want to re-evaluate that policy.

Au revoir, mon frere!

Anemone

This was from a recent trip to Venice Beach, California!

The Mystery of the Urban Pheasant

I've seen all sorts of animals in my day, but I had never seen a wild pheasant before this winter. Because of this I'd always taken them to be the type of animal you hear about more than you actually encounter. Imagine my surprise when I ran into this creature in the middle of Chicago. OK, not the middle, but close enough. This January I was in Garfield park in the conservatory (one of the best kept winter secrets of the city) when I peered through the window and spotted this pheasant running through the snowy park. I quickly jumped through a set of doors and took this (admittedly disappointing) picture before the bird got spooked and set off with a wild flapping of wings.

A little research showed me that pheasants do live in Illinois year round, but right in the city? Was this guy wild, a pet, or had he escaped from a local pollos vivos storefront? I will never know. One thing is certain, it was a bitter cold day and I wished him the best of luck as I watched him make his frantic departure.

Then One Day

Jeany found a strange looking bug in our apartment. Sadly, she killed it because it was "gross." I hadn't seen a bug in months, and I knew that even though the bug was dead, Spring was on its way.

Birds in Flight

In a strange way Ricky Gervais strikes me as one of the most empathetic actors working today. This picture makes me think of the song "Tea for the Tillerman" that closes Gervais show "Extras."

Gray Ghost, Revisited

Weeks after the apparition on Lake Michigan I was visited by another mysterious stranger. This Gray Ghost haunted the snow banks of New England. I saw him only once. I wonder if he has seen Jacky Cat, either in this land or the ghost world.

The Mollusk

Did you find it in the sandy ground?
Does is emulate the ocean sound?
So go the classic Ween lyrics from their hit album "the Mollusk." In my case I would have to answer no on both counts. This morning I discovered this snail half frozen in the ice of the Humbolt Park lagoon. He was big and meaty and his shell looks much like those that come as escargot. Sadly the cold weather had caught him and it looked as if he would probably not be revived. Still, my discovery of this snail was a happy event. The day was cold an blustery and I was beginning to lose hope of finding any wildlife pictures. Coming across the mollusk serves as a reminder that we are always surrounded by creatures. Very rarely have I gone out searching for pictures and returned empty handed. But even when I don't capture an animal it's not because they are not there. They are always there.

For more pictures, along with a dime for scale click here.

Rabbit Redux

It was a balmy 34 degrees this Sunday so I decided to head to Millennium Park to see how Chicago's downtown rabbits are dealing with the winter. They've gained some weight and the first few I met appeared a little skittish. Eventually I gained their trust and even sneaked into a rabbit burrow to capture these awesome shots.

While lying in the snow snapping pictures of this guy I reflected on two things. 1) I ate a roast rabbit once at a Portuguese restaurant that was really phenomenally delicious. I wonder why I've never eaten rabbit again considering how tasty it was. And 2) I've never read any John Updike novels. In fact, for a writer who is supposed to have had a wide ranging impact, I know few people (personally) who celebrate his work, bring him up in literary conversations etc etc. Is he the kind of writer that critics love but that is not on the radar of your average literary citizen? Is he just not of my generation? Probably I'm just not hanging out with the right crowd. The Updike crowd. I imagine the Updike crowd drinks highballs on the on the Upper East side. I'll look into it. Anyway, at least I read Watership Down. Actually, maybe thats why I never ordered rabbit again.