Common Grackle

 

 

 

Grackles live, nest and migrate in colonies.  Unlike other birds who fiercely defend a designated area, the only time Grackles define or defend a territory is when they are nesting- that territory is the immediate area around the nest. 

 

In spring, courtship is on every Grackle's mind.  Thus, a bunch of males descend on a female and wow her with song and feather ruffing and bill tilting and other assorted manly behaviors.  She picks one.  The other males move on.

 

Now the pair hangs out together and sings together and eventually gets around to building a nest.  After a few weeks of flying around with long strands of grass in their bills, they finally settle in to  use the grass to build the nest.  The female does the building.  Nests are built near to other Grackle nests, often in big trees.  The female lays 4-5 eggs.

 

Incubation is 11-13 days.  The female handles the incubation.  (At this point, many male Grackles desert his mate and find another, who, presumably he also deserts during incubation.)  Nestling lasts about 12 days.  The youngsters then fledge for a very short time.  Soon they are independent and join other juveniles in a sort of gang.  Females have one brood per year. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Male and female Grackles look very much alike.   It is only during mating season that it is clear which is which, for the males do a macho flying technique whereby they flex, just so, to show off their V shaped tail.    

 

Common Grackle plumage is black with bronze and purple iridescence.  They are 11-13 inches long with a long tail, long bill and yellow eyes.  A Robin, for comparison, is 9-11 inches long.

 

 

 

Robin on the left.  Grackle on the right.
 

 

 

Hear the voice of a Grackle.  

 

The range of Grackles includes parts of Canada and throughout the US.  Many colonies of Grackles do not migrate at all, but remain pretty much in the same area all year. 

Pop Culture Frenzy, Round 13

Welcome once again to Pop Culture Frenzy.  In an effort to maintain my interest in this game, we're going to do things a little differently this Round.  I will ask a question to which the answer is not now known.  The winner will be the one with the answer that most pleases me.  Now, let's get on with it.

Jimmy Hoffa, or rather, his remains, are in the news again.  It seems some old wise guy suddenly remembered that Hoffa's body was in the floor of a barn somewhere in Oakland Township.  The FBI are digging around there right now. 

Here's my question.  What really happened to Jimmy Hoffa?
Bryan?

He was conked on the head then hung up in the walk-in

 refrigerator inside the Machus Red Fox restaurant kitchen. 

Later that day, he was featured in the Chef's Special.

Hostmaster:  that sure explains why he was last seen at the Red Fox.
Molly?

He was garroted and now he sleeps with the fishes.

 

 

Hostmaster:  that is so Godfather.

Fluffy?
 

 

  

After waking one morning to find an

 engine block in his bed,

he fled.  He now works

 for the IRS. 

 

Hostmaster:  Godfather Part 1 was better than Part 2, that is one of the reasons. 

Cyndi?
 

 

 

Yeah.  He fled and reinvented himself, but as an actor. 

 You know, like George Raft and Al Pacino.

 

 

Hostmaster:  there's a method to acting.

Molly?

 

 

 

 He is working at a McDonald's in Kalamazoo. 

 It's the same McDonald's that Elvis works at.

 

Hostmaster:  curious twist of fate.  A non union job.
Bryan?

 

 

 

He went up north and hung around in rough bars.

  Eventually he tangled with those guys from Mio

 who beat him up and fed his body to pigs.

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  I'm hungry.  I declare the Chef's Special the winner.

 

 

 

 

This is the end of Round 13.  Who's up for a burger?

 

 

 

 

Round 13

Fluffy/Molly 6

Bryan/Cyndi  7

 

 

 

 

 

Fluffy and the New Client

Dog Bone of Contention

The dogs living in my house are designated "aggressive"  or "powerful" chewers by makers of dog bones.  These dog bone manufacturers offer toy bones that are "durable" and "virtually indestructible".  You buy these bones for your dog so they can enjoy a good aggressive chew without breaking off chucks of non durable bone material and ingesting it.  Something fun and safe for dog play.  That's the theory anyway. 

Yes.  Good safe fun.  That's the ticket!

Here we have a new durable virtually indestructible bone (top) lying beside a briefly used durable virtually indestructible bone (bottom).








That used bone looks pretty good, you may be thinking. 
Look closer.

 Notice how the bottom new bone is rounded at the edges, while the slightly used bone is sharp at the edges.

Like a shiv.

Look around my house.   Multiple dog bones. 

Multiple shivs. 

This used to be shaped like a turkey leg.

Aggressive chewer enjoying safe play with the shiv at the top of the stairs.

 

My perspective following a lively bit of fun and safe play with my aggressive chewer's shiv.  It occurs to me as I lie here:  you need a thumb to use a shiv properly, traditionally.

 

Looks like my dogs have taken their aggression to a new level.  They have expanded their power chewing beyond the chewing. 

 

 

 

It's what you might call Out of the Bone Thinking.

Pop Culture Frenzy, Round 12

Welcome once again to Pop Culture Frenzy.  Here's our question.

What veteran talk show host is about to premiere a new talk show in Russia?
Cyndi?

Oprah?

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Molly?

 

 

 

 

 

Cesar Millan?

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Bryan?

 

 

 

Jerry Springer?

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Fluffy?

 

 

 

Dr. Ruth?

 

 

Hostmaster:  incorrect.

Molly?

 

 

 

Johnny Carson?

 

 

Hostmaster:  he's dead.

Bryan?

 

 

 

 Dead guys are eligible?!

Well then, my guess is Larry King!

 

 

 

Hostmaster:  correct.  Actually, Larry King is alive. 

This is the end of Round 12.

 

 

 

 

 

I'm pretty sure Larry King is alive.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Round 12

Fluffy/Molly 6

Bryan/Cyndi  6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rose's Reality

As Rose ages, she collects diagnoses.  (click here for previous adventures in dx!).

Rose's hips are creaky and more than a wee bit wobbly.  It is probably a good thing that she paces.  All that movement helps keep old joints lubricated.  Still, there is a hitch in her hips.  She usually needs a boost up the stairs.  Rose, as always, goes with it.  Back legs don't bend like they used to?  Just create a new gait!  So, on the straightaway, Rose has developed an interesting sort of cartoon gallop.

It gets her from here to there.

It's tougher to bend down when your hips don't always stand steady, so we've elevated Rose's food dish.  This, combined with her pacing, better enables Rose to drop chunks of food over a greater distance, i.e. not just on the kitchen floor surrounding the bowl but in an ever widening span that includes the dining and living room floors.



Meanwhile, Rose's vision has taken a hit.   We've got a case of the missing retina.  Upon examination, the veterinarian could not find Rose's retina at all in her left eye and could just barely make it out in her right eye.  Therefore, Rose is probably blind in her left eye and sees only shadows in her right eye. 

Is this Rose's reality?

 

 

Who knows.

 

I know this.  The other day, it was sunny and warm.  Therefore, after I hosed off a bird cage, I left it on the driveway to dry.  Rose walked into it.



With probable deafness previously established, Rose has entered Helen Keller territory.

Breed Profile: Golden Retriever

Given their sturdy beauty and affable nature, it is not surprising that the Golden Retriever is a popular family dog.

Some Golden Retriever Facts

-  height at shoulder:  22-24 inches

-  weight:  55-75 pounds

-  life span:  10-12 years

-  coat colors:  cream to reddish gold


Yes, they shed.  (They are, after all, mammals with hair.)  Golden Retrievers have a double coat.  The under coat is soft and provides insulation from both heat and cold.  The outer coat is not "water proof" but does have a water deflection quality - imagine the hairs like grass covered in dew.  This coat works well when the dog is retrieving game in water or cavorting with children in a kiddie pool.

Caring for the coat requires at least twice weekly brushing to avoid matts.

In mid 19th century England, desiring a retriever tough enough to handle rugged terrain and a strong swimmer with a good work ethic, some careful breeding was undertaken by Sir Dudley Marjoribanks, the Lord Tweedmouth.  Speaking of mouths, the retriever also required a "soft mouth".   In other words, the dog shouldn't damage the bird by carrying it.  An intact bird makes for better eating, don't  you know.

Sir Dudley began with a dog named Nous (a yellow Wavy-Coated Retriever- a breed used by fisherman developed from Newfoundlands and Labrador Retrievers) and Belle (a Tweed Water Spaniel- a liver colored retriever with a curly coat).  This union produced four puppies. 

These dogs were then combined with assorted retrievers, more Tweed Spaniels, setters and Bloodhounds to develop what was then called the Flat Coated Retriever. 

In the early 1900's the breed came to the USA.  In 1927 the American Kennel Club officially recognized the Golden Retriever.

 

 

 

 

Golden Manifesto

 

-  everybody is my friend, I just haven't met them all yet

 

-  I will vivaciously participate in obedience, service work, search and rescue, hunting, agility, rally, therapy, nanny duty, whatever- all I ask is not to be left alone, I am a social creature

 

-  if you want a watchdog, get a Terrier (oh good!  I'll meet another friend!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Retrievers are strong, athletic and full of energy.  For best results, offer them plenty of exercise, play and something to do!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

George and the Baby Bird