Category Archives: Animals

If You Think You Can Hold a Grudge, Consider the Crow

Posted on October 29, 2024 by Jim deMaine

Ed note: Did you know s group of crows is called a “murder” – this is likely due to old superstitions associating crows with death and scavenging. Sure you may know a group of deer is called a herd, or a group … Continue reading →

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The Presidio Pet Cemetery: A Resting Place for Furry Friends

Posted on October 27, 2024 by Jim deMaine

Olivia Allen-Price from KQED (thanks to Bob P.) Tombstones at the Presidio of San Francisco Pet Cemetery in San Francisco on Oct. 16, 2024. (Martin do Nascimento/KQED) View the full episode transcript. San Francisco has long been a tough place to … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, end of life | Leave a comment

A new move in

Posted on September 23, 2024 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ann M. A new guest in the Graystone Park @ 8th & Columbia! This first year Glaucous-winged Gull, trying to act like a heron, enjoyed a refreshing bath in the waterfall pool, then strolled away, enjoying the sun last … Continue reading →

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Residents of Springfield pack Haitian restaurant to show their support

Posted on September 17, 2024 by Jim deMaine

by Kamrin Baker in Good News–thanks to Pam P. Ed Note: According to the Heather Cox Richardson newsletter, “On CNN yesterday morning, Vance admitted to Dana Bash that he had created the story of Haitian immigrants eating pets. He justified … Continue reading →

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Can You Spot the Cat? Cats Hidden in Famous Paintings

Posted on September 14, 2024 by Jim deMaine

by Marina Kochetkova in Arts Magazine. Thanks to Ann M. Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Portrait of Julie Manet (or Girl with a Cat), 1887, Musée d’Orsay, Paris, France. Detail. I like cats and I’m sure that many of you do, too. A … Continue reading →

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Firefighters raise nearly $1 million for shelter dogs by modeling in charity calendars

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Jim deMaine

The respected first responders of Colorado’s fire departments are skilled at saving lives and combating wildfires, but once a year, they approach things a bit differently: by turning up the heat. The annual Fire Rescue Dogs Calendar, created by a number … Continue reading →

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At the New England Aquarium

Posted on August 29, 2024 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mike C. Common Estimate: The widely cited odds of finding a blue lobster are approximately 1 in 2 million. Comparison to Other Rare Colors Interestingly, blue lobsters are not the rarest color variation: Color Estimated Odds Red (uncooked) … Continue reading →

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Cats and JD Vance

Posted on July 27, 2024 by Jim deMaine

As editor not sure which cat-egory I should file this story about JD Vance in my cat-elog. The cat-calls he’s receiving seem to cat-ch him by surprise. He must be having cat-fits.

Posted in Animals, Politics, Satire | 2 Comments

West Coast Seafood Watch Guide

Posted on July 22, 2024 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Kate B. and Mel B. As you see such menu choices as Chilean Sea Bass or Orange Roughy, please consider this very important guide — CLICK HERE

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The healing power of the mind

Posted on July 17, 2024 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M. Ed Note: I’ve always been fascinated with the placebo effect, the poorly understood but real connection between mind and body. Click here for my story concerning the placebo effect on one of my own patients. by … Continue reading →

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“Leaves” of Monarchs bend the branches

Posted on July 2, 2024 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mike C. The Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve World Heritage property protects key overwintering sites for the monarch butterfly. The overwintering concentration of butterflies in the property is a superlative natural phenomenon. The millions of monarch butterflies that return … Continue reading →

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Octopuses used in research could receive same protections as monkeys

Posted on September 19, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Mike C. A giant Pacific octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) is weighed and tagged by a biologist.Credit: Fred Bavendam/Minden Pictures/Alamy Cephalopods such as octopuses and squid could soon receive the same legal protection as mice and monkeys do when they … Continue reading →

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Russia’s 1st giant panda cub born in Moscow Zoo

Posted on August 31, 2023 by Jim deMaine

From the China Daily thanks to Bob P. Russia’s first giant panda cub was born in the Moscow Zoo, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said on Wednesday. Its birth is a significant milestone and the product of a collaborative effort between … Continue reading →

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A dog has to eat

Posted on August 22, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Sybil-Ann!

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Bird flu outbreak stokes fears for Washington’s wild birds

Posted on August 16, 2023 by Jim deMaine

A new strain of avian flu has killed dozens of birds on a small Puget Sound island. Cases have turned up elsewhere as well. Officials are trying to better understand the disease’s spread. BY: LAUREL DEMKOVICH – in the Washington State Standard … Continue reading →

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Visitor on Skyline deck

Posted on July 22, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Has anyone else seen this curious hawk!? Thanks to Paul R

Posted in Animals | 6 Comments

Showoff!

Posted on May 8, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Ed M.

Posted in Animals | 1 Comment

Operation Mother Goose

Posted on April 15, 2023 by Jim deMaine

DAVID B. WILLIAMS APR 13, 2023 Thanks to Mary M. Ed Note: David Williams is the son of one of our residents — Jackie! The 1960s was time of change in Seattle. For most of the decade no Canada geese … Continue reading →

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Saving mother and baby

Posted on April 8, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Sybil-Ann

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Empathy horse

Posted on March 5, 2023 by Jim deMaine
Posted in Animals, Communication, Health | 1 Comment

The egg shortage won’t end anytime soon. Here’s why

Posted on March 4, 2023 by Jim deMaine

by Sophia Sun in Crosscut Washington ecologists and farmers are scrambling to slow the avian flu — and get cartons back on grocery shelves. While people search for fresh chicken eggs for their frittatas and avocado toast, Washington farmers and egg … Continue reading →

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Panda, panda, panda …..

Posted on January 3, 2023 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Pam P. Although it’s not a great time to visit China, I hope you someday get to see the visitor and research center in Chendu.

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What Should You Do When the Bear Is Cinnamon?

Posted on December 22, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Scientists have uncovered a genetic mutation that makes it dangerously difficult to distinguish a black bear from a grizzly. By Sam Jones in the NYT Black bears have black fur, right? It’s there in the name. “In the eastern part of … Continue reading →

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Study Shows Guide Dogs More Arrogant Than Pet Dogs Because They ‘Have a Real Job Unlike Lazy Sparky Over There’

Posted on December 17, 2022 by Jim deMaine

Thanks to Larry S. Ed note: With apologies to pet dogs. Very sorry if this article ruffles some fur 😊. If you’ve noticed guide dogs walking with their chests poofed out a tad more than other dogs and their noses … Continue reading →

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First wild bison born in UK for millennia after surprise pregnancy

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Jim deMaine

A pioneering rewilding project has had an early surprise: a bouncing baby bison. It is the first wild bison to be born in the UK for thousands of years. Three bison were released in Kent in July but, unknown to the rangers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals | 1 Comment