Head to Big Bend National Park for epic vistas & unforgettable beauty. Photo by Long Nguyen. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 1/7/17.
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Archive for February 2017
A Texas Beauty Leave a comment
Love Is In The Air Leave a comment
The Weddell seal population of Erebus Bay, Antarctica, has been extensively studied for over 40 years. It’s one of the longest running studies of a long-lived mammal. Between September and October, Weddell seals give birth to one pup, and the pup will stay with the mother for 5-6 weeks. Photo by William Link, USGS. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
Nothing says love like these two great horned owlets snuggling in a heart-shaped hole. They nest earlier in the year than most birds, so great horned owl babies are ready to hunt when other wildlife young are easy prey. Photo from Grand Teton National Park by Jon LeVasseur. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
Moose calves nuzzle each other while posing for the camera. Female moose (called cows) give birth to 1-3 calves, with triplets being rare. At birth, calves weigh 28-35 pounds and pack on weight quickly — reaching 300+ pounds within five months. Photo from Fortymile Wild and Scenic River by Bob Wick, Bureau of Land Management. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
Not all couples show affection the same way. Clearly. Eagles mate for life, choosing the tops of large trees to build nests, which they typically use and enlarge each year. Nests may reach 10 feet across and weigh a half ton. Breeding bald eagles typically lay one to three eggs once a year. Learn more about bald eagles. Photo by Roy W. Lowe. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
Many birds are monogamous, but Laysan Albatrosses mate for life. Young birds search for a mate with elaborate courtship dances. Once they hit breeding age, Albatrosses breed their entire lives, hatching and caring for one chick at least every other year. Pictured here is Wisdom — the oldest living, banded, wild bird — and her current mate at their nest at Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Photo by Pete Leary, USFWS. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
This might look like a fight, but it’s part of the avocets’ complicated courtship ritual. After mating, avocets stand side by side with their bills crossed and the male’s wing draped over the female. National wildlife refuges, such as Bombay Hook in Delaware and Bear River in Utah, are great places for birding experiences. Photo by Julio Flego. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
Two elk smooch while enjoying the view at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Every autumn, elk gather for the rut or annual mating season. Bull elk can be heard calling to females with a crescendo of deep, resonant tones that rise rapidly to a high-pitched squeal before dropping to a series of grunts. Remember to keep your distance when observing them. Mating wildlife enjoy their human-free personal space. Photo by Brent Willmert. From the Department of the Interior blog, 2/13/17.
A Winter’s New Beginning Leave a comment
The stillness of a winter sunrise is a moment to cherish at Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge in Maine. Established in 1966, the refuge protects salt marshes and estuaries important for migrating birds. Stretching from the coast to inland forests, the refuge offers amazing views and wildlife watching on five excellent trails. Photo by Ward Feurt, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 2/15/17.
From The Vault: Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash & Carlene Carter Leave a comment
We booked Johnny Cash, who was one of the biggest stars that played Six Flags Magic Mountain in the ’80s.
We had no idea he would be joined by June Carter Cash & Carlene Carter. They all did 2 shows at the Showcase Theatre, October 23, 1982.
He called June to the stage, and they sang together. Then, he said the words: “Dance for us, June.” The crowd went wild … and all I could think of was how dirty my stage floor must be when she took off her shoes & started to dance.
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From The Vault: Johnny Cash (1982) 2 comments
There was a brief period at Six Flags Magic Mountain when I was transitioning to the marketing department where I would be booking name entertainment … but was still responsible for running the main concert venue. I was running the venue for the acts booked by my future boss.
One of the most memorable nights was when we hosted the Man in Black.
Since I was not needed to call lighting cues for the concert (which I did for most of the teen acts … but not for the big stars!), I was free to take pictures once the show got up and running. I had the run of the place, of course, so I could take pictures from the audience or from backstage.
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Mel Tillis & Merle Haggard (1982)
Coming Back? 1 comment
A member of the brushfoot family, the black, white, and orange-checkered butterfly was once commonly seen south of Ventura County, ranging to the inland valleys south of the Tehachapi Mountains and into northern Baja California. The last time one was spotted on the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge was in 2012. Photo by Andrew Fisher/USFWS. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 2/2/17.
An Antler Silouette Leave a comment
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado encourages you to follow your wild spirit and see what’s over the horizon. In any season, the views are epic and the experiences are unforgettable. Stopping to take a picture of one of the most beautiful sunsets he’d ever seen, photographer Brandon Sharpe noticed “an elk doing his thing” and snapped this incredible image. Photo by of Brandon Sharpe. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 2/11/17.
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Big, Small & Pointy Leave a comment
Three bull caribou navigate the Kobuk River at Selawik National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Tweeted by the US Department of the Interior, 12/24/16.
Grizzly Bear with cub in Yellowstone National Park. Photo by Frank van Manen / USGS. Posted on Flickr by the US Department of the Interior.
A white-tailed jackrabbit browsing on Wyoming big sagebrush on Seedskadee NWR. Photo: Tom Koerner/USFWS. Posted on Flickr by the US Department of the Interior.
The Colors Above Leave a comment
For beauty off the beaten path, venture two hours southwest of Albuquerque, New Mexico to the Sierra Ladrones Wilderness Study Area. There are no trails through the area’s diverse landscapes of high mountain peaks, isolated canyons and badlands. Hiking to the top of Ladrones Mountain – pictured here during a storm – rewards visitors with stunning panoramic views of the area’s mesa grasslands and piñon-juniper woodland. Photo by Julie Aguirre, Bureau of Land Management. Posted on Tumblr by the US Department of the Interior, 2/7/17.
The 200th Cutting Board, 6th Time ‘Round 6 comments
Rare air.
When you reach the summit of a mountain, you’re breathing rare air. And when I have 200 boards in inventory … it’s rare. Very rare.
It did happen 4 times last year … but only for about 2 days each time. It’s inevitable when I build my inventory up, pushing for my next big event. I barely reach the summit … and then the boards are sold when I go to that big event that weekend.
But that’s OK: it’s all about the journey.
Here, then, is the official 200th cutting board in only the 6th time I have achieved that nice, round number or accomplishment.
Cutting Board 17 – 403. Cherry, Hard Maple, Goncalo Alves, Yellowheart, Jatoba, Caribbean Rosewood, Bloodwood & Purpleheart. End Grain. 14″ x 18″ x 1-1/4″.
I call it Kaye’s board, as she received the first version of it.
I’ve made this basic design 8 times over the last 2 years. This retrospective of photos has taught me 2 things:
- Every one of these boards is truly different!
- My product photography has gotten better, but I’ve got a long, long way to go.
Cutting Board 16 – End 032. Cherry, Padauk, Yellowheart, Bubinga, Bloodwood, Canarywood & Purpleheart. End Grain. 14″ x 18″ x 1-1/4″. $225.
Cutting Board 16 – End 013. Hard Maple, Padauk, Jatoba, Purpleheart & Yellowheart. End Grain. 10″ x 12″ x 1-1/4″.
Cutting Board # 15 – 081. Cherry, Bloodwood, Canarywood, Yellowheart, Padauk, Hard Maple, Jatoba & Purpleheart. 15″ x 18″ x 1-1/2″.
Cutting Board # 15 – 077. Black Walnut, Cherry, Canarywood, Teak, Hard Maple, Jatoba & Purpleheart. End Grain. 13″ x 18″ x 1-1/4″.
Cutting Board 15 – 072. Cherry, Black Walnut, Yellowheart, Hard Maple, Padauk & Purpleheart. Edge Grain, Juice Groove. 15″ x 18″ x 1-1/2″.
Cutting Board 15 – 047. Cherry, Yellowheart, Jatoba, Padauk, Teak, Bloodwood, Hard Maple & Purpleheart. End Grain. 14″ x 18″ x 1-1/2″. This board was sold the first time a customer saw it … in the shop, and still rough!
Cutting Board 15 – 018. Cherry, Jatoba, Yellowheart, Walnut and Jarrah end grain cutting board. 12″ x 19″ x 1-1/4″.
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The 200th Cutting Board, 5th Time ‘Round (11/30/16)
The 200th Cutting Board, 4th Time ‘Round (10/7/16)
The 200th Cutting Board, Third Time ‘Round (8/5/16)
The 200th Cutting Board, 8 Months Later (4/9/16)
The 200th Cutting Board (9/18/15)
