Nope, it isn’t about spectral phenomena, it’s about the outer shell of a cicaida that was shed as the insect grew. It left its ghost shell to “haunt” our shed in the back yard. Rather than “ectoplasm” it consists of a polysaccharide known as chitin, and doesn’t really scare anyone, not even on Halloween. However,Continue reading “Seeing Ghosts”
Author Archives: eskildoodle1
Good Day, Lilly
While waiting for the sun to come out so I could get images, I was lured away from my telescopes by this backyard beauty. A short time later, the clouds parted and flower and I both had our time in the sun. Though I love seeing the sun through my solar telescopes, the glory ofContinue reading “Good Day, Lilly”
Milking the Moment
It might be said that the cows have finally come home. #cow #couch #milking
Glendalough
The Irish settlement of Glendalough was founded in the 6th century by St. Kevin. It functioned as a monastic community for centuries and is still revered as a priceless historic and cultural site. The Round Tower rises to nearly 100 feet height and is seen here framed in an opening in the remaining potions ofContinue reading “Glendalough”
Hoppin’ Glad
Every time it rains in the summer, the nights and early mornings are full of the sounds of croaking frogs. It is almost as if they come down with the rain, but I do know better than that. It keeps them from dehydrating as the spend the night carousing and looking for romance. This frogContinue reading “Hoppin’ Glad”
Snooze-a-palooza
Cats are said to sleep up to 15-20 hours per day in short “catnaps” from which they can quickly awake if startled. They do not sleep for long periods like humans, and tend to be awake and active around dusk and, even worse, at dawn when their human keepers would like to sleep in. AndContinue reading “Snooze-a-palooza”
Mushroom Omelet
Actually, it’s not an omelet, it is just a backyard mushroom that resembles one, and I don’t think I would try to put it in an omelet since I don’t know if it is safe to eat. I once heard a guide in Spain say that all mushrooms are edible but some can only beContinue reading “Mushroom Omelet”
Happy Lughnasadh
It’s August 1, a “cross quarter” day which is halfway between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox. Ancient Celts referred to it as Lughnasadh and it marked the beginning of harvest season as summer starts to head towards autumn. Days are getting slightly shorter and soon the change will be quite noticeable as weContinue reading “Happy Lughnasadh”
Bull’s Eye!
On July 29, 2023, I was fortunate enough during my daily imaging of the sun to catch a moderately strong solar flare right at its peak as seen as the very bright area on the upper image. The lower image is from the Space Weather Prediction Center GOES satellite x-ray data. The vertical line marksContinue reading “Bull’s Eye!”
On a Wing and a Prayer
For nearly two years we have seen this injured bird dragging its right wing as it crow-hops away from danger. Rarely, we have seen it take to a brief, clumsy, painful flight when cornered, but mostly it just remains on the ground. Somehow it has managed to find food, shelter, and safety with minimal useContinue reading “On a Wing and a Prayer”
