Merry Christmas

It's a stinging rose caterpillar, Parasa indetermina. Call me crazy, but they remind me of Christmas candy, although, of course you cannot eat them or even touch them because of their stinging spines. Happy Holidays to all! Click to enlarge. 

First Snow

We had our first substantial snowfall in Brooklyn this week. I am always impressed at how well the birds endure the cold winter weather; see how the sparrows on my fence puffed up their feathers for maximum insulation. Click to enlarge. 

I provided a breakfast buffet for the birds the next morning. There are always European house sparrows like these around happy to accept a handout. 

This extra cold looking mourning dove had some seeds, too. 

And my favorite -- a winter robin -- ate some raisins. We'll see more of this guy in the coming months. He looks great on a white winter background, doesn't he? 

Vulnerable Giraffes!

This week the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the keepers of the Red List of Endangered Species, declared wild African giraffes Vulnerable to Extinction.   

It makes me sad. I've always loved the gentle gangly giants. I photographed this young pair at the Cape May County Zoo, in New Jersey. Click to enlarge. 

Want to sign a petition to urge their protection? Click here.
Want to make a donation to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation? Click here. 

And maybe, if you have not finished shopping for holiday gifts, you might want to click here to check out how to send a giraffe adoption package from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) -- you can shop and save giraffes at the same time. 

Bird Jokes!

Know why I fly over the sea?
Because if I flew over the bay -- I'd be a bagel. Ha ha ha ha ha!

Know why I hold up one foot?
Because if I held up two -- I'd fall over. LoLoLoL!

What's got six legs and can fly? Us! Ha ha ha!  

What's the best time to buy a parrot?
When they're going cheep! Ha! 

Composing a tweet right now. :-)