Planning ahead for a stay-at-home visit with our granddaughter
RichC | July 22, 2020
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Idea: Using eggshells as planters to grow seedlings
RichC | July 2, 2020
Every once in a while an idea triggers me into thinking … “I’m going to try this!” Last week I stumbled across a Lifehacker post that was worth archiving. Using biodegradable eggshells to start seedlings … and after losing half the $60 in flower flats we purchased this year, I may give this one a […]
Where’s the strangest place to find wild mallard duck eggs?
RichC | May 22, 2020
I know it seems like a strange question, but our annual pair of ducks spend a lot of time in and around our pool. It doesn’t matter if it is covered or not, these mallard ducks do enjoy the relative safety of sleeping on the pool cover in the spring. My guess it provides them […]
Nature is brutal! A Praying Mantis vs a Murder Hornet
RichC | May 9, 2020
Nothing like a little nature video with your breakfast cereal to start your day .. YIKES! I’ll never be able to look at my “Little Praying Friend” the same again. The latest news is that the giant 2 inch Murder Hornets (Asian giant hornets) are showing up in the western United States and threatening honey […]
Come on people, we are better than this! #COVID19
RichC | April 29, 2020
As one commenter on the Bluewater Sailing and Cruising FB social group stated, “People are disgusting.” Its also what we are all seeing in the parking lots of our communities during the coronavirus pandemic. All kinds of PPE is being lazily discarded. Without thinking, people toss their used rubber gloves, wipes and masks after they […]
Getting close to nature … this might be too close!
RichC | April 25, 2020
Once upon a time, I worked at Sea World in Aurora, Ohio. I did not work with the Killer Whales (Orcas), but was fortunate enough to have been able to “hang out” with them when the park was closed. I would often enjoy sitting on lunch breaks watching them “watching me” while exercising in the […]
The Canary cam, another cardinal and a painted pry bar
RichC | April 24, 2020
A couple weeks ago I mentioned that our brightly color cardinal enjoyed “looking at himself” in our window’s Canary cam – he was probably looking for a mate. Now that he’s found one … he seems to be avoid her; she is likely checking his usual haunts and asking “where is he?” I suspect there […]
Bookshelves artwork display area update and spring flowers
RichC | April 11, 2020
The bookshelves have been on-again, off-again as the laborious painting and improved spring weather dictates my indoor verses outdoor activities. I did get a chance to finish the “art display area” in the center bookshelf section … and so far, so good. My plan was to create a little depth perception by bring the art […]
The Canary (cardinal) security cam alerts are driving me crazy
RichC | April 6, 2020
Thought I would add a late day animated GIF to the blog … partially because these Canary alerts have become a normal annoyance by sending text message alerts and partially this cardinal is cute. Hopefully he will grow tired of “looking at himself” and find a female cardinal who he can impress! Also while sending […]
Sesame Street has Big Bird … but Africa has the real thing
RichC | January 22, 2020
Just how big is an African Crowned Eagle’s talons? BIG!!! A wider-view photo below …
Music Monday: Green Day and the a US National Park road trip
RichC | January 20, 2020
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A pair of large healthy howling coyotes are hanging around
RichC | November 13, 2019
For years in our increasingly populated (with people) Liberty Township, Ohio community has had a fair amount of wildlife roaming our neighborhoods. I’ve commented several times before and have never really been concerned when the critters are of the fox and smaller variety. Raccoons are still my least favorite, but those pesky chipmunks have recently […]
How does a clam dig under the sand? #video
RichC | November 6, 2019
Occasionally something appears on one of my sailing social media feeds that is just too cool not to share on the blog. I would give the original author credit for the video, but unfortunately, it has been passed around on too many feeds – perhaps he/she will see it here and contact me? (although I […]
Filler photo – Recovering from vacation
RichC | October 25, 2019
Out of time and energy for a “vacation part two” post today so a National Geographic photo of the year will have to do. Perhaps I’ll recover from vacation this weekend? 🙂
Wildlife Photography – Photographer of the year photos 2019
RichC | October 19, 2019
Wildlife photography whether beautiful or funny have always been something I’ve enjoyed. There was a time that I thought I would spend my vacations hiking and sailing with a camera in hand … but it requires far more dedication and "love of hobby" than I was willing to devote. Still … this years photos on […]
Who really wants Northern Water Snakes in their pool?
RichC | October 2, 2019
Although they are not venomous, the people I know don’t like to go swimming with snakes … Northern Water Snakes in this case (I think – see screen grab below). After being away for a week, once again the local wildlife has decided to make our pool their home – it has been dry. I […]
Ever hear a Florida alligator bellow? #video
RichC | September 29, 2019
This must be what it was like to live in the Jurassic era … or camping in the Everglades as mating season begins for the gators in Florida? (been there, done that!) A post on Facebook from the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens in Naples, Florida shows three alligators bobbing in the water, making loud […]
Tech Friday: Insect repellents and my AfterShokz headset
RichC | September 13, 2019
Just a heads-up for others using AfterShokz bone conduction headphones while doing outdoorsy kinds of things where bug spray is used – DON’T. I love my Aftershokz Bluetooth headphones, most likely because it enables me to hear things around me while still enabling me to clearly hear talk and music. For me, being deaf in […]
Toxicodendron radicans, or better known as Poison Ivy
RichC | August 19, 2019
Since there hasn’t been time to put together a summary post for our week with my little helper Annalyn, I’ll update the latest of many poison ivy encounters Brenda and I have had over the years. Brenda usually tangles with poison “something” yearly and I do my best to just avoid the evil plants until […]
A Great White Shark video always makes a good filler
RichC | August 16, 2019
Hope you are enjoying the rest of the summer at the beach, perhaps at Cape Cod?
When surfing or on a SUP, a dolphin can be a bully too
RichC | July 31, 2019
Dolphins and humans have a few things in common – there are bullies in both species.
Wrinkly-Nosed Tooth-Faced Shark – accurate, but not polite
RichC | July 28, 2019
Who wants to go swimming? The Great White Shark can detect blood in the water up to 3 miles away! Just look at those expensive teeth. I watched several science programs regarding space and the Apollo 11 moon landing these past couple of weeks … and one the other night explaining the Big Bang theory […]
Art: “Inner Beauty” can mean different things #stingray
RichC | July 13, 2019
Amazon delivery may be taking a page from Santa Claus?
RichC | July 3, 2019
Our front door security camera picks up the strangest visitors #deer.
The Western Basin of Lake Erie has had a MayFly invasion
RichC | June 30, 2019
After spending a few days on Put In Bay last weekend, I knew there were a few May Flies around (sold all my MayFly lures) … but had no idea there were this many! Katelyn sent me a shocking link with a few social media photos (and radar) from where we park our car. Ugh […]
Ticks, screwy metal things and working on mulch landscaping
RichC | June 5, 2019
Nasty bugger … thankfully I think I caught this guy (or any of his buddies) before sucking my blood. Nowadays with Lyme Disease you can’t be to careful with letting ticks bite or burrow. I’m not sure our area is considered risky, but I don’t want to chance getting infected either (I thnk this guy […]
The Love Bugs are back and bugging Florida residents (and me)
RichC | May 9, 2019
Although the Love Bugs didn’t seem quite a bad driving through Florida this past week as they were a few years ago (added old photo for ThrowBack Thursday #TBT), they still managed to annoy me aboard Encore and messed up the Honda Odyssey. Thankfully there were also several heavy thunderstorms when driving and since I […]
Archive: Photos from Katelyn, Drew & Annalyn’s trip to Yosemite
RichC | April 20, 2019
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The weather is not to my liking, but it is a “Good Friday”
RichC | April 19, 2019
After a first cutting of the backyard, the flowering phlox and Redbud trees make even a cold and gloomy “Good Friday” worth taking a panorama photo. But let’s keep our focus on what Jesus did for us and the reason we refer today as “GOOD Friday” – I like what Rev Franklin Graham shared on […]
Making boxes instead of my plastic coffee cans to keep bird away
RichC | March 26, 2019
After mentioning a distraction in working on my weekend projects last week, here was the project that was first on the list … something to deter the robins. My “keep the birds away” boxes to replace my yearly plastic coffee cans … and two of them with funky wires (photo left – I’ll have to […]
What’s the difference between a caiman, crocodile and alligator?
RichC | March 10, 2019
Personally I’m not fond of any of the water, swamp or land creatures with teeth and jaws that look prehistoric … but all crocodilian (photo left, caiman, crocodile, alligator) definitely keep me on my toes, especially those bigger ones when visiting areas where they live (in our case, the southeastern US). My first exposure with […]
Have a “leaping” great weekend! (testing a new blog tweak)
RichC | March 8, 2019
Animated GIF of Dolphin pod jumping and leaping
The Great White Shark hunting from below #photo #filler
RichC | February 20, 2019
Just an ominous filler photo that you probably don’t want to be looking at before going for a swim in the ocean. The Great White Shark can definitely give you nightmares. EDIT 2/22/2019 with an image from a Twitter friend: Let’s just hope sharks don’t like the crunchy texture of surfboards?
The colorful Coquina Clams emerging from a sandy beach
RichC | February 3, 2019
After watching a short YouTube video of the Coquina Clam emerging from the “swash zone” on a beach after a wave retreated, I thought a short animated gif would make a great winter filler post for the blog. The coquina clam (Donax variabilis) is a common inhabitant of Florida’s sandy beaches. Known for their highly variable […]
Let’s go swimming … come on in, the water is fine. #sharks
RichC | January 23, 2019
A filler post, but not a good photo for those nervous about swimming in the ocean. The photos last week from a couple of freedivers in Hawaii swimming with a massive Great White Shark known as #DeepBlue really has me wondering just how wise it is to be that adventurous. There is a fine line […]
Mid-November must be time to rake leaves in Ohio? #TBT
RichC | November 15, 2018
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A lesson in effort, persistence and perseverance #video
RichC | November 6, 2018
“IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED, TRY, TRY AGAIN” Don’t give up too easily; persistence pays off in the end. The proverb has been traced back to ‘Teacher’s Manual’ by American educator Thomas H. Palmer and ‘The Children of the New Forest’ by English novelist Frederick Maryat (1792-1848). Originally a maxim used to encourage American […]
Autumn chores and dinner for our Red Tailed Hawk
RichC | November 5, 2018
It seems later in the season that usual to be just starting to rake leaves and get in a final mow before winter, but the weather was dry after a long stretch of rain, so chores for me it was. My back is now sore and contemplating taking an Advil as the muscle tighten. There […]
This beautiful filler photo brings back mountain hiking memories
RichC | October 21, 2018
Since I’m pre-occupied, a beautiful “daily post” filler photo that brings back memories of hiking in the Canadian Rockies or Glacier National Park in Montana works. Enjoy!
Human-Induced Climate Change – Take it with a grain of salt
RichC | September 1, 2018
Some interesting results using my birth town and the "number of 90 degree days" in a New York Times "tool" which I interpret as wanting to alarm us into action over the "human induced climate change" projections. If you haven’t already dug your heels in with an opinion (likely influenced by politics either way) … […]
Coyotes still hang around in our Liberty Twp, Ohio backyard
RichC | June 4, 2018
It continues to surprise me how coyotes can continue to live in and around relatively populated areas like Liberty Township, Ohio … but as mentioned several times in the past, we continues to see them boldly hunting rabbits and other small animals (keep an eye on your small dogs and cats!). While mowing the lawn, […]
Retirement lunch for my brother after a career at WPAFB
RichC | June 3, 2018
Brenda and I enjoyed a retirement luncheon celebration on Saturday for my brother Ron (again) after his career working "mostly" at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. We had a great time with some of his co-workers, friends and family (his granddaughter Teagan with Keira and Ben above) at the 571 Grill in New […]
Saw this and thought of our never ending battle with raccoons
RichC | May 26, 2018
Can’t say we are overly sad when seeing one more raccoon critter not trying to get into our house! RIP, buddy.
Pine pollen – it is that time of the year again #photography
RichC | May 23, 2018
What a mess on everything outside. The yellow, dirty pine pollen covers everything each May … but thankfully Pine pollen doesn’t trigger allergies for me. Brenda on the other hand, either has allergies at the moment or a summer cold? (used the iPhone 7 plus portrait mode for the above photo – note selective focus […]
How do you keep squirrels out of the birdfeeder? #humor
RichC | May 8, 2018
Add something slick to the pole and enjoy the show … The birds eating at this birdfeeder are laughing at the squirrels today … #humor pic.twitter.com/MB7I3TZirM — Rich Corbett 🇺🇸 (@RichC) May 7, 2018
Traveling, traffic, Moscovy ducks and another kitchen update
RichC | April 29, 2018
Don’t you just hate making a long drive and getting stuck in a long traffic jam? This past week I ended up sitting and inching forward for over an hour while on I-75. It was frustrating knowing just how many more hours I was planning to spend on the road. On a much lighter note, […]
One of our narcissistic doves seems to like taking a #selfie
RichC | March 28, 2018
We have a couple of Canary cams in our home and they constantly trigger for one thing or the other. I’m still having problems with one of them sending “Person spotted in Away mode” which usually means my iPhone has not been detected as being “home.” I’ve tweaked the setting, played with masks, double and triple […]
Dolphins, sharks and whales visit sailboats, but polar bears?
RichC | March 22, 2018
An interesting photo as this is not something you see everyday when on anchor watch! (from Sailing Yacht TV Facebook page)
Fantastic sperm whale and diver photo … if it is real?
RichC | March 9, 2018
One never knows anymore if photos are real or Photoshopped .. . but this filler post photo of a sperm whale and snorkeling photographer is amazing.
Irrawaddy Dolphins – southeast Asia river dolphins
RichC | March 6, 2018
Irrawaddy dolphins are found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia, and in three rivers: the Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), the Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo) and the Mekong. The Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphins inhabit a 118-mile stretch of the river between Cambodia and Lao PDR and are scarce—between 78 and 91 individuals are estimated to still exist. […]
When you smile, be sure to show some teeth. #sharks
RichC | February 22, 2018
Can’t go wrong with a Great White Shark blog filler photo … although it looks a bit modified (who knows anymore)?
A great photo that gives meaning to whales being gentle giants
RichC | December 26, 2017
California Gray Whale watching is on most ocean lovers "want to do list" but few have up close and personal opportunities like this. Part of me wants whales to "fear" humans and keep their distance (for their own protections and survival), where another part of me loves seeing the bond between mammals and knowing the […]
Might need to rethink our Zodiac or inflatable RIB?
RichC | November 19, 2017
It looks like at least some sharks enjoy the taste of rubberized, synthetic fabrics like Hypalon, PVC or Polyurethane used in inflatable tenders and RIBs! (8 second video snippet below)
Floridians are paying attention as Hurricane Irma turns north
RichC | September 9, 2017
All eyes are on the weather as Hurricane Irma demonstrated her power destroying practically everything on several islands in Caribbean (below). The big storm skirted the northern coast of Cuba and weaken to a Category 3 hurricane. Most watchers expect the warm water of the Straits of Florida to strengthen the winds again as a […]
Fishing and hauling big things with a small pickup in Australia
RichC | September 6, 2017
Everybody knows that "down under" things are a little bit different … even snakes have learned to creatively fish different than most I have observed in the U.S. How many "large" dangerous looking snakes have you seen plucking a large catfish out of the water by hanging from a branch??? Snakes aren’t the only creatures […]
Beautiful Cincinnati skyline photo by my son Taylor
RichC | August 1, 2017
Although "I" am suppose to be the photographer of the family, I think it might be time to hand over the duties to my son Taylor. He enjoys capturing beautiful photos and definitely has the eye for natural beauty – some impressive ones in Hawaii last year too! While on the subject of appreciating photos […]
Put out some baby powder to see what is sneaking around
RichC | June 17, 2017
The population of rodents and critters has risen in the years we’ve been living in Liberty Township, Ohio. We have either encroach on the critters … or more likely encroached on the predators of the critters. In either case, we have more and more of them in our yard and boldly closing in on the […]
How do mothers keep their babies safe in the world today?
RichC | May 25, 2017
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Houston, we have a problem – a SKUNK problem
RichC | May 24, 2017
As less developed areas evolve from rural to suburban, many homeowner and the critters who call the area home, are faced with figuring out how to live together or struggle to set boundaries. We have never lived in urban or fully developed areas so dealing with Ohio’s variety of wildlife is normal. In the early […]
The ocean and whales – giants among us
RichC | May 13, 2017
A few years ago I posted an image of a sailboat having an encounter with a whale … just imagine swimming or paddling with something this big … there are truly giants among us. (The Fin and Blue Whale)
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.