A CHARACTERISTIC OF CORMORANT'S WINGS Tuesday's Truths WK 147

If I didn't know better, I might've thought the lone cormorant (seen in the photograph directly above as well as in the next series of images) was providing some shade for a sunbathing turtle when they were both atop a large rock within Turtle Pond, near The Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.

But this cormorants actions had nothing to do with giving a turtle some shade, rather he/she was drying his wings after taking a few dips in the pond's algae-laden waters.

YET ANOTHER VISIT TO CP's CONSERVATORY GARDENS! (Sunday's Sequel)

Yesterday during my walk in Central Park, I paid a visit to The Conservatory Gardens, a place I have not been to since this past summer (July 20th). My first time visiting them was May 25th, 2019.

In my posting re my May visit to this place, I discussed the garden sculpture and fountain (seen in the image directly above) which honors the children’s book author Frances Eliza Hodgson Burnett.

During that visit I encountered a Polygonia interrogationis (AKA Questionmark Butterfly), but I did not see any butterflies there yesterday, however, I did see what appeared to be tropical fish swimming in the base of the sculpture/fountain.

Friday's Fun Fact: A Cardinal's Beak is Designed to be a Nutcracker!

While walking in Central Park, I came upon this male Northern cardinal (above) attempting to open a peanut. I probably enjoyed seeing this "event" more than the cardinal ultimately enjoyed eating the legume. A nearby female cardinal poking at a peanut (as seen below) was also captured my attention.

According to many sources including, BIRDWATCHING HQ, cardinals are "classified as a granivorous animals because they live on a diet consisting of mostly seeds. Their short, stout, cone-shaped beaks are specially designed to crack open the hulls on seeds and shells on nuts."

In volume one of my book series, Words In Our Beak, (pictured below) Cam, the narrator of the series out that cracking shells is good for their beaks.

WW* HALLOWEEN DECOR (SHOULD) BE FOR THE BIRDS! (*Wednesday's Wisdom)

In three weeks and one day's time from now, it will be Halloween, and this week's Wednesday's Wisdom is this: If you or anyone you know, puts up decor outside your home, please bear in mind, many decorations designed for this holiday can be detrimental to members of the avian community.

This is something I discussed in a 2018 blog post which you may reference by clicking here.

It is also a topic that is covered in volume two of my book series, Words In Our Beak and the photo atop this entry features my Halloween figurines memorized by this aspect of the book.

Additionally, I have a great selection of Halloween cards that are created from my photographs.

The one seen in the image directly below is available via Fine Art America (FAA) and I'm very impressed with their print quality.

It is sized 5" by 7" and FAA produces them on digital offset printers using 100 lb paper that has a UV protectant. The image is semi-gloss and the inside of the card is matte and blank so one can write a message, but if you prefer, FAA can customize any text or message that you want to include.

Yom Kippur 2019

I don't want this Tuesday to pass without my mentioning that I'm thinking of the Jewish community with this evening's onset of Yom Kippur which will began at sunset this evening.

I have Jewish roots that I did not learn about until 1989!