Teleidoscope

Tue, Jan 08, 2008

Shadow Unit

Posted at 10:42 pm MST to Media

Oooh. Shiny!

A group of SF writers (Elizabeth Bear, Emma Bull, Will Shetterly, and Sarah Monette) have started an online fictional serialized creation about an FBI unit focussing on 'anomalous' crimes.

According to Elizabeth Bear's Live Journal "Shadow Unit is, more or less, the website for a serial drama in internet form. Or possibly it's a fan site for a TV show that doesn't exist."

The introductory bits that already exist look very good. The fiction kicks off in February. Something to look forward to.

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Eagle

Posted at 8:56 pm MST to Miscellaneous

Yesterday morning, as I stood by the kitchen counter eating breakfast (yes, I was running a little late) a very large bird flew down to my neighbor's power pole and sat on the top of it. As it settled itself, I saw that it had a white head.

I've seen hawks frequently up here. The barn cats that wandered by when there was still a farm next door would always duck when one flew over. They seemed to have a lot of Siamese genes. I'm sure that was partly founder effect, but the Siamese coloring made them sort of cougar-colored (or dead-grass colored) and I suspect they found it useful as camouflage.

And the owl that showed up a while ago is still frequenting the neighborhood. I've seen it flying around a few times when I came home just at dusk.

But this is the first time I've actually seen a bald eagle this close to the house. I've noticed that there is a new prarie dog colony in a nearby field that never had one before, which may be attracting the eagle. Prairie dogs are a good size for eagle snacks, and I've noticed before that the eagles that winter in this area tend to hang out near prairie dog colonies.

Back in 1990ish, the area where my company's office is now was just being developed. There were roads and light posts, but fewer buildings, and a lot more prairie dogs. I was working in a building about a block from where our office is, and often saw bald eagles sitting on the light poles next to the street lights whe I drove to work. It's impressive to see a bird that needs a perch that big.

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