The Big Year

Image via Wikipedia

Soon to be a major motion picture, like most birders I cannot wait to see how Hollywood portrays birding in 'The Big Year' (due out in October 2011). Even better, I can only imagine how funny it will be to see Steve Martin, Owen Wilson, and Jack Black as focused, competitive birders setting out to break the birder's Holy Grail -- seeing the most species of bird in a single year in North America. Mark Obmascik book is an easy-read, but no less fascinating take on both the serious and humorous side of expert birding. Highly recommended.

Related articles

• New image of Steve Martin, Jack Blck and Owen Wilson in THE BIG YEAR (geektyrant.com)
• THE BIG YEAR gets a poster and trailer (geektyrant.com)

Kindle World

Cover via Amazon

Finally joined the Kindle world and I must say after just a couple of days I absolutely love the product! Downloads using Kindle's Whispernet over WiFi are both fast and easy to use. I especially enjoy and recommend personalizing the font size and type for easier viewing (depending on your eyesight).

No doubt lots of great books to purchase, but don't forget that there are a vast number of both free or inexpensive books to download. See here for more info on free classics for example:

http://www.amazon.com

One other cool feature is the custom e-mail feature. You'll get a personalized kindle.com e-mail address which you can use to send PDF's, Word documents, and even JPEG's or GIF's directly to your Kindle.

I've also signed up for free 14-day trials for a number of big newspapers, such as the New York Times or the National Post. Every morning when you turn on your Kindle's WiFi, Amazon's Whispernet will immediately update your Kindle with new newspaper subscriptions. It is so nice to have the world's newspapers at your fingertips every morning.

Finally, my first purchase and download was my father's latest book "Kruger's Gold". I've read his book before of course, but am enjoying it all over again via my Kindle. See here for more info on his book.

Look for more postings here in near future as I learn more about my Kindle.

Garden birds

Just some random bird pictures from the garden...spring is definitely in the air!

Winking Golden-crowned Sparrow.

Just getting its breeding colours -- Golden-crowned Sparrow.

Red-breasted Nuthatch (female) at squirrel-proof feeder.

Spring in Backyard

This morning I was pleased to see this year's "crop" of mason bees actively hatching today. I quickly set up my camera in macro mode and managed to capture some decent pics!

Mason bees are native to BC (unlike our introduced honeybee!), and are excellent pollinators especially if you have fruit trees in your garden.

For those in Victoria, check out Wild Bird Center of Langford for more info and to get your mason box now (it is not too late to put up your box -- but if you want to ensure your mason bee population is kickstarted, consider also buying dormant bee larvae). Tell Chris I sent you ;)!

See their Facebook page here for more info:

Wild Bird Center of Langford

Mason bees just waking up!

Early riser checking on his slower compadres!

Are you sure it is warm enough?

Close-up...love their blonde hair-do's!

Esquimalt Lagoon Birds

Another side of David Allinson: my love for birds/nature and photography! (all pics from Esquimalt Lagoon, Colwood (Victoria), BC.

Northern Pintail pair "chatting".

Mute Swan, head study.

Northern Pintail male, close-up.

Greater Scaup "trio".

Bikram Hot Yoga Experience

Image via Wikipedia

About 3 weeks ago I finally followed up a lifelong urge to take up yoga. I have never particularly had a flexible body (even during the Judo days from my youth), but I have read about the multitude of benefits for both body and mind from yoga practice. I did some quick research and liked idea of practicing in a hot (95-105F) environment with hot Hatha-style yoga (to me, it makes sense to warm up your muscles and tendons). I went to a Bikram yoga franchise in downtown Victoria and signed up for an introductory week. I then discovered another locale even closer to where I live after the fact, argh! I admit I'm now hooked! I am happy to report that I have already seen an improvement with my stamina and flexibility, with added bonus of weight loss and reduced water retention.

I am now on Day 13 in a row of a personal 30-day challenge. I love challenging myself with specific goals!

http://www.bikramwestshore.com/

Best Commercial Ever?

Arguably one of the best commercials ever! In Taiwanese with English subtitles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vksdBSVAM6g

Control Your Monkey Mind

Discovered a great way to be more in control of your mind & it is simple, but effective: ask your mind questions! Ask your mind questions about what is good in your life; ask it to identify and list them, even mundane, simple things you might take for granted. Try this "distraction" technique, and learn to get out of your monkey mind. You know, the one that often gets consumed with what is wrong and the vicious cycle that can create...I find I not only become more positive, but also more creative and hence functional as a result.

https://www.facebook.com/davidmakesithappen