Bits and Pieces

Yesterday, the History Channel held a nine hour marathon, and showed all the episodes from the first season of Vikings.  The second season is being filmed in Ireland, and I found this write-up in The Daily Kos to be interesting:  http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/20/1248988/-Vikings-Gamla-Uppsala#
   One of my cousins sent me an interesting news article stating that rattlesnakes are not rattling before striking anymore.  Rattlesnakes shake their tails and rattle to warn others away - they strike only if they feel they are in imminent danger and are protecting themselves.  An Arizona newspaper wrote about the "new" happenings back in 2010:   http://azstarnet.com/news/science/environment/don-t-rely-on-rattler-s-rattle-to-warn-you/article_fa6e379c-9240-11df-bc07-001cc4c002e0.html    And, just a month or so ago, the National Public Radio broadcast a 3+ minute report regarding the lack of rattling found by a herpetologist in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  In SD, many of the prairie rattlesnakes have atrophied tail muscles, so they cannot give a warning rattle.  It is supposed that the atrophy is due to evolution - snakes that rattle get killed, while those who are silent don't.  This will be an interesting development to watch in the coming years.  -  If you live in an area with poisonous snakes, be aware of their habits, walk carefully, and wear stout leather boots when out trekking on foot.
  The Chincoteague Pony Fall Round-Up will occur on October 25 & 26 this year.  Since the government shut down is over, the Salt Water Cowboys will round up the ponies on Assateague Island for their fall checkups and vaccinations.  They will also be separating the foals left with their dams at Pony Penning, so the babies will go home with their new owners.
   The third coyote who attacked a 22-year-old man in Niwot  this past week has been euthanized by wildlife officials.  I was asked by several folks on my Wildlife newsletter chain to send out information regarding this attack.  I did so, not realizing that it would set off a huge amount of controversy in the neighborhood...  It's been amazing to sit and read what's been written.  A single neighbor "took me to task" for villainizing the coyotes, and the rest of the neighborhood went ballistic.  I really did not mean to stir up trouble in a usually quiet neighborhood.  I respect the man's opinion - and I'm sure he respects mine.
  A few towns here in Colorado are still isolated due to the 100 Year Flood that happened last month.  Because all the roads were washed away, these places are trying to do a massive clean up with only what is available at hand.  It is incredible to see these people working like the pioneers their great-grandparents were.  They are trying to knock down homes and businesses, and rebuild simple shelters.  Insurance representatives have not yet been able to access properties, and, here at the height of fall foliage tourism, the towns are accessible, unless one walks and hikes multiple miles and wades through ice cold streams.  I really feel for towns like Glen Haven and Drake - they are still in desperate need of help.
   Half of my college teams won yesterday, and half of them lost their games.  The closest was the South Carolina Gamecocks losing to Tennessee in the final seconds.  And I have to admit that I have never really liked the Gators head coach, and, so I was rooting for the Missouri Tigers yesterday (and they won).  Today I'll be cleaning house until the Broncos - Colts kick off in Indianapolis... and I'll be cheering for my Denver Broncos!