RIP Comet ISON

   The comet persistantly billed as the "Comet of the Century" by the astronomically challenged, did not survive the harsh environment of the Sun.  It vaporized in the hours preceding its closest approach.


One of the last images before disintegration at 12:12 EST

Here is a link to a video showing the demise of the comet.

http://www.spaceweather.com/images2013/28nov13/rip_anim2.gif?PHPSESSID=7tlsiusd9oqpeir5n1492n1tg0

  There is still a chance that the remnants may be visible from a dark sky as a headless ghost comet, with its tail extending up from the eastern horizon before sunrise in the next couple of weeks.



Misinformation Age : Comet ISON edition

    A little knowledge goes a long way toward muddying the facts.  In September 2012 the International Scientific Optical Network (ISON), an astronomical research group discovered a comet that is destined for a close encounter with the Sun next week.  The intense heating of the icy visitor during perihelion (closest point in its orbit to the Sun) had the potential to create an historic apparition that would dazzle even the casual observer.  Responsible astronomers questioned at the time of the comet's discovery explained that comets are notoriously unpredictable and that many previously anointed  'Comets of the Century'  failed to live up to expectations.  It was also stated that a clearer picture of this comet's fate couldn't be determined until August of this year at the earliest.

  Now that August has come and gone,  it's apparent that the 'Comet of the Century' train has left the station but that hasn't stopped the media outlets from using that term to describe this comet.  In the past few days the comet has undergone significant brightening but not enough to overcome the dismal stagnation that it went through since late summer.   Here are a couple of headlines that appeared this week..... 'Comet Of The Century' Is Coming, And Here's Where You Can See It'  (Huffington Post).............."Looking for the 'comet of the century'? Watch ISON online"  (NBC News)........."Interactive ‘Comet of the Century’ Tracker: Where’s ISON Now?" (TIME Magazine).  

  Anyway,  with a little effort this morning I was able to get a lousy photograph of the smudge of ice that Comet ISON currently is.

Don't see it, do you?

Here is a screengrab from astronomy program Starry Night that provides clues.

Comet of the Misinformation Age

When the seasons collide

  Yesterday afternoon, in the 5 o'clock hour, a steady light rain changed over to the first measurable snow of the fall.  This morning, the half inch of snow on lingering colorful leaves,  provided an opportunity to photograph the overlap of the winter and fall seasons. 

   The fall/winter overlap happens almost every year to a degree but rarely does a winter/summer juxtaposition  present itself.  Below are photos of my tomato plants that were not only still bearing fruit but also were still flowering when the snow arrived.

Sleep Mode

What do cats and computers have in common?  After 15 minutes of no activity they put themselves in sleep mode.  Then the cat outsmarts the computer by moving just enough to keep the machine active as she uses it as a heating pad.  Brilliant.

   I had an accident with my car a couple of weeks ago(no one injured) but I think I may have a concussion.  Not from the accident but from the rental car I've been driving since Saturday.  My car, which is in the body shop, has about a foot of head room when I'm in the driver's seat.  The rental car has about 3 inches. . As a result, I banged my head on the door frame of the rental as I entered and exited it the first couple of days.  The headaches are just now fading and my pupils are almost the same size again.   On a positive note, I've been sleeping real well this week.  That's good.......isn't it?

 

White Hummingbird in Ohio

     A quick check of the ABA Ohio Birding News  http://birding.aba.org/maillist/OH  the other day revealed a report of a leucistic Ruby-throated Hummingbird visiting the plants and feeder at Inniswood MetroGarden in Westerville, OH (near Columbus). Initially the species was thought to be a Rufous but photos sent to Allen Chartier by Jim McCormac allowed Allen to ID it as a Ruby-throated.  Here is a link to Jim's blog the gives the details ID determination.  http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/2013/10/white-hummingbird-at-inniswood-gardens_23.html


   With the park being 3 hrs from my house, I figured I could shave 45 minutes off the trip if I went after work which is just north of the Michigan-Ohio border.  This morning after an 8 hour shift,  I talked myself (literally as I was walking to my car) into making an attempt to photograph the white hummingbird. 
  The way a situation like this usually goes is that when I arrive the target bird has just left, I wait around for an hour, the bird doesn't show and when I get home I read that the bird reappeared about 10 minutes after I left and everyone is treated to spectacular views and photo-ops.   Not this time.  The bird was very cooperative when it wasn't visiting the feeder it spent considerable time perched in the nearby trees.

October Migration



  October migration is in full swing, had a Carolina Wren visit the yard for the first time in three years.



  My yard has hosted a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet on 7 days so far this month, I only had 8 visits in the past five years.  The funny thing is that this Kinglet has shown up on every odd numbered day except the 7th and has yet to appear on an even numbered day.  Maybe tomorrow.

  Then the sparrows arrived.

White-throated Sparrow

Song Sparrow

White-crowned Sparrow

Late Monarch

  Here are some warblers that I saw after work on Wednesday last week.

Common Yellowthroat

Yellow-rumped

Palm

 Last Friday I stopped by the Lake Erie Metropark Hawk Count.  The highlight for me was this male Northern Harrier.

  There were still a few monarchs passing through.

Flight shot composite



Yard Merlin 10/3/2013

    This Merlin stopped by my yard for a visit this afternoon. It spent a few minutes preening, looked for a easy meal, then moved on.