Bob W1QA

Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) taking off towards the North Atlantic ocean from a cliff in Staffa island, Inner Hebrides, Scotland. Photo © Enrique Shore #birds #puffin #nature #birdwatching #birdphotography #birdlife #ocean #beauty #cute

Other states are redesigning their flags. Is it Vermont's turn? The Vermont state flag defies almost every rule of good flag design.

.@vermontpublic.org stopped by the Vermont History Center recently to help answer a question for their podcast Brave Little State: where did Vermont's flag come from?

Listen to the episode here:
www.vermontpublic.org/podcast/brav...

Puffin Party. #birds

INCOMING.....
ATLANTIC PUFFIN
Sumburgh Head, Shetland
#puffin #seabird #bestbirds #birdlovers #ukwildlife #ukbirds #nikonwildlifephotography #nikonuk #wildlifephotographer #wildlifephotography #bird #Shetland

Watermelon aurora during a full moon in Alaska

"An Atlantic puffin on Maine's on Eastern Egg Rock appears to imitate a decoy on July 9 by standing on one leg. Decoys were used to lure the gregarious birds ashore after they were re-introduced to the island following a 100-year absence." CREDIT: Robert F. Bukaty

Puffins are social, so to attract them to Maine's rocky islands, National Audubon's Seabird Restoration Program put out decoys to attract real birds.

This puffin is trying to fit in with his new friend by standing on one leg.

Seabird peer-pressure can be intense.

(📷: Robert F. Bukaty)

Spring flowers at Keukenhof, The Netherlands

Spring flowers at Keukenhof, The Netherlands

Ferryland, Newfoundland, Canada lighthouse looking out to sea on a partly sunny day 31 Aug 2016

We really enjoyed our visit there 31 Aug 2016 - wish it had been earlier in the year to see icebergs.

Yellow flowers

Thinking back to 02 Apr 2007 and our visit to Keukenhof NL

nice - we had a picnic lunch at the lighthouse during a visit there a few years ago - alas, no icebergs then :

Two More Chinese Companies Announce 'Megawatt' EV Charging The new 1.2-megawatt and 1.5-megawatt chargers from Zeekr and Huawei are absolutely nuts. But are they really needed?

BYD's new "megawatt" charger can juice up an EV in about five minutes.

Now, Zeekr has unveiled an even more powerful charger than BYD’s, making us wonder how much more powerful these chargers will get.

insideevs.com/news/755163/...

Good!!

Time to crank out that mining machine!

Rows of clear plastic bags half full of water and a small fish, with Chinese writing, hanging on a wall at the Kowloon (Hong Kong) Fish Market 2005

Kowloon Hong Kong fish market 27 Nov 2005

Panoramic view of The Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Canada - shows a barren landscape of rocks and mountain peaks in the distance, and a small stream of water

The Tablelands in Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Canada - not much lives here and the water has a pH of between 12-13 (like bleach).

Screen copy: First EME from the Marquesas! January 15, 2025 TX7MAS The first EME 23 cm contacts from the Marquesas Islands have been successfully achieved! F5LRL - Michel and F1MNQ established connections with Europe and the USA despite a technical challenge: our preamplifier broke down after the first tests. Results on January 14, 2025 (without preamplifier): 6 QSOs with Europe DG5CST, SM5DGX, OK1KIR, DK4RC, HB9Q, ON4AOI 1 QSO with USA NC1I

Frank NC1I was successful in making one of the first EME moonbounce contacts to the Marquesas Islands, part of French Polynesia.

The famous French painter Paul Gauguin is buried here.

The Breachies 2024: The Worst, Weirdest, Most Impactful Data Breaches of the Year Privacy isn’t dead. While some information about you is almost certainly out there, that’s no reason for despair. In fact, it’s a good reason to take action.

Some data breaches include novel information about us, are the result of particularly noteworthy security flaws, or are just so massive they’re impossible to ignore. Here’s EFF’s list of some of the most egregious data breaches of 2024.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toughbook
I've used Toughbooks and they are indestructible. Guess they stopped making them? You may be able to find a deal on NOS. Seek out what other mfgrs are making like this. Also check w/your insurance coverage, they may actually cover / help cover something like this.

Paris France, Jardin des Tuileries, 29 Feb 2000, black and white photo showing some couples walking in the park in the early evening. The trees are without leaves with the silhouette of the Tour Eiffel Tower in the center background.

Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, France - in late February 2000 at sunset on a cloudy day

2025 Volvo EX90 in Denim Blue at Steingold Volvo in Pawtucket RI

Christmas came early for me! The folks at Steingold Volvo in Pawtucket RI delivered my new 2025 Volvo EX90 pure electric vehicle. Color is Denim Blue - amazing how reflective it is. A true joy to drive!

Eradicated Adobe software from my system. Tired of the bloat Acrobat Reader has become. Chrome opens most PDF documents just fine. I also had Photoshop CS6 with perpetual license that has not been working well due to Creative Cloud license issues. Its gone. 😵‍💫

Screen capture showing the text that your Volvo EX90 is on its way! Once your car has arrived at Steingold Volvo Cars, they will prepare your car for pick up.

Volvo app pinged me at 00:21
Didn't expect that I'd have it before 2025! My EX90 was built 09 Dec 2024 and is on its way to Steingold in Pawtucket RI. Nice. 🎅🎄

I think I have successfully trained BlueSky to keep cats out of my feed 🙌

He was the full Monty before.

Orchard flower against black background from Montreal Botanical Garden

Orchid - paphiopedilum lawrenceanum - jardin botanique de Montréal - 23 Sep 2000

Waze editor anniversary today - New England Region and one of the Vermont state mangers - also Nova Scotia. Helping Wazers with better navigation, every day 🚗

Spent part of the weekend op NC1I 23cm moonbounce station in ARRL EME contest. Highlight was working Martin PJ4MM with his single yagi and 10 watts. Took six to eight 120 second WSJT sequences to decode him - amazing accomplishment! #EME

A bar and a list of beers behind it

My favorite bar - the Ölrepubliken in Göteborg SE