'

links, observations, etc.

Random thoughts, ramblings, curious questions and whatever else comes to mind:

I must first offer thanks and a tip 'o the hat to Russell McOrmond and Flora Community Web whose support and tutelage has made this site possible. His site is informative and thought provoking. If you are looking for well documented opinion on a range of current events, look no further. Particularly timely is his discussion of Intellectual Property, Copyright, and Open Source software issues.

Next, a word about the 'Jesuit Refugee Services'. (They are the other 'jrs' on the web) ;-)  They offer a down to earth approach to a growing problem with lots of information and ways you can get involved if you are inclined to do so. And, no, my Jesuit education has not biased me in any way. ;-)

There seems to be a growing understanding that migratory birds and the protection of their environment (and ours) is not a local issue. There have been significant efforts to put that recognition into pragmatic terms. The site for Important Bird Areas of Canada is one such effort. The Audubon Society is the U.S. partner in this Important Bird Areas International program.

I have recently learned that a nearby conservation area, the Mer Bleue Marsh/Bog, is one of 33 Canadian sites protected under the Ramsar Convention.  This agreement is defined as a 'Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl
Habitat'. More info to follow...

The wildlife in Ontario is varied and bountiful. My particular interest is in bird watching. In that regard, the Ontario Field Ornithologists and the Federation of Ontario Naturalists provide information and links to a wide variety of activity across the province.

The Ottawa Field-Naturalist Club provides in-depth information on the local birding scene. Here you can find the Birding Hotline Transcripts of recent sightings, a list of Club activities and projects.

Another, impressive, local site is NeilyWorld. Larry Neily's 'Birding Ottawa Guide' provides a detailed list of where to go and what to expect to see. He also has over 4000 world-wide birding links. (In addition, his interests cover GIS, Habitat Preservation, Third World issues and poetry.)

An exceptional site for 'out of this world' photography is the Astronomy Picture of the Day.  They are a service of NASA and give us a look at the universe which is hard to duplicate.

The Earth Science Picture of the Day also bears a look.

There are a growing number of individual/amateur sites which are the result of a convergence of interests, (birds, nature and photography are the obvious here):

Glenn Corbiere has some fascinating photos of dragonflies, damsel flies and other such creatures which we commonly see in our space in the world (northeast North America), yet continue to be so exotic to most of us.

      
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