Petra's Blog

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) I'll never get tired of seeing Eagles flying above. They're so big compared to most birds people get to see on the daily (well, at least if you live inland and not on a coast). I was surprised at some of the behaviors I've seen them display recently as well, such as a large group of them perched on a tree together, on multiple occasions!

Blood Moon These are what I managed to get during the blood moon the other night!!! I know the quality isn't the best... but listen... it was 2 AM and my tripod broke... so I did what I could! Still very glad I stayed up to watch it. It was a little more orange than red, so I made a little bit of minor adjustment.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Eagles are a much more common sight for me here in Iowa during the winter. They're massive, and if you're close enough to a river, you'll see them fishing eventually. I ended up getting a bunch of Eagle photos during the season, and so you'll likely be seeing them for a bit longer, at least until it gets a bit warmer.

I feel like I keep descending deeper even though I'm not physically going down something like stairs. Is light a sign of up or down?

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) Canadian Geese are another very common bird here in the U.S.. Most people find them a nuisance, and while they can seem scary (name any animal that isn't completely passive or doesn't look "cute"), they're just a bit territorial and protective of their flocks. I've always liked how big they are, and their iconic colors!!! So cool. Their sharp teeth and large stature should serve as a reminder that dinosaurs are still among us. I could only imagine what colors ancient dinosaurs might've had. I would love to someday see what a Therizinosaurus' feathers looked like.

How is there an endless variety of rooms that feel equally empty and eerie? Were they created by the creativity and imagination of corporate minds, or are they mimicking what we expect "store" spaces to look like?

An unfortunate side affect of humans scaring off or killing predator species is the overpopulation of herbivorous species such as white tailed deer. Too much of one species can cause a habitat to deteriorate, with the biggest example of that being the wolves & deer of Yellowstone national park. In the city I live and the neighboring areas, I suppose with the way neighborhoods are built and vegetation left alone, deer thrive, and with nothing to control their population, the city ends up deeming them "overpopulated". It's just a shame when it happens, because realistically it's our fault either way.

I can barely see anything through the crack in this door... What's going on? Why is there nothing but a sense of dread washing over me as I stare at this crumpled fabric on the floor?

There's some birds and sounds that accompany them that remind us all of where we come from. Being from the Midwest, for me, noises that feel nostalgic to me include Northern Cardinals, House Sparrows, and Red Winged Blackbirds. Of course, Mourning Doves are the most popular "nostalgic" sounding species, but regardless, I find it fascinating that each of us has different sounds that remind us of home. For some it might be a coastal bird, like a Seagull, and for others, a Magpie they often see in the city. I think the attachments we enjoy and that bring us peace should be motivators to keep them around. There are birds that had much larger ranges than they used to, but once they'd been species people were used to seeing too. An example that often makes me sad, is the Carolina Parakeet. We need to protect that which is natural, beautiful or not, in the world; the generations after us deserve at least that much.

Mirror Is it safer to stay in the light, or in the dark? I may feel safer seeing myself and my surroundings, but I become easier to see to those hiding in the dark, too.

I've not known much about time spans of egg incubation prior to reading about the Junco, but it seems their hatch time is on the shorter end of most birds: The eggs hatch between 12 - 13 days after being lain, and then the babies leave the nest in only 11 - 14 days!

It feels like the lights could switch on at any time, and the room be flooded with light. Take care not to wander too long.

Sandhill cranes have a large wingspan, allowing them to soar very well, like Hawks and Eagles. Along with being able to soar well, they also utilize Thermals, like Vultures and other birds. These two were likely a mated pair, as they typically stick together in pairs or family groups, and do end up part of very large migration groups as they fly south. Sandhill Cranes aren't particularly endangered, but some subspecies are getting there due to habitat degradation and overhunting. The best way to protect species such as this is to preserve natural areas that they frequent, or create new ones in places they have since stopped using.

Display Aren't there... supposed to be clothes hung up? People browsing, lights shining, and the sound of chatter? Where did it all go? The empty mannequins and stands implicate a blank form, but nobody left to put ideas onto them.