Kind of a big deal

More proof that black oaks rule.

A big deal for me, anyway. That little gent with the red bib and the big bill is a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Hit the link and check out his range map. How'd you wind up in California, dude?

This is actually a wide-ranging [or wide-roving] species, and sightings here in California are "regular but rare," according to the Interwebs. I took these snaps near Big Bear Lake, CA in early August.

"How you doin'?" Couple of nuthatches to the right of the feeder, and down in the lower right-hand corner, a female Black-headed Grosbeak. I think. Click for [a bit] bigger.

The female's in shadow behind the feeder.

Sign on Big Bear Boulevard

And I had a camera! *Is proud*

Dog's Life

Portuguese TV commercial for Amnesty International. H/T: JMuir of the most excellent Vagabundia.

"Maybe we shouldn't have these animals on the civilized streets"

That's former Attorney General Michael Bryant, the rabid hysteric behind Ontario, Canada's pit bull ban. He's sitting in the back of a police cruiser.

There was a man hanging onto his car, apparently, so Bryant sped down the wrong side of the road and tried to scrape the man off against trees and mailboxes. When the man fell from the car, Bryant ran over him. And then drove away. Killed was Darcy Allan Sheppard, 33, of Toronto. Bryant has been charged "with criminal negligence causing death and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death," according to Toronto police Sgt. Tim Burrows.

If you visit no other link, please check out small dead animals: the awesomeness of Kate's headline and the perfection of her sentence-long post make me very happy and very jealous.

Related:
Bryant: "Mark my words, Ontario will be safer"
Pit Bull Ban Author Fail!
MICHAEL BRYANT, THE GUY WHO BANNED 'PIT BULLS' IN ONTARIO, CHARGED IN CYCLIST'S DEATH
Troublemakers: What pit bulls can teach us about profiling [Source of Bryant quote used in this post's title]