Just in time for July 4th - I say, make the bald eagle the symbol of the recycling, tree-hugging, organic eating Left. After all, this is the legacy that saved the bird.

ah, my annual 4th of July Eagle Sighting Rant

under the mailbox, egglaying?

and this is the view from the other side; clever girl, picked a slope for leveraging her jumbo shell

not exactly private
were dug up & eaten by something within the afternoon

duck blinds - Lake Chickahominy

UVB lightbox

Panel holding fixtures:  32 x 23 inches
Panel height from base:  10 inches
Fixtures apced 2.5 inches on center

12 fixtures, 3 6-plug cords, one with easy toggle switch; fixtures may be staggered as in picture to provide broader coverage
Fixtures Suggestions - these are all fixtures that tax 15 watt T8 bulbs & do not have any part of the fixture along side of the bulbs to allow for maximum light spread; remove bulb cover to allow maximum light to reach printing frame:
Lights of America G9718P-T8-WH-I Undercabinet Light available at Amazon.com about $14 including shipping
Good Earth Lighting GLS9721-GROWWHI Fluorescent Grow Light Fixture available at Amazon.com about $20 including shipping

Bulb  F15T8/BL - 15W T8 18INCHES BLACK LIGHT LITE F15W/BL - this is an ultaviolet B or UV-B bulb
Bulb Manufacturers include:  Eiko, Hitachi
Bulb Cost $5-$15, depending on manufacturer, seller, quantity (check all in cost including shipping)

Shiny sides are aluminum foil wrapped poster board, pinned to top of light box.  Foil reflects light back into box & keeps from shining into the room where it can fog unexposed paper & damage eyesight.

Top board, to which fixtures are attached, was spray-painted silver for reflection.
Fixtures are attached without bulbs in because screws go in behind bulbs.
Bulbs supplied with fixtures were donated to resale shop.

Scrap plywood & lumber for supports used.
Total cost, including bulbs & can of spray paint (although I had some hanging around), approximately $290.

Size can be increased by making the box longer, adding more fixtures parallel to those pictured.  Continue adding with each additional fixture on 2.5 inch center.
This box fits on my table & prints 20x24 inch very well.

Momma Hen decided her chicks are ready to sleep with the big girls. 22 days old & full-on sleep-over.

an orange day void of emergency

male io moth, sleepy this morning after banging against the window last night

record number of bobbers collected on the Chick

& plenty of double daylillies blooming today

outstanding for a Monday!

making the most of worm munched kale situation

note to self:  pick worms off leaves before you notice their work

first day of summer spent at VA Beach

sure was fine!

evening rush hour at hive

one big happy flock, I hope

after 10 days, Broody-now-Mother Chicken decided that she & the chicks will run with the big girls
so far so good

chinese firedrill or group lay?

2011 James River Paddle Challenge - 10 miles around Jamestown Island, 60 paddlers in & on every sort of vessel

 our posse - Ruth, James, Bill, me & Eric

above:  the view from the starting line

I came in first in my gender/vessel class, by the way

and swallowtails have laid eggs

that's why the parsley & fennel are there

even the tomatoes are in a family way

family photos - Day Three

surrogate mother in an all hen flock (no rooster on premise) & mixed breeds
- a modern family

bryozoans are back with spring & exposed with falling water

revolting animals, aren't they?

but glad to see them there

through June 25, 2011 at Chroma Projects in Charlottesville, 418 E. Main on the Mall

If you are in Charlottesville for Look3 next weekend or anytime through June 25th, stop by Chroma Projects.  I have a show, Sensations Sweet, Felt in the Blood, behind celebrity photographer Massimo Vitali.  The gallery looks wonderful.

Broody Chicken hatched 'em

four little chicks hatched this morning, now all fluffy