This beauty was high up in a power line behind our home in La Mesa.
A murder of crows was circling this hawk, giving it hell.
The hawk was shrieking in response.
November 28, 2021
July 28, 2021
Birds of summer
Birds spotted along the Pacific Crest Trail near the Sunrise Highway, about 10 miles south of Julian, CA.
Photo ID provided by Dr. Ryan Petterson.
Western Bluebirds
Mountain Mahogany in flower
Western wood Peewee
Allan's hummingbird in my backyard in La Mesa
March 13, 2021
Get vaccinated as soon as possible and keep your chin up!
Hello boating friends,
As many of you know, when I'm not mucking about on boats or looking at birds....I teach classes about our immune system and Covid-19.
I recently made a video to express my current optimism with the pandemic.
We are beginning to see data come in that suggests the new variants may not pose as big of a threat as previously feared. Of course, it isn't time to pound our chests or plant a victory flag....but at the same time, it is okay to start feeling good about the future.
I share my thoughts in the video below.
March 2, 2021
Loggerhead Shrike in Anza Borrego State Park
Saw this very cool bird on top of an Ocotillo cactus along Fish Creek Wash in Anza Borrego State Park.
Loggerhead Shrike
This bird is famous for impaling small mammals against the spines of cactus. A carnivorous passerine...
They call this bird, the butcherbird.
Check this video of the shrike's handiwork. It has impaled about 10 horned lizards on a cactus.
credit:unknown (clearly not my photo, because the quality is too good....)
February 10, 2021
Pandemic 2021: The good news and the bad news
Hello friends,
It has been far too long since I last wrote. This past year has brought many changes in my life.
Among other things, I've moved into a new home in the eastern portion of San Diego County. This area is a nice change from the crowded coastline of southern California. I'll soon be planting citrus trees in my backyard.
In addition, Covid-19 has changed the focus of my career. Much of my work is centered around science communication and lately, everyone wants to talk about the pandemic. I've spent much of the past year talking to different groups about the evolving situation with the pandemic. I speak a lot about our own immune system (B cells, T cells, antibodies) and the manner the virus engages with our human physiology.
On Feb 10, I made the video below to summarize the situation with herd immunity and the new virus variants. In summary, I'm optimistic that we are on track to curtail the pandemic, but I do think the new variants are an additional curveball. I figured we would see mutations arise in the spike protein region of the viral genome, but I was hoping the mutations would not affect the protection delivered from natural immunity and vaccine induced immunity. Recent news suggests one of the new variants can escape our immunity to a certain degree.
I share all of my thoughts in the video below.
~Kevin
It has been far too long since I last wrote. This past year has brought many changes in my life.
Among other things, I've moved into a new home in the eastern portion of San Diego County. This area is a nice change from the crowded coastline of southern California. I'll soon be planting citrus trees in my backyard.
In addition, Covid-19 has changed the focus of my career. Much of my work is centered around science communication and lately, everyone wants to talk about the pandemic. I've spent much of the past year talking to different groups about the evolving situation with the pandemic. I speak a lot about our own immune system (B cells, T cells, antibodies) and the manner the virus engages with our human physiology.
On Feb 10, I made the video below to summarize the situation with herd immunity and the new virus variants. In summary, I'm optimistic that we are on track to curtail the pandemic, but I do think the new variants are an additional curveball. I figured we would see mutations arise in the spike protein region of the viral genome, but I was hoping the mutations would not affect the protection delivered from natural immunity and vaccine induced immunity. Recent news suggests one of the new variants can escape our immunity to a certain degree.
I share all of my thoughts in the video below.
~Kevin
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