BT Edmonton Blogs

Web of deceit

Not sure if that is Charlotte or not, but spidey above has definately weaved a web of deceit.    Fabulous photography courtesy of Steven in Grande Prairie with honourable mention going to Heather and Levi.    Steven tells us the insects love their front porch — and adds: “that is good for some, not for others”.   How true!   But somebody in Grande Prairie may have stepped on one of spidey’s relatives, because rain is on the way.

DID YOU KNOW?   The way a spider constructs its web is the envy of engineers everywhere.   Here’s how it happens:   Web-building spiders have glands in their abdomens that produce liquid silk.   Each gland has a tube to the outside of the hind end of the spider called a “spinneret.”   She will press the spinnerets against some object, adhering the liquid silk to it.   As she moves away, a silken thread forms and as she ejects more of this substance, web construction begins.  

Check out this website I found — it has an animated movie showing how a web is made.  Give it a click:

 http://www.badspiderbites.com/spider-web-construction/ 

Scientists believe that if they gathered the same weight of spider web as a piece of steel, the web would be much stronger than the steel!   But as hard as they try, they cannot match or copy the silk.

Signed:  Your friendly neighbourhood Spiderman.

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Players fighting for jobs, coaches looking for chemistry and fans finding reason for optimism. That pretty much sums up the NHL pre-season, especially in a hockey hotbed like Edmonton, where the hometown Oilers have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons.

Wednesday’s pre-season home opener against the rebuilding New York Islanders provided all of the above for Oiler nation. Robert Nilsson, Liam Reddox and Jeff Deslauriers headlined the list of players with something to prove to new coaches Pat Quinn and Tom Renney. 2008 first round draft choice Jordan Eberle teamed up with Andrew Cogliano to give fans a taste of what they can expect in years to come (goals, goals and more goals – or at least chances, chances and more chances). Bryan Young and Steve MacIntyre both dropped the mitts (the former against Nate Thompson, the latter against Joel Rechlicz), in the most literal interpretation of “fighting for a spot.” And while they didn’t register on the score sheet, two blueline bombs from Sheldon Souray spider-webbed the glass along the end boards TWICE within a couple of minutes, earning the most raucous applause of the night.

From Coach Quinn’s well-produced inspirational video just before puck drop to Sheldon Souray’s game-winning goal with just two minutes to play, it was a solid hockey experience for those hungry to see NHL action after a long off-season. Sure, the Isles’ wunderkid John Tavares was “underwhelming” in his NHL debut. Sure, Ales Hemsky was barely noticeable. Sure, nobody recognized 80% of the names lining up against the copper and blue. But hockey’s (almost) back, and on a 32 degree evening where the walk to Rexall almost made it feel like playoffs, you couldn’t help but sense it’s not just optics and marketing that’ll be different for the Oilers this season.

rpj.

This is cool!   Get a load of the EYELID on this young Horned Owl …. the “EXTRA” eyelid.   It’s that line you can see on the owl’s left eye.   What’s the big deal you ask … why the excitement?   Read the scoop below the picture.

Wink that Eyelid!

Earlier this week, we featured a Fresh Air Photo of Murray’s of a female Harrier.   Not sure if you know or not, but all raptors (including Harriers, Owls, Falcons, Eagles, Hawks, Osprey etc) - have three eyelids.   Just like you and I they have the top and bottom eyelid,…but UNLIKE you & I they have a third transparent one which closes laterally across the eye.   That way, the birds of prey can protect their eyes when attacking prey OR feeding their young and still have some sight.   The eyelid also keeps the eyes moist, and protects during flight.   And a big shout out thank you to Murray – for this fantastic follow up photo of the:  nictitating membrane (extra eyelid)!

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Gorgeous!

Home is where the heart is.   No one knows that better than Joanne.    This pond has given Joanne and her dad some pretty beautiful memories in Clyde.    And as I look at those clouds reflected on the water, I’m getting some nice memories of my own!    You will find Clyde north of Edmonton and east of Westlock, near the junction of Highway 18 and Highway 2.   It was named after the River and Firth of Clyde in Scotland.  
DID YOU KNOW?     Like many communities in Alberta, Clyde was founded because of the fur trade and because it is so close to the famous Athabasca Landing Trail, an historic land trail between Edmonton and Athabasca.   The Village of Clyde was incorporated as a municipality in 1914.

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Nice Mussels

Starfish!

Liz had quite the afternoon.   She was looking at stars and nice mussels ! … Starfish and Tofino area Mussels that is.   Their vacay on Vancouver Island was a good one – with walks like this along Long Beach while the tide was out.   Liz tells us that the rock looked like it was embroidered with silver and gold, and is worried that the picture doesn’t do it justice.   Oh I think it does!

DID YOU KNOW?   Mussels can be smoked, boiled, steamed or fried in batter.   If you (like me), love to eat mussels – make sure you check to see if they are still alive just before you cook them.   Experts say they quickly become toxic after dying.   Live mussels, when in the air, will shut tightly when disturbed.
Open, unresponsive mussels are dead, and must be discarded.

Many times I have pried open a shell and been faced with a mixture of mud and sand.  I like that though ..  kind of like a beach treasure!

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watch?v=gL6WIuwE8NE

”Way to go, Obama!’ or ‘Way to bring it down, Obama!!’ …what do you think?!

Harrier Heroine

This feisty female is one captivating creature.   Murray was the lucky one to get up close, but was careful not to get personal.   He reminds us to keep a safe and respectful distance with all critters.    You are looking at a juvenile female Harrier .. formerly the Marsh Hawk.   She is about to be released after under going rehabilitation for an injured wing.   As soon as she was airborne, her instincts kicked in shedding any memory of being land-locked and ground-bound … and started the hunt.   Murray says “that’s” perfect timing for her fall migration and adds: ”Chalk one up for the good guys!”.   We agree.

DID YOU KNOW?   The eyes of a raptor are so important for their survival, that they have three eyelids.
The third one is partially see-through (partly “transparent”) which allows the birds of prey to protect their eyes when attacking prey and still have some sight.   Some Birds of prey have eyesight three or four times better than ours.

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Kayne Apologizes on Leno Show last night!!

I would LOVE LOVE LOVE to know your thoughts!!! Buy it? Spare me? ‘What would your mom think?” Way to bring it LENO!!!!

Lake Isle-be-back!

Lake Isle.   Wow.   Courtney, thank you!   The several islands give the lake its name.
In the past, Isle Lake has been called Lac des Isles and Lac des Islets.   Gainford is located on the southwestern shore, and in Gainford Park there is a day-use area with picnic tables and a gravel boat launch.   If you want to pitch a tent you can in the Gainford Campground, and the Kokomoko Recreation Area.   PLUS, A place that brings piles of smiles to many kids is Camp He-Ho-Ha on the southern shore.   It is operated by the Alberta Rehabilitation Council for the Disabled.

DID YOU KNOW?    The Sturgeon River flows into Lake Isle, then into Lac St. Anne.   The outflow from Lac St. Anne is referred to as the Sturgeon River.   Eventually it joins the North Saskatchewan River.

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So a couple days ago I mentioned this cool-ass contest we’re doing in conjunction with the Edmonton International Film Festival, and our very own Bridget and Ryan have both made their OWN little mini-movies to show you JUST HOW EASY IT IS! C’mon Edmonton…get shootin’!