Finding Rare Plants With Drones

Where even the goats can't get:

In the case of W. hobdyi, there was thought to be less than 600 individuals growing along the Na Pali Coast. Many of Kauai's endangered plants sprout only from the steepest cliffs, where goats can't reach. But the foliage now spread out before Nyberg amounted to more than 100 plants. He flew the drone within 5 meters (16 feet) of the greenery, snapping high-resolution photos to confirm his findings back in the lab. 

Nyberg and the National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG) team, working with the State of Hawaii's Division of Forestry and Wildlife, have rediscovered three species thought to be extinct or locally extinct from Kauai and uncovered larger populations of many other critically endangered species with populations smaller than 100 individuals.

"Ain't No Sunshine" - Hattie & The Moon Howlers

They played this last night. I appreciated the 1971 vibe.

 

David Corn's Take

All true:

Please stop. Enough with this talk of whether the Republican Party will finally rid itself of Donald Trump. Drop this speculation that the GOP, due to its poor performance in the midterm elections or Trump’s latest outrage (dining with a Nazi, calling for the “termination” of the US Constitution, or whatever), will pull the plug on him. You can call on Republicans to take a courageous stand of principle against Dear Leader—and, of course, they should—but don’t do so expecting that will have any impact on Trump’s standing and his future prospects. The party cannot de-Trumpify by decree.

Updates to My Two "Breaking Bad"/"Better Call Saul" Filming-Location Books

At last, after the last episode of Season 6 of "Better Call Saul" was aired in September, I have finished the latest updates to my two "Breaking Bad"/"Better Call Saul" filming-location books.  Here they are!  The first book focuses on where the locations are, and the second book focuses on the symbolism present at the filming locations.

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To avoid unnecessary friction, I have redacted the addresses of all single-family homes in these books. (These addresses are still available at Marc Valdez Weblog, however.)  The pictures in the print editions are black-and-white, in order to keep costs down. 

"A Guidebook To 'Breaking Bad' Filming Locations: Including 'Better Call Saul' - Albuquerque as Physical Setting and Indispensable Character" (Sixth Edition)

Purchase book at the link.                                                                                                                   This book outlines thirty-three circuits that the avid fan can travel in order to visit up to 679 different filming locations for "Breaking Bad" and "Better Call Saul" in the Albuquerque area.  Some background is provided for each site, including other movies that might have also used the site for filming.

"‘Breaking Bad’ Signs and Symbols: Reading Meaning into Sets, Props, and Filming Locations” (Second Edition)

Purchase book at the link.                                                                                                        “‘Breaking Bad’ Signs and Symbols,” aims to understand some of the symbolism embedded in the backgrounds of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul,” in order to decode messages and stories Vince Gilligan and crew have hidden there.                                                                                                    A series of tables are used to isolate how certain (particularly architectural) features are used: Gentle Arches, Tin Ceilings, Five-Pointed Stars, Octagons, etc. Daylighting innovations that were either pioneered or promoted in Chicago are examined: Glass Block Windows, Luxfer Prismatic Tile Windows, and Plate Glass Windows.

Certain symbols advance the plot: foreshadowing symbols like Pueblo Deco Arches, or danger symbols like bell shapes and stagger symbols. Other features, like Glass Block Windows or Parallel Beams in the Ceiling, tell stories about the legacies and corruptions of modernity, particularly those best-displayed at Chicago’s “Century of Progress” (1933-34). 

In addition, a number of scenes in the show are modeled after Early Surrealist artworks. The traces of various artists can be tracked in both shows, including: Comte de Lautréamont, Giorgio De Chirico, Man Ray, Max Ernst, Leonora Carrington, René Magritte, Toyen, Yves Tanguy, Remedios Varo, Paul Klee, and in particular, Salvador Dalí.

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“None Shall Pass,” Sayeth the White Cat

Hattie Craven and the Moon Howlers - Dec. 9th

Wonderful evening watching Hattie Craven and the Moon Howlers perform at the Side Door in Curtis Park. 

It's been a decade since I last saw Hattie perform at her first album's ("Eleven") release party (together with her father and her brother, Cody) at The Palms in Winters (arranged by her bandleader dad Joe Craven), on the occasion of her 11th birthday. 

Hattie's great! Her bandmates Jessica Malone (who works with Girls Rock Sacramento) and Grigori are excellent too! Watch as they become top draws on the Northern California folk/rock circuit.

The Flaming Chariot is Fixed

Life with the Flaming Chariot! The mechanic took quite a while to finish repairing my pickup truck's gas tank. About a week. They said the gas tank was both corroded and partially-crushed: which sounds a little disturbing. I went to pick up the repaired vehicle Thursday evening, and the truck wouldn't start. The fuel line had popped off the tank and as I cranked the starter fuel was pouring out into a pool beneath the truck. Another opportunity for self-immolation in the Flaming Chariot! So, they kept the truck another day as they corrected the new problem. And so I now I have the repaired truck, but it makes me nervous. I'm afraid to put gasoline in the tank or drive it anywhere. But at least it's repaired!

Interesting Conjunction of the Full Moon and Mars on Dec. 7th

   Mars is at the Moon's 8-o'clock position.

Kind of a Rough Day For Jasper

I took him to the vet for a teeth cleaning on Monday, Dec. 5th, and they went further and extracted an incisor. 

Jasper’s nighttime walk was also a challenge. Late at night, the northeast corner of Castro and 24th becomes the domain of the White Cat, who must live nearby and who stalks any creature that comes too close, particularly if their name is Jasper. Tonight, the White Cat was charging Jasper in abrupt mock attacks. For the first time ever, I was able to pet the White Cat, but the cat kept its laser focus and tried to enlist my help against my intrusive canine. Jasper mostly got weirded out by the feline attention. 

We proceeded further in the dark and saw a man in the distance at the Dog Park. The man had a light on a strap around his forehead and was fiercely squeezing a squeak toy for a tiny white dog playing at his feet. So cute! For whatever reason, however, Jasper panicked and for the first time ever aborted the nighttime walk and started heading home. which once again put us at the tender mercies of the White Cat hiding behind bushes and trees. More mock attacks ensued. 

Just a challenging day for the pup.

Raphael Warnock Won!

HE WON!

Interesting Flamenco Video

Albuquerque has become increasingly well-known in the flamenco world. According to the video: "Yjastros is the first American flamenco group invited to perform at Spain's prestigious Festival de Jerez."

 

'Tis the Season

Werewolf Master

Mark the Shark Approves This Message

 

Nice Rain Totals With This Last Storm!

Nice 3-day rain totals (in inches) with the recent storm. Just need to keep it up. Next forecast storm is Friday.

Gofundme For Anaiyah

I'm not 100% sure, but I think this is Pepper Von's granddaughter who was gravely-injured. Help if you can.