“For the first time in many years, northern winter is beginning with a total lunar eclipse. On Dec. 21, 2010, the date of the northern winter solstice, the full Moon will pass through Earth’s shadow, turning the lunar orb a delightful shade of coppery-red.
“Sky watchers in North America are favored with an overhead view as the eclipse unfolds on Tuesday morning between 02:41 am and 03:53 am EST.”
Obviously, only the very earliest bird will catch this eclipse.
Comments Off on Lunacy
Posted in Science/Engineering, Scribbles, Space, Weather/Climate
With big storms moving in from the north, and some places out near the lakes picking up 3 inches or more, according to the LCRA’s automated guages, it seems timely to repeat the weather service slogan for low-water crossers, and to pass along this great site’s complete approach to Texas floods. For the rare reader who might benefit. I realize this isn’t radio, but it’s tempting to treat it that way sometimes. It’s not hard to get excited. We live in the most flash-flood prone part of North America.
Comments Off on Turn around, don’t drown
Posted in Rancho Roly Poly, Texana, Weather/Climate
Tagged flash flood alley, flooding, floodsafety.com, Lower Colorado River Authority, north America, South Central Texas weather, storms
The neighbor across the back fence at the rancho has a towering magnolia whose big white blossoms we get to share even as the big pointed, oval leaves litter our yard from time to time.
"Magnolias are among the most ancient groups of flowering plants and have long been cultivated by mankind. Some specimens growing in the precincts of Chinese temples are estimated to be up to 800 years old."
I planted one once in South Austin. It was ten feet high and sprightly the last time I looked. I’m surprised to hear wild magnolias are facing extinctions in the forests of the world, including north America.
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Posted in Rancho Roly Poly, Science/Engineering, Scribbles
Tagged extinction, forests, magnolias, north America, wild magnolias
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 