ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Feb 8, 2012 12:28:46 GMT -8
I think my closest brush with death came when I was about 12 years old. A friend & I had rode our bicycles a couple of miles out of my home town in central Illinois & walked down some railroad tracks to collect. The sides were steep & the ditch on both sides were covered in blackberry bushes covered in thorns. Unknown to us, a fast moving freight train came up behind us & didn't blow his horn until he was about half a mile behind us. We took off running to an old wooden railroad bridge spanning a small creek. Instead of jumping off on the nearest side, I ran across the bridge with a 70 mph freight closing in behind me. Somehow I managed to get to the other side and jump, just as the engine started crossing the 30 ft. long bridge! One more second or if my foot would have missed the ties & got caught between them & I wouldn't be telling you this story. Scared the crap out of me!
Charlie
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Feb 8, 2012 11:57:27 GMT -8
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Feb 3, 2012 22:39:55 GMT -8
Probably have to stay pretty close to home like last summer. It's been a very mild winter and we've at least been getting some rain over the past couple of months here in Texas. I'm hoping for a good season. I've heard forecasts of $5.00/gallon gas here in the U.S. this summer. It's at about $3.40+ for regular unleaded gasoline here in the Houston area already. I know that doesn't sound like a lot compared to Europe & other parts of the world, but my 1997 van only gets about 16 MPG so that's about $25.00 per night on my gas station run of about110 miles. If the night isn't productive, that's a lot to spend when you're unemployed! Hope everyone has a great season out there in the insectnet world.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Jan 17, 2012 13:36:48 GMT -8
Very nicely done! Sometimes wonder why some people are in such a hurry to see if there is life on other planets, when there is so much to see in just a few square feet right here on planet Earth!
Charlie
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Jan 17, 2012 13:14:10 GMT -8
I'll let you know how it works out in a few months. Collecting season in SE Texas should only be about 6 weeks away, maybe less. We've had a much less severe winter than last year & I was out on February 28th last year. Been getting some rain as well. Hope the season is productive after last year's drought.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Jan 15, 2012 19:42:14 GMT -8
Claude - I'm going to try something new this collecting season. You can by poly tubing of different widths & then cut them to the lengths you need & seal them or staple to cardboard. You can usually get this at office/shipping supply stores & I think you can get it on Ebay as well. Here's a link to show you what I'm talking about. You can also buy the cardboard sheets from here as well. www.uline.com/BL_2106/3-Mil-Poly-Tubing?keywords=3+Mil+Poly+TubingHope this will at least give you or others some ideas. Charlie
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Jan 11, 2012 8:59:51 GMT -8
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Jan 11, 2012 8:26:55 GMT -8
We could all probably use more of that! LOL
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Jan 11, 2012 8:20:50 GMT -8
Another thing to do during winter is look for Saturnid cocoons. Many species attach themselves to twigs. The easiest time to find them is when the leaves are off the deciduous trees & shrubs such as oak, elm, willow, cherry, birch, maple, etc. I used to do that as a kid. I carried around a twig cutter on a long aluminum pole & rode around on my bicycle in my hometown, even when there was snow on the ground, looking up all the time!
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Jan 9, 2012 23:02:09 GMT -8
Saw another article that some scientist had created a new strain of the avian (bird) flu, which is usually about 50% fatal. His new strain can be spread through the air, rather than direct contact. I don't know what they are thinking when they come up with these gems! All I can say is "Here's your sign!" to borrow a comedian's catch phrase.
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Jan 9, 2012 22:52:44 GMT -8
I saw this the other day. What will they think of next? Just something else to escape into the wild & run amuck!
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Jan 9, 2012 22:44:03 GMT -8
Sounds like you've got a hand full! Hang in there. She'll probably out grow it as she gets older, sort of like kids! LOL
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Jan 1, 2012 0:52:23 GMT -8
Very nice, Clark. Very soothing music. Can't hardly wait for spring!
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Dec 13, 2011 0:04:57 GMT -8
..that only gives the impression that it was not an entirely heartfelt 'this is just for you, darling' present... ...I am still copping it for giving my dear wife a drum of boat fuel back in the early 90's... Baz - I gave my wife a Kirby vacuum cleaner ($600.00+) one year for an anniversary present. That was about 20 years ago & she still brings it up occasionally! LOL
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Nov 9, 2011 21:16:00 GMT -8
Oh to be 18 again! Wow, what a haul! This reminds me of collecting dreams I've had and when I wake up and realize it wasn't real. Congratulations on a dream come true!
Charlie
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