WC’s Special Visitor

Boreal Owls are hard to find, unless you are lucky enough to get one in a nest box. But this pretty girl turned up at WC’s house Monday evening after work. The perch isn’t ideal by any means, and there’s some noise from the high ISO, but it was treat to have such a distinguished visitor.

Boreal Owl

A sizable family of Red-backed Voles live on the spillage from WC’s bird feeders. Likely this girl was hunting those voles.

This is only the second time WC has seen a Boreal Owl near his feeders. A rare treat, deeply appreciated at the end of a cold, snowy February.

Folksy Slang and Bumper-Sticker Generalities

That’s how Steven Thomma, writing for McClaskey newspapers, described Alaska’s Quitter. And it has to sting, dontcha think?

After a month of Wickersham’s Conscience that was mercifully Palin-free, it’s time to check in on Caribou Barbie. What she is saying isn’t half as interesting or important as what others are saying about her.

• A Gallup poll taken in September 2008, for example, found that 53 percent had favorable views of her and 28 percent held unfavorable views. Last month, the same poll found the numbers were almost reversed, 38-53.
• In Alaska, she has sunk to 33% favorable and 58% unfavorable, according to Public Policy Polling.
• A recent McClatchy Newspapers-Marist poll found that Obama would trounce her by 56-30 percent if the election were held now. And it was considerably weaker than her standing just a month before, when she trailed Obama by 52-40 percent.
• Almost lost in all the controversy over how Frank Bailey’s book was leaked has been the substance of what Frank Bailey reported. Although it’s hard to credit, her former top lieutenant makes her appear even worse, even more vindictive and mean-spirited, than she had earlier been painted. And speaking of Bailey’s book, be sure to visit Andy Halcro’s blog for what he calls “Shots of Baileys.”
• After the 2010 election, Garry South reports an NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll also found nationally that having been endorsed by Palin was viewed as an overwhelming negative — in fact, worse than being endorsed by a labor union, worse than supporting the privatization of Social Security. South concludes, “and the average American voter has obviously concluded that you could walk through Palin’s deepest thoughts and not get your feet wet, that she is basically the Paris Hilton of would-be presidential candidates.” Ouch.
• An Anchorage woman named Clare Goodchild made what certainly appeared to be a death threat against long-time Palin opponent Andree McCleod. Goodchild’s email said, “Well… I think Andre (sic) has used up to (sic) much oxygen. So I have my scope cross hair on her head! She better watch out, the request may have been her last!” McLeod got a protective order after the Anchorage Police tracked Goodchild down. The incident is particularly troubling after the tragedy in Tucson earlier this year. WC is sure that Sister Sarah is still cool with the cross-hairs thingy.
• The Quitter has attacked First Lady Michelle Obama’s advocacy of a healthier menu for America’s kids. This one really baffles WC. The Quitter claims that it’s a federal effort to intrude into American homes. Now the Quitter, in turn,has come under criticism from her fellow Republicans. Chris Christie, the New Jersey governor, and Mike Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor — both Republicans — defended the First Lady’s advocacy.

That’s enough on Palin. It hasn’t be a good month for Alaska’s best-known narcissist. Here’s <clink> to many more. Light beer, please.