Living with the Consequences

The Libertarian-oriented Cato Institute is under takeover threat by the Koch Brothers. They must hate it when their cherished pinciples bite them like that. Cato’s Jonathan Blanks said,

Just because we support legalized prostitution doesn’t mean we want to live it.

WC is sure that if he works at it for a while he can squeeze out a crocodile tear or two for those poor folks at the Cato Institute, so sadly betrayed by their own principles.

Interlude: Sabine’s Gulls

It occurred to WC he has inflicted photos of Santorum, Brietbart and Limbaugh on his readers over the last three days. As an apology, WC will offer a more attractive subject.

Readers may know that WC is a birder. Among Alaska’s birds, surely one of the prettiest is the Sabine’s Gull, which breeds on coastal Alaska, and winters off the west coast of South America.

Sabine's Gull on Nest, Yukon Flats NWR

Not a lot is known about this beautiful species; they are believed to a be a three year gull – a species that takes three years to reach maturity, like Interior Alaska’s Mew Gull. Because only the adults return to breed, there aren’t even a lot of photos of the subadults.

Sabine's Gull in Flight, Yukon Flats NWR

The species has an elegant, tern-like flight, buoyant and strong. While it somewhat resembles Interior Alaska’s Bonaparte’s Gull, it is smaller.

Sabine's Gull, Yukon Flats NWR

A pretty summer resident of Alaska that not many people get to see. WC counts himself lucky to have had the chance.