San Domingo Ranch

07/07/2026

"Le vase bleu" ("The Blue Vase"), 1978, by Marc Chagall (6 July [O.S. 24 June] 1887 – 28 March 1985), a vibrant oil on canvas painting which incorporates several of Chagall’s signature poetic and dreamlike elements.
1. The focal point. A massive, exploding bouquet of green foliage interspersed with brilliant red and white flowers, rising from a distinct blue ceramic pitcher.
2. The lovers. In the lower-left corner, a pair of lovers reclines intimately against a wash of deep blue, a frequent symbol of pure romance and emotional sanctuary in Chagall's oeuvre.
3. The whimsical atmosphere. Ethereal, floating details emerge out of the textured brushstrokes, including a bird soaring in the top-right corner against a sky-blue backdrop.

J in 日本

06/27/2026

03/27/2026

We have our first radio-tagged monarch detected in Oklahoma this spring!

ROS032 was detected in Oklahoma yesterday, March 25. In addition to being the first radio-tagged monarch detected in Oklahoma this spring, he's also the farthest north of the radio-tagged monarchs.

As we continue to follow along with the radio-tagged monarchs through the Project Monarch Science app (available to download for free via your mobile device's app store), don't forget to submit your first sightings of monarchs and milkweeds in your area to Journey North! Every sighting you share - whether sightings of monarch butterflies, eggs, larvae, or even milkweed plants - contributes to understanding monarch migration dynamics.

03/03/2026

Shut those lights off! Spring migration is underway! 🐦🌎 From March through mid-June, billions of birds travel from their southern wintering grounds to northern breeding habitats — with peak migration happening from mid-April to mid-May. As temperatures rise, this incredible movement sweeps north like a wave, reaching northern states by mid-May.

You may spot:
🟡 Warblers
🟢 Shorebirds
🦅 Raptors
🦆 Waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans
💜 Purple martins (some begin moving as early as February!)

Most songbirds migrate at night, flying in cooler air to avoid turbulence and predators.

You can help migrating birds:

💡 Reduce light pollution – Turn off non-essential outdoor lights between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. to prevent disorientation.

🌳 Provide habitat – Plant native trees, shrubs, and flowers to supply insects, food, and shelter for resting birds.

And please see my important comment below.

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02/24/2026

Free Live Event! What nuances come alive when you look closely at the birds just beyond your window? Join us for a special afternoon with acclaimed wildlife photographers Tim and Russell Laman. Register here: https://hubs.la/Q03YxhLz0

Together, we’ll explore how creative camera work can reveal the surprising beauty and behavior of familiar birds. This special live event celebrates our five-part video series Backyard Birds Revealed, a tribute to the quiet wonder of backyard birdwatching.

During the event, we’ll explore:
📽️ Insights from Tim and Russell on how their videography skills and curiosity brought the hidden world of backyard birds to life.
❄️ A celebration of the incredible natural history of our hardy winter residents.
😍 Inspiration for seeing and appreciating the birds around you in brand new ways.

Thanks to our sponsors Wild Birds Unlimited, everyone who registers will be entered for a chance to win a Wild Birds Unlimited Gift Card or a free Bird Academy course!*

*Giveaway terms: No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Prize valued at $150. Wild Birds Unlimited Gift Card prize is available to residents of the United States and Canada only. Three (3) winners will be randomly selected to win a $50 WBU gift card. Five (5) winners will be randomly selected to win a free Bird Academy course.

02/24/2026

🐉🧧 Lunar New Year 2026 starts Feb 17 (New Moon) — also called the Spring Festival — welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse 🐴🔥⁠
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It’s all about fresh-start energy: family reunion dinner on New Year’s Eve, red decorations for luck, fireworks, lion/dragon dances, and dumplings (plus red envelopes for kids). ✨⁠
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In 2026, the sky joins the party:⁠
🌞⭕️ Feb 17: “Ring of Fire” annular solar eclipse⁠
🏮🌕 Mar 3: Lantern Festival + first Full Moon — and a total lunar eclipse (“Blood Moon”) 🌑❤️⁠
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Track the Moon phases (and both eclipses) in Sky Tonight 🌙⁠
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