When I heard Soap and Glory had released their own packet masks, of course I jumped on the late bandwagon.
And boy I'm glad I'm did. After road testing all of the line, I think I may have just found a new favourite.
So good, that I have already restocked and distributed to friends.Keep reading to find out more!
There seems to be a mask in my bathroom cabinet for every single occasion however I have never tried something quite like this. The best sheet mask I have tried without a doubt. Of course, I love the packaging and as with all sheet masks they are perfect for travelling. Just how many sheet masks do you think you could actually pack in a suitcase?! Now, that would be a challenge and alot!
Soap and Glory's Party Recovery mask is absolutely saturated in liquid, not so it's dripping everywhere, but so there is a tonne of goodness which is going to soak into the skin.
Much thinner than most sheet masks, this is like applying a second skin. The design of the mask is perfect as it is just wide enough to hug all contours of the face and it fits like a dream. It's almost as though the sheet mask just melts into the skin and no part of the actual sheet keeps coming off the face, as I find many sheet masks annoyingly do.
The scent is heavenly, citrus like, a whiff of sweet oranges and grapefruit. Soap and Glory's Radiance Boosting Mask is marketed as a 'wakeup call for tired, dull and stressed skin', 'The Perfect Post Party Pick-Me-Up'. Packed with Vitamin C, White Flower Brightening Complex, this is one hard hitting mask, which my dry skin can't get enough of. Whether you've had a hard night at it or just feeling a little run down this is one mask you need to keep in your collection. When it's time to bring out the big guns, this is one!Any excess liquid left over in the packet I rubbed into the back of my dry hands, which worked brilliantly.
This mask leaves skin soft, plumped up and fully revitalised, perfect for a no makeup day or before applying your base. A new favourite!
AAAA-MMM-AAAzing!! Can you tell, I love it just a bit!?!
The Miracle Mask is much thicker in texture than it's predecessor. Being a two-part hydrogel mask this is ideal for a real pamper session. Super easy to apply, again this mask hugs the contours of the face and fits perfectly. It smells amazing, floral, slightly citrusy (due to the sweet orange oil) but not sickly sweet and is perfect for the most dehydrated skin.
This mask includes Hyaluronic Acid, Rose Rugosa, Safflower and Peony extract. The recommended wear time is 20 -30 minutes and the gel like texture of the mask is cooling and soothing. On a hot day this would be amazing served straight from the fridge!
Wowsers! This is seriously bright pink. I'm talking Peptol Bismal, strawberry milkshake pink. Like you've dunk your head in a bucket of the brightest pink milk available. Using 'What A Peeling', I feel I have been covered in ecto-plasm. Yes, that's right, had a fight with a Ghostbuster and seriously lost!In this packet there are 2 applications and a spatula to apply. I used my fingers which was super messy, so I definitely recommend using the spatula provided. Soap and Glory recommend leaving on for 15-20 minutes. This mask really tightens on the skin and dries incredibly quickly. It felt slightly tingly on my skin, but once removed left soft, clean skin.
Super impressed with Soap and Glory's new masks, expect them to feature in monthly favourites to come.
Have you tried any of Soap and Glory's new face masks yet? What do you think? Or is there something else you prefer on the high street right now?


text:
New push to retire Native team names headed to Legislature
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) - The first Native American woman elected to the Washington state House of Representatives says she is drafting legislation to remove Native-themed mascots and team names at public schools. This has been a goal of Native American leaders, but has new-found momentum after the Washington, DC, NFL football team's name change.
Around two dozen high schools in Washington state currently use Native American-related mascots or nicknames -- most commonly Indians, Warriors and Braves, the Northwest News Network reported.
Democratic state Rep. Debra Lekanoff said derogatory nicknames and stereotypical caricatures of Native Americans cause lasting hurt.
"We're being portrayed as no different than a token and no different than a tiger or a duck," Lekanoff said. "In 15 to 20, 50 or 100 years, when they look back at our bills and how we treated one another, they'll look at this bill and say, 'It was just a little bill, but it brought some hope and respect for all.' It's good to heal."
The move to phase out Native-themed mascots is "long overdue," according to a panel of Native education leaders who spoke to the Washington State Board of Education late last week.
The Washington State Board of Education twice has passed non-binding resolutions urging schools to discontinue the use of Native American mascots. Some schools have since made changes.
By contrast, the Oregon Board of Education since 2015 has had the authority to mandate that public schools drop Native American mascots unless they got their local tribes' approval and incorporated more tribal history in their curriculums. Some of the 16 affected Oregon districts changed their nicknames and others reached agreements with nearby tribal governments.
At the college level, the NCAA made member schools drop such mascots more than a decade ago.
In recent weeks, several southwest Washington school boards have taken action to change problematic mascots.
Center for Covid Control to 'pause' testing nationwide after Washington location shut down
Stevens Pass ski pass holders frustrated with new conditions

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
The 2003 President's Quality Award Winners
I am pleased to announce that the President has selected two agencies — the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) — to receive the 2003 Presidential Award for Management Excellence. The EPA will be recognized for exemplary performance and results in the area of "Improved Financial Performance" and the NSF will be recognized for its exemplary performance and results in the area of "Expanded Electronic Government."
The Presidential Award for Management Excellence is the highest recognition given by the Federal Government to Federal agencies for management excellence. As the Director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, it is an honor and a privilege for me to manage this prestigious award program.
President George W. Bush's Management Agenda focuses on five management areas with the greatest potential for modernizing the government's work processes and workforce. These are Strategic Management of Human Capital, Competitive Sourcing, Improved Financial Performance, Expanded Electronic Government, and Budget and Performance Integration. We are all accountable for improving performance in these areas and this award recognizes agencies that have achieved outstanding results or made significant progress.
In addition, three agencies have achieved the level of honorable mention for the 2003 Presidential Award for Management Excellence. These are the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in the area of "Expanded Electronic Government," the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the area of "Budget and Performance Integration," and the Social Security Administration in the areas of "Improved Financial Performance" and "Strategic Management of Human Capital."
I want to thank all of you who submitted nominations for this year's program and encourage your efforts to make the President's vision of citizen-centered, results-oriented, and market-based government a reality. The competition this year was very rigorous and I expect this trend to continue as all of us work hard to implement the President's Management Agenda.
I know that all of you join with me in congratulating the 2003 President's Quality Award Winners and Honorable Mentions.


According to Infiniti, the the QX Sport Inspiration, "explores the brand's vision for a next-generation, premium mid-size SUV." Is the styling something you're looking forward to?
Inspired by Infiniti's acclaimed "Powerful Elegance" design philosophy – characterized by flowing sculptural lines and strong, muscular proportions – the QX Sport Inspiration lays down markers for the brand's vision of a next-generation, mid-size premium SUV. Featuring the brand's signature design cues and an array of innovative details, the concept boasts a powerful, purposeful exterior with an elegance that is uniquely Infiniti.


text:
Please Meet: Weslyn 'Lady Mahogany' Bowers
Eric Curl
Local radio host Weslyn Bowers, known as Lady Mahogany on 94.1 The Beat, is serving up more than the latest hip-hop hits.
Last year, Bowers incorporated her non-profit organization, Blessings in a Book Bag, which provides weekend meals for students at Bartow Elementary who qualify for free or reduced-price lunches.
Bowers said she attended Bartow and experienced hunger herself while growing up in the Woodville community and doesn't want the children there today to go through a similar experience. She launched the program after having an epiphany in her sleep about two years ago.
"Something spoke to me in my mind," she said. "It was like you have to do more."
The program serves more than 50 children and their families every Friday by providing a bag filled with non-perishable food to sustain them until Monday.
A mother of a 2-year-old daughter, Bowers said she intends to do more than just feed "her students;" she plans to follow them as they move on to higher grade levels and serve as someone in whom they can confide.
"The goal is for me to be that one stable thing in their life in a world or craziness," she said.
With 75 percent to 85 percent of Bartow's students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunches, Bowers' program helps meet a need for the families that participate, said Principal Maggie Walker-Zeigler.
"With the economy the way it is, everyone is trying to make ends meet," Walker-Zeigler said. "It helps fill some things for the household."
Blessings in a Book Bag has a board of five members and about 12 to 25 volunteers who help out, Bowers said. Food for the program is supplied using revenue derived from individual donations as well as group fundraisers.
"I would not be able to do this without some kind of support," Bowers said.
The weekend food program is similar to that of the local Backpack Buddies program that serves 30 Chatham County elementary schools, providing food for more than 1,000 children since its start about six years ago at the Congregation Mickve Israel, said Norman Hirsch, chairman social action at Mickve Israel.
Since Bowers started her program, Garden City Elementary is the only school not covered, Hirsch said.
"There are a lot of people in this county equally dedicated to their own program," he said. "I think it says a lot about the community."
A fundraiser for Blessings In A Book Bag Inc. is being held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Oct. 16 at 700 Drayton St. More information about how to donate can be found at blessingsinabookbag.org.


text:
Asian hedge funds' returns top U.S., europe counterparts
Asia's hedge-fund industry is on the upswing, attracting more money this year than in any year since the global financial crisis and beating returns in the U.S. and Europe.
Net inflows of $14.4 billion in the nine months ended Sept. 30 brought total assets under management in Asia to $140.8 billion, according to data provider Eurekahedge Pte. Ltd. Asia's hedge-fund industry, while still small compared with those of North America and Europe, is closer to the peak of $176 billion reached in 2007 than it has been in the last five years, a reflection of rising confidence in the region's hedge-fund managers and of economic growth in Asia that remains far stronger than the rest of the world.
Japan-focused funds have been the standout performers, returning 21.2% in the first nine months, according to Eurekahedge, as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has enacted aggressive stimulus measures to pull the economy out of two decades of deflation and stagnant growth. Funds that invest in China returned 11.5% as the economy kept up a fast growth clip, despite some slowing. Performance elsewhere has been patchy, with India funds returning a loss of 11.2% and South Korea a loss of 1.4%.
Overall, the region delivered a 10.1% return in the first nine months, beating Europe's 5.0% and North America's 6.3%. Since the financial crisis, Asian hedge funds have outperformed European funds by 13.7%, although they have underperformed North American funds by 11.0%, according to Eurekahedge. The fat returns have led Swiss fund-of-hedge-funds manager Gottex Fund Management Holdings Ltd. GFMN.EB -2.68% to partner with Hong Kong-based fund of funds Headland Strategic Ltd., which is run by two former executives from Blackstone Group LP and Goldman Sachs Group Inc., to raise up to $900 million to invest in new hedge funds.
Headland plans to give individual Asian hedge funds up to $100 million to start up. "Investors have been so focused on their various crises at home since 2008 that there's been a lack of resources dedicated to Asian hedge funds," says Max Gottschalk, co-founder of Gottex. He prefers investing in small funds in their early years because they take more risks that can generate higher returns than larger funds with more conservative institutional investors. In addition to partnering with Headland, Gottex bought Penjing Asset Management, a Hong Kong-based fund of funds with $434 million of assets under management, in May 2012. Mr. Gottschalk said Penjing will help the Swiss firm increase its investments in Japan- and China-focused hedge funds. Gottex is increasingly looking at the Chinese market, where fund managers will likely be able to profit from an improving domestic stock market, he said. Asia's hedge-fund industry has had a bumpy ride the past few years, with heavy redemptions and poor performance during the global financial crisis and a slow recovery since then.
More than 100 hedge funds in the region have gone out of business each year since 2007, with the industry growing by only $2.7 billion to $126.4 billion last year, according to Eurekahedge. Asia remains dominated by small funds that have less than $100 million under management. The size of Asia's hedge-fund industry remains small compared with other parts of the world. North American hedge funds manage $1.3 trillion of assets, while European hedge funds manage $414.7 billion. Assets under management at North American hedge funds have bounced back since the financial crisis, while fund totals in Europe and Asia have been slower to recover.
As fund managers beef up their presence in Asia, investors are favoring pan-Asia funds as opposed to those focused solely on one country, a way to limit risks in any one market. Still, there is heavy interest in China. Plus, there is growing interest in funds focused on bonds and event-driven strategies, not just on stocks, the traditional favorite. "Global investors are more willing to take risks, and performance of Asian hedge funds has been particularly strong the last 12 months," said Farhan A. Mumtaz, a senior analyst with Eurekahedge. "A few large funds are increasingly attracting assets at the expense of smaller hedge funds because institutional investors have become more stringent with their criteria, including increased focus on funds that have a longer track record, can return money faster and manage risk better."
By Chao Deng at WSJ
Ebay to expand the range of digital currencies it ac...
Asia's Hedge Fund Industry gaining momentum
The biggest problem for the digital currency is stil...


text:
Parental Perceptions on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Acute Care
Sriram Ramgopal*, Marie E. Heffernan, Anne Bendelow, Matthew M. Davis, Michael S. Carroll, Todd A. Florin, Elizabeth R. Alpern, Michelle L. Macy
Background: Family engagement is critical in the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI)-based clinical decision support tools, which will play an increasing role in health care in the future. We sought to understand parental perceptions of computer-assisted health care of children in the emergency department (ED). Methods: We conducted a population-weighted household panel survey of parents with minor children in their home in a large US city to evaluate perceptions of the use of computer programs for the care of children with respiratory illness. We identified demographics associated with discomfort with AI using survey-weighted logistic regression. Results: Surveys were completed by 1620 parents (panel response rate = 49.7%). Most respondents were comfortable with the use of computer programs to determine the need for antibiotics (77.6%) or bloodwork (76.5%), and to interpret radiographs (77.5%). In multivariable analysis, Black non-Hispanic parents reported greater discomfort with AI relative to White non-Hispanic parents (odds ratio [OR] 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–2.70) as did younger parents (18–25 years) relative to parents ≥46 years (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.31–4.67). The greatest perceived benefits of computer programs were finding something a human would miss (64.2%, 95% CI 60.9%–67.4%) and obtaining a more rapid diagnosis (59.6%; 56.2%–62.9%). Areas of greatest concern were diagnostic errors (63.0%, 95% CI 59.6%–66.4%), and recommending incorrect treatment (58.9%, 95% CI 55.5%–62.3%). Conclusions: Parents were generally receptive to computer-assisted management of children with respiratory illnesses in the ED, though reservations emerged. Black non-Hispanic and younger parents were more likely to express discomfort about AI.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2022.05.006
10.1016/j.acap.2022.05.006
Dive into the research topics of 'Parental Perceptions on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Acute Care'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Parent Medicine and Dentistry 100%
Intelligence Medicine and Dentistry 62%
artificial intelligence INIS 62%
Child Medicine and Dentistry 50%
children INIS 50%
Perception Medicine and Dentistry 37%
Hispanic Medicine and Dentistry 37%
surveys INIS 37%
Ramgopal, S., Heffernan, M. E., Bendelow, A., Davis, M. M., Carroll, M. S., Florin, T. A., Alpern, E. R., & Macy, M. L. (2023). Parental Perceptions on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Acute Care. Academic Pediatrics, 23(1), 140-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2022.05.006
Ramgopal, Sriram ; Heffernan, Marie E. ; Bendelow, Anne et al. / Parental Perceptions on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Acute Care. In: Academic Pediatrics. 2023 ; Vol. 23, No. 1. pp. 140-147.
@article{85b5fbd6dc004962a9f173302d9ac181,
title = "Parental Perceptions on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Acute Care",
abstract = "Background: Family engagement is critical in the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI)-based clinical decision support tools, which will play an increasing role in health care in the future. We sought to understand parental perceptions of computer-assisted health care of children in the emergency department (ED). Methods: We conducted a population-weighted household panel survey of parents with minor children in their home in a large US city to evaluate perceptions of the use of computer programs for the care of children with respiratory illness. We identified demographics associated with discomfort with AI using survey-weighted logistic regression. Results: Surveys were completed by 1620 parents (panel response rate = 49.7%). Most respondents were comfortable with the use of computer programs to determine the need for antibiotics (77.6%) or bloodwork (76.5%), and to interpret radiographs (77.5%). In multivariable analysis, Black non-Hispanic parents reported greater discomfort with AI relative to White non-Hispanic parents (odds ratio [OR] 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–2.70) as did younger parents (18–25 years) relative to parents ≥46 years (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.31–4.67). The greatest perceived benefits of computer programs were finding something a human would miss (64.2%, 95% CI 60.9%–67.4%) and obtaining a more rapid diagnosis (59.6%; 56.2%–62.9%). Areas of greatest concern were diagnostic errors (63.0%, 95% CI 59.6%–66.4%), and recommending incorrect treatment (58.9%, 95% CI 55.5%–62.3%). Conclusions: Parents were generally receptive to computer-assisted management of children with respiratory illnesses in the ED, though reservations emerged. Black non-Hispanic and younger parents were more likely to express discomfort about AI.",
keywords = "artificial intelligence, clinical decision support, emergency care, pediatrics, stakeholder engagement",
author = "Sriram Ramgopal and Heffernan, {Marie E.} and Anne Bendelow and Davis, {Matthew M.} and Carroll, {Michael S.} and Florin, {Todd A.} and Alpern, {Elizabeth R.} and Macy, {Michelle L.}",
note = "Funding Information: Financial statement: An anonymous family foundation dedicated to supporting research that advances community health in low-resource neighborhoods and the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities. SR is sponsored by the PEDSnet Scholars Training Program (Department of Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago). Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 Academic Pediatric Association",
doi = "10.1016/j.acap.2022.05.006",
journal = "Academic Pediatrics",
Ramgopal, S, Heffernan, ME, Bendelow, A, Davis, MM, Carroll, MS, Florin, TA, Alpern, ER & Macy, ML 2023, 'Parental Perceptions on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Acute Care', Academic Pediatrics, vol. 23, no. 1, pp. 140-147. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2022.05.006
Parental Perceptions on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Acute Care. / Ramgopal, Sriram; Heffernan, Marie E.; Bendelow, Anne et al.
In: Academic Pediatrics, Vol. 23, No. 1, 01.01.2023, p. 140-147.
T1 - Parental Perceptions on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Acute Care
AU - Ramgopal, Sriram
AU - Heffernan, Marie E.
AU - Bendelow, Anne
AU - Davis, Matthew M.
AU - Carroll, Michael S.
AU - Florin, Todd A.
AU - Alpern, Elizabeth R.
AU - Macy, Michelle L.
N1 - Funding Information: Financial statement: An anonymous family foundation dedicated to supporting research that advances community health in low-resource neighborhoods and the Patrick M. Magoon Institute for Healthy Communities. SR is sponsored by the PEDSnet Scholars Training Program (Department of Pediatrics, Ann and Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago). Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Academic Pediatric Association
N2 - Background: Family engagement is critical in the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI)-based clinical decision support tools, which will play an increasing role in health care in the future. We sought to understand parental perceptions of computer-assisted health care of children in the emergency department (ED). Methods: We conducted a population-weighted household panel survey of parents with minor children in their home in a large US city to evaluate perceptions of the use of computer programs for the care of children with respiratory illness. We identified demographics associated with discomfort with AI using survey-weighted logistic regression. Results: Surveys were completed by 1620 parents (panel response rate = 49.7%). Most respondents were comfortable with the use of computer programs to determine the need for antibiotics (77.6%) or bloodwork (76.5%), and to interpret radiographs (77.5%). In multivariable analysis, Black non-Hispanic parents reported greater discomfort with AI relative to White non-Hispanic parents (odds ratio [OR] 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–2.70) as did younger parents (18–25 years) relative to parents ≥46 years (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.31–4.67). The greatest perceived benefits of computer programs were finding something a human would miss (64.2%, 95% CI 60.9%–67.4%) and obtaining a more rapid diagnosis (59.6%; 56.2%–62.9%). Areas of greatest concern were diagnostic errors (63.0%, 95% CI 59.6%–66.4%), and recommending incorrect treatment (58.9%, 95% CI 55.5%–62.3%). Conclusions: Parents were generally receptive to computer-assisted management of children with respiratory illnesses in the ED, though reservations emerged. Black non-Hispanic and younger parents were more likely to express discomfort about AI.
AB - Background: Family engagement is critical in the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI)-based clinical decision support tools, which will play an increasing role in health care in the future. We sought to understand parental perceptions of computer-assisted health care of children in the emergency department (ED). Methods: We conducted a population-weighted household panel survey of parents with minor children in their home in a large US city to evaluate perceptions of the use of computer programs for the care of children with respiratory illness. We identified demographics associated with discomfort with AI using survey-weighted logistic regression. Results: Surveys were completed by 1620 parents (panel response rate = 49.7%). Most respondents were comfortable with the use of computer programs to determine the need for antibiotics (77.6%) or bloodwork (76.5%), and to interpret radiographs (77.5%). In multivariable analysis, Black non-Hispanic parents reported greater discomfort with AI relative to White non-Hispanic parents (odds ratio [OR] 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–2.70) as did younger parents (18–25 years) relative to parents ≥46 years (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.31–4.67). The greatest perceived benefits of computer programs were finding something a human would miss (64.2%, 95% CI 60.9%–67.4%) and obtaining a more rapid diagnosis (59.6%; 56.2%–62.9%). Areas of greatest concern were diagnostic errors (63.0%, 95% CI 59.6%–66.4%), and recommending incorrect treatment (58.9%, 95% CI 55.5%–62.3%). Conclusions: Parents were generally receptive to computer-assisted management of children with respiratory illnesses in the ED, though reservations emerged. Black non-Hispanic and younger parents were more likely to express discomfort about AI.
KW - artificial intelligence
KW - clinical decision support
KW - emergency care
KW - pediatrics
KW - stakeholder engagement
U2 - 10.1016/j.acap.2022.05.006
DO - 10.1016/j.acap.2022.05.006
JO - Academic Pediatrics
JF - Academic Pediatrics
Ramgopal S, Heffernan ME, Bendelow A, Davis MM, Carroll MS, Florin TA et al. Parental Perceptions on Use of Artificial Intelligence in Pediatric Acute Care. Academic Pediatrics. 2023 Jan 1;23(1):140-147. doi: 10.1016/j.acap.2022.05.006


text:
Langelijnvisserij (ook wel longline-visserij of longlijnvisserij) is een visserijtechniek die gebruikt wordt door beroepsvissers in de zeevisserij. Hierbij worden lange dunne kabels gebruikt, de zogenaamde hoofdlijn. Aan deze hoofdlijn zitten zijlijnen met haakjes en aasvis.

Diverse methoden
In de langelijnvisserij kunnen -afhankelijk van de beviste soorten- de hoofdlijnen op verschillende manieren in het water worden neergelaten: zwevende net onder het wateroppervlak, of juist dicht op de zeebodem, vast aan een anker, of juist vrijzwevend. Eén hoofdlijn kan bestaan uit honderden of duizenden zijlijnen met aas. De langelijnvisserij richt zicht meestal op zwaardvis, tonijn, Pacifische heilbot (de gewone heilbot is inmiddels een bedreigde diersoort), zwarte kabeljauw, kabeljauw, schelvis, koolvis en nog veel meer soorten.
Bij de visserij op Antarctische diepzeeheek (ook wel Patagonische tandvis  genoemd bij letterlijke vertaling uit het Engels) zijn beperkingen ingesteld en mogen er niet meer dan 25 haken aan een lijn zitten. Daarentegen worden door de grootschalige beroepsvisserij in de Beringzee en het noordelijk deel van de Grote Oceaan kilometers lange lijnen gebruikt, met meer dan 2500 haken met aas.

Bijvangsten
Deze visserij is berucht om de bijvangst van buissnaveligen (waaronder veel soorten albatrossen), zeeschildpadden en bedreigde haaiensoorten. Jaarlijks worden tussen de 50.000 en 100.000 vogels, voornamelijk Noordse stormvogels, gevangen als ongewenste bijvangst. De Britse vogelbeschermingsorganisatie heeft alle landen die met lijnen vissen, gevraagd plannen op te stellen om het aantal gevangen vogels te verminderen. Behalve vogels worden soms zeezoogdieren aan de haak geslagen bij de langelijnvisserij. Ook deze verdrinken dan meestal.

Er zijn methoden om deze schadelijke effecten tegen te gaan zoals:
 Gewichten aan de lijnen hangen zodat de haken snel onder het wateroppervlak zakken
 Vlaggetjes bevestigen die de zeevogels afschrikken
 Alleen 's nachts of bij weinig licht vissen
 Het visseizoen beperken in de tijd dat de zeevogels jongen hebben
 Geen visafval overboord gooien als de lijnen worden uitgezet

Desondanks is het effect van deze maatregelen beperkt. In maart 2006 werd de visserij op zwaardvis rond Hawaï gesloten omdat ze een bedreiging vormde voor de onechte karetschildpad (Caretta caretta). Dit ondanks het gebruik van speciale haken om bijvangsten te voorkomen.
Vooral onder albatrossen is de sterfte door de langelijnvisserij aanzienlijk. Van de 21 soorten die er worden onderscheiden door de IUCN, staan er 19 als bedreigd op de rode lijst.

Visserij

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: Java call multiple selected methods in a loop I'm looking for some help in optimizing my code and write it using less number of lines. I have a Class say A which has few methods defined like below:
Class A{
    public void doSomethingA(){
    }
    public void doSomethingB(){
    }
    public void doSomethingC(){
    }
    public void verifySomethingXYZ(){
    }
    public void verifySomethingLMN(){
    }
}

Now I have a separate class say B and methods written like below
Class B{
    public void test(){
    }

    public void verifyMyMethods(){

    A objA = new A();
    objA.doSomethingA();
    test();
    objA.doSomethingB();
    test();
    objA.doSomethingC();
    test();
    }
}

All of this code runs well. I'm just trying to see if there is a better way I can keep calling those methods like objA.doSomethingA() inside verifyMyMethods() so I can do the same work using less number of code lines.
I would like to call methods doSomethingA(), doSomethingB(), doSomethingC() etc. in a loop. But not sure how it can be done. One approach was to use Java.lang.Class.getMethod(). But this will return all the methods defined in a class.
I did check this [https://stackoverflow.com/questions/12566107/how-to-call-multiple-methods-using-loop-in-java ] exisitng post, but my problem is I just do not want to call all the methods defined inside class A. Only some of them. And since I will be calling some 10-20 methods from Class A in Class B, I would like to do this in slightly better fashion.
There is another solution I saw in Python [https://stackoverflow.com/questions/55458933/how-to-call-multiple-methods-of-a-class-in-a-loop]
name = YourClass()
methods = [name.alex,  name.john, name.claire ] # ...

for m in methods:
    m()

But how can this be done in Java? Here is what I tried. But it gives null pointer exception.
public void try(){
    List<String> l = Lists.newArrayList("objA.doSomethingA","objA.doSomethingB","objA.doSomethingC");
    for (String i : l){
        try{
            Method mett =objA.getClass().getMethod(i); // null pointer exception thrown for this line
            mett.invoke(i);
        } catch (NoSuchMethodException | SecurityException | IllegalAccessException | IllegalArgumentException | InvocationTargetException e){
        }
    }

A: You must wrap the method invocations in a function to achieve that. Consumer is a good candidate for your case.

Represents an operation that accepts a single input argument and returns no result

An implementation may look like this:
class MethodInvocation implements Consumer<A> {

    @Override
    public void accept(A a) {
      a.doSomethingA();
    }
  }

That's too long to do for every method invocation and since Consumer is a functional interface, we can just use lambdas or method references.
public class Temp {

  public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
    A objA = new A();
    List<Consumer<A>> consumers = Arrays.asList(a -> a.doSomethingA(), A::doSomethingB, A::doSomethingC);
    for (Consumer<A> consumer : consumers) {
      consumer.accept(objA);
    }
  }
}

A: Just another solution:
public class A {
    public void doSomethingA(){
        System.out.println("Calling doSomethingA");
    }
    public void doSomethingB(){
        System.out.println("Calling doSomethingB");
    }
    public void doSomethingC(){
        System.out.println("Calling doSomethingC");
    }
    public void verifySomethingXYZ(){
        System.out.println("Calling verifySomethingXYZ");
    }
    public void verifySomethingLMN(){
        System.out.println("Calling verifySomethingLMN");
    }
}

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        List<String> methodsToCall = new ArrayList<>(Arrays.asList("doSomethingA", "doSomethingB", "doSomethingC"));
        callDesiredMethods(methodsToCall);
    }

    public static void callDesiredMethods(List<String> methodsToCall) {
        Class clazz = A.class;
        Method[] methods = clazz.getMethods();
        for (Method method : methods) {
            if (methodsToCall.contains(method.getName())) {
                try {
                    method.invoke(clazz.newInstance());
                } catch (IllegalAccessException e) {
                    e.printStackTrace();
                } catch (InvocationTargetException e) {
                    e.printStackTrace();
                } catch (InstantiationException e) {
                    e.printStackTrace();
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
GNOSEF: Where Young Entrepreneurs Discover Enterprise
John Curtis Christian High School
Going to Regional! Both Grayson Barron and Zachary LaBarre (L to R) are taking their prize-winning high school science fair ideas to the Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair next week.
Reps from Entergy and a local oil and gas company are already inquiring about ninth grader Grayson Barron's backpack with a practical application – it converts into a portable desk, and tenth grader Zachary LaBarre is hypothesizing a practical way to tackle two environmental problems unique to New Orleans; too many discarded Mardi Gras beads and potholes that litter the streets.
Both John Curtis Christian high schoolers are presenting their enterprising projects at next week's Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair (GNOSEF), and both see financial futures in their findings.
"I have always hated standing up and writing or typing, even with a clipboard," said 15-year-old Barron. "I decided to engineer a simple solution for this simple problem. I designed a backpack with a built-in desk that folds down that is strong enough to hold a laptop. I think with more research and development, this product could help thousands of in-the-field engineers and others who have to write or type while standing."
"I go to lots of Mardi Gras parades and have always been fascinated by the street cleaners who try to sweep up all the leftover beads on the ground after a parade," said 16-year-old LaBarre. "Millions of beads end up in catch basins and clog up the whole drainage system throughout the city. And, living in New Orleans, driving around, you know there are potholes everywhere. My project, 'Mardi Gras Beads, Fill Potholes, Not Landfills,' is about using these trashed Mardi Gras beads as an economic solution to fill potholes. Once you pour asphalt over the top, my conclusion is that it's strong enough to support vehicular traffic. This would solve two big obstacles our city has."
More than 300 middle and high school students from the Greater New Orleans area will join Barron and LaBarre to showcase their abstracts, analysis, display boards and scientific methods at the 63rd Annual GNOSEF from Monday, Feb. 18, through Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Tulane University Lavin-Bernick Center.
"This annual gathering of curious young students and dedicated STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) teachers serves as an educational platform for creating a brighter future for everyone in our community," said GNOSEF co-director Annette Oertling, Ph.D. "As we have for the past 63 years, we are committed to ensuring that students continue to seek collaboration with area students, scientists and engineers while ultimately pursuing STEM careers."
More than $65,000 in cash and non-cash awards, prizes, grants and scholarships will be awarded to GNOSEF 2019 winners, teachers and schools, including a trip in May for four students and two teachers to the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Phoenix, Arizona, which draws more than 1,600 students from 70 countries who vie for more than $4 million in cash awards and prizes.
Sixty category winners at the GNOSEF will also be eligible to compete for state honors at the Louisiana Science and Engineering Fair to be held at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge next month and go to the Intel ISEF.
Barron, a science fair veteran who's won multiple school, regional and state science fair awards and distinctions, is entering his backpack contraption that he's thinking of calling FOLD in the GNOSEF Engineering category. He said he wished he could have been the original inventor of the nuclear reactor, but would gladly work on a real-life Iron Man suit. "I'm going to construct an exoskeleton for next year," he said. "One with steel rods and a frame that will distribute weight more efficiently so you can lift really heavy things."
"The Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair gives kids an opportunity to focus on something they enjoy, pursue a topic outside of the classroom and make it for fun," said Barron's mom Jennifer Barron. "He's an independent worker, and these types of opportunities give him a chance to explore his creative side."
"I designed, built and tested this innovative backpack, and I looked around and there is no competition in this product category," said Barron. "If you start a business early, it's a good thing because it will provide a source of income so you can grow your business, start another, or use it for college so you don't get into debt. It's important for kids my age to get other kids interested in STEM and get past the nerdy stereotype."
LaBarre, who's also won several science fair awards including a state fair grand prize in seventh grade for comparing the salinity of different natural water supplies found in lakes and rivers, will be competing in the GNOSEF's Environmental Engineering category this year. He estimates his repurposed Mardi Gras bead implementation will only cost $60 in materials to fill a pothole. He's hoping the City may find a purposeful use for his data, observations, research and results. "If I win, my next step will be to get a patent," he said.
Student exhibits will be on display to the public on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons and Thursday morning. Admission is free and open to public.
Throughout the four-day event on Tulane University's campus, students will be able to participate in social media contests featuring trivia questions and Instagram photos and videos of their GNOSEF projects and experiences, making them eligible to win a variety of additional prizes.
GNOSEF participants will also log in some time with college students who will take them on tours of the Loyola and Tulane University campuses.
Professor Kim Jovanovich, interim associate dean of Engineering at the University of New Orleans, is a GNOSEF board member who won a certificate at the GNOSEF in 1965 for a Geiger counter that he built in high school. He said if kids today go after STEM careers, they'll always be in high demand in the workforce.
"The word 'engineer' comes from the word 'ingenuity,'" said Jovanovich. "You have to have imagination to be an engineer. Businesses hire people with creativity and those who believe in a dream. Engineers make those dreams come true."
"Science fairs are important because you get experience building whatever you want," said Barron. "You never know what you're going to see when you're there that could inspire your next big idea."
LaBarre, who wishes he had invented the microwave because he's perpetually mesmerized by how it heats up food so fast, agrees. "It gets your creative juices flowing," he said of the regional science fair. "As a kid you always have new ideas, and you have the time to really think about them. It's a creative time of life. I'm really excited to get there and speak to people about my Mardi Gras bead idea. Going to the Greater New Orleans Science and Engineering Fair gives me a good feeling every year."


No bank branches? For steadily growing credit card issuer, no problem.
David Goodman of Barclaycard and Gil Mermelstein discuss how an increased focus on branding and digital marketing have helped Barclaycard improve customer acquisition and customer satisfaction.
To read the full article as it appeared in SNL Financial, please click here.


Willie Suhadolnik planted his first grapes in the Yakima Valley with his father at age 7, decades before the region became known for its wineries and quality wines. He has been dedicated to achieving finished products of quality ever since.
Years ago, Willie started dabbling in Nutrient Technologies products on some of his blocks, making up his own sprays programs to react to symptoms he saw. About 3 years ago his pinot gris block was really suffering, so he asked his neighbor how he kept getting such great, consistent results from his vines. His neighbor suggested he speak to Michael Ruttan.
Michael holds a master's degree in Agronomy and is an expert in foliar feeding and Nutrient Technologies' product line. Michael visited the vineyard and met with Oregon Vineyard Supply Fieldman Ron Benitz. Together, they analyzed soil and whole leaf samples to develop a complete nutrition and fertilizer program aimed at correcting the deficiencies that were affecting the vines.
When they presented the program to Willie, he was not sure he wanted to open his checkbook, but he knew he wanted better results and that what he had been doing was not working. He saw his neighbors results, so he put his trust into Michael's experienced hands.
Throughout the next year and a half, Michael and Willie spoke every week and a half. Willie came to know the track's Michael's truck left, as he would stop by and check on the vines more frequently than they spoke. Whole leaf samples were collected and analyzed periodically to make sure the vines were on the right track and to make adjustments as needed.
Now that harvest is over, and Suhadolnik's pinot gris grapes were selected by Columbia Crest for their prestigious Desiginated Vineyard Reserve label, Willie couldn't be happier. He was able to achieve the highest quality results, improve the vigor of his vines, and solve some of his growing problems with his nutrition program.
If you would like to schedule an in-field evaluation or would like to speak directly to one of our territory managers and PCAs, call or email us today.
If you are in the Pacific Northwest and would like to attend one of Michael's upcoming Januray trainings, contact him directly or stop by booth #125 at the NW Hort Expo Dec 5 -7 for more details.


text:
Download free "The History of Pittsfield, (Berkshire Country) Massachusetts…" by Joseph Edward Adams Smith EPUB, MOBI, PDF, TXT, Kindle
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Joseph Edward Adams Smith was born in 1822
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text:
Housing Success Stories
Youth Success Stories
EED Success Stories
Fitness Success Stories
Success Story: Claudia
After completing YWCA St. Paul's Transitional Housing Program, Claudia's goals led her back to YWCA St. Paul's employment services. As a participant in YW Works,
Success Story: Pete
A fierce competitor his whole life, when Pete ran into health issues in his 80s, he showed that lifelong fitness is its own reward. Just
Success Story: Maryam
Maryam lives with her parents and three younger siblings in an apartment just a few blocks away from YWCA St. Paul, but before coming to
Success Story: Chanell
Like many parents, Chanell spends a lot of time in the car, with drop-offs and pick-ups going between school and daycare, work and home. Chanell's
Success Story: Nena
Before she began spending time at YWCA St. Paul, Nena struggled with how to spend her time in a productive way that would build a
Success Story: Australia
Australia had always had a job to support herself and her two sons. After switching to working part time in order to pursue her education
Success Story: Shay
When Shay was 10 she witnessed the murder of her mother, father and sister. Reeling from the trauma and grieving the loss of her family,
Success Story: Frankie
Frankie is a lap swimmer. It's not always easy, but for 45 years the sidestroke has been her therapy. "I swim because it's something that
Success Story: Irina
Far away from friends and family, Irina spent seven years in an abusive marriage. "It was like living on a volcano," she recalls, "never knowing
Success Story: Curtis
For four years, Curtis worked at a local meat packing plant. The shifts were grueling and conditions difficult, but it was steady work. "Making $15


text:
6417 Liberati è un asteroide della fascia principale. Scoperto nel 1993, presenta un'orbita caratterizzata da un semiasse maggiore pari a 2,5869205 UA e da un'eccentricità di 0,1854121, inclinata di 3,95132° rispetto all'eclittica.

Il suo nome è stato dedicato al ternano Libero Liberati, campione del mondo di motociclismo.

Collegamenti esterni

Corpi celesti scoperti nel 1993
Liberati


Striker Abdelmalek Ziaya scored a late winner as ES Setif bounced back to beat TP Mazembe 2-1 in their semi-final first leg on Saturday in Setif. The 30-year old Ziaya, who rejoined 'Les Aigles Noirs' few months ago netted the vital strike a minute from time to give his side a slim goal advantage ahead of the second leg next weekend in Lubumbashi.
TP Mazembe held rivals AS Vita to a barren draw in their ultimate Group A match on Sunday in Kinshasa to finish tops of the group. Mazembe edged rivals AS Vita on the head-to-head rule despite both teams amassing 11 points apiece from six games at the group phase, and are through to the semis.
DR Congo side AS Vita joined rivals TP Mazembe at the last four after a shocking 1-0 win over Egyptian giants Zamalek on Sunday in Alexandria. Young forward Yunus Sentamu scored the only goal on 55 minutes to seal a historic place at the semi-final stage of the premier continental club championship.
TP Mazembe booked their place at the semis in grand style courtesy a 3-1 thrashing of Al Hilal of Sudan on Sunday in Lubumbashi. Rainford Kalaba, Solomon Asante and Malian Adama Traore scored a goal each to power 'Les Corbeaux' into the last four, and effectively dashing the hopes of the Omdurman-based club with a game to spare. Mazembe have 10 points whilst Hilal remain at the foot of the standings of Group A with four points.
A last-gasp penalty from Tady Etakiama handed AS Vita Club a 2-1 win over Sudanese giants Al Hilal in their Group A Day Four clash on Sunday in Kinshasa. Etakiama scored from the spot at the death of the game after Emmanuel Ngudikama was brought down by his marker, and push the Kinshasa based club to the summit of the standings.
TP Mazembe won their first game at the group phase after beating rivals AS Vita 1-0 in their Group A fixture in Lubumbashi on Sunday, whilst Entente Setif of Algeria and CS Sfaxien shared the spoils in a 1-1 in Setif. Tanzanian midfielder Mbwana Samata saved the blushes of Les Corbeaux with the match winner on the half-hour mark.
Former champions Zamalek tasted defeat for the first time after AS Vita beat them 2-1 in their Group A clash on Sunday in Kinshasa. It was the first time the five-time winners of the competition had tasted defeat or even conceded in this term's campaign in the Orange CAF Champions League.


text:
Stay off Asamankese chieftaincy dispute - West Akyem MCE advises assembly members
BY: Samuel Kyei-Boateng
Mr Seth Oduro-Boadu
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for the West Akyem Assemby, Mr Seth Oduro-Boadu, has advised assembly members not to involve themselves in the renewed chieftaincy dispute at Asamankese.
He said the dispute had the potential of undermining the peace and security in the area.
Mr Oduro-Boadu made the call when he addressed the last general meeting of the assembly this year at Asamankese last Wednesday.
He said the advice had become imperative due to the disturbances at Asamankese since last Monday which resulted in the injury of nine people and the arrest of 38 suspects who were currently being investigated by the Eastern Regional Police Command at Koforidua.
NPP conference
The MCE said last Monday when he was in Kumasi attending the national delegates' conference of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), he received a distress call that violence had erupted at the Asamankese palace following the installation of a rival chief of the town with the stool name Osabarima Pobi Asomani II.
He said he immediately reported the matter to the security agencies in Accra and Koforidua, as well as soldiers from the Akyem Achiase Jungle Warfare School, who sent reinforcement to assist the Asamankese Divisional Police Command to restore law and order in the town.
Mr Oduro-Boadu said but for the timely intervention of reinforcement team, there would have been casualties.
Touching on the development plan for the municipality, the MCE said all was set for the assembly to construct 40-unit lockable stores at Nana Amoh lane of the Asamankese market to provide more stores for the traders to carry out their activities in a more conductive environment.
He said the GH¢1.4 million facility, which would be undertaken under the public-private partnership when completed, would project the image of the municipality in terms of commerce and also a good source of revenue generation for the assembly.
Mr Oduro-Boadu mentioned some of the viable projects completed this year as the construction of a two-storey 92-unit lockable market stores at the Asamankese central market, a special ward for the Asamankese Government Hospital, a three-unit classroom block with ancillaries and distribution of quantities of desks to schools in the municipality.
He reminded the assembly members of the devastating effects of COVID-19 on the people in the municipality and urged everyone to get vaccinated and also strictly adhere to the safety protocols as the nation needed all Ghanaians alive to contribute their quota towards national development.
He thanked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the NPP, the Eastern Regional minister and the assembly members for his retention as the MCE.
The Presiding Member of the assembly, Mr George Yirenkyi Kissiedu, enjoined the assembly members to close their ranks and work hard to uplift their communities and the municipality at large.
The Municipal Manager of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Mr Justice Bandoh, advised the assembly members to expose miscreants who were selling fake meters to the customers in the area to face prosecution.
He also urged them to seek technical advice from the ECG before installing streetlights to prevent electrocution or the burning of transformers whose replacement was very expensive.


With a blizzard of wings and a roar of cackling voices, thousands of Snow Geese take to the air in the chill of a New Mexico dawn. Around me camera shutters click, motordrives whir, and exclamations of awe and delight ring out as photographers and bird watchers enjoy the spectacular exodus. But there's more: as the light grows, tall gray shapes emerge from the dawn, a guttural murmuring builds in intensity, and finally, punctuated by strident bugling, hundreds of Sandhill Cranes begin taking off in small flocks, following the geese on their search for breakfast.
The scene is Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge, one of North America's top bird-photography hotspots, where as many as 50,000 Snow Geese and 15,000 "Greater" Sandhill Cranes spend the winter. Add to that a few Ross's Geese and many dabbling ducks, throw in some raptors such as Bald Eagles and Northern Harriers, plus the resident Greater Roadrunners and a variety of songbirds, all surrounded by spectacular scenery and great light. It's no wonder Bosque's the perfect place for a bird photographer to play! Coupled with digital photography—seeing your images immediately and no film costs—Bosque provides an artist's palette that entices you to experiment, try new techniques, and set your creative spirit free, whether you want to capture crisply focused action shots or make more moody, evocative images.
Located at the northern edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, Bosque del Apache is a system of managed wetlands and agricultural lands along the Rio Grande Valley, surrounded by desert habitat with the Chupadera Mountains to the west forming a dramatic backdrop. Public access is via a 12-mile tour loop. Its two sections—the southern Marsh Loop and the Farm Loop to the north—are one-way unpaved roads linked by a central two-way road. Each loop is two-way for a short distance to allow convenient access to the most popular viewing areas. The tour loop entrance (fee payable) is located opposite the refuge Visitor Center.
Most bird photographers head first to the refuge's Main Pool, where the "Flight Deck" observation platform is often crammed with photographers waiting to capture the spectacular "blast-offs" of huge Snow Goose flocks at sunrise, and their equally dramatic return in the evening. Visitors should be aware that in recent years the Main Pool has been drained for management reasons so fewer birds have been roosting there. It's best to check refuge conditions before your trip.
Alternate spots for sunrise and sunset photography are the shallow pools along Old Highway 1, located a mile or so past the refuge boundary as you approach the refuge from the north. Many Sandhill Cranes roost overnight in the pools west of the highway, offering great opportunities at sunset against the dramatic mountain backdrop as well as takeoffs in the morning. Numerous Snow Geese roost in the pool east of the highway, and recently this pool has offered the best opportunities for photographing silhouettes and mass takeoffs at sunrise. Be aware that a railroad track carrying slow-moving freight trains lies between the highway and the pool. Trains pass only occasionally and can be seen and heard well before they arrive, but photographers should stay alert to this potentially dangerous situation.
To capture that goose blast-off shot, check the time of sunrise and be in place early. Remember that the most vivid color in the eastern sky often develops a half-hour or so before the sun reaches the horizon, especially if there are high clouds in the sky. (Conversely, the richest color at sunset occurs up to a half-hour after the sun has disappeared.) For warm, intense colors set your digital camera's white-balance function to "cloudy" or "shade." Don't forget to switch it back to "auto" or "sunny" as the sun climbs and you change to front-lit conditions. How do you expose for silhouettes at sunrise or sunset? Trusting auto-exposure may result in underexposed images, especially if the sun is included in the frame. Instead use manual exposure or take advantage of your exposure-lock button. Meter a section of the sky that looks to be middle-toned, lock in that exposure, and you're all set. Check and reset the exposure value periodically as the light levels change.
To get the best out of your visit, pay attention to the birds' behavior patterns. Bosque's geese and cranes have a distinct daily routine. After the sunrise exodus, they fly to the farm fields at the north end of the refuge to feed. Later in the morning, the geese take off en masse and return to water to loaf until midafternoon, when they usually head out once more to feed until dusk. Cranes on the other hand feed in marshes and fields all day. Both species then return to their roosting pools, sometimes well after sunset.
Noticing certain behavioral cues will help you get dramatic action shots. Cranes lean forward, "craning" their necks for several seconds before running along to take flight. Use your camera's autofocus tracking function, focus on the bird's head or neck and follow along with it (referred to as "panning") as it runs along. Waterfowl about to take wing hold their heads high and necks stiff, often bobbing or flipping their heads quickly. Other species may defecate or crouch before taking flight. Watch for these cues and you're primed for takeoff. Acquire focus and pan with the bird as above. Remember that birds usually take off and land into the wind. Ideally, you want the wind to be coming from the same direction as the light (from the south or east in the morning, or from the north or west in the afternoon) so that the bird is illuminated from the front.
Birds are creatures of habit, and you can use their activity patterns to your advantage. Roadrunners are often seen near the tour loop entrance and along the central two-way road, where they emerge to sunbathe on chilly winter mornings, ruffling their back feathers to let the sun's warmth play on their skin. They are easily approachable by vehicle. Accipiters such as Cooper's Hawks often hang out in the trees in the same area. Western Meadowlarks can be seen foraging along the roadsides bounding the Main Pool and the first stretch of the Marsh Loop. Say's Phoebes often forage for insects from favorite perches here too. As you drive around, you may notice other patterns; for instance, the Northern Harrier you see cruising up and down a favorite stretch of marsh looking for food probably takes the same route every day. Position yourself where light conditions are optimal and wait for the harrier to return.
For the best place to practice flight photography, head to the Farm Loop after sunrise. As you round the sharp corner at the north end, crop fields lie to your north, where the refuge grows corn and other grains for the cranes. (Of course the geese eat it too.) Here you'll have many opportunities to photograph geese and cranes in flight—individuals as well as flocks—as they fly in and out of the feeding areas.
For great flight shots it helps to be mobile and quick off the mark. Familiarity with your equipment is a must. You'll see many giant telephoto lenses at Bosque, but you don't necessarily need one to capture great images of birds in flight. A 300mm or 400mm lens is adequate to capture geese or cranes even full-frame, and lightweight enough to be hand-held. A 500mm or 600mm lens is heavy, so unless you are super-strong, use a tripod. Consider a "gimbal" type tripod head for maximum mobility and stability. For flock shots and birds in habitat, shorter telephotos and even wide-angle lenses can be used.
Today's newest cameras have excellent noise-reduction, so you can get away with using far higher ISOs, with the commensurate faster shutter speeds to stop action, than was ever possible with film. To stop action, consider using a shutter speed of at least 1/500 of a second. Using shutter speeds of 1/2,000 of a second and faster, you'll be able to capture high-action sequences and render even fast-moving wings sharply focused. Select your camera's central autofocus point, pick a bird flying at some distance and acquire focus, using the focus-tracking function to keep the bird focused as you pan with it. When the bird is composed to your preference, begin firing off shots while panning smoothly until it has flown out of range.
At Bosque, a flying bird is likely to pass across backgrounds of different colors—from the blue New Mexico sky to the vivid yellow and gold cottonwoods gracing the refuge in late autumn. These changing backgrounds may fool even the most sophisticated camera meters, meaning that if you rely on auto-exposure your bird may be incorrectly exposed. Instead use manual exposure—meter a neutral-toned area lying in the same light as your subject, such as grass or a dirt bank, and lock in that exposure value. Mid-toned birds such as cranes and blue-morph geese then will be perfectly exposed wherever they fly. For white-morph geese, you'll want to underexpose 2/3 stop from the ambient exposure to keep detail in the whites.
Bosque is known for its great light, but occasionally a day goes gray on you. Now it's time to get creative! Instead of racking up the ISO and struggling to get sharp flight shots, try rendering flying birds intentionally blurred by using a slow shutter speed. For slow-moving birds such as cranes, a shutter speed of 1/8 to 1/30 second can result in some interesting effects. Faster-moving birds, such as flying ducks or blackbird flocks, need a faster speed (1/60 to 1/125 second, for instance), otherwise the bird or birds will be so blurred as to be unrecognizable. Go wild and enjoy the beautiful abstract shapes that birds take on as a result of using this technique. Have fun with color, too. On gray days there's a lot of blue light reflected from the sky, and images come out cool in color. You can warm them up with your "cloudy" white balance, but why not experiment by setting your white balance on "tungsten" for an intensely blue, otherworldly look?
Try lenses of various focal lengths. Bosque offers opportunities to use everything from ultra-wide angles to super- telephotos. Can you include some of the great scenery in your shot? How about using a wide-angle lens or a short telephoto to include a spectacular sky, leaving the bird or birds rather small in the frame? My arsenal includes 28-105mm, 70-200mm, 300mm, 400mm, and 500mm lenses.
When is the best time to visit Bosque del Apache? Fall and winter offer the highest bird numbers. Mid-November can be lovely with cottonwood trees aglow in gold and mild weather, but there are fewer cranes. Later in November, when Bosque's famed "Festival of the Cranes" takes place, crane numbers increase. In past years, refuge managers have cut corn in fields close to the refuge roads during the festival, allowing close-up views of the birds and awesome photographic opportunities. December and January can also be good, although the weather can be bitterly cold, especially in early morning. On the other hand, in cold weather, cranes and geese often linger in roost pools until after sunrise and tend to return to roost earlier in the evening. In February, most of the close corn has been eaten so cranes feed farther away from the road, and the easy photo-ops are no more. By late February most cranes and geese have started their journey north.
If you're dreaming of a fall or winter getaway for bird photography, head to Bosque del Apache. And get ready to play!