Happy Whelpdays

First, belated whelpdays to kyhwana and equusmaximus.

Then, Happy Whelpday to sk_1!

Science!

British birdfeeders split blackcaps into two genetically distinct groups

... Rolshausen thinks that the crucial factor was human altruism - by giving food to wintering birds, we also gave an advantage to any individuals with mutations that sent them in an unorthodox direction. Previously such birds would have simply died, but with humans around, they (and the genes they carried) flourished.

How long did this take? Apparently, only fifty years or so.

PotW

The new picture of the week is up.

02 December 2009 Mother Remembered This was Ysengrin's mother, taken as she perched on the rock wall of a scenic overlook in Colorado back in 1943. She passed away a few weeks ago.

I'm fairly sure this was taken on my mother's "honeymoon" after she eloped with my father (getting married in Wichita Falls, Texas). I'm also pretty sure it's somewhere around Pikes Peak, if anyone would like a stab at actually locating where the photo was taken. She's twenty in the photo.

EDIT: And, I may be mistaken about the location. Their honeymoon apparently was spent in both Colorado Springs and around the Grand Tetons, so the photo may be from the latter area. Other photos in the same grouping are identifiably from both areas.

Y'all on my friends list already heard the announcement of her passing.