July 12 my mother celebrated her 89th orbit around our star!! Congratulations Mom. May the next orbit be filled with great moments! click on photo for larger copy May 10th: A day dedicated to mothers! My mother had 13 of us; 12 are still on the go, and so is she at 88 years. Mother, you are amazing! Thanks. [ Mom and 2 of her daughters ] May 9th, NAMC Day (North American Migration Count now known locally as NSMC -NS for Nova Scotia): Birdwatchers all over North America are out Saturday, in their assigned areas, counting birds. The date chosen is at a time when many bird species are at the peak of their spring migration activity. Through the eyes (binoculars) of observing teams the day’s observations can take a continent-wide snapshot of where the birds are in the course of their movement. The Great Egret above was a nice surprise observed in an Avonport wetland Saturday morning (the photo is linked to a larger copy [280 kb]). [ link to Avonport’s March 2008 Great Egret visitor and egret status]. April 20th: My son, Kent Williams, ran the 113th Boston Marathon, completing it in 3 hours 15 min 37 sec. Through his sponsors, he raised $4300+ for breast cancer research. In addition he dedicated the day’s run to the memory of his Uncle Elvin (Red), who was born April 20th, 1960, died tragically Aug 25, 1995. CONGRATULATIONS KENTO! ** home_files/mom.jpghome_files/mom_1.jpghome_files/Mom-2dau.jpghttp://hanstoom.com/Archive/Projects/NSMC/Index.htmlhome_files/GEgret-webc.jpgegret080309.htmlhome_files/Kento%20B%20Marahon.jpgshapeimage_4_link_2shapeimage_4_link_3shapeimage_4_link_5