Order of the Arrow Ordeal

      Earlier this year, I was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, a program of the Boy Scouts of America.  The nature and makeup of the Order of the Arrow ordeal is supposed to be a secret, so that's all I'll say about that.  In the photo above, you see Boy Scout leaders and Order of the Arrow candidates.

     The Order of the Arrow is both an honor and a step toward more responsibility, mainly in the outdoor life areas of the Boy Scouts of America. 

     In the photo below below are some Boy Scout leaders and Order of the Arrow members.  The caps and vests worn by some of them are patterned after the traditional costumes of Taiwan aborigines. 

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River Kingfisher

     In the eighteen years I've been in Taiwan, I've seen only three river kingfishers and then only on a total of four occasions.  Most recently was today: July 31, 2010, and I was fortunate enough to have my camera on me. 
    I had never seen a river kingfisher in Taipei County before and wasn't expecting one then.  I was stalking an unidentified heron when, through the corner of my eye, I glimpsed a flash of turquoise fly past me.  After determining the direction in which it had flown, I crept up to that spot. Upon spotting the bird I alternately took pictures and slid my feet sideways, inches at a time, to move closer.

     With the small digital camera I use, it's hard to get a clear photo of a small bird.  These pictures, which I took at Shuangxi Creek (Shuangxi Riverside Park) will have to do.

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Michelle at the CKS Gardens in Shihlin

      My wife Michelle posed for these pictures at the gardens on the grounds of the Chiang Kai-shek mansion in the Shihlin District.  The date was December 8, 2009.

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Chinese Bulbul

      The Chinese bulbul, also known as the white-vented bulbul, has been called one of the "three treasures of the city.  The city in question is Taipei City.  The two other treasures are the Eurasian tree sparrow and the Japanese white eye.

     Since the Chinese bulbul is a fairly small bird, if you're using an inexpensive camera, you have to get within ten meters of the bird to get a somewhat clear shot.  That's extremely difficult.  Most have been a greater distance from me and flew away before I could get close.  Some others perched within five meters of me but flew away before I could get my camera ready.

          The Chinese bulbul in these pictures was very helpful. Little by little, I got closer and closer.  I took many pictures, figuring that most of them would be blurry.  None of these pictures is as clear as I'd like, but, after all, the Chinese bulbul is a small bird.  Without professional equipment and training, a clearer picture of a Chinese bulbul may be beyond my capabilities.

     Below are some pictures I took of Chinese bulbuls while I was riding along that same trail.  I don't remember where I saw them. 

For more information on Chinese bulbuls, click here.

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Ray Heberer IV's Eagle Scout Ceremony

     In early 2010, Ray Heberer IV officially became an Eagle Scout.  Speaking (above) is Scoutmaster Bill Bryson.  In the background are Ray Heberer IV (center) and his parents, Mei Hua Heberer and Ray Heberer III.  The speaker at below left is Venture Crew Chief Steven Culkey.