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Kenya Bird Watching Safaris/ Tours

Kenya has one of the richest avifaunas in Africa. With around 170 species of Kenya’s birds being Palearctic migrants mainly from Eastern Europe,Russia,  the Middle East and Serbia, you are sure to get your dream birding holiday.  60 species migrating regularly within the Afrotropics or from Madagascar. 335 Species are found in the forest 230 species are entirely forest dependent.

A bird watching safari can be combined with a beach holiday safari for those who would like to experience a bit of jungle and the comfort of the white sand beaches of the Kenyan coast making it a paradise treat holiday. In the coastal region we have various birding spots such as the Mida Creek. It has an area of 26100 ha. and streches for almost 40 km along the seashores  and its a fascinating world of cultures to discover, lying at 0-10 m above the sea level. The area comprises of a complex of marine and tidal habitats on Kenya’s north coast, streching from just south of Malindi town southwards to beyond the entrance of Mida creek. Habitats include inter-tidal rock, sand and mud, fringing reefs and coral gardens; beds of sea grass; coral cliffs, platforms and islets; sandbeaches; and mangrove forests. The sand dunes are great workout to build leg muscles and the tiny sand granules are fantastic as they massage every nerve of your foot – it’s natural reflexology. The species of focus will include among others the Crab plover, Terek sandpiper, Mangrove kingfisher, Greater Sandplover, Eurasian Oystercatcher among others. It is a perfect place photographing the humbling and magnificent Mangrove forest (the magical trees) of Mida creek.

There is also the Arabuko Sokoke forest with an area of 41600 ha at an altitude of 0-21m above sea level. It has tree types of habitats namely mixed forest, Brachystegia and Cynometra forest.Here we find species like Sokoke scopes owl, Clarke’s Weaver, Amani sunbird, Ant-eater thrush, Eastern Nicator, Mombasa woodpecker among other globally threaten species that only occurs in this forest.

Away from the coast there is the Lake Nakuru an alkaline pink dotted lake at the floor of the Great Rift Valley. It is a host to a wide variety of  bird species and even one of the worlds most gregarious birds, the flamingo. You also get to encounter the great white pelican, pink backed pelican, all water birds that breed in alkaline waters, the white stork, marabou stork, it hosts over four hundred species. The tropical rain forest known as the Kakamega forest which is in the heart of an intensively cultivated agricultural area, is a superb remainder of virgin tropical rainforest and is of course the home to a wide range of specialty birds, many which are not found anywhere else in Kenya. The forest is not only home to the rare De Brazza’s monkey (only found in Kakamega Forest), but also to the Hammer-headed Fruit Bat, Flying Squirrel, 400 species of butterflies and no less than 330 species of birds.
Yes, birding in a forest has its fair share of difficulties but this is easily forgotten when our count increases with hopeful sightings of the impressive Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Ross’ and the Great Blue Turaco. Other notables are the Grey-headed Negro-finch, Red-headed Bluebill, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Mackinnon’s Shrike and many more.

There are many birding spots in Kenya to  be covered in just one article and below is a sample itinerary just to give a clue of a safari flow however a tailor made

The Kenya birding safari starts in Nairobi National Park followed by the Rift Valley Lakes which is a mixture of fresh water lakes (Naivasha and Baringo) and salt water lakes (Nakuru and Bogoria). Further west we find the unique Kakamega Forest, a remaining patch of the tropical rain forest . We end the tour birding in Masai Mara, the Africa of everyone’s dream: rolling plains, great wildlife and a wide diversity of birds species.

DAY 1: NAIROBI NATIONAL PARK
After breakfast we drive to the Nairobi National Park, which despite being only a few kilometers from the city, is a home to big game. In its open grasslands scattered with acacia trees we will see the first game like Gazelles, Zebras, Giraffes and maybe some of the Cats.
On our birding venture we will see Ostrich, Secretary Bird, Crowned Crane, Vulture, Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Tawny Eagle and a herd of Buffaloes should provide Red-billed Oxpecker perched on their backs. Black Kite, Marabou Stork, Pied Crow and African Palm Swift are also available in the park.
A walk around the Hippo pools should give us our first sighting of the Nile Crocodiles and the Helmeted Guineafowl. In the Yellow-backed Acacia, look out for Grey Crowned Crane, Red-throated Tit and Chestnut-banded Plover.
Overnight at a hotel in Nairobi.

DAY 2&3: MENENGAI CRATER And LAKE NAKURU

After breakfast we leave Nairobi via the Nakuru road to the Rift valley. The Nairobi – Nakuru road is on a contour along the rim of the Rift valley and on viewpoints we will be able to see our whole route for the next days.
On the way we take a brief birding stop at the Limuru Swamp to see resident birds species such as Little Grebe, Yellow-billed and Maccoa Duck, Pelicans, Coots, Egrets and Herons. Soaring are Black Kite, Augur Buzzard and Pied Crow.
The Menengai area is very beautiful with cliff walls and steam jets filling the crater with mist. It is only 10 km from the Nakuru National Park and has not been touched by tourism. This is an easy to explain situation as safari evolves around wildlife with other geographical features being relegated to viewpoints that is if they happen to be visible from a highway. Fortunately Menengai Crater is off the highway, so it is spared the viewpoint ritual of convoys of tour buses stopping for the mandatory 10 minutes break of photo taking.
In the afternoon of day 3 we will do a birding walk in the crater where we will enjoy the beautiful contrasts of nature. Rocks that have stood the test of time, natural springs with mirror clear water, lava that reminds us that this is the Rift Valley and baboons trooping around with their babies. Possible sightings here are the Common Stonechat, Yellow-rumped Seedeater, Cinnamon-breasted Rock Bunting, Yellow Bishop, Yellow-mantled Widowbird, Northern Anteater chat, White-fronted Bee-eater and Shallow’s Wheatear.

On day 4 Lake Nakuru

We go bird watching in Lake Nakuru, which is famous for its thousands of Lesser Flamingos – the Greater Flamingoes will be easily distinguishable by their height. The Great White and Pink-backed Pelican and Black-winged Stilt are also there.
The lake has a low concentration of salt, so it supports fish that of course attract other water birds.
It is a good place to look for Avocets, Storks, Ibises, Ducks, Cormorants, Herons, and Terns. In the wooded acacias there is a chance to see the White-browed Coucal, Broad-billed Roller, Arrow-marked Babbler and the Narina Trogon.
We go with a picnic lunch, so that we can take a full day for birding and game viewing in the park.

DAY 5, 6 & 7: LAKE BARINGO
After breakfast we head further north to Lake Baringo which without doubt is a one of the most interesting places for bird watching in Kenya because of the different habitats that are found with-in a small radius. There is the fresh water lake with a slight degree of alkalinity, cliffs, open grasslands as well as scattered bushes.
Over 400 species of birds have been recorded. The woodlands by the lake are alive with White-browed Sparrow-Weavers, Jackson’s and Red-billed Hornbills, Bristle-crowned Starlings, and the rare Northern Masked Weavers, there are several Hamerkops along the lakeshore and with luck we should be able to see their nest, which a pair of Grey Kestrels have adopted as a home. There will be time to relax, enjoy the pool, and bird the grounds of the lodge for the resident Spotted Eagle-owls, and Sunbirds such as the Beautiful, Hunter’s and the Violet-breasted. Nightjars are common on the lakeshores at night and the Hippos graze freely on the lodge’s lawn. Overnight is at lodge.

On day 6 Lake Bogoria

we go birding to the nearby alkaline lake of Bogoria, famous for its thousands of flamingos and beautiful hot springs. As this area is very hot, we go early and return to the Baringo Country Club in time for a late lunch. Afternoon is spent birding leasurely in the garden of the lodge.
Before breakfast on day 7 we will bird the escarpment and surrounding countryside for Hemprich’s and Eastern Yellow-billed Hornbill, White-crested Turaco, Madagascar Bee-eater, Rufous-crowned Roller, Gabar Goshawk, Cliff Chat and Verreaux’s Eagle which feeds on the Rock Hyrax.
Later on the day we make a boat ride over Lake Baringo, always on the lookout for new bird species. We will come close to the Goliath Heron, African Fish Eagle, Malachite Kingfisher, plus swimming hippo and crocodiles.

DAY 8 & 9: KAKAMEGA FOREST
Kakamega forest, in the heart of an intensively cultivated agricultural area, is a superb remainder of virgin tropical rainforest and is of course the home to a wide range of specialty birds, many which are not found anywhere else in Kenya. The forest is not only home to the rare De Brazza’s monkey (only found in Kakamega Forest), but also to the Hammer-headed Fruit Bat, Flying Squirrel, 400 species of butterflies and no less than 330 species of birds.
Yes, birding in a forest has its fair share of difficulties but this is easily forgotten when our count increases with hopeful sightings of the impressive Black-and-white-casqued Hornbill, Ross’ and the Great Blue Turaco. Other notables are the Grey-headed Negro-finch, Red-headed Bluebill, Chestnut Wattle-eye, Mackinnon’s Shrike and many more.

DAY 10: LAKE NAIVASHA
A scenic transfer through the Nandi Hills and the tea rich area of Kericho takes us back to Nakuru and further south to the Lake Naivasha area.
Lake Naivasha is a fresh water lake without a known outlet. This is very strange considering that the rivers that feed it are salty. The lake has dense vegetation, which in turn supports a variety of birds. The area has a bird count of 350 species.
We reach Lake Naivasha in time for a late lunch where we’ll stay for the next two nights. In the afternoon we do a bird walk in the garden of the hotel, which borders the lake. A late afternoon boat ride gives us not only the chance to see numerous Hippos but also a wide variety of fresh water birds. A nocturnal visitor in this lodge is the hippo, whose deep munching we will easily identify from the comfort of our rooms.

DAY 11: HELL’S GATE NATIONAL PARK
Hell’s Gate is only a short drive away from the lodge. The first part is open grasslands bordered with steep rock cliffs in which the Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture nests. Easy sightings here are the Verreaux’s or Black Eagle, Common Ostrich, Black-shouldered Kite, White-fronted Bee-eater, Grassland and Long-billed Pipit, Northern and Schalow’s Wheatear, Lilac-breasted Roller…
The narrow gorge has a completely different habitat and hence very different birds: Yellow, Grey and African Pied Wagtail, Red-cheeked Cordonbleu, Purple Grenadier, Common Drongo, Superb Starling, Brimstone Canary, Common Waxbill, White-browed Robin-Chat…

DAY 12, 13 & 14: MASAI MARA
We head to the famous Masai Mara National Reserve, which borders Serengeti in Tanzania. Mara is the gem of birding and game viewing in Kenya with 450 species recorded. We will drive through Masai land, home to one of the most fascinating cultures in Africa.
In the vast grasslands we expect to see Elephants; the large Cats – Lion, Leopard, and Cheetah; the herd animals – Zebra, Wildebeest, Thompson’s and Grant’s Gazelles; and specialties like the Hartebeest and the Topi.

Expected bird species are the highly conspicuous Common Ostrich, the small but still conspicuous Cardinal Quelea, Sooty Chat, Ground Hornbill, Open-billed Stork, Temminck’s Courser, Yellow-throated Sandgrouse and Denham’s Bustard. Lilac-breasted Rollers are common. If we find a kill, we may see six species of vultures all dining together: Egyptian, Hooded, Griffon, Lappet-faced, White-backed and White-headed.

In addition we will encounter numerous raptors such as Bateleur, Martial and Tawny Eagles, as well as Pale Chanting Goshawk, Augur Buzzards and Black-chested Snake Eagles. Along the Mara River we’ll watch for African Finfoot, Schalow’s and Ross’ Turaco, Crested Guineafowl, Woodland Kingfisher, Yellow-billed Barbet, Black-billed Weaver, Violet-backed Starling, and perhaps with luck, Pel’s Fishing Owl. Any tapping noise on the trees may be indicative of the relatively uncommon Woodpeckers (Golden-tailed and Fine-banded). Hopefully we will be lucky enough to see some of the more difficult to see mammals such as Bat-eared Fox, Hunting Dog, Serval and the delightful Banded Mongoose.

DAY 15: Maasai Mara – Nairobi

Heading north to Narok, we stop to browse in the bustling, vibrant Maasai markets to buy curios and handicrafts before continuing to Nairobi where our safari end

For your tailor made birding safari you can always contact Beaverline safaris for your tailor made birding safari  as well as a wide range of safari products to East Africa

About the Author

Muchina is a tour consultant with Beaverline Safaris a Nairobi based tour operator commited to giving its clients the best of services through its highly effient and dedicated stuff. For all your East Africa Travel needs kindly contact Beaverline safaris at info@beaverlinesafaris.com or visit our Website at http://www.beaverlinesafaris.com

Tips For Making Saltwater Fishing Lures

Making your own fishing tackle, just as fly tying, can be a very rewarding activity. I actually enjoy making lures and tying flies as much as I do fishing.

If you live up North, it’s also a great way to stave off the Cabin Blues of deep winter. You won’t really save any money, but you can derive deep satisfaction from catching fish on something you hand-crafted yourself.

I can’t describe the feeling of accomplisment, especially when other anglers come over to look at your creations.

If you have it in mind to make lures and sell them on EBay to make money, I hate to disappoint you, but China cranks out millions of inexpensive flies and lures every year, and re-sellers have flooded the internet with them, just like retail stores. You can get 12 French spinners for as little as $9.00 on EBay.

There is no way you can make them that cheap at home. Are they as good as your own hand-crafted ones? Of course not.

A lot of the time they don’t even work right, and fall apart after a few fish. But…they got sold! If you’re going to get into tacklecraft, do it for your own enjoyment. Your not going to get rich making lures.

I have made lures out of left-over Balsa Wood, old teaspoons, costume jewlery and the like. They worked fine. But you can economically get the correct parts online to make lures as good as anything out there. My favorite places are

Barlow’s Tackle Express and Cabelas

These two places carry everything you’ll ever need to make any lure or fly you can imagine, as well as sinkers, jigheads, rods and nets.

I won’t go in to flies here, because that could cover several books. I will concentrate on conventional lures, going from the simplest, to the most complicated. We’ll start with the most low-tech, but one of the most successful lures…the spoon.

A spoon is just what the name suggests. A convex surface, painted or textured, or just plain smooth, and a plain concave surface which is the bottom of the lure. It has a small hole drilled or punched in each end, with a split ring and hook on one end, and a plain hole, or swivel on the other to tie the line on.

That’s it. On the retrieve, it wobbles, darts from side to side, flutters and drives fish crazy. They can even be tiiped with live bait ,or skirts, or plastic bodies. A plain version can easily be made by cutting the handle off of a suitable sized culinary spoon and filing the cut smooth.

Then simply drill a small hole in each end and attack a spit ring and hook at the larger end, and tie your line to the other hole. I would recommend attaching a split ring and swivel to the line end, because due to the violent action of the lure, the metal can cut your line.

You can paint the spoon, hammer a texture onto it, dress the hook with bucktail , marabou, or a rubber skirt, or tip it with whatever you want.

About the Author

Dan Eggertsen is a fishing researcher and enthusiast who is committed to providing the best saltwater fishing information possible. Get more information on saltwater fishing lures here: http://www.asksaltwaterfishing.com/

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6 Major Dog Instincts and Traits

Domestication:
Canines were probably the first species to be domesticated by humans. It’s a generally accepted theory that the worlds first dogs were tamed wolves. Dogs share biological similarities with wolves. They look much alike. Anatomically, they have almost identical teeth, adapted for seizing and tearing. Their actions are similar and they have extremely sensitive senses of smell and hearing. Domesticated canines are loyal to and dependent upon their masters. They have taken a subservient place in human society. The only reward many dogs seek is a kind word and a pat on the head. Still, the study of dogs and wolves teaches us many traits that haven’t changed much since before they were domesticated.

1. Instinct:
Instinct is an inborn tendency to behave in a way that is characteristic of a breed.

2. Body Language:
Postural display is yet another characteristic of canines.
* When meeting a strange dog or person, non socialized dogs will raise their hackles (hair on their backs and necks). This is more noticeable in short haired dogs, which makes them look larger than they normally are. It is meant to intimidate other dogs and people who pose a threat. Oftentimes hackle raising is combined with pulling back their lips to show their teeth.
* A dogs ears and tail positions are among other postural displays that will tell what a dog is thinking. For instance, most dogs will tuck their tails between their legs and their ears will fall when submitting to a greater power.
* Rolling over on their backs is another action of submission a dog will portray.
* Kneeling, or putting their front legs on the ground and lowering their front quarters is an indication they want to play. Combining this with a wagging tail displays friendliness.
* A superior more dominating dog will usually assume another significant body posture toward another dog. Standing tall on stiff legs, the superior dog will strut around the powerless one, often stressing this posture with frequent growls and snarls.
* Another instinctive habit seen in many dogs, is turning in circles before lying down. Some experts say this circling goes back to the days when dogs turned around and around to pack down the grass to make a soft bed. Others think the habit is more likely connected to their checking the ground for the scent of its enemies, since the dog has its nose to the ground during the turning around.
* Digging is another inborn trait in that dogs will occasionally dig dens under porches or yards. Terriers were known to pursue their quarry underground by digging, and this too is an inherited behavior.
* Chasing cars and/or other animals is not a bad habit, but just another instinct in many dog breeds.
* Attacking small animals is an inborn hunting trait derived from the time these small rodents were the dogs main food source. These inherited instincts are so natural that they cannot be stopped or changed completely, no matter how much effort is used.

3. Sense of Smell:
Sniffing or smelling the wind is another characteristic long established by wolves and other wild canines. This serves as a dual purpose; to detect the scent of prey and to distinguish predators in the area. Some breeds have a more keen sense of smell than other breeds. Domestic canines have 40 times more olfactory (sense of smell) cells than humans have.

4. Sense of Hearing:
With their erect ears dogs can hear the faintest sound and are excellent in early warnings of danger. Able to differentiate the distinct sounds of different cars in the distance, pet dogs often announce the arrival of their owner even before they can be seen.

5. Sight:
Dogs have highly developed visual capability. Their fields of vision is different and in some ways inferior to that of humans, but for their purposes, it is quite adequate.

6. Memory:
Dogs have an excellent memory which gives them the capability to learn quickly. In addition to a good memory and learning ability, a dog has the capacity to think and reasoning capabilities with which to solve problems. Dogs are a cunning and intelligent animal with a complex mind.

Although dogs’ instinctive actions and personalities are influenced by heredity, like other intelligent mammals, they are the products of genetics, experience, and training.

About the Author

Lamar Deane offers free tips and information on how to Discover Which Dog Breed Is Best Suited For You

Dogs Have Many Moods That Your Should Know About

Arrange your puppy training to be easier and more enjoyable by comprehending that your puppy is making an effort to connect with you in further ways than barking or wiggling his tail. Keep in mind, your puppy also tries to communicate with his ears, paws, tail, mouth and more and your puppy teaching and day to day life with your dog will be to a large extent more enjoyable.

Here are a few guidelines to some fundamental body language of your dog and its meaning:

Dominant – You will come across that a dominant dog will have the ears directly up or frontward, its mouth a little open or closed, its eyes wide open or looking intently, its body standing rigid and tall with hackles perhaps lifted up, and its tail out from the body rigid or plumped up. A low down and aggressive bark can frequently be anticipated.

Friendly – A friendly dog has upraised ears, open and watchful eyes, a calm mouth, the whole rear end or tail wagging, and perhaps whining, yelping or giving out small barking sounds.

Playful – A bended over pose with the tail wagging implies, “come, let us play.”

Submissive – A dog with its ears firmly back, eyes closed and paw lifted up is presenting excessive submission. The dog is not in high spirits but shows it will not assault.

Aggressive – An aggressive dog has its ears packed down behind touching its head, its eyes tapering or testing, body on edge, mouth open to show teeth and tail held out from the body and ruffled up if possible. Growls or howls are usual.

Worried – Quick barks along with howling, ears compressed and neck hairs lifted up means “I’m worried” or “something is wrong.”

Fear – A dog shows fear with a lowered posture, tail down or put underside, an curved back, looking or turning head even as showing the whites of their whites of eyes and enlarged pupils. Dogs frequently bark out of fear, in particular if they are in a tight spot, cooped up, or on a restraint.

Stressed – A dog under stress will frequently have its ears down and back, mouth wide open, and the lips being drawn backwards with fast breathing. Also tail put down, shoulders lowered, bent frontward, nervousness in attitude and it will almost certainly be shaking.

Now that you know more about what your puppy is making any effort to say to you about how he senses or the frame of mind he is in, try to put up this in your puppy training and day to day life.

In a puppy training sitting your dog should be showing that he is in a responsive or mischievous mood. If he shows he is commanding then you can make out that he may not be taking you sincerely or may well be being obstinate and you most likely have to be more forceful.

A little submissive conduct is not a bad thing as it means that that he knows that you are in command.

If your puppy turns out to be hassled, terrified, troubled or even hostile, you have got to stop your teaching and comfort your dog right away. If you have been teaching for more than 15 minutes, discontinue and take a breather. When you come back take things more leisurely or commence things in a different way.

Use your awareness in day to day life too. Watch your puppy in different circumstances and you will soon find out what he is fond of and hates or what his state of mind is. You can then take action to give him more of what he takes pleasure in and more encouragement, assurance and teaching in circumstances he finds more complex.

About the Author

To read about yorkie grooming and maltese grooming, visit the Puppy Grooming site.

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Is Exercise Safe for Asthmatics?

An asthma patient generally has sensitive air passages, or airways, resulting in difficult breathing for the patient when these air passages are irritated from an atmospheric change.

As mentioned earlier, it is crucial to note that some sports will have a higher probability of inducing attacks in an asthmatic. However this does not mean that an asthmatic cannot exercise safely.

If an asthmatic is looking for a safe sport, researchers point to swimming as the best possible sport for asthmatics as the breathing required rarely if ever causes chest tightness among swimmers. Although, participating in another form of exercise that would require exactly the same about of oxygen to circulate might not cause the same reaction in the participant.Your guide to asthma, symptoms, causes, treatment and more.

Of course, some asthmatics will experience acute attacks when they enter the swimming pool. Researchers needed to find an explanation, and it did not prove difficult to explain the reason. Some asthmatics are very sensitive to chlorine, as an irritant. Thus, it is not possible to state that swimmers who are asthmatic do not have attacks.

Running of any type is often a terrible idea for asthmatic patients as it will, in some people, trigger an almost immediate attack. However, recent treatment advances have enabled some athletes who were previously unable to run for more than a few seconds to adapt their exercise routines to include running.

If an asthma patient is in a situation where they are breathing heavily, it may trigger the start of an asthma attack. Common instances of heavy breathing include not only exercising, but also the breathing tests required for the diagnosis of asthma.

Yes, if you are an asthmatic you should exercise. There remain many choices for type of exercises and sports. Asthma-afflicted athletes should get an appointment with a sports medicine specialist who will be able to address athletic medical issues with the patient. The specialist may also be able to provide useful tips and innovative treatment methods to the asthmatic that other physicians might not have considered trying.

Sports which involve short bursts of activity interspersed with short periods of rest make great activities for the asthmatic. Some examples include; swimming, team sports like football or softball, volleyball and yoga or Pilates. Generally, the time required for exercise induced acute attacks to occur is six minutes of constant heavy breathing.

As inspiration to continue exercising and participating in sports, it is key to notice that many past Olympians have also been asthma sufferers who managed their condition carefully, with the input and treatment plan of their physician.

These steps, if followed in combination with a personalized asthma treatment plan, will help the patient to have a successful and healthy exercise routine:* Warm up properly, and do not forget to cool down. * Avoid exercising in dry, cold air. If it cannot be avoided, be sure to cover both mouth and nose. * Stay in good physical shape – Staying healthy will increase an athlete’s ability to successfully avoid asthma attacks during exercise periods.

Many patients will require not just a preventative or reactive medication, but a tailored combination of both types of medications in order to provide them with maximum relief from their illness. Most physicians agree that the desired outcome it to get the maximum relief from the minimum amount of medication.

About the Author

Diana for www.health-care-information.org Complete guide to asthma and asthma treatment.

Teen drinking, never safe

The current trend to introduce alcohol to teenagers before the legal drinking age of eighteen needs to be urgently reviewed in light of recent Australian research into adolescent drinking.

A team from Melbourne’s Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, tracked 1520 young people’s drinking habits over a ten year period and found that there is no safe drinking level for teenagers.

Adolescents under the age of eighteen who drink even small amounts of alcohol have significantly higher risk of alcohol abuse when they move into early adulthood. In fact, low level drinkers resemble more closely high level drinkers than those who didn’t drink at all when it comes to alcohol-related problems.

This research provides evidence for a move away from the harm minimization approach, where teenagers are taught to drink sensibly, and even for a rise in the minimum drinking age.

The move toward zero alcohol for under 18’s has plenty of backing from health experts across the nation. There is no doubt teen drinking is linked to a variety of risk-taking behaviours particularly sexual activity, violence and anti-social behaviours.

The brain research conducted over the last ten or so years leaves little doubt that those who begin drinking under eighteen years of age are highly susceptible to developing dependency problems in their twenties. 

A type of hard-wiring of the connections on the brain occurs from the age of 13 through to 18, which means habits such as smoking and drinking alcohol are more likely to become ingrained at this stage, than if they began in their twenties.  In much the same way that complex sporting skills learned in this age stay for life, so too do less healthy teenage past-times such as lying on the couch, playing video games and drinking become habit forming.

The evidence suggests that we need to question the appropriateness of the harm minimization approach and consider the zero alcohol approach for young people.

This will be challenging to say the least as the current trend of young people to up-age, is almost reaching epidemic levels.  Twelve-year-olds now want to dress like 16 year-olds and 16 year olds want to act like 21 year olds, with the same rights but few of the responsibilities of adults.

Increasingly, drinking alcohol is seen by young people as an essential rite of passage that should be allowed at an earlier and earlier age.

The pressure that young people now put on adults to allow them to drink under age is enormous. Under-age drinking is now seen by many young people as normal and those parents who resist can be made to feel so out of sync that surely they must come from another planet.

There is no doubt rolling back the drinking age or suggesting that young people delay drinking until they are eighteen will be met with enormous resistance from young people.

That’s why introducing zero alcohol for under eighteens needs strong adult leadership involving schools, parents and community groups.

But the evidence seems abundantly clear for the long term best interests of young people that increasingly this is the only option that right-minded people should take.

About the Author

Michael Grose is Australia’s NO. 1 parenting expert. He is the director of www.parentingideas.com.au, the author of seven books for parents and a popular presenter who speaks to audiences in Australia, Singapore and the USA. Get your FREE Chores and Responsibilities for Kids Guide when you visit http://www.parentingideas.com.au

Get a hold of Michael’s sensational new book Why First Borns Rule the World and Last Borns Want to Change It at www.michaelgrose.com. You’ll be astounded when you learn about your birth order personality and how the postion in your familoy impacts on your life!

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Orvis Fly Fishing Back Pack Safe Passage- Free Shipping $169.00

Orvis Safe Passage Fly Tier’s Kit Bag, NEW $95.00

Orvis Safe Passage Reel and Gear Case, NEW $59.00

ORVIS SAFE PASSAGE DS CHEST/HYDRATION PACK VEST $45.00

Orvis Fly Fishing Back Pack Safe Passage- Free Shipping $169.00

Orvis Fly Fishing Back Pack Safe Passage- Free Shipping $169.00

Orvis Fly Fishing Back Pack Safe Passage- Free Shipping $169.00

Nymph Twelve

Kaufmann’s Golden Stonefly Nymph – Twelve Size 10 Flies $7.95

BLACK Double Bead STONEFLY Nymph Fly – Twelve Size 6 $9.95

Where Does The Inner Child Go To Play?

January 10, 2010 was the 9th Annual No Pants Subway Ride. This event originated in New York City and has spread to about 43 cities in 16 countries. All one has to do to participate in the event is ride a subway with a straight face and no pants. In NYC approximately 3,000 participated. In San Diego, a first-time participant in 2010, there are no subways. Instead, approximately 35 people rode pantless on trolleys from 2 to 5 pm. Although one might think these people Must Have had something better to do, they definitely weren’t being “slackers”.

January 12, 2010 may have been the first and last British Bobbie Slide. After being caught on video and shown on YouTube, some officers in Oxford, England were reprimanded by their superintendent for taking advantage of the unusual snow and using their riot shields to slide down a hill. The man who shot the video was surprised by the officers’ behavior because he thought they were going to reprimand him for sliding down the hill on a kayak. For those who think the British are rigidly reserved people, the answer is obviously – snow.

January 29, 2010 billionaire Richard Branson of Virgin Records and Virgin Atlantic Airways unveiled his underwater plane, “Necker Nymph”. Two riders and a pilot can fly underwater in the Caribbean Sea for 2 hours at a speed of 2 to 5 nautical mph and reach a depth of more than 100 feet. An open cockpit provides a 360-degree view. Riders must follow SCUBA procedures, wear a mask when underwater and be trained as or accompanied by a certified pilot. One week’s use of the Nymph costs $25,000 plus another $300,000 for a one-week stay on Necker, Branson’s private island. It’s an underwater vacation that might require floating a loan.

In the summer of 2010 the manufacturer of the colorful building blocks for children is introducing a new line of toys – board games. Lego, which means “play well” in Danish, started in the 1930′s in a carpenter’s workshop in Billund, Denmark. In spite of the 2009 recession, sales rose 30%, with the company controlling about 4% of the U.S. toy market. The board games – which will cost between $10 and $35 – are designed to test children’s memory and logical skills. Parents’ trust of classic toys and their sense of nostalgia are Lego’s building blocks for future success.

About the Author

Knight Pierce Hirst has written for television, newspapers and greeting cards. Now she writes a 400-word blog three times a week. KNIGHT WATCH, a second look at what makes life interesting, takes only seconds to read at http://knightwatch.typepad.com

The Life Of Head Lice

Living on the shaft of the human hair found on the head, head lice can not survive anywhere else.

Head lice are only able to live up to 48 hours if they are taken away from the hair on the human head. This irritating and aggravating louse is strong and hearty.

It’s tough to beat when living among the hairs of the head, but if you take it away from that source it makes it vulnerable.

Head lice start out white in color and are no bigger than the head on a pin. This egg takes anywhere from seven to nine days to hatch.

Once the egg hatches it is called a nymph. Then the nymph changes to a brown red color once it has eaten its first meal. Now that’s disgusting!

Feeding on your blood, and growing and growing, the nymphs spend the first twelve days of life shedding its exoskeleton on three different occasions. The exoskeleton must be shed because of the expansive growth the nymph is experiencing.

Once twelve days have passed the young nymph becomes an adult, finds out its sex (sounds exciting!) and can then be officially called a head louse. Once this happens, new adult head lice can start to further infest your head by laying and fertilizing more eggs depending on their sex.

The female spends most of her days feeding, laying eggs, and spreading saliva all over the eggs in order to glue them firmly in place on the hair shaft.

On a good day the female louse may lay six to seven eggs and on a slow day perhaps only three or four. In her short little life span, of approximately 30 days, the female louse can lay a couple of hundred eggs.

But once mama has died off, believe me, all the little girl louse keep up the magic of feeding on your head, laying eggs, spreading saliva and then dying off, leaving more babies behind. And so the cycle continues.

Because of the habitat in which head lice resigned, they endure pathetic conditions and so it is rather amazing how they manage to live without getting mashed while you sleep or how they manage to keep from being washed down the drain during a shampoo.

So hats off to the head lice!

Yes, these little critters are definitely unwanted and most certainly uninvited, but you’ve got to give them credit for fighting so hard to live.

About the Author

For more important information on getting rid of
head lice
be sure to visit rid-headlice.com where you will find advice and tips on
diagnosing head lice
and removing those annoying critters.

Kaufmann’s Golden Stonefly Nymph – Twelve Size 10 Flies $7.95

BLACK Double Bead STONEFLY Nymph Fly – Twelve Size 6 $9.95

Pink Scud Fly Fishing Nymphs Twelve Flies, Hook Size 18 $4.95

Tan Scud Fly Fishing Nymphs – Twelve Hook Size 16 Flies $4.95

Red Serendipity Nymph Fishing Flies – Twelve Size 18 $4.95

Olive Scud Fly Fishing Nymphs – Twelve Flies Size 16 $4.95

Red Serendipity Nymph Fishing Flies – Twelve Size 16 $4.95

Pheasant Tail Nymphs Fly Fishing Flies – Twelve Size 18 $4.95

Pink Scud Fly Fishing Nymphs Twelve Flies, Hook Size 14 $4.95

Tan Scud Fly Fishing Nymphs – Twelve Hook Size 14 Flies $7.95

Moss Green

NEW FISHPOND SAWTOOTH WADER MAD MOSS GREEN SWM-SAB $23.99

Furled 12 # Moss Green Mono Fly Fishing Leader 6 – 8 wt $4.99

Your Roof – It’s What’s for Dinner – 10 Steps to Algae, Moss, Lichen and Mold Growth on Asphalt Shingle Roofs! What every Homeowner Needs to Know!

The process of roof debris accumulation is a gradual one but a damaging one, nonetheless.

1. First, the roofing shingle manufacturer placed crushed limestone in the shingles used a filler, binder to the fiberglass and asphalt shingle matting which made the modern shingle, a natural snack food “pit stop” for the blue -green cyanobacteria GLOEOCAPSA MAGMA algae.

2. Then, Two, the algae was allowed by the homeowner to start growing and then remain on the roof until it was in “full bloom” and covering most of the Northern facing, roofs exposed areas, then later, as the roof continued not to be maintained and properly cleaned, the algae continued its growth as their was never any treatment or biocide or fungicide agent applied (ever) to stop its rapid growth, and soon it covered the entire roof surface.

3. Once the bed was made, i.e. the algae had propagated, sheathed itself by developing its dark colored husk and turning black to protect itself from the sun’s rays, it continued to grow and grow, until it built a thick bed of algae, holding in the accumulation of the overnight moisture, roof condensation and dew, which allowed the next phase to occur.

4. This next phase is when their is all the right ingredients for additional growth of OTHER organisms BESIDES the GM algae, such as , LICHEN, MOSS, etc.

5. Once the bed has been made by the HOMEOWNER, neglecting to safely use non pressure roof cleaning methods, like the methods and teaching, here on the ARCA and RCIA, the algae was given all the opportunity it needed to “INVITE” additional “roof dwelling friends” to the party up on the homeowners rooftop.

6. This final stage is when the most damage can occur, when the algae has a thick bedding made and moisture is allowed to soak up into this algae bedding like a sponge, holding many other nutrients that occur by the gradual decomposition of the combination of the dying, re-propagating and shedding of the protective outside layers of the GM algae or husks, in combination with the crushed limestone roof shingle filler “combined” so that the roof now has all the ingredients to grow this moss and lichen.

7. This moss and lichen and algae are like any other plant. They have a root system. Once the roots are firmly planted and embedded in a homeowner’s roof, the roots actually suck or pull nutrients out of the shingle, AND, the roots also tug and pull on the roof shingle GRANULES, thereby dislodging and removing them from the shingle.

8. Granule loss exposes the shingle roof to the repeated day in and day out of the SUN’S brutal and harsh ray’s and without the important Ultraviolet Protection, that the granules are designed to provide, the essential oils in the roofing shingle are leeched out of the shingle, causing the shingle to prematurely dry out and become brittle and soon curl and break.

9. Once the roofing shingle has all of these element occurring, the damage is now irreversible and eventually the roof will leak from this massive microscopic attack on the roof that is depended upon to keep all we hold dear and important to us safe and dry.

10. Luckily, much of this can be avoided by proper, regular annual roof maintenance.
Annually, a homeowner can do his /her part to extend and maximize their roofs longevity and life and save themselves thousands in expensive tear-off and re-roofing. Every homeowner should annually get their roof checked for the presence of roof algae, moss, lichen and mold. If any of these are present, the roof should be scheduled for a non pressure roof cleaning by a ARCA or RCIA Certified Roof Cleaning Professional Contractor. Then, once the offending algae, lichen or moss growth is controlled, the homeowner should get set up for annual anti- algae roof treatments to keep their roof looking and performing its very best.

More can be learned by visiting the American Roof Cleaners Association or the Roof Cleaning Institute to find out more helpful information on the subject of Roof Maintenence and Cleaning, Algae Infestation, Lichen, Moss, Mold, growth and treatment on roofs of various types and styles.

Copyright 2008-2010 Roof Clean USA – All Rights Reserved-No copying or unauthorized reprinting allowed unless specific permission is granted by the author.

About the Author

Written by David Westerman, a Non Pressure Roof Cleaning Expert, 20+ years experience in the pressure washing and non pressure roof cleaning trades. David is Founder of A-R-C-A, the American Roof Cleaners Association, a roof cleaners training and roof cleaners certification website and educational forum and the owner of Roof Clean USA, a safe, non pressure roof cleaning and exterior cleaning company based in Thomasville, Georgia. David can be reached at 229.227.0000

Limited Edition Kate Moss For Longchamp Zebra Bags

Just last week, it was announced that Kate Moss is working on a multi-season handbag line for Longchamp. Kate Moss’s relationship with Longchamp has been extended beyond eight seasons of modeling. I will give you a sneak peek of these bags.

Zebra is one of the identifications of Kate Moss for Longchamp. Each bag has special zebra lining, matching with zebra scarf. The logo – Kate Moss For Longchamp was exquisitely sewn inside. These styles are all limited edition. There are three sub-collections: the Gloucester cylinder luggage bags, Gloucester travel bag, and Sohoclutch. They are not only with the perfect accessories, but also Kate Moss’ summary of travelling experience.

We get a look at the goods which hit stores Feb.11 – and Kate elaborates on the first collection and her inspirations:

The emerald green pochette, whose color I love, I wanted to be very simple, based on the shape of an envelope. I would wear it with all black or all navy. Because I love to wear dove grey, I wanted a bag in that color to go with my grey jeans. The zebra was inspired by an old pony printed valise from the ’70s that my boyfriend [Jamie Hince] brought back from San Francisco, very dry, very trashed, without any glamour, and which I loved. As for the bags in cognac leather, it’s a color and a very supple leather that we found in equestrian accessories stores, and we unfortunately can no longer find.

No matter how ordinary the bags are, in Kate Moss’ hand, they will always become IT bags. This cooperation with Longchamp will absolutely bring all of you great surprise.

About the Author

Article source: Kate Moss for Longchamp Zebra Bags

http://www.replicabagreview.com/ reviews a variety of brand handbags, including Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Miu Miu, Fendi, Prada, etc., and we are committed to provide you with the latest fashion news and tell you some tips about bag maintenance.

NEW FISHPOND SAWTOOTH WADER MAD MOSS GREEN SWM-SAB $23.99

Furled 12 # Moss Green Mono Fly Fishing Leader 6 – 8 wt $4.99

Furled 4.75# Moss Green 5 Ft Fly Fishing Leader 0-5 wt $4.99

Furled 4.75# Moss Green 5 Ft Fly Fishing Leader 0-5 wt $4.99

Fishpond Prairie Grass Kit Bag Waders & Boot Moss Green $138.95

Fishpond Cimarron Wader/Duffel Bag Moss Green New $168.95

Fishpond San Juan Fly Box Fishing Chest Pack Moss Green $48.95

Fishpond Rio Grande Wader Belt Moss Green $38.95

Fishpond Flatiron Tool Pouch Moss Green $18.95

Fishpond Prairie Grass Kit Bag Waders & Boot Moss Green $138.95