My friend Pat Keeble in Martinez regularly reads many British newspapers. She also passes along some pretty interesting subjects as they come up. Like this one below. /Gary

Electronic tracking will test scientists’ theory that Britain’s 9 million feline pets slay 150 million animals a year.
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Coleen Wood, manager of the Mountain Ash Wildlife Shelter in Australia where the Koala was taken for treatment of second and third degree burns to its paws, said Wednesday that it was expected to make a full recovery.

Video by YouTube users David Tree and Coleen Wood of Mountain Ash Wildlife Shelter used under Creative Commons license.

A little water, shared among friends during a time of great need. Way to go, Aussy fireman! /Gary

Gary’s backyard

Dear Gary:
You’re always blathering on about your backyard and about all the raccoons, opossums, skunks, hawks, owls, lizards, and who-knows-what-else you claim you’ve seen there. Just what, may I ask, does your backyard look like, anyway??? I’m having trouble believing you actually have all these animals visiting your yard.
Skeptic in Oakland

Dear Skeptic:
Does the above photo answer your question? Last week my wife got lost taking out the garbage. I’m putting together an expedition to go look for her, even as we speak. /Gary
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Coyote on Mount Diablo by Brian Murphy

Coyote sightings around San Ramon, Calif., schools have been reported recently, the latest one Thursday morning when one of the animals was seen sleeping under a school’s marquee.

What follows is a collection of photos of local coyotes in the wild to help you make sure what you’re seeing is really a coyote.
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Acorn woodpecker by Brian Murphy, Walnut Creek, Calif.

Emeryville, CA — Experts with Audubon California today expressed surprise and disappointment that two homeowners associations in Rossmoor have obtained permits from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to kill up to 50 acorn woodpeckers that are drilling holes in homes to store food.
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Coyote on Mount Diablo by Brian Murphy

I’ve been getting a lot of calls lately from people wanting to know what a coyote looks like. You’re in luck!

We’re fortunate to have an excellent local photographer named Brian Murphy in Walnut Creek, who manages to get incredible shots of wild creatures in our neighborhood. Brian passed along some photos of coyotes he photographed on Mount Diablo.
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If you’ve been waiting for the chance to ask questions a little more directly and interactively, now’s the time!

If you’re up early Wednesday (Nov. 12), stop by ContraCostaTimes.com or InsideBayArea.com from 8 to 9 a.m. for a live chat with me. I’ll answer questions about pets, animals and anything else that comes to mind.

Anyone should be able to go to either http://www.contracostatimes.com/ci_10955736 or http://www.insidebayarea.com/ci_10955736

See you there! /Gary

CASTLE ROCK ON MOUNT DIABLO, by Brian Murphy

Earthjustice is a non-profit public interest law firm dedicated to protecting the magnificent places, natural resources, and wildlife of this earth and to defending the right of the people to a healthy environment. They bring about far-reaching changes by enforcing and strengthening environmental laws on behalf of hundreds of organizations, coalitions and communities.

Statement of Earthjustice president Trip Van Noppen on the election of Barack Obama:
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BLACK-TAILED DEER

During fall and winter months, deer, opossums, squirrels and other wildlife are moving around in search of food and a place to hole up during the cold fall and winter months.
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Here’s the status of 2008 California Animal Legislation as of Sept. 18.

If you like, or dislike any of these laws, write your legislators and the Governor and tell them how you feel about it. The address for legislators and Governor: State Capitol Bldg., Sacramento, CA 95814; 916-322-9900
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