Week Three

So, I have a new prediction about that "leafy" pod on my palm tree. I think it will eventually become part of the crownshaft. I totally overlooked the similarity it has with the crownshaft sheaths that are already on the tree. In a week it hasn't changed much. I think I'll just have to wait until it blossoms before I find out what it will really become.
I also read an interesting article in the NY Times about hummingbirds. In my first journal entry I mentioned that the hummingbirds in my backyard make a whizzing noise when they divebomb me. I assumed this sound was from their beak--like a bird call or something. But it is actually made by wind blowing over their tail-feathers. Since they are traveling so quickly, the wind creates a high-pitch sound that is similar to a person blowing on a piece of tightly stretched plastic. I think their divebomb does sound similar to the sound I make when I blow on a piece of candy wrapper.
I've spent more time this week looking at the stars. Ever since I visited the planetarium at Discover Science Center, I've been going outside finding constellations and stars I can actually name. It's pretty exciting to be able to do this. There's still alot in the sky, though, that I can't quite identify or find. For example, I couldn't even find the northern star. I can usually see the Big Dipper, but not the last few nights. I think this has to do with the brightness of the city lights drowning out the stars' light. I need to go to the desert or the mountains to get a better view of the stars.