Considering my interest in the natural world, it's high time I told you what I've seen here that isn't resident in the UK, don't you think?
Good.

Striped skunk
Mephitis mephitis
whose odour can carry for almost 1km



Groudhog (or woodchuck)
Marmota monax
whose barking noise is unknown in function



Common raccoon
Procyon lotor
whose skin was not actually worn as a cap (called a coonskin cap) by Davy Crockett



Eastern chipmunk
Tamias striatus
who are a lot smaller than the cartoon would lead you to believe



Northern cardinal
Cardinalis cardinalis
whose amazingly loud song sounds like a car alarm



Blue Jay
Cyanocitta cristata
whose name is used by the Toronto major league baseball team



Red-winged blackbird
Agelaius phoeniceus
who when migrating fly in single-sex flocks



E and I have spent a few days in Hamilton, after an action-packed few days. Last Thursday Ericka's friends from New Zealand who form The Veils were in town for a show so we went along to that. Friday evening was good fun in the end, despite only about 70 people passing through the doors. Sunday we went back to Hamilton for a father's day BBQ at Ericka's uncle's place. Really good food and a heated pool went down nicely. Victor came along with us which was very cool.
In further news, I've been accepted to speak at the Glasgow conference I applied for. The best academia-related news though is that my brother is now officially a doctor. Well done, kid-o.