Carbon-based, internal skeleton, warm-blooded, with limited chitinous defensive accretions, located only on the tips of digits on its bilateral limbs (one pair locomotive, one pair for grasp/manipulation) -- which results in a curious horizontal asymmetry and vertical stance. This exposes all essential functional structures to attack. The one exception is the excretory passage, which, curiously, is directed away from its path of simplest locomotion where one would expect it to launch disabling, defensive defecation. This life form therefore is harmless and probably not intelligent. Strangely, it appears to dominate its environment, using tools to create shelter and attempt to injure or kill others of its own kind.

I grow orchids (have a small greenhouse and, yes, orchids only) and other potted flowers, putter around the house with my wife, who does all the real work, and have been an amateur photographer since childhood.

First camera: Kodak Brownie box 127. Current model Canon G11, with an older Kodak Z730 for backup, and Olympus X-560WP for snorkeling. I obviously believe I'm a much better photographer than my photostream demonstrates. (You can tell that because of this comment.) I use PhotoShop Elements 8 for editing, and will someday learn how it works.

I enjoy science fiction (not so much fantasy) and action/intrigue novels (Alistair Maclean, Tom Clancy, Clive Cussler, John Grisham) and wish I could write fiction. Or apply myself to a project like that.

I go on at length and don't know when to quit....