When we got up this morning there was this steady beat of noise coming through the window that had me assuming it was raining. When I let the dogs into the backyard, however, I learned the truth, as the sun was rising, but the pups caused a flurry of activity in a flock of birds that was so large I cannot even estimate how many of them there were. In fact, after they were stirred up, half of them flew off, and the half that settled back into the trees in the yard would still qualify as the largest group of birds I've ever seen in such a small space, still making a remarkable racket. I presume they are migrating to warmer climes for the winter, but in stopping off in our yard along the way they gave me one of the most impressive sights I've ever seen.

R.I.P.: Olympic discus great Al Oerter dies at 71.

A Lot of Flocking Links!	Thanks Ant and Mike Martinez.
Stories:	Car racing for parking spot smashes into store. Diana inquest opens, 10 years after her death.
Science!:	Labs Mishandling, Misplacing Deadly Germs. New Fingerprint Tech Could Mean Never Losing Your Keys Again. Obesity may push U.S. health costs above Europe: study.
Media:	Urban Olympics. Jumpstyle.
Follow-up:	Man seeks shared custody of severed leg. Thanks Devicer.
Teh Funny:	Godmode.