Rare Yellow Cardinals

A pair of extremely rare yellow Cardinals showed up at a Kentucky family's backyard bird feeder a few weeks ago, and it's rocking the world of ornithology.

According to the Herald-Leader, retired Kentucky Nature Preserves researcher Brainard Palmer-Ball and Auburn University professor Geoff Hill have examined the photographs and confirmed that these Cardinals are indeed the result of a genetic mutation, rather than being the yellow South American Cardinal, which is an altogether different species from our Northern Cardinal.

If you see a yellow bird outside, don't hesitate: take pictures! Don't stop to gawk and ask yourself whether it's a goldfinch or not, snap pics and ask questions later.

These specimens were sighted near the Boyle County/Marion County border, not far from Gravel Switch.

Dead Cat Asked to Join Foreign Legion

From WLKY:

They say it was more than a mistake, it was an insult to veterans. A Central Kentucky family says their deceased cat got a letter inviting him to join the American Legion, even thanking him for his service.

Colleen Harris says her husband, Cecil, loved serving his country, and raising his daughter and step-son. The family lost Cecil last May, and lost their cat Samson a few years before that. Surprisingly, it's Samson's service in combat now being recognized by the American Legion.

"The only war he ever fought was chasing mice," says Harris.

She wants to thank all the veterans she knows, hoping the American Legion will do the same before turning to more cats for more membership dues.

"They need to be maybe a little more particular on how they solicit and not be so worried about everybody sending in their $25."

The Kentucky American Legion says unfortunately, letters are sometimes sent to non-service members. They say national headquarters purchases mailing lists that aren't always accurate, but credentials are later verified through local posts.