Of the Feathered Kind 

Blue Cochin Bantam Pullet. Photo by Tamara Staples via Slate.com

More beasts - chickens this time. Take a look at a few photos of some fancy chickens at Slate.com. Is there anything these fine fowls can't do? Okay, I'm sure there are plenty of things they can't do. Still, the eggs and the "tenders" are pretty good, right? They provide protein and look good doing it. Tamara Staples scouted them at various county fairs before going to the birds' homes to create portraits for two books, the latest, The Magnificent Chicken is available this week. I guess there's no Westminster Show for these birds but it'd be fun if there was. They'd give Banana Joe a run for his money (and why yes, Banana Joe is my new ham radio handle! Though Bearded Buff Frizzle Polish is a close second.)