Struggling through lectures

I'm really struggling. I have three ongoing cources and this is too much. However, I made it today. And yesterday. I just have to hold on to the end of the week. And then another two weeks. And that's all besides my normal duties.
My son developed a new game. He really enjoyes piano now. He's trying to play on every flat surfaces, accompanying himself with songs. I will bring him to frends, who have a piano, this week. I think, he would like it. Let's see.

Learn to write

I haven't been writing here for a while, but I'm going to change it. I just started an online course "Writing in the Sciences", so I want to apply some new skills.
In the first lecture there was a set of rules to become a better writer. There they are:
- Read, pay attention, and immitate.
--> I'm reading as much as can without advises.
- Write in a journal.
--> That's I'm trying right now.
- Let go of "academic" writing habits.
-->This is a good advise, but I don't know how yet.
- Talk about your research before trying to write about it.
--> As soon as I catch someone and make him still enough.
- Write to engage your readers---try not bore them!
--> I try, but up to date I haven't been successful
- Stop waiting for "inspiration,"
--> I wait only for my little son to sleep a bit.
- Accept that writing is hard for everyone.
--> Certainly. Otheways everyone would write forty papers a year, not four.
- Revise. Nobody gets it perfect on the first try.
--> I promise.
- Learn how to cut ruthlessly. Never become to attached to your words.
--> It is very hard, indeed.
- Find a good editor!
--> If I only knew where.
- Take risks.
--> That sounds good!

(The rules are from the Kristin Sainani's lecture)

Chaffinch

I heard the first chaffinch this year today. I was awoke by chaffinch's singing. This means that wrens are here and can be watch! Hurrah!

The butterfly

Today I saw the first butterfly this year!

Long-tailed duck

I am about birds again. Last week my friend and I saw a long-tailed duck on the Neva. As far as I understand it was an immature specimen. Why then it is migrating to the North?

Waterfowl

Though it is still cold a spring is coming and birds are arriving. There is an earliest open water patches on the Neva. As soon as the Neva opened a natatorial birds have been arriving. Last week (February, 24th) I saw a flock of he-mergansers. They stayed on the Neva more than three days.
Today I saw a red-wing among a fieldfares in Botanical Garden.

Shrovetide

A spring is coming! Today is a second day of Shrovetide. In spite of February cold some birds arrived to us. I saw singing greenfinches, a flock of fieldfare, and one blackbird among the fieldfare. In this year I want to see owls. I think it is time for hunting :)