Evening all. Wonderful rainbow over Santa Barbara this afternoon; more like April with heavy showers then sunshine. Don't forget to check last week's chat for Tiger's link to the Roy Dennis site about a French osprey that's already completed its migration, and Patriciat's recommendations for places to eat in Grantown (for when we all go to visit OG's son!). :-)
Afternoon from Fife weather here hazy sunshine and temperature 5C. All the talk of gingerbread, cream, shortbread and bakewell is making me feel that I will have to go and do some baking. I enjoy cooking but sometimes I feel that when you are on your own you just can not be bothered cooking and just make do. Yesterday I went to the farm shop for fresh vegtables so I have not got an excuse for not cooking healthy food. Sorry to here of people who are suffering with various ailments but I think sometimes doctors use us elder patients as guinea pigs so why do they change something that is working.
Alan I read someplace that cavity insulation wasn't all it was cracked up to be as it can absorb moisture and then cause dampness and that is why they put foil on insulation boards.
Hope everyone is enjoying the sun
george g
Afternoon all from TI,
Annette : Thanks for the whale info. I also find it very interesting.
AQ : You mentioned the insulation debacle and I am intrigued to learn more.
OG : Nice photo of Stumpy. I have often seen chaffinches with deformed feet.
Alicat : Nice owl shot. My those owlets are getting big. I havent been watching them much lately.
Everyone else thanks for your comments , chat etc.
Spring has lasted one day and it is back to winter with cloud and a cold wind. This morning we went on a shopping mission to Iceland (not the country) and it felt like Iceland (the country) outside. Hamish has not been over walked today and is relaxing in his shed. Off to check out the cams now.
Weather cloudy,dry , Temp 5.2c , Sunrise 06:42 , Sunset 17:42
Appio & Vergine in Rome now have 4 eggs. She does look proud:
Alan This bird is leading the charge this year. Doing great just in the east of Rome.
Tiger Signature
Morning all. Well, sunshine and just a few clouds, but it's only 7 a.m. so... Glad the sun is shining on UK folks too.
Diane: Gingerbread with fresh peaches sounds wonderful. Will definitely have to try that this summer.
OG: Rainfall is above "normal" after some very dry winters, so we're all happy. Was very lucky to run into birder at Chaucer's; also found out the names of two "top" birding folks in town who teach at Adult Ed and also lead walks. Turns out nearby Lake Los Carneros, where I can walk to in a matter of minutes, really is a primo location for birders; also the Natural History Museum in Mission Canyon. I mentioned "our" webcam to the birding lady and she says there's one in the Fresno area (Central California) that also has an osprey nest in its sights. I'll have to check that further. Stumpy cuts a fine figure on that fence.
AQ: I also knew some Ozzie history/geography, but that's because I was educated in the UK, where they taught us very little about the U.S. after the Monroe Doctrine (at least that's all I remember). Like OG, I loved atlases - my Dad had a huge Bartholemew's atlas that I spent hours looking at. Now we have wonderful Google earth, with historic map layers yet!
BrendaH. You really don't get a sense of how large the whales are until they come in really close to shore - or when you're out on a boat and they surface beside you.
Alan: Wonder why chaffinches have deformed feet - something genetic to the specie or just clumsy parents. Hmmm. What, no sun? :-( Assume Vergine is the Mom and yes, she does look pleased with herself.
Morning George, Margobird and Cirrus! :-) Don't know about Wattle' she'll probably show up again at some point. I think quite a few people will show when the LG cam is back on. Alicat: Didn't know owlets were so skinny. He/she looks very worried. Hallo to everyone else. Good to see you all.
For those like me who can no longer be bothered to bake I can highly recommend Farmhouse Fare luxury sticky gingerbread and treacle pudding bought from Tesco. Absolutely delicious esp with cream. We had it for the first time tonight.
Thanks to all for those thoughts on Margarets death.It is good to know we all care about one another.
OH off today so this aft we went to Brodie Countryfare to find an ornament to decorate a corner of the hall. We returned home with a pair of flamingo which decorate one side of the new fireplace. On the subject of birds March piccie on our wildlife calendar is off the most gorgeous Avocet and reflection, something we do not get in Scotland. Avocets that is, not reflections!!!!
Tomorrow we have a carpet fitter in to lay Vinyl in the family bathroom, once you start renovations, it is hard to stop. Thinking of turning our kitchen curtains into a roller blind next.
Early night I think so goodnight all. Thinking of you tomorrow Margobird Put us all out of our misery as soon as you can.
Blackwater eagles: 4 recently uploaded clips of the chicks on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/user/BlackwaterRefuge
Just had a phone call to alert me to sickening news. The eagle hatched in Ireland last year has been poisoned.
See http://www.independent.ie/national-news/extinction-fear-for-poisoned-eagles-2086240.html
and http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/uk-ireland/poison-threatens-golden-eagle-plans-14705138.html
Have only got to page 5 (gingerbread) but must just tell you that Lily's cub is making very loud noises and waving her legs in the air (and page 10 is still on gingerbread).
Terry in Cumbria
TerryM Lily's cub (now named Hope) is now visible more often - so cute! - but I tend to rely on the "recorded highlights" videos by Linda Gibson, gypsylinda on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/gypsylinda#p/u