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!). :-)
Hi there, AQ - SA sounds a bit like Dumfries and Galloway in that we are tucked into the SW corner of Scotland and unknown by many Scots and English alike!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
OG - I must admit while I know of D & G, I haven't been there. I drove up from Jedburgh, etc towards Edinburgh, on the A9 to Inverness, wandered over to Skye and came back through the Trossachs. Plus a bus tour to the Orkneys.
AQ - How good to be on here at the same time as you to be able to chat "live" - but I expect you are about to start a busy day with your new-found cool weather energy, whilst I am winding down towards bedtime!
OG - Yes I am about to shut down and off to the library. Via the bookshop that is offering 30% off a fiction book. As if I need any more books! Good night.
Goodnight, AQ, have a good day!
Evening/Morning all:
Djoan: Pretty area! Just checked it out on Google.
BrendaH. Re "Tiger Wood's" incident, 'fraid there's no Part 2 - no sign out explaining to nosey neighbors (like me) why the house and the car have coordinating dents! Re whale counts: The largest number in one observation day (that's 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.) typically comes in mid-March and ranged from 26 in one day in 2006 to 41 in 2008. Total grey whales, including calves, for the entire season was 633 in '06 (118 calves), 567 in '07 (52 calves), 647 in '08 (59 calves), and 540 in '09 (38 calves). Last year the overall count was lower because a lot of days were very windy and we didn't count at all, but the calf count was way lower than expected, which is why we're really interested in that figure this year. We aren't the only folks counting - there's an observation point in Los Angeles, and another at Piedras Blancas, about 100 miles north near San Simeon. Though the details may differ, what with differing hours, etc., they do trend the same way.
Alan: Thanks for Spirit webcam link (no-one home right now), but enjoyed the clip. Wonderful close ups!
OG/Patriciat: Gingerbread simply wouldn't last long enough to "mature" in our house. But oooh! Shortbread! and Bakewell Tart! Yum! Oh I love ice or whipped cream. Love warm apple pie with ice cream.... Sad - and odd - that you had to find out about a family illness via Facebook.
AQ: No word on your insulation debacle here. Do tell!! Re Adelaide and S.A., you clearly have to do something to put them firmly on the map so everyone will know where they are! What could that be? Hmmm.
Was out for a walk this morning and saw two Huge turkey vultures sitting side by side on a telephone pole, just watching the world go by. And oh yes, very pleased with two purchases I made today: The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Western North America and a wonderful little fun book, Birds of California. I asked the salesperson in Chaucer's for the birding books, and a nearby lady piped up "Are you a birder?" (She was.) Not hardly, said I, so she regaled me with the pros and cons of all the books. The Sibley's is just what I was looking for, the Birds of California is great in that it's arranged by the predominant color of the bird, with great photos and insets of the male/female/juvenile and which page to go for more info on them. She showed me her iPhone, where she had two birding programs, one of which - the National Geos - included recordings of each bird's calls. Amazing. Anyway, that was my treat to myself.
Rain did not materialize today and doubt it'll be here tomorrow. Wildly diverging forecasts for tomorrow. We'll see. Take care all; big hugs to everyone.
Morning all. Don't have much time to post this morning as there's a monster pile of ironing awaiting my attention and Indy has a training class later.
AQ and OG You are NOT in unknown areas! I can't believe people don't know where Adelaide is! - I did what was called 'Commonwealth History' as my special subject in final history exams at school. And as for D & G, we've spent a short holiday in Galloway, have a friend living in Moffat so know that beautiful area, albeit not as well as we might. Have now found a hotel which takes dogs, has a really accessible suite at ground level, with dedicated parking, so have booked for a few days in the Autumn. (OH can't really walk at all but won't use a wheelchair so it's difficult to find somewhere suitable. Travelodge and Hiexpress usually have ground floor rooms but aren't exciting!) i'm looking forward to exploring further.
OG Didn't get my gingerbread made but when I do, will try it as soon as it cools. Love the idea of whipped cream!
Lots of types of animals at Pete's Pond right now. Very busy there. My grandmother used to serve gingerbread with fresh peaches and whipped cream on top. Night all, this owl's gotta roost. Good Wednesday to all.
Annette – thanks for Whale data over a few years – now we all know comparison figures to assess this year’s count. So pleased you accessed some bird books – especially with advice from another buyer. Not sure whether I should be pleased or sorry you did not get rain – can’t remember where you are up to with rainfall! Supposed to be cloudy here today – guess that’s why we so far have clear blue sky and the large golden orb! I do like cream sauces in savoury dishes – but I prefer savoury to sweet anyway – for two course meal would always order starter and main rather than main and dessert.
Patriciat – good morning – sorry about the monster ironing pile! Enjoy the training class with Indy – but look after your back!. Maybe Irish teaching of Geography and World History was better than I experienced in England! I actually did know where Adelaide was, as I was one of those children who read everything in sight – including encyclopaedias and atlases! I am not surprised you have discovered Galloway – do you make your trips to Scotland via Stranraer? Know your problem with accessible accommodation – have to make it clear when we enquire that “ground floor room with shower” is no good if we arrive and find that shower is over a bath! That is what happened last time we booked at Travel Inn, and they had assured us it wasn’t a bath – but they did arrange our transfer to somewhere suitable. Holiday Inn Express has good accessible rooms – but no good for four dogs, and not what you want for leisure, except perhaps a stopover on a journey.
Diane – Good morning/night or whatever it is for owls. Which part of day/night does your Dad sleep?
Everyone – have a good Wednesday. Here is one of our regulars - this is Stumpy: his right foot is incomplete, but he's quite popular with the three lady Chaffinches!
Good Morning. The sun is still shining but cloud is forecast and a cold easterly breeze but it is going to stay DRY.
All the talk of gingerbread with clotted cream / ice cream/ fresh peaches. Oh dear, I must have some. My mouth is watering and it is only 10am.
Annette, Thanks for all the whale information. I really am interested. They must be magnificent to see.
Patriciat, Hope you are making progress with the ironing. That is one job I hate doing, so have to keep doing it so I don't end up with a large amount.
Alan, Hope it is a quieter day for you and you didn't walk poor Hamish too much yesterday.
Hope you all have a lovely day.