Weekly Chat (non-osprey), Sunday 19 Jan 2014

Simply amazing. Scientists in Tasmania are tracking bees with tiny sensors. The next stage is to shrink the sensor to track fruit fly & mosquitoes.

Temp may be cooler but the high humidity makes it feel just as unpleasant. The bushfires have destroyed at least 15 homes, 425,000 hectares, not to mention stock, crops & fencing. Concern that the first stage of the Tour DownUnder may have to be cancelled as the route is through one of the bushfire areas. Many of the fires, some still not under control, are in areas I have visited or plan to visit on photo excursions. News is much worse when one can picture the scene rather than just another anonymous place in the news. I haven't been out in the car since last Mon and driving to church this morn I felt quite strange.

  • By the way......anyone on here like red kites?

    Thought so:

    Red Kites

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • Good morning, all!  Diane, Annette and Aquilareen - I do hope you're all OK as it's most unusual for me to be the first poster of the morning.

    Our herring gulls are red listed birds.  Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.

  • Good Morning, Everyone. Clare - wonder where all our overseas contributors are? Sun is trying to shine here after a misty night.
  • Good morning - I guess one is too cold and the other two are too hot!

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  • No weather yet today; one degree warmer than recent days at this time of the morning. Yesterday turned sunny and the daylight lasted so much later in the afternoon; as OH remarked, we are one sixth of the way to the longest day!

    George – good to see a post from you. We wondered whether that sad business was your end of town. Your hard flooring in the kitchen must be a blessing with the muddy paw-prints again; it must be difficult to find anywhere that isn’t muddy right now. Sorry you have to go through more medication changes and related checks, but it’s good that you are being well looked after. We had a “Lady” living in our village who drove around in a huge open top car (Bentley, I think) well into old age, and everyone just knew to jump out of the way!

    Heather – I hope your OH forgives the latest internet money transaction, but it sounds like you have it sorted; a shame about your Brother’s goodies, though. I think the country dress code of some of the upper classes which I remember from my early youth was what one might describe now as “shabby chic”.

    Clare – that sounds a wonderful day, and thanks for all the photos; Shelduck and Lapwing are among my favourites, and it’s good to see such a good flock of the latter. I especially liked the fishing boat picture, with attendant gulls.

    Well, things to do … but just a home day. Have a good one, everyone.

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  • Good Morning ALL. A frosty morning here. I got up about 3am, to make myself a drink, and the moon was shining so brightly.

    Annette, I hope your stomach is still not causing you problems. So unusual not to find an overnight post from you.

    Diane / AQ, I hope all is fine with you.

    Nothing planned for this morning. Playing indoor bowls this afternoon.

  • Good one original goldfinch One frozen the other frazzled.Poor ones. xx

  • BRENDA - enjoy the bowls!

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  • OG, I am looking forward to playing this afternoon. I need a distraction at the moment. They are a friendly, cheerful group usually.

  • Brenda:  Hope you enjoy your cheerful bowls companions!  The sun has come out here, and my OH is off playing golf on a course which last week was more puddles than greens.

    Here are this week's Monday Smiles, to cheer up those who hate Mondays, and to make those smile, who don't mind them!

    Some dogs join in with everything you do.....

    And a cartoon:

         -  -  -      Have a good Monday, All!!