DECEMBER is a month of hope!
Cold yes, dark yes, but the gloomy grey days of November have generally given way to sunnier, brighter days. At least, so it generally is here in southern Ohio, and I hope for you too. Then the winter solstice marks the shortest & darkest day of the year, but we know that immediately after that each day gets that wee bit longer and therefore lighter. Not just hope, but proof that spring is on its way. And all month we look forward to Christmas, the happiest, most hopeful day of the year. December is the month of planning, of preparation, shopping, wrapping, baking and FUN (if we just don’t let ourselves get overwhelmed).
All the while we know that Breagha and Millicent are warm in Africa. We pray for their continued safety, as well as that of other osprey that we follow. But not all the birds desert us for the warm southern climes. Some are well adapted to our northern winters and are still here, providing enjoyment and often appreciating our bird feeders.
Here on the Gabfest, a music night “around the world” has been suggested. We hope to hold this in early December. Also, I’m sure that later in December I, and probably others, will want to play some Christmas carols. Whether this will be an organized Music Night or just spontaneous music remains to be seen. Also a few of us are planning Christmas cakes. A Christmas music night may be organized around these presentations.
So once again, I issue an invitation to all osprey lovers to come on in to the Gabfest chat room, where we can enjoy the warm fires and chat about all things osprey as well as most anything else that crosses our minds.
CC, I saw the same dove activity that you did and thought exactly as you: Two "Birds of Peace" in a fight!. They had quite a skirmish going there for a while. Pity I don't do videos. Our Gabbers would have enjoyed seeing it.
Btw. congratulations on spotting the grouse.
Thanks for the pics, June - I love them too - they are flitters, and very cute in both look and chirps!
I love how the bluejay (like corvids, in fact I think it is one!) load up kernels lengthwise in its beak, before flying off.
Imagicat || Tiger's links || 2022 LG Obs
Just a few miles from Loch Garten.
The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd had to be led down the main road as the mountain road has been closed for three days because of heavy snow falls.
Many Thanks to The Cairngorm Reindeer Herd and Val who posts on here for sharing this with me.
I think I may decorate my Bird Table for Christmas tomorrow having seen the pictures posted on here.
Off to the Christmas Dance tonight in Dunblane - I think Judy Murray is dancing.
.Keith, if you decorate, you know we expect pictures. :) Please? Love the picture of the reindeer in the snow!
Enjoy your dance,
This is the two berry bushes, taken sometime this past mid-summer. The blackberry is on the left, with the raspberry partially covered in cheesecloth to protect from birds.
Top, one of several harvests of raspberries. Bottom a ripening spray of raspberries.
I'm still using my $22.00 Vivatar camera that I purchased two years ago to learn on. It has provided me with many hours of fun and been well worth the purchase price many times over. However, I'm thinking I may treat myself to a slight upgrade as a Christmas present. I'll just have to wait and see what Santa decides.
EVALUATION of Berry grow-off:
I enjoy just watching a plant grow to see how it develops and what happen to it. So yes I enjoyed this project, especially since Willow was also growing berries and we could compare notes.
Both plants survived, grew and produced fruit. The blackberry had prettier blossoms, which developed and ripened before the raspberry
The raspberry produced many more berries over a longer period of time.
To me the blackberry tasted better than the raspberry. However, both were sour and the raspberry taste I found to be rather flat and not particularly pleasant. CONCLUSION: Home grown berries are NOT better than store bought and these berries are readily available throughout a long season in local grocery stores. The crop is not worth the effort.
FUTURE: I am still in this project and am still observing. The canes are still green even after snow and freezing weather. I will see if they survive the winter and grow in the spring. If they do, I will take care of them next summer. If they die they are gone. I will never buy and plant another berry bush.
So who is Judy Murray? I searched You Tube and found about 10 selections. I chose a nice Scottish song and got a kilt nd bagpipes.
www.youtube.com/watch
Good morning June and anyone else around at this hour! I love your photo of the chickadee they look very similat to our Marsh tits and Willow tits. We have Marsh tits in our garden and they are quite cheeky, scolding loudly when you approach the feeders. They are my favourite visitors and not that shy!
I think I have to agree about the raspberries as not very many to harvest! Yours liook better than mine and so much easier to get them in a shop! We have a "Pick Your Own" near me!