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.
What a fascinating video, June! Very exciting. I think I'd have to experience that event on the street in person! Not too close to the fire, though. :-)
Hallo all! Just popping in to wish everyone on Gabfest - especially June who does so much to enrich this thread - a very happy Christmas and happy and healthy New Year.
Good morning/afternoon Annette, a Merry Christmas to you too and thank you for the kind words. I hope you are enjoying this pre-Christmas season of shopping, decoration and misc. preparation.
A Juvenile Red Shouldered Hawk has been frequenting the nest at Stirling Links Dunedin over the last few days in the absence of ospreys.
This morning Pinella arrived back at the nest.
Reports from Dunedin ground crew, many of the neighboring nests are starting to get active.
(c) - Thanks to Dunedin Osprey Cam
Went out to see the lights in George Square - Glasgow and picked this up at a Christmas Market along the way.
It is a Royal Doulton Whisky Flask - made for Whyte and MacKay Distillers as part of the Scottish Bird of Prey Collection.
The lady said they produced nine of them between 1970 and 1980 and the osprey was produced in 1977 filled with whisky and a plastic stopper put in the bottom. The ones on the stall were all empty but I intend putting a Speyside Malt in it and putting a stopper back in. She said originally boxed and still filled they are of value.
She had a few more of the collection - Kestrel, Buzzard, Falcon and a Merlin - She had just sold the Golden Eagle.
Keith I await news to which Speyside....;-)
The collection so far of goodies under the tree. Some to go and some to stay and the tin box manger scene just for decoration. I will post a full length view of the tree along with my cake on Tuesday evening.
What a marvelous Christmas present you have found for yourself, Keith. It deserves a place of honor under the tree or on the dining sideboard or someplace where it can be properly shown off to full advantage.
Wendyb - I am not sure which one yet but it will be from the list below.
I bought a small bottle of Milton Steraliser fluid on the way home to clean it out.
I generally only drink Speyside as they are so smooth.
I keep a top shelf and at present have from Speyside - Cragganmore - Cardhu - Aberlour - Dalwinnie - The Macallan along with Glenlivet and Glenfiddich.
I also keep a few bottles of Glen Garroich from Oldmeldrum as the distillery was just a couple of miles from my old house in Inverurie and next door to Lochter.
I do like to visit the distilleries and we picked up a few when visiting Loch Garten. There tends to be stories associated with each of my choices - I'll share one.
Well it will be better than a blended Whyte and Mackay.
Unknown said: What a marvelous Christmas present you have found for yourself, Keith. It deserves a place of honor under the tree or on the dining sideboard or someplace where it can be properly shown off to full advantage.