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.
I'm pleased you said that, CC. I'm afraid I wasn't particularly impressed, either.
Think I have finally found a live cam to the osprey nest at Dunroven Ranch, in Montana USA. They have added a perch and bird feeders on pulleys. Unfortunately no birds as I watched.
credit: picgif.com
Such a beautiful animal, I couldn't help but bring you to this article in The Scotsman www.scotsman.com/.../historic-scots-sites-added-to-google-street-view-1-3633234
I have beeen following the wildcat project which is an endangered and declining species and only limited to very certain areas of Scotland.
The true wildcat is much larger than the domestic type but in recent years there has been some interbreeding with feral cats and the true wildcat is disappearing.
A £1 millian lotery grant has been awarded to this project set up with various organisations and six areas have been marked as priority in managing the decline in wildcats.
They have six of them in captivity in Kingussie (2 x Males - 2 Females and had 2 x Kittens last April)near to Aviemore where I go to see them when I am up in Aviemore. I have had only one encounter with them out of captivity in my younger climbing days when camping on the lower slopes of Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms.
I am a full supporter of this project along with various organisations involved including the Scottish Wildlife Trust (Lady of Lowes organisation).
Thanks for the link to The Scotsman on this project.
Not so friendly
(C) - BBC PIctures
A very heart warming post on the Main Blog as Jen tells us all about "Log Day" and a special "nature trail" for the youngsters, both events with pictures. Also Abernethy forest covered in three days of snow. Thanks Jen Clark for this lovely picture story.
Also a short, but complete, report on Breagha and Millicent.
Some of you may have seen this video promoting the book Ospreys In Wales - The First Ten years but if you have not its worth viewing and accompanied by the brilliant Bryn Terfel singing Ar Lan Y Mor.
THE FIRST TEN YEARS
My book should be with me soon to accompany their calender - Cant wait but maybe save it for Christmas.
What a wonderful video, Keith. Thanks for bringing it to us. What with the extra bother of overseas/foreign currency I won't go for the book.
I am just so grateful to have Fish's copy of Roy Dennis's book, which she very graciously passed on to me. Thanks once again Fish. I love it.
As for the "not so friendly" wildcat, it has always been my understanding that they are a nasty, bad-tempered, ferocious creature. Let's just say that I wouldn't want to meet up with one as we walked home on a dark country road. - Or in the daylight for that matter!
I'm thinking that here in the USA, anyway, "wildcat" may be a rather generic term for several species of cats. Anyway they are all beautiful IMO and the one I posted with his lovely blue eyes just tugged at my heart. That doesn't mean I want to walk up and pet or cuddle him. NO, don't think so!!
Wonderful video, Keith - thanks for the link! Very wistfully watching it - all the remembered moments... like June, I will have to wait until the international postage comes down somehow.
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