Happy new week and happy solstice!
Last week's Chat Thread is here.
For most of us, today is the Winter Solstice. Welcome back to the Sun! With the return of the light, I'd like to wish all of my dear friends on this thread a happy holiday season and a new year blessed with joy, abundance, good health, serenity, and love!
The solstice occurs on 21 December at:
2303 GMT11:03 p.m. in the U.K.6:03 p.m. in the eastern U.S.3:03 p.m. in CaliforniaAnd for AQ: Happy Summer Solstice on 22 December at 9:33 a.m.This solstice is special because it happens within 2 and a half hours of the New Moon. I'm seeing this cosmic event as a fresh start and a new beginning. Woo hoo!The photo is of the Sun in the midst of a powerful and spreading coronal mass ejection. The photo was taken by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, a partnership of the European Space Agency and NASA. The image is free for non-commercial use. SOHO (ESA & NASA)
I don't have the means to post a Christmas card to everyone so I'm going to use captures of my four favourite ospreys instead:
Happy Christmas, everyone!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Thanks for all the lovely cards and also the cute animal pictures!
I have had the nasty cold, but it has just about gone now, just in time, am nearly sorted.
I keep meaning to join in a bit but 'the moment' passes, so I just keep 'lurking' as they say.
Looking forward to ospreys returning. Not much going on at Sanibel, there were two on there about a week ago but have not seen them for a while, and they are not bringing sticks in.
The NE Florida Eagles Romeo and Juliet have a little eaglet now.
Merry Christmas to all!
Probably my final look at computer until after church tomorrow, so am pleased to wish everyone a good day - be it restful and contemplative or busy and fun with family or friends. Happy Christmas!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
A very happy Christmas to everyone! Thanks so much for the cards,poems,jokes and chat xx
I have a lull between the early chores and the mad rush when the family arrive. I hope YOU ALL enjoy your day.
Merry Christmas to one and all
"Is it Christmas Yet??"
"YES!!"
"Hooray!" Happy Christmas, Everyone!
AQ: Thank you for the beautiful card. Hope you are having a good day with the family.
Chrisy B: Nice to hear from you. Sorry you have "the cold", hope it does not spoil the seasonal fun.
Good morning, all, and a very merry Christmas to everyone (again!). I thought it only fair if I posted a couple of captures of the other birds I've watched this year:
The stunning Swift and Beau in New South Wales
The equally beautiful Pauline and Henry (with offspring) on a fire escape at Wellesley University.