With this lovely video, I will say farewell to 2014 and welcome to 2015. Also best wishes for a Happy, Healthy, and Prosperous year for all our Forum and Gabfest friends as well as all our feathered friends, especially EJ and Odin and their 2015 family.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtajxo8d7js
From an Emil
A lovely Bluebird, June--thanks! You won't see those in person until spring has truly arrived, I imagine.
Kind regards, Ann
Ann I answered your comment above, but it disappeared. I hate do-overs, but will try.
I will be fortunate indeed to see a bluebird even come spring. We almost lost them years ago and I believe they are still scarce. Also, they could visit my backyard and leave when I'm not looking. But, yes, I have seen a few over the last several years. Love them!! I have related how as a child I sometimes found a nest with eggs in a hollowed out fence-post.
Ann said: "As for EJ's return, I just hope she does return!"
That is the catch, isn't it? We never know IF either EJ or Odin WILL return. It would break my heart if either failed to arrive.
That last week of waiting gets pretty tense for me.
COUNTDOWN FOR EJ'S RETURN TO LOCH GARTEN NEST
78 days till Wed March 25th
77 days till Wed March 25th
This is from Tigers Clocks shown at around 17:00 on 7 January.
If you wish to view all the clocks visit Tiger/ChloeB site.
TIGER/CHLOEB CLOCKS
Tiger based his on 2014 returns only - I do like Junes Equation for return and last year I had a mathematical equation that got me within hours.
Tiger will be opening a book regarding the return dates not sure when but I guess beginning of March for us all to guess the returns so I will leave it until he opens that page.
If I recall I was close (correct date) - to a few hours but our friend from Gabfest "KAREN" may have perdicted this closest to the hour and won the page.
ALL A BIT OF FUN.
Dunedin Cam still off line.
It is the problem with the actual camera and facilities will need to come with a bucket to access the camera.
Ah yes, now I remember that Keith had a long complicated algebraic formula that considered wind & ocean currents, previous arrival dates, bird weight, length of flight feathers, temperature, phase of the moon, hours of sunlight and I don't know what all. Worked very well, too! Are you using the same formula this year Keith, or will you revise it a bit?
At my request, last year he made a simple formula for my much more direct guess. This year I have used a slightly different method. Can you (will you?) put this year's calculation into a math formula. KEITH? Please? :) ALL A BIT OF FUN