Hi all: Don't forget to check last few comments of last week's chat and a lovely photo from OG - of Loch Garten I assume. Alan: Wonderful close up of EJ on the last Daily Update. Thanks to everyone else for all the news from far and wide.
Just in from Earth Day event, which had a lot more transportation (electric/natural gas, etc) options on display this year, including bikes of all shapes and sizes (SB is a big bike town with lots of bike paths, even throughout downtown). Spoke to a friend of a friend there who is setting up a raptor rescue center at the Natural History Museum; also the California Condor group who are trying to figure out how to set up a live cam at the condor feeding station in the back country. They're thinking maybe solar power, but then there's the problem of relaying the signal,etc. If that's successful, they may try one at the nesting sites, but the problem is that condors don't nest in trees - they like caves, so a logistical hurdle for further down the road. Not to mention the "permit" hurdles, which are major given that the condors are still highly endangered. In addition to the usual solar, green, organic farms, foods and other community display booths there was the usual band and "green" gifts area. Didn't buy anything but did visit my friend with his spiffy electric car and bumped into another friend - a "Master Gardener" at another booth where we sat and chatted for an hour.
All quiet on the LG and LOTL nests right now; doesn't look windy or wet.
Phew! Outside till nearly 9pm (except for a break for dinner). Very warm. Might rain tomorrow, but decided we needed to water the new plants (some bought on the market this morning, and some I propagated myself) to settle them in. Discovered my Crinodendron (Chilean Bell Flower) has little shoots coming on what looked like dead wood, glad we hadn’t dug it up too fast after the winter appeared to have finished it off. Son phoned lunchtime – says he’s getting better, but still sounds quite rough, and coughs while talking. Now a read-through last night and today. Patriciat – remember Wood Anemones together with Wood Sorrel when I was a child – but that was in dry chalkland woods – this Wood Sorrel was in damp woodland and I don’t think the Anemones would tolerate that the same. I have two Celandine plants in the garden – one is a cultivated dark-leaved one Dau#2 gave me, the other arrived in a pot of snowdrops, and I couldn’t bear to throw it out, so they both live near the bluebells and ferns at the end of the garden by my decaying log. AQ – Wood Sorrel is very tiny, much smaller than Buttercups. Dianne – that’s a lot of weight to lose in one month – and good that your eating plan is making you feel good too. Since Marge’s mate originated in Perthshire, I think Mac is a good name for him. Annette – my grammar has got very lazy since emailing and chatting online (and I even spelt grammar wrong then!) My brain gets ahead of me. Tiger – watched the Polyosprey story – still have serious doubts! Lindybird – Jays seem to be as much attracted by bright objects as other corvids such as Magpies and Jackdaws.
Tried to be brief, but enjoyed all the posts and sorry if I left anything out. Now another Mersehead picture - Greenfinch this time:
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Lest We Forget. It’s Anzac Day when we remember those Aussies & NZers who fought in wars, beginning with those who went ashore at dawn at Gallipoli on this day in 1915. This morning it was fine for the dawn services but now for the mid-morning march it is drizzling. It wouldn’t be Anzac Day without rain!
I always complained to my mother that she managed things badly - my birthday is the day after Anzac Day - I wanted a holiday for my day. Now we celebrate on the nearest Sunday. No family gathering today at m-i-l's nursing home as she is unwell. Instead the daus & appendages are coming here for cake (courtesy of the Cheesecake Shop). Big decision, which, finally selected a marbled white & choc mud cake. Yeah, yeah, I’ll get back on the diet tomorrow . . . or maybe later . . .
OG - Thanks for the info on wood sorrel. I have embarrassed myself in the UK asking what are various flowers. Everyone knows what they are!! Some surprised me with their size (my chive flowers are wimpy) and vibrant colours (poppies were amazing).
Going to start new weekly chat page.
Good morning original goldfinch glad to hear your son is a little better. Lovely photo of the greenfinch.
Margobird