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Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey Topics), 17 May 2015

Diane in Indiana
17/05/2015 07:00

HAPPY NEW WEEK!

Last week's Chat thread is HERE.

I thought Annette seemed tired from all of her pet-sitting and entertaining duties, so I've started this week's new thread. Hope that's okay, Annette and all.

I've been very busy on a freelance project. The contract allows another month to complete the work, but I want to finish it sooner. It's very demanding (thanks for asking about it, Brenda).

I've also been trying to keep up with my lawn mowing. I've managed to see a lot of wildlife this week.

I've seen R.T. Hawk and his mate. I assume they're hunting to feed young. R.T. flew low over the driveway lane and gave me a disapproving look and a bit of a screech because he doesn't like the lawn mower. :-)

For the first time in many years, I saw an Indigo Bunting on my patch. He was glorious and looked like a blue Easter egg. He was singing like a canary, so he must have a mate this year, too. Woo-hoo!

With great fear and trepidation, I mowed over the site of last year's yellow jacket nest (aggressive species of wasp). I was so grateful because I didn't see a single yellow jacket! Apparently, they are well and truly gone and have relocated to someone else's land. Yay! I was swarmed twice last year, and I don't think I could take any more of their venom!

On Thursday, I had an exciting incident. I was cutting some weeds along the house, and a stunning, shiny black head appeared. A black snake flicked his tongue at me, and then climbed up the exterior wall of the house (yes, they climb!!!). He disappeared behind a loose piece of siding. All four feet of him!

He was gorgeous! It's a good thing he was a gentle black snake and not a racer; he might have bitten me, because I was pretty close to him. I knew what he was, though, and I wasn't afraid. I hope he stays around, because he'll keep chipmunks, field mice, and other critters away from the house and the car. :-)

There used to be a big one on this patch a few years ago, about 5.5 feet long. This fella must be an offspring.

I also have an active pileated woodpecker nest this year, and they're all very loud.

I hope you all are enjoying the spring and looking forward to summer. I wish good travels and fun times to all who are on holidays.

I'll be around to post when I finish my work. Take care, all.

  • 21/05/2015 19:01 in reply to original goldfinch

    Don't know what happened there with typeface!

    Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!

  • 22/05/2015 01:00 in reply to Diane in Indiana

    OG: I'm glad you're having a good time, and I hope the weather cooperates. Have to say that the typeface gave me a much needed laugh. :-)

  • 22/05/2015 02:41 in reply to Diane in Indiana
    Sorry to hear your sad news, Heather. I know just what you mean about losing an older person: its hard to come to term s with their not being there. My condolences.
  • 22/05/2015 02:43 in reply to Lindybird
    OG - glad you're enjoying yourselves - hope you can make it to Threave tomorrow. I had a good laugh at your typeface, too!!! :-)
  • 22/05/2015 02:58 in reply to Lindybird
    We had a muddly sort of break away - on the night before we left home, Bonnie wailed loudly and then had terrible diarrhoea. I stayed in bed, but my OH dealt with the devastation: I asked him how it was and he said it was "as bad as you could possibly imagine"!! So at 3.30am he was washing the dog on the lawn, cleaning the carpet where she had run around, washing her bed and generally cleaning up. We got up that morning and took it easy - I tried to remember everything but apparently forgot to turn off the heating system so our house has been warm as toast whilst we were away! We arrived in Wales via Llandudno, where we had a sandwich in the car after a short walk on The Orme. By the time we got to our holiday home, we were very tired. On the first full day there, Bonnie found a dead fish on the beach and ran around with it. It was not a dried up old thing, but nicely ripe and " off" - by the time we got it from her, we were both smelly ourselves. So once again we got a bucket full of warm water and washed her all over, then wrapped her in a towel. Then we had to change our clothes and wash ourselves!
  • 22/05/2015 03:05 in reply to Lindybird
    We had mixed weather and there were sharp sudden showers. After resting over the weekend (Bonnie shredded a newspaper, and ran around the room with my OH's mobile in her mouth before we could catch her.) we spent the Monday on the Isle of Anglesey. We managed to avoid the rain and had a woodland walk (Bonnie rolled all over a dead frog.......) then went to a Transport Museum. Photos later. On the Tuesday we said Goodbye to a nice family who have been our neighbours there, but who are giving up their caravan. We will miss them :-(
  • 22/05/2015 04:03 in reply to Lindybird

    Thank you DIANE and LINDY.

    LINDY, You and your OH are marvellous, coping with a toddler!

    I'm in bed with Mia or should I say that she is lying in my bed  reading. Percy Jackson and the Greek Gods. The print is so small I can hardly read it. Oh to have my young eyes back...

  • 22/05/2015 06:26 in reply to HeatherB

    Heather - I read that as that Mia was reading!

    I'm still coughing but I aim to go out today briefly. It is History Month and I've already missed several events & open days that I wanted to visit. I shall rug up warm. Currently 10 C (nearly 8 am).

  • 22/05/2015 13:03 in reply to aquilareen

    Evening all: Pesky start to the day; will relate if/when I have the energy, but in the meantime, managed to get to the gym and do some yard work too before tossing together an easy dinner.

    OG: Sounds like a nice few days away. I like the idea of a guest house with critters.

    Heather: Sorry to read about your Danish friend.  Suggest you have a stern talk with Mia about lying in your bed and reading Percy Jackson book! Pretty nervy if you ask me.  :-)    Ha! See that AQ read it the same way.

    Lindybird: Maybe a few days taking care of AQ's grandkiddies (sounds like she needs a rest) would provide what sounds like a much needed break from coping with Bonnie.  :-)  That's a shame about the neighbors giving up their caravan.  

    AQ:  Take care of yourself. Bummer about missing some of the History Month events.

    "They" are expecting the oil slick to reach our area tomorrow; I'll be at the Whale Count armed with binocs and the phone number for the Oiled Birds rescue folks (still no volunteers being called for, though some folks have gone anyway).

    Have a good Friday everyone.