HAPPY NEW WEEK!
Last week's Chat thread is here.
I had a funny bird experience a week or so ago. I put it on my Facebook page, and I thought some of you who like corvids might enjoy it.
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I heard something drumming outdoors on the sill under my kitchen window. I assumed it was one of the woodpeckers again. Both the Red-Bellied and the Hairy woodpeckers have persisted in pecking there this year. (Some delicious larvae must be under that wood.) I said, "Stop that!" The bird quit briefly, and then started again. I shouted, "Now, quit that. You know you can't do that!" A head popped up at the bottom of the window!
A huge Blue Jay stared at me. He was sitting on a small branch that rests against the wall of my house. He was so cute! I told him he had to stop damaging the window. He climbed up the branch and looked in at me, cocking his head. He didn't screech. He just put his face as close as possible to the glass. He looked so comical that I was laughing. I stood still, but I talked to him for several moments. At one point, he started warbling like he was trying to imitate me. (Blue Jays are corvids and are great mimics. They're known for imitating hawks, so they can clear the vicinity of other birds and have all the food.)
This jay's head crest was down, so he wasn't the least bit distressed -- just curious, I guess. He walked up the branch and looked back at me once more before he finally flew.
Blue Jays differ in appearance. They can vary a lot in their facial characteristics and coloring. This was the biggest one I've ever seen, and he had an odd look with a larger face and eyes than the other jays on my patch.
He could be a subspecies from somewhere else. He may have been a migrating bird or possibly an east coast bird who flew here to get away from Hurricane Joaquin, which was threatening at that time. I even wondered whether some Green Jays from Texas have found their way here and are interbreeding with the blues. I don't know whether that's ever been documented or is even possible.
I smiled all day thinking about the little fella. I hope he has a good winter with lots of food available.
Everyone have a great week!!! Monday night is the New Moon (the dark moon).
Hi Rosy. Welcome to the thread, from me!
I have one of those plastic lettuce knives, too - if I remember to use it when I have lettuce! My OH is not a fan so I tend to buy the smallest packet of ready washed lettuce these days, just for myself. Hoped its healing up, Heather.
Was surprised to find a package in the hall (we have wonderful neighbours who look after our post when away) and on opening, it was our lost SatNav, which the hotel had forwarded on to us! Must ring them to thank them for their good service. Although they did keep saying they would ring me about it, so I had not heard much before we left, so had to just let the whole thing slide as we were too busy.
Unknown said: Diane, What a beautiful bird that Blue Jay is. Interesting theories about where he may have come from, but a lovely experience for you. I love the way you talk to birds. I do that too. I also talk to plants. (the local madwoman)
Diane, What a beautiful bird that Blue Jay is. Interesting theories about where he may have come from, but a lovely experience for you.
I love the way you talk to birds. I do that too. I also talk to plants. (the local madwoman)
Rosy: I talk to all the wildlife, large and small. Luckily, my neighbors are far enough away that -- usually -- no one sees me dialoguing with the animals. I also talk to the trees, and I confess that I've even named some of them! LOL
Lynette and Lindy: Welcome back!
Annette: We could have the first frost this weekend. I'll send cool air. Did AQ have another bus trip planned? My memory is awful. Hope her back hasn't gone out again.
Evening all: No comment on our weather. Meanwhile....
Lynette How nice that your OH will be recognized for his volunteer efforts; hope the team did well. Yes, cold water bottles are now taking up more than usual amount of room in the fridge.
Lindybird: So will OH's relative be staying with you guys until she leaves for home? Hope that goes well.... Fresh made waffles? My granddaughter whips up the ingredients and stores them in the fridge - she has a waffle maker (on her Christmas list a few years back), so she can whip them up quckly. Maybe you can lose that ancient SatNav on another trip (but be sure nobody will find it). :-)
Rosy: Did manage to have just a few words with Gdd and she is planning to take another Spanish course next semester and maybe another one or two (!!) classes. Spanish is almost a job requirement here in California where we have a very large Spanish-speaking population, but oddly enough not in Arizona, where there are lots of Spanish speakers (she's one of the rare EMT's in her company who has any Spanish at all). That's pretty much a reflection of where AZ's social priorities are (think gun rights). :-( But I digress: Gdd is ultimately planning to return to California. It's a long story (her ex-OH still lives there). I see other changes ahead for her (no chance of a reconciliation with her ex thank heaven!). That's more info than you wanted - but yes, we did talk. :-))
Diane: Please stand in garden and blow cool air west (or maybe you have some old bellows somewhere?). Don't know where AQ has got to....but my memory is as good as yours. Usually OG is the one who keeps track of us all.... Are you going to brave the Democratic debate tomorrow night?
Margo: Good wishes winging their way to you.
Have a good Tuesday all.
Oh dear, I’m in trouble again for lurking & not posting <grin>. Nothing to report but nanny duty followed by recovery days. The weather has cooled to mid-20s after practising for summer topping with 35 C last week. OH has an extra ½ day (today) nanny duty to make up for t’other g-m who is on holidays.
Diane – Next Sunday I have the last bus trip for this year. We will be visiting towns in the Gilbert Valley. Coals to Newcastle! It’s where I grew up. But I’m sure our tutor will have found things I didn’t know. Then it is a bus trip drought until March. Bleah! However summer really is too hot to gadding about in the country. We’ve already had bushfires, mostly started by escaping “controlled” burn-offs to clear vegetation before summer.
Margo – Sending you sunshine & healing thoughts.
AQ: Well, when a regular poster disappears for two or more days, it has us speculating. I thought you'd either got left behind in a church during a weekend trip or somehow roped into full time nanny duty. Diane obviously wondered if your back had gone out. Glad the weather has cooled; wish I could say the same. I bet your tour guide will come up with new info for you. I used to give tours at a historic (okay an historic) site and was amazed at how many locals were equally amazed that the place even existed. Bushfires this early doesn't bode well....
AQ: Ah Ha! I thought I remembered that you had one more trip planned, but alas, I couldn't remember exactly when. I've just looked up the Gilbert Valley region on Google maps. Looks very interesting. Wish I could go with you!!! I'm sure it will be a lovely nostalgic trip for you, revisiting the place where you grew up.
I do hope you will stay safe from bushfires. The conservation authorities here do those prescribed, controlled burn-offs on the northern Indiana prairies where I grew up, so I know how quickly they can escape. The burn-offs in your region probably cover a much, much larger area than ours, though, and are far more likely to get out of control because of your drier conditions.
Your summers get way too hot to do much traveling comfortably. You've had several lovely trips this year, though. Great photos! You can rest up now.
Annette: CNN is going to stream the debate live online, so I intend to watch.
Annette – yes, well, getting left behind in a church would be peaceful, but nanny duty rules my world. And Diane was nearly right as my back has been dodgy last week. Some idiot vacuums her Dau’s house but not her own. Diane if you are browsing next weekend’s towns, we cover Chinkford (Manoora), Saddleworth, Riverton (lunch), Tarlee, Stockport (m-tea) to Hamley Bridge where River Gilbert joins River Light. Not to mention extinct settlements of Giles Corner, Macaw Creek & surprises.
Good Morning, All. Good to see that AQ is still circulating, and not sitting forlornly on a vacant pew somewhere! Do take care of your back, though - I'm sure that caring for the little 'uns and hoovering are not good for that at all :-(
Bright sun here, so just going to put all our towels on the line. So glad we invested in a really good w. machine a couple of years ago, and I can rely on it. Lots to do, including contacting "lost" friends who we need to catch up on, both on the phone & In'net, and also have to find time for research to buy a new tablet as I'm really missing mine now. Still no good Internet connection at our holiday place, sadly, but apparently its being discussed (have heard that one before, however!)
AQ Its so true that we often don't appreciate where we live. I found that a lot of folks didn't know some of our local history and was puzzled by this: I suppose everyone is not always interested in such things.