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).
I like the sound of warm potato and onion salad, DIBNLIB. How is it done?
HEATHER, just a standard potato salad but served while the potato is still warm.
Ah, I see, DIBNLIB !
I also looked up chicken Veronique. I have made sole Veronique so had an idea what it would be. It looks really tasty.
I am confessing to being in bed this early. Just chilling and reading. A bit tired still from all the entertaining and mucho vino collapso.....
Hi, all. Traditionally, rural farm families here in Indiana often served potato salad warm. Also, rural folk often make potato salad from leftover mashed potatoes. (This is a custom from the Great Depression era, when people didn't waste any food.) I always make my potato salad from mashed potatoes like my grandmothers did.
Lindy: Amber is very cute. I love her hair! Mine was that color at her age.
Annette: We're getting our first hard freeze (plant-killing freeze) here this weekend. Will direct the cold air to you.
Aw shucks, Brenda & Linda, I can hardly type for blushing.
All this talk of food is making me hungry . . . and I've just finished breakfast. Much cooler today and we've even had a some rain. the garden needs it. Some suspicious fires yesterday in scrub & grass, easily controlled but it won't be so when the vegetation dries out more.
Stay safe from fires, AQ!
I took advantage of the rare free Friday, rang church office (only open Fri) and, yeay, the church is open today. Another photo excursion! I now have the stained glass of St Michael’s, Mitcham. It’s already on ‘net here but I wanted to do it myself. The church has been extended & is now square. I made slight detours on way home - to library for a refill <grin> and to purchase my 2 tomato plants which should in the ground weeks ago. I added chives (mine passed away last summer after being attacked by mystery bugs), basil & perpetual spinach. Now I must summon the energy to plant them while the weather is cool & damp.
Evening all: Daughter was down for a massage and spent the day hanging out here, which was nice. What's really nice is that this is the first evening I haven't had the a/c going for weeks.
Lindybird: Hope you found Bonnie's way out - our neighbor's Jack Russell used to escape every day when they first got him. Oh dear, even your undies aren't safe. Those desserts look very rich - but definitely yummy.
Heather: Mucho vino collapso? :-) Doesn't take much these days...
Diane: Glad you didn't OD on antacids after the debate! Make sure to stock up before the next one. My daughter was watching the Ellen Degeneris show today and Berne Sanders was a guest; he was pretty funny in addition to getting his message across very well.
AQ: I'm guilty (or was in the past) of buying plants then letting them languish in their pots for too long. I'm going to take some succulent cuttings from some re-potted plants to the local enthusiast's group.
Margo: Big hugs to you; hope you and Billie are hanging out in the garden.
Has anyone seen Rita around lately? And where's Clare - I was wondering how she's doing at Minsmere. Who else is MIA?
Off to bed soon; have a good Friday all.
Good Morning, All. Still rather dull skies here, but hey, at least I can potter in the garden this afternoon and put in some of the crocus and daffs I bought whilst I was away. I do love to see the first flowers of the year.
I think Clare is OK, Annette, but perhaps she is just busy now she has Minsmere to do as well. She must be reading these pages as she has occasionally put a "like" on my pics, so I hope you're enjoying yourself at Minsmere, Clare!!
AQ: Glad you managed to fit in a little "me" time. The window looks lovely.
Annette: The desserts were yummy indeed, and not as rich as they appear, as it was a small square of pud plus a very light icecream. Bonnie is funny as she likes to escape but then cries pitifully, wailing to be let back into her kingdom when she can't find her way back again!!
Margo: Hugs to you: hope that Billie is behaving herself!
Good morning, all. Minsmere is going very well but very sadly Limpy's mother, who has had Alzheimer's for many years, has been diagnosed with cancer and has very little time left. Limpy and Helen are absolutely gutted and are spending as much time with her as they can. The wonderful residential home she lives in knew something was up but whenever they called the doctor they (and we) were told that it was all related to her ongoing Alzheimer's. Imagine the surprise our local surgery got when a hospital scan revealed that she was riddled with malignant tumours. Alzheimer's is a horrible disease but I think the worst aspect of it is how the system treats you once you have it.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.