Hi everyone: Don't forget to check the final posts of last week's chat for tips on ordering stuff through the mail and what to do when a package has been tampered with and/or items never arrive in the first place! Also, OG is back and had a lovely time and may post photos if she can find some without total strangers blocking the views! Brenda/dibnlib: Americans aren't "allowed" to go to Cuba because - oh don't get me started. But a friend of mine did go there - he had to go somewhere else first and then pop over to Cuba on the QT before heading back to the States. Tiger: Nice to see you. Emma: "They" have just approved a bunch of wind turbines offshore of Cape Cod - one of the most famous scenic places on the U.S. East Coast! I'm fascinated to see what happens since I can't believe the moneyed and well-connected folk with fab houses in that area would allow it to actually happen. Diane: Yes, I read some comments on Trucker Steve's blog about some negative folk on Facebook, but no idea what that was all about and, like you, had no inclination to find out! He's heading to Florida next...
Since folks on here are talking about it, thought I'd mention that BP's curly headed CEO? didn't endear himself to anyone last week when he said he was eager to "get his life back" after the spill. A nice option for him when those killed and their families won't ever have that option, not to mention the wildlife.
Haven't been around much today - Farmer's Market and errands this morning, then this afternoon went on our Gray Whale "thank you to volunteers" boat ride on the Condor, which typically does whale watch cruises for tourists, etc., but was just for us this afternoon. Mike, our main GWC guy, works (unofficially) with the captain of the Condor during Gray Whale season. The Condor calls us when they see whales heading our way while we let them know when we have whales around Coal Oil Point. A win-win arrangement for everyone. Today, we left the harbor and immediately found ourselves in a pod of dolphins - a huge pod of about 700, Mike estimated, in full hunting mode. Just an amazing spectacle; we were surrounded by them. The dophins on the outer edge of the pod were leaping out of the water in coordinated groups of four or five - one of the rangers said she'd seen that behavior before and speculated that it may be a way of driving the fish into a particular position to facilitate feeding for the rest of the group . We could see fish jumping - literally for their lives. Other dolphins were behind the boat and still more right beside us, riding the wake from the bow . Immediately in front of the bow the dolphins were swimming (all this very fast) upside down, their bellies exposed and our guide explained that this was normal hunting behavior - that they can better see the fish from this position. Just amazing. Then we headed 9 miles out to track two humpback whales - a cow and calf pair, which we followed for about 30 minutes, watching the mother roll on her side to feed on krill; then saw the calf breach, which was a real treat. They served us wine and food, but I didn't partake since we were in a heavy swell and my innards were feeling a bit odd. That wasn't helped by the diesel fumes or the very strong perfume that two young women were wearing. I haven't had problems on boats before, but as they say, there's always a first time and this was it. Suffice to say I made it to a quiet corner at the rear of the ship before.....
Probably going to bed early tonight! Granddaughter and OH arriving Wednesday, so a busy week ahead. Take care all!
Video of rare Whale Shark on Osprey Reef, a real treat to watch.
http://www.cairns.com.au/article/2010/06/09/113211_local-news.html
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site
Sat track schedule Spring 2014
LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies
Indeed a treat, jsb: thanks for that, what a magnificent creature. Loved all the little 'hangers on' swimming with it.
Morning all – not sure yet what our weather is doing, but OH has pegged out some washing in hope of a dry day – quite a breeze, so it should dry quickly. Dumfriesshire made the morning news – a minor earth tremor at six o’clock yesterday evening – only measured 2.3! 20 miles from us – and no, we felt nothing here! Annette – congrats on finishing the ironing. Don’t know how you can watch a 3-hour programme – I would have to record and then watch in instalments! I hope your G-Daughter arrives safely – enjoy your time with them (as well as getting rid of stuff from garage!). Lindybird – how lovely for you to hear Sweetpea’s heartbeat! Good morning Brenda – eye health is an area where we have made such a lot of progress – and I don’t think we always appreciate it. Jsb – lovely video, but such a sad account of man’s threat to these wonderful creatures.
Here’s a display of Epiphytes at Gardening Scotland:
EDIT: it doesn't like my picture, will try posting it on its own!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
I just love to beat the technology!!!
Thanks jsb. The film is so clear, showing the markings on the whale shark so markedly, with the remora doing their usual cleansing job. Brilliant.
Lily's got a fella!! http://www.bear.org/website/lily-a-hope/live-den-cam.html
Unknown said: Lily's got a fella!! http://www.bear.org/website/lily-a-hope/live-den-cam.html
Good morning original goldfinch and all. Now sitting down trying to catch up with things. Lily certainly didn't hant about in getting herself another beau did she. Hope seems to be coping and they say they are learning such a lot from Hope who is managing alone with some extra help. Fingers crosed she is going to be OK.
Came back last night from my donkey carer for the day experience. Despite the weather it was another wonderful day. Thick sea mist most of the morning and some rain. Spoiled the beautiful views you get from the Donkey Sanctuary. By lunchtime the mist cleared and the sun cam out. Enjoyed mucking out and grooming the donkey we chose for the day. I had Shirgar again this year. 3o years old but you would never know. When it was time to exercise them it was he who exercised me rather than the other way around. Haven't walked so fast in ages. To be up close and personal with such a gentle creature is a real honour. They are gentle and trusting even though some of them have had hard times before they came to the Sanctuary. The oldest donkey there is a female who is 56 and still going strong. Also saw some of the donkeys whose sad stories I had read on the blog and the change in then now is nothing short of a miracle. Mixed feed up for another couple of donkeys and went in the stable to feed them. I think if any one is feeling stressed go and spend some time with a donkey, no pill could ever make you feel so relaxed. We were fed and watered all through the day finishing up with a cream tea all served out on bone china. Needless to say I was completely shattered when we got home last night. Came away with a bag full of goodies, t-shirt, a framed photograph taken of both of us after Shirgar had been groomed plus book mark, keyring and pen and pad. All in all a wonderful day.
Have been to the hospital this morning about my hearing and I will having one hearing aid to start to see how I get on with it. Have been dreading the thought of a hearing aid but if it helps I really do not have an option. They say I have a moderate hearing loss and it is the clarity that has gone for me. At least if I have the hearing aid OH and I will not get so frustrated, me trying to hear what is said and OH try to make me hear. Have to admit we do have some funny conversation sometimes when I get the wrong end of the stick. Now just have the skin cancer removal on Friday and things will calm down a bit.
Off now to real all the posts and find out how EJ, Odin and the chicks are doing because I know the weather has been rotten for them again.
Margobird
Unknown said: Heather, so sorry, I'm definitely not firing on all cylinders, sigh. My 'lump' on the cornea is an ulcer - so the same or similar I think. I have three different bottles of eye drops, two of which need to be refigerated and some eye cream which I put in for overnight whilst I sleep. Light is very painful to me - I' wish I could wear sun specs at work cos as the night progresses the lights in the store brighten and I find it uncomfortable, to say the least. I've already had three appointments at the Eye Hospital and go again on Friday. But, I can see I am progressing back to health. Trust your SIL is fully recovering - the whole thing just takes over ones life!!! Some drops of some sort are going in my eye every hour
Heather, so sorry, I'm definitely not firing on all cylinders, sigh. My 'lump' on the cornea is an ulcer - so the same or similar I think. I have three different bottles of eye drops, two of which need to be refigerated and some eye cream which I put in for overnight whilst I sleep. Light is very painful to me - I' wish I could wear sun specs at work cos as the night progresses the lights in the store brighten and I find it uncomfortable, to say the least. I've already had three appointments at the Eye Hospital and go again on Friday. But, I can see I am progressing back to health. Trust your SIL is fully recovering - the whole thing just takes over ones life!!!
Some drops of some sort are going in my eye every hour
Cirrus so sorry to read about your eye problem, I do hope things improve for you soon. Until something goes wrong we don't really know how important they are. Take care and look after yourself.
Heather B said: Cirrus - My SIL has an eye problem, like a lump on his eyeball and some inflammation. He has had antibiotics but has to go back to hospital tomorrow. I am concerned, does it sound like you have had?
Cirrus - My SIL has an eye problem, like a lump on his eyeball and some inflammation. He has had antibiotics but has to go back to hospital tomorrow. I am concerned, does it sound like you have had?
Morning HeatherB sorry to hear about SIL eye problem. Hope for good news for him at hospital that it can be treated and cured.
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Diane: trust you were able to boot up properly when the storm passed.
Annette: keep safe.
Lindybird: mornings have shown am improvement- then seems to go down hill for rest of the day but I do believe my eye is responding to drops and ointment. I put one type of drop in my eye on the ‘even’ hours and another on the ‘odd’ hours and the third on a half hour when that it due but yes, I can tell you the whole bally thing has taken over my life.
‘Sweetpea’ is lovely – who can object to that as a name for your Grandchild.
Brenda: hope the ‘usual HW ‘ goes well and swiftly and leaves you time to watch the nest.
OG: gulp !! or at least Mmmmmmmmm. Just goes to show that nowhere is except from earthquakes.
Epiphytes ???????
Margobird: welcome back. So pleased you had a good time but sorry to read you’ll have a hearing aid. But great attitude – we’d be silly billies indeed to not have one if we needed one. I really hope the improvement it makes in your life makes the inconvenience MORE than worthwhile.
JSB: what a wondrous sight- thanks so much for the link
Heather, are you back from the hospital yet? Probably a little early, with all the waiting around there is even if one does have an appointment. Thinking of you. Try not to be too anxious, I am sure they will get rid of the ‘lump’ with drops and ointment even if it takes a while. Please let us know how you got on.