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!
Morning all: Quick hallo before hop in shower and off to Farmer's Market.
Alan: Thanks for lovely pix of puffin!. Margobird: You're so right - nobody does "pomp" like the Brits! :-) Sandy/Lindybird: I've posted the link to the community pages on the Main Diary in the past. Think some of the newbies would like these pages too. Let's hope they try and, if so, Welcome New Bloggers! Please say hallo! dibnlib: Wow! I say rush down the store and buy more lottery tickets (oh, and one each for everyone on the blog too, please!) :-))
Gary: Keep meaning to ask: Did your wife find a horse on that trip out west? The lady who's doing our slipcovers came over yesterday to fit the material and she just came back from Colorado, where she bought two horses. Is going back in a few weeks to trailer them out here.
OK guys, gotta go. EJ and chicks are feeding right now. All so nice and polite this year - was it BigRab or Tiger who suggested it might be because there's mixed genders involved this time round rather than all female?
Just seen this in the Daily Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1285659/cygnets-hitch-ride-mother-swan-tiring-swimming-lesson.html
Phew! Hot here today. Did our “Make your nature count” this morning – of course, only the “ordinary” birds came – Song Thrush, Goldfinches and Siskins did not turn up till the afternoon. Finished last two alpine troughs, finished weeding and hoeing at the back, OH has also been weeding the drive, while I prepared dinner which is now cooking as we must have it on time to go to a concert tonight.
Diane – what extreme weather you have in Indiana – doesn’t seem long since you had snow and now really hot with high humidity – poor you!
Brenda – so glad you have some good weather today after your wet week.
Margobird – pleased you had a good night’s sleep. Enjoy your extra Osprey time while your OH is out!
Dibnlib – two more premium bond prizes? Don’t spend it all at once!!
Annette – enjoy your family – but remember, not too much rushing and dashing!!!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Lindybird : Swantastic photos.
Another viewpoint on the rehabilitation and release of oiled seabirds:
http://www.intbirdrescue.blogspot.com/2010/06/post-release-survival-of-oil-affected.html
dibnlib I think you should go for some lottery tickets as your luck seems to be at the moment.
Margobird
Unknown said: Lindybird : Swantastic photos. Another viewpoint on the rehabilitation and release of oiled seabirds: http://www.intbirdrescue.blogspot.com/2010/06/post-release-survival-of-oil-affected.html
Thanks Alan for the above link and it would seem that birds can be released into the wild again after oil damage. I have to admit i cannot watch the news when it is showing those poor pelicans hardly able to keep afloat because they are so oiled. I find it very distressing to see them suffering.
Thanks Alan. So good to hear the experts point of view, who has had so much previous experience in these situations.
I am still following the story of Hope, Lily's cub and on the latest update there is a fantastic picture of her. She is looking good and is starting to bond with Sue, Dr Lynn's wife and hopefully they will be able to put a collar on her so they are able to track her movements and ensure she is OK.
Thanks for that news of Hope, margobird - I havn't had time to keep track of that site as too busy.
Diane: Goodness, your weather is feast or famine most of the time! too hot or very cold! Glad you decided to stay in the cool and do nothing, seems like a good plan to me. Heard about the bad floods in some areas, sorry to hear there were fatalities.
Alan: Great puffin picture.
Have been busy in the garden as a lovely day here, but this morning took OH to the supermarket (which he hates!) then we went to root around in a Farm Shop where they have really good bedding plants, as I've been a bit slow this year and now havn't got enough to fill my hanging baskets etc. On the way home, we called in to see how Meg the Puppy was getting on - she is much bigger now and just gorgeous, but sadly I hadn't a camera with me as we only went there on the spur of the moment. She has lovely long soft silky fur, and a really gentle female face. Promise I'll take a picture next time.
Did our bit of counting for the Bird Watch in June survey - we have only one mammal to report, in the extra bit about animal visitors, as we have a hedgehog visitor. No exciting birds to add to our list, as only sparrows and etc. came today, and no Goldies, as they seem to prefer natures food now that its summer
The Football Match has just ended, with a 1-1 draw: I watched the 1st half, then lost interest. Teased Husband by asking him in the first five minutes to explain the Offside Rule !! (for those who don't know, this takes the best part of 20 minutes to explain, plus a lot of hand waving and gestures, and even then its rather vague...)
Must go and water some plants before it goes dark. Night All.
Concert was excellent. A local young man is a ’cello student and has been organising friends to join him in concerts here for about five years – some classical and some lighter (musicals and such) – usually three ‘cellos and vocals, with a pianist. His next period of study is in Switzerland, so he won’t be coming back for a while. He has raised a lot of money for local good causes, but the latest few audiences have been happy to support his college fees.
Lindybird – loved pictures of the cygnets! Pleased Meg the puppy is doing well.
Alan – good to get a different view (and based on experience and recording) of the chances for oiled seabirds.
Margobird – Good to have a new update on Hope. I thought Lynn’s wife was Donna, and Sue his assistant! Lynn and Donna celebrated 31 years this week.
Lindybird - your Bird count experience sounds similar to ours, with the more interesting birds staying away – but we didn’t get any mammals. Actually, our “ordinary” birds were very entertaining this afternoon when we were gardening! Tomorrow’s forecast suggests some rain here, mostly in the morning, so may get some indoor jobs done.