Weekly Chat, Sunday June 13, 2010

Hi folks, I'm unusually busy at the moment, so will only be able to catch the chat briefly. But I am keeping the webcam on to watch the goings on at LG, needless to say. It has even affected my Springwatch viewing, as I missed two of the programmes. Wednesday's was not on Sony or Humax, versions of iPlayer, but I feel that the attraction of this series of SW has left me feeling somewhat disappointed. Prior to last week I have watched every SW programme since the start of series one.

One last point worth saying is that last night I watched after the England/USA game a BluRay film of 'Winged Migration', which is a series of clips of bird migrations by species with the filming mostly done in the air, alongside the birds, which is super. There are also some disturbing scenes, shown in a factual way, which illustrate plainly the dangers to our feathered friends during and after migration. This realistic portrayal may not suit everyone though, especially small children.

Some of the reviews are critical, saying that since the filming was staged using human raised birds, to allow the aerial photography, it is more of a Hollywood movie, than a documentary, but I thought it was great,

http://www.sonyclassics.com/wingedmigration/home.html

One of the reviews.

http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/533/wingedmigration.html

Still dry here but rain/ thunderstorms forecast for tonight/ tomorrow. The garden doesn't need any more rain yet.

Annette, Sounds like a very early start for you and, if you are like me, will not relax untill you hear they are home safely.

OG, Glad to hear you enjoyed your concert and that the audience helps to finance the young musicians

Diane, Mixed news about your garage nest. I would just hate those temperatures and humidity. I am surprised you have the energy to do anything.

AQ, So happy that you have chosen your wedding outfits. That is one headache out of the way. 

Thanks for all your news.

Afternoon folks!  Little grandchildren on their way back home so can relax a little. I introduced the 5 year old to EJ and the young ones, she was fascinated. BTW - I haven't checked her page but has Auntie from Finland been around lately? Just like everyone else, I noticed when Cirrus was off sick and similarly I haven't spotted Auntie lately.

Afternoon all,

jsb : Thanks for the links, I will have a look later.

Everyone else thanks for the chat,clips etc.

I have also lost a lot of my enthusiasm for Springwatch. Too much sparring of egos and general geekiness and not enough wildlife for me.

This morning visited a couple of garden centres and now watching the footie on tele and webcams on the laptop next to the tele.

Weather has been mixed this morning with one light shower and some sunshine. Temp 15.8c

P.S. 'Winged Migration' does not feature Ospreys.

Earlier, having a coffee in the garden, I had the company of a freshly hatched family of blue tits sitting above my head in the false acacia tree. They have not  reached the feeders yet and are still being fed by mum.

Unknown said:

Diane – sorry your Kingbird nest appears to have been unsuccessful – but pleased you will be reclaiming your garage – does the snake live in there?  Trying to imagine being stuck 5 days under a “stalled tropical front” with 100% humidity – you must be dripping!!  I hope you don’t lose your power.

Hi, OG! I don't think Stinky lives in the garage, but black snakes are very good climbers. They often stay in trees, wrapped around branches, so he could easily get into the garage in the same way that the birds did. In fact, I suspect he might have been responsible for pushing the window ajar in the first place!

I don't know where he lives in the summer. I've seen him in several places, and we've found his shed skin in the back garden. I think he just stays where he can find food. I've learned to keep my eyes open for him wherever I go. Black snakes are not venemous, and they will only bite if someone really threatens their space and gives them no choice, so I don't worry about him being around. He's very beautiful.

Sorry, everyone, that I was whining about our weather. This very heavy air makes it difficult for my Dad to breathe, so I'm getting a little weary of it. I had our medical supply company put in an emergency oxygen system in the event that we lose power for an extended period. AQ, you asked if this weather is normal for us. It's usually very hot and humid here in July and August, but the heat arrived very early this year. And it's very rare for us to have storms nearly every single day like this. Right now, we are getting most of our weather from the Gulf of Mexico, so it's a very tropical front. Oh, well, just hope it doesn't start dumping oil on us!

AQ: Pleased that you found your lovely outfits!!! Lindybird: I'll look forward to your poppy pic.

JSB: I loved the Winged Migration documentary when I watched it. I wasn't sure what to make of the criticism when I read it later. The film itself is, indeed, very beautiful.

Diane - I don't think that any of us would have thought you were whining about weather. Your Dad's health needs are bound to impact on your reaction to the weather. I had no idea about your weather in Indiana and have learnt a lot from reading your posts. We Brits moan about our weather (some say its a national pastime!) but I don't think that we have the slightest concept about what extreme weather really means! (Forgive me, any UK posters who have been flooded out, etc, I am speaking generally) The recent hard winter we have had made my OH exclaim that we were becoming a nation of softies here in Scotland!! He recalls walking to school - no mummy to hold his hand - knee deep in snow.

One of the new people on the “official” blog was feeling inhibited there, so I have put another suggestion that they check out the forums.  I wish more of them would – and then there would be less criticism from those who want to be entirely serious and stick to topic.

Jsb – I thought we hadn’t heard much from you recently – pleased you can keep up your Osprey viewing even when you don’t have time to chat.  Re “Winged Migration” – my view is that sometimes a bird becomes imprinted on humans through unavoidable circumstances ( eg raising orphans) and I think it is totally in order to learn all we can from these individuals to help us to know more about their species and wildlife in general.  How lovely for you to enjoy the close company of the Blue Tit family!

Heather – maybe Auntie is out and about enjoying the Finnish spring/summer – also she does get very busy from time to time if the hospital is short-staffed.

Alan – I agree with what you said about the egos on Springwatch – and it’s become very “silly” at times- and I would say it is no longer good family viewing.  I reckon there is more airtime given to the presenters than to the subjects.

Diane – pleased to have the assurance that Stinky is a safe snake to have around – but rather you than me!  The atmosphere must be very tiresome for your poor Dad, and worrying for you – so glad there is an emergency oxygen supply just in case