HAPPY NEW WEEK!I hope everyone has a wonderful week!I don't have a picture this week, but I thought I'd include these two links for anyone who wants to look at them. (1) This is aerial video photography of the autumn foliage at Turkey Run State Park, which is just down the road from my house. The water is Sugar Creek. The video is 2 1/2 minutes, but the nicest footage is shown at about 1 minute 45 seconds in the video. (2) This is aerial video photography of the autumn foliage at Shades State Park, which is only a few minutes from me. The Shades is very, very special to me because that's where my grandfather was a Park Forest Ranger. I spent a lot of time there when I was young, as did my Mom when she was little. The bridge is the Deer's Mill Covered Bridge, which was built in 1829 over Sugar Creek. The photographic drone even goes inside the bridge. Swallows and other birds nest in the rocky canyon cliffs. The video is 3 minutes. Here are some videos showing the outside and inside of some of the other bridges near my house. (No one is obligated to look at them.) Every year, over a million people come to my area in October to attend the Covered Bridge Festival. These videos were taken this month, right after the end of the festival.Jackson Covered Bridge, built in 1861 during the Civil War. In the 1800s, at times of high water, people launched flat boats at this point on Sugar Creek to float goods over to the Wabash River, where they travelled to the Ohio River and then to the mighty Mississippi River and on to the markets in New Orleans. Video is 2 minutes.West Union Covered Bridge, built in 1876. This bridge and its earlier versions were used by stage coaches on their way to Lafayette in NW Indiana during frontier times. The famous Wabash and Erie Canal was east of this bridge. Video is 2 minutes. Cox Ford Covered Bridge, on the west side of Turkey Run State Park over Sugar Creek. Video is 2 1/2 minutes.The Narrows Covered Bridge , in Turkey Run State Park over Sugar Creek. It's one of the most photographed covered bridges in the nation. The local Native American tribes and settlers from several countries had various names for Sugar Creek, but they all knew the Sugar Creek valley for its maple trees, the source of maple sugar. Video is 2 minutes.
Well, I'm only guessing.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
George: Great to see you and to read you're still keeping an eye out for your SiL and sister; where would they be without you!? :-) Hope you're planning to raise a glass at Xmas lunch, especially as you're taking a taxi. Take care and don't be a stranger!
Went to Tai Chi this morning, where everyone in my group seemed to have forgotten what we all learned a week ago. Hoping this pm's yoga class isn't toooooo strenuous!
Good to hear from George, and that Christmas is all planned. Hope you're keeping well.
I fell asleep watching tv so I guess I should really be off to bed.
Hi all, been reading all your news.
George - so pleased you have had family visiting and all going out for Christmas lunch.
We have finally had heavy rain overnight on Sunday and then some more today but not as soggy as it must be up in the North West.
Made my Christmas cakes on Saturday and included 1/4 bottle of brandy. Now have to get another one to feed them before marzipan and icing go on. Just the mince pies to make, freezing some and leaving some ready to eat.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Concern over in Bali with that volcano hotting up - will it explode or just go on as it is spewing magma etc out??
great pictures Clare. Will look at links from Diane.
Diane - Thought the Cox Ford and Narrows Covered bridges videos were the best for the gorgeous autumn colours. We have also had some super autumn colours here too. Love this time of the year.
Unknown said: Speaking of migrations and all that, got a TxGiving e-mail from Mike of the Gray Whales Count saying Hi and advising us all that the next season's count will start February 14! Our Cooper's Hawk (or offspring) has been in the garden a lot this week. Yesterday, I stood up and there it was, under the tree on the ground, eyeing me suspiciously and mantling over something. It was only about 10ft away - I tried to sneak behind the tree for a closer look but he/she was gone in a flash and without a sound. Lots of feathers in that area today. :-( Also, we have a frog (did I mention that?) It's somewhere under the plants by the patio door - or maybe living in one of the pots. It croaks several times a day - early and mid-morning, then early and late afternoon. I keep wondering if he (she?) is lonely. Can't seem to spot anything and don't want to freak it out by rummaging around. About to have a quick shower and examine this evening's puny offerings on TV. Have a good Monday everyone.
Speaking of migrations and all that, got a TxGiving e-mail from Mike of the Gray Whales Count saying Hi and advising us all that the next season's count will start February 14!
Our Cooper's Hawk (or offspring) has been in the garden a lot this week. Yesterday, I stood up and there it was, under the tree on the ground, eyeing me suspiciously and mantling over something. It was only about 10ft away - I tried to sneak behind the tree for a closer look but he/she was gone in a flash and without a sound. Lots of feathers in that area today. :-( Also, we have a frog (did I mention that?) It's somewhere under the plants by the patio door - or maybe living in one of the pots. It croaks several times a day - early and mid-morning, then early and late afternoon. I keep wondering if he (she?) is lonely. Can't seem to spot anything and don't want to freak it out by rummaging around.
About to have a quick shower and examine this evening's puny offerings on TV.
Have a good Monday everyone.
Annette: I can't believe that it's approaching Gray Whale Count time again. I would enjoy that.
Wow! You got to see a Cooper's Hawk only 10 feet away! I'm envious. They're skittish here, and I've never seen one that close. What a treat!!! Your frog will keep you company with its croaking. I could not bring myself to rummage around looking for the little fella. I revere all animals, but frogs are not my favorite. I had to catch 2 Gray Tree Frogs in my house a while back and relocate them back outdoors. I was not amused. You will appreciate your frog, though, because they eat lots of mosquitoes and other annoying bugs. Lindy: Sorry about the wet weather. You had said you were tired; the rotten weather will give you a chance to nap.
Lynette: Glad you enjoyed the bridges. I hope your cat is doing okay. I remember there were issues with the medication. I was happy to see that you'd booked your cruise for your special anniversary. I hope you will have a wonderful time!
Lynette: I really like the sound of your Christmas cakes and other yummies. Please send a batch this way. :-)
Diane: I was surprised to see the hawk so close too - and on the ground. I asked it if it was okay (no response!); thinking it might have a damaged wing, but then it disappeared into thin air. It was in the bushes outside the kitchen window today - near the bird feeder. :-(
Lovely yoga class with lots of stretching and deep breathing......Ommmmmmmm
I see Prince Harry is engaged. What's the view on the other side of the pond? I wonder if she realizes how restrictive her future role might be......And am I wrong or is Harry a lot like his great-great-grandfather?