Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 24 September 2023

Wow, what a surprise that man got with a strange creature in his trap, AQ! Very interesting, and it's good to hear that something thought to be extinct, actually isn't. Of course, now the question is, how many are there?? I'm also surprised to hear that you live in the driest state. No wonder it's a novelty when it does rain!

OG, they need to see the door to see what you're unhappy with, of course! I'm sure you'll let them know what you think if there's any doubt! And at least they're coming out fairly quickly, so it's good service.

We are off on another cruise in November (spending the childrens inheritence, we said!) This time it's to The Azores and Madeira, followed by mainland Portugal. The Azores are tiny volcanic islands which are not much visited, so should be interesting.

Nearly forgot to say, Clare, lovely bird. Never seen one and I suppose it might be missed if you weren't concentrating. Great photo.

TODAY'S QUOTE:

The most important things to say should remain unsaid, because saying them diminishes them.

Stephen King.

Clare - Great photographs, as ever. Thank you for sharing ... always good to see.

Lindy - We stopped on the way 'out' at The Azores and I was fascinated. On the map, just blobs in the middle of the ocean. In 'person', really interesting. The weather wasn't brilliant, though. On the outing I went on, I was the only one with an umbrella! I was very popular!!! Saw some amazing lakes up in the mountains, and a deserted huge former hotel. There is a very interesting church right opposite where we berthed - and some good, not too expensive, shops! Enjoy!!

WOW! Great picture Clare.

PAT: We've booked an outing to see some lakes on our Azores adventure, so maybe they'll be the same ones. I noticed a chance to go underground to see spectacular caves, but decided I'd rather stay above ground and see some of the island in our limited time there.

My OH is feeling better, & has been to get his combined flu and covid jab, so we're all sorted now. No offer of a shingles jab which we were offered last year, but I'm not sure how long they're effective. I've had a dry throat but fingers crossed, no sign of his nasty head cold.

It's been grey skies but no rain - last night very windy and my empty plastic flower pots blew around the garden. No wind at all, just now.

Lindy - I would think they will be the same lakes. Hopefully it won't be pouring with rain when you go. It does make the (apparently) beautiful views a bit difficult to imagine!

Oh Lindy - my friend and I have talked for years about going to the Azores but have never made it. I can’t wait to hear your account and to see photos. It sounds like a great itinerary. Glad your OH is feeling better.
Super photo Clare. What a find.
OG - I hope the man turns up and agrees with you about the door problem. Quite right that he should come out.
I have been birdwatching today on the Welsh side of the Dee estuary at Point of Ayr. We had a fantastic encounter with a kingfisher. The tide was in and as we were walking to the hide, the kingfisher whizzed past us down a channel in the saltmarsh. Then it whizzed back. When we were walking back 2 hours later it was perched on a branch over a small pond and we had fantastic long views of it. I was very happy. We all had lunch purchased at the local bakery and eaten outside at their own picnic tables. I always have the warm peppered beef slice and a cup of tea. Gorgeous!!! Other birds were hundreds of shelduck, oystercatchers, redshank, curlew and black tailed godwits plus a nice kestrel, and singing skylarks. 34 species in all.
I had a dental appointment in the afternoon and, miraculously, passed the check up with no treatment required !!!!

Morning all: Always good news when a creature thought to be extinct shows up (maybe they're smart and just hiding from us).

OG: Gosh, did your bin get abducted or just blown off course? Good luck with the door. Did it not fit properly in the jamb?

Clare: Fab pix again. Do you use Photoshop or another program to 'select' the subject birds in your photos then add a plain background or do they just conveniently pose against them?

PatO/Lindybird: Spent an hour on Wikipedia and Google Earth exploring the Azores. So much history in such a tiny area. And oh those calderas! Very rugged cliffs; lots of farmland. Doesn't look spoiled at all (from limited views).

Unknown said:

Fab pix again

Thank you.

Unknown said:

Do you use Photoshop or another program to 'select' the subject birds in your photos then add a plain background or do they just conveniently pose against them?

I use Photoshop Elements to sort out light/contrast/colour but I never change the background.  My lovely bird just happened to have the local fort in the background and very kindly posed in front of various bits of it.  I'm very rarely as lucky as that.