Evening all: Don't miss the last couple of pages of last week's chat. Gary's been at it again, posting incredibly cute puppy pix!
OG: Yes, Los Carneros means "the rams" in Spanish; while La Patera (the original ranch that Los Carneros was on) is "the place where the ducks gather." In the 1700s, after the Spanish settled here, it was cattle country; then in the 1860s,about a decade after California became a state, folks from back East started bringing in sheep, which survived periods of drought better than cattle and whose wool was in demand by eastern and southern states during the Civil War when the cotton industry was decimated. Anyway, in the 1870s, the American family that owned Rancho La Patera planted the first commercial lemon orchard in the state (or the Goleta Valley depending on which source you read). I drive to Costco along Cathedral Oaks Blvd - which runs north of Lake Los Carneros - past huge citrus orchards and the remaining acreage of Rancho La Patera. As for the vineyards, they're over the hills behind Santa Barbara in the higher, dryer Santa Ynez Valley. All very complicated.
Gary: Never been to Yellowstone - was heading that way one October but an early snowfall blocked the Western entry so had to "make do" with Grand Teton National park. Sigh. If you're looking for somewhere to stay, you can always visit TripAdvisor and read everyone's reviews of the options.
OK guys, off to do a crossword and watch some rubbish on telly. Take care ALL.
Good afternoon george g and yes it is true so many people on here are helping me through what has been a stressful time. If my sister can be so positive then so can I.
Glad you had a nice outing at the weekend.
Hope your wood for making the garden dog friendly arrives soon and I am looking forward to hearing about the dog you have chosen.
Margobird
Thanks Alan for the eagle pics. Was watching the cam the other day and they zoomed in to show someone taking pics.
dnlib have watched many programmes about polar bears but I always feel very sad. They are having such a hard time finding food.
As type one of Lily's cubs is demanding food I think.
Feeding time at Jordan Lake:
Nice to hear all your news.
HAPPY BURNS NIGHT to all our Scottish readers.
Alan - lovely one of Phoebe feeding her young and of the eagle feeding the young at Jordan Lake. Have you got the link please??
A very grey and wet day down here but managed to get to the gym this mornng for my weekly swim. Always feel better after it (knowing I've done a bit of exercise).
Will have to catch up now on the wildlife cams.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Link for Jordan Lake:
http://www.basic.ncsu.edu/eaglecam/
Snap Alan was just watching them. Never fails to amaze me that these huge eagles are so gentle with their offpsring. Can't get into the Hampton cam, have you been able to.
Margo : Hampton cam is ok with me. Remember last year they had a love branch, well it looks like they have one this year too:
Superb close ups now at Hampton:
Lovely pics of the Norfolk eagles, one of the pair at Lake Orsak, peregrine at Derby and Phoebe