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.
http://www.scotsman.com/news/Feathers-fly-as-conservationists-.6704658.jp
This is not a government decision but on information based on figures published by DEFRA between 20003 2008 and is to be financed by Songbird Survival and conducted by a group called Game and Wildlife Conservation Scotland. LInk above.
There are also articles in the Daily Mail, The Times and The Telegraph, all on line.
It will all be illegal so here's hoping there will be plenty of prosecutions if the slaughter is carried out.
Hi we have a small tropical fish tank in our dining area this morning when i fed them there was only the two cherry barbs in there tea when i looked at them there were four tiny baby ones as well
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BrendaH: The GWCT seem to be a really dodgy organization run by the hunting and shooting lobby. I suspect their motives are nothing to do with songbirds but more about the protection of game birds and their eggs.
Another Black Bear cam to watch:
http://www.bear.org/livecams/ted-lucky-cam.html
Unknown said: Another Black Bear cam to watch: http://www.bear.org/livecams/ted-lucky-cam.html
Thanks for the link alan
Racoon dog as close as I could get it:
Great that Murray won his match, - looking forward to the Final now ! Will our nerves stand it though...
That culling business does seem dodgy, and as some have said, surely more birds will just fly in to take the place of culled ones. I believe it happened with the badgers to some extent and they don't move as fast !
Now I can get the USA cams, I am watching the Decorah eagles, -as Alan has show stills from - they are magnificent birds, and a very good camera. Looking forward to the Ospreys returning though.
Just enjoyed watching one of my favourite programmes, QI. Had a call from John Lewis this afternoon to say that we will not have to wait the 8 weeks for our new sofas as they have two in their warehouse and could they deliver next Tuesday between 7am and 2pm. Then made frantic call to charity, which had said they would be grateful to take our present sofas and armchair, to see if they could take the furniture before next Tuesday. they say that their first date will be Tuesday between 10am - 12pm. We are now hoping that the charity arrive before JW or we could have furniture in the garden. Hope it doesn't rain.
Alan, As you say GWCS are more interested in saving their Grouse than saving the songbirds.
This is an extract from Natural England on RSPB Community Forum;
Q. I have heard there is a campaign calling on people to shoot magpies to protect song birds. Is this allowed ?
A. Magpies may be trapped and killed under General Licences for specific purposes, such as conservation of wild birds, but anyone relying on a General Licence does need to be familiar with the term and conditions of a licence to ensure they are operating within the law. The intention of General Licences is to enable people to deal with specific problems, and not to facilitate wider endeavours of this type.
I see we have to wait until 8.15 am, Sunday morning, for the tennis final. It could be a good match.
Hi just caught up with all the news.
AQ - becoming very hot, hey, shade is needed I presusume
Love the story of the Power of the Woman, very amusing.
Thanks for the various links to sites and will look at them soon.
Alan - lovely picture of the racoon dog, managed to see them tonight and what a fight was going on. First one was there then up to four then two had an argey bargey and then there were two. Not seen much activity from Lily but probably missed the best earlier.
Had to go out first thing with daughter to hospital appointment. Was referred by opticians to eye clinic as she had a shadow in the eye. Turned out it was a mole right by the line of vision. Nothing to worry about at present but are going to keep an eye on it, so back in a year for a checkup.
OG - quite agree about sport etc.
Alicat - hope you've managed to watch Lily's cam its been around most of the day.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Heron77 - lovely capture of the G.spotted woodpecker.
Alan - reading about the Dunedin cam is that why I can''t get it up because of technical difficulties????
Here are just a couple of Phoebe and babies and the racoon dogs feeding late. Site seems to be working like clockwork tonight.