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.
Hi aquilareen glad you had a nice relaxing evening watching tennis. I was pleased for Andy Murray although watching him can be nerve wracking. My Mum always used to knit when she watched tennis. At Wimbledon time she would rush round in the morning preparing evening meal and doing her HW in time to sit down at the start of the transmission each day. Everything revolved around Wimbledon for a couple of weeks.
Margobird
Good morning Lynette lovely captures again and just look at Phoebe's colours. Hope she and Bea and Jay have survived the wind OK and no damage done to the nest.
Good morning Brenda H and hope that everything comes together with the delvery of your settees and collection of the old ones. Hope you don't have to put anything in the garden as they are forecasting rain on Tuesday.
Hope to catch most of the tennis Sunday but will be doing bird count so might have to fit that around the tennis.
Lovely close up of the racoon dog Alan.
BrendaH thanks for the link re culling. I do hope that this is not going to happen and as you say if it does that prosectuions will happen. I agree totally and there is no other word for it than it is slaughter.
Good morning orignal goldfinch I have not heard from the RSPB but they usually take a while to respond to emails and they are probably busy at the moment with the Bird Count now up and running. I have already signed a petition but hope like you that the RSPB will set something up as I will sgn that as well.
Unknown said: It will all be illegal so here's hoping there will be plenty of prosecutions if the slaughter is carried out.
It will all be illegal so here's hoping there will be plenty of prosecutions if the slaughter is carried out.
I love the sweeping statement - as there is nothing illegal about the whole study I would love to know where this thinking has come from?
Good morning Lindybird lovely to read about your 3 robins visiting. They are little terrors though when they start fighting between themselves. Thanks for the link to the robin story. I read about it yesterday but at that time there was not a video. Certainly knows where he is well off but I wonder how long it will be before people will be mentioning health and safety.
Lynette sorry to read about your daughter's eye but must be a relief to find out that it is OK and will carefully monitored. I have had eye problems all my life I can just imagine how worried you must have been. It must be of comfort to her and you to know that this will be carefully monitored.
Just a good morning to all and I witnessed Billy being extremely territorial a short while ago. We have a huge white cat who seems to like our garden but is not allowed in when Billy is around. He is about twice the size of Billy and ran off with his tail between his legs. Billy is one feisty little cat for sure.
Freezing cold again this morning, bird baths frozen again and the hungry birds have been visiting in great numbers, wonder if it will be the same tomorrow when we do the bird count.
Have a good weekend all.
Good morning AnnaM and I am so pleased to see that this subject seems to be gathering a lot of interest. I am totally against it. Why do humans always have to meddle with nature.
Good Morning ALL, No frost here but the sky is covered in grey cloud and feels cold.
Alicat, loved to hear about your four tiny baby fish. We used to keep fish, which wouldn't stop breeding. The tank ended up, so full of fish that I had to ask the local " Water World" if they would take some. They were glad to do so and I received the smallest container of fish food in return. When I thought afterwards about the price they would sell them for !! I was upset though when we moved house and I had to leave the tank and fish with the buyers of our house. It was all too large to move.
Lynette, I am glad all is well with your daughter's eye. Must have been a worrying time for you though.
AQ, I just don't know how you are coping with those continuous high temperatures, but wouldn't say no, to some warmer weather over here.
Diane, Three foot of snow with more forecast, sounds more than enough, to me. I hope the forecast storm doesn't turn out to be nearly as bad as anticipated.
Gary, Thanks for that latest puppy photograph. The snow in your area sounds really bad and hard work clearing it all the time. I guess you are now an expert with your new snow plough.
Margo, I think we have all adopted Billy Whizz now, so thanks for the updates as we all worry if you don't see him.
Annette, I am just waiting to hear you yell that the landscaping is now all finished. I know you must be feeling very frustrated with the whole project by now, but don't despair, you can see the end is in sight and you will be pleased with the outcome.
Must go shopping now and catch up again later.