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 Paul - yes it's great to catch one of them on the feeder from hundreds of miles away. Thanks for the pic.
Hey, AQ, here's the American Black Duck. http://magblog.audubon.org/bird-day-challenge-day-28-four-weeks-and-counting-my-list-so-far I don't know how closely related it is to your Pacific Black Ducks. Just ran across this pic and thought of you.
Morning all: Quick look in before the obligatory hose down. I see that the Murray match starts at midnight our time. Boo! Re culling, I have some humans I'd like to suggest (no one on this site!). :-) Take care all....
OH is watching The Match and dinner is in the oven, so just came on for a quick look here.
Thanks for link to article about the osprey nests in Carsington, Alan, that would be great, more ospreys! (and possibly more fans of ospreys, watching them)
Nice to hear that there are now 5 baby fish, Alicat - keep us posted on their development.
How exciting that your furniture could soon be delivered, Brenda - hope all goes well on the day! -what good service from John Lewis.
margo - Lovely story about Billy Whizz being territorial - it shows that he feels he 'belongs' and is a good start. Glad you enjoyed the clip of the Robin in the shop - though I said to my OH that the Elf & Safety would soon be around, now it's in the press!
Diane: Love the pretty Black Duck with his beautiful blue feathers.
Welcome to AnnaM who has joined us - we all love our ospreys here, of course and 'chat' both during and between the nesting season, on this thread. I agree with SueC that perhaps any arguments about the proposed culling should be kept to the other thread mentioned, so as not to spoil our chat on here.
Great zooming on the Decorah eagles cam right now:
And now full face:
And another:
Evening all. Haven't posted for some days as I've been busy but have been reading.
Alan Sorry about Hamish's eye problem. Sister had a labrador with entropion (turned in lashes). She had to have 2 ops but didn't seem too bothered. Insurance paid!.
Have had problems with things electrical and mechanical. Washing machine drum has come off its bracket and sounds like World War 3. Nice man thinks he can repair it for £100 to £150 - not bad as it's a washer/drier. Then laptop battery started playing up. Replacement arrived quite quickly but not yet installed.
Had a go at the BGBW this afternoon. May try again late tomorror, though we had a good selection today including 6 linnets.
See you all on the new thread.
Unknown said: And another:
Wow - what a beauty! :D Thank you.
Wow - great Eagle pics, Alan - thanks. Have copied the 1st one, hope U don't mind. EDIT: Hope to see you one day on the "Antiques Roadshow" with one of your finds! I often jump on things hoping they are Clarice Cliffe....
Sorry to hear about your washing machine etc. patriciat - these things never seem to happen in ones, do they? Hope your 'nice man' can fix it. The exhaust fell off one of our cars this week, and now the other car has a mystery rattling noise which the garage man is scratching his head over - its going back in again next week. (luckily he's a great mechanic and hates to be beaten!)
Will have to remember to do our BGBW tomorrow - forgot it today as too much else going on. Bet we get neither our Woodpecker or our Nuthatch making an appearance.