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 all, just catching up with all your chat. Such a lot to reply to so will do mostly general.
Alan - thanks for the eagle closeups, they're magnificent. Can you let me have the link again, I have lost mine when I rebooted my laptop yesterday.
Heron77 - lovely capture of the crested tit.
Diane, Patricat, and anyone else not been on for a while, thanks for your news.
Margobird, OG, Lindybird, Alicat, and all, thank for your news too.
Been quite a bit of activity at Lily's Den this afternoon so a few pics coming up. I think you can make out Lily and Hope on one and another shows (Ithink) the two cubs in front of mum. Also one of Phoebe and her growing family.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Lily, Hope, and the cubs
Lynette : Decorah eagle cam link:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/decorah-eagles
Alan, I was reading that quite a lot of antiques are found at jumble sales. When people are clearing out their homes of what they consider to be junk, but you have to be there early as the 'dealers' will be waiting for the doors to open. My brother has a pair of very tame blackbirds in their garden. His wife has called the female Clarice and the male, Cliff. Thanks for the wonderful eagle pictures.
Alicat, I used to have to remove the young fish to a nursery tank as the adult fish would eat the young. Do yours lay eggs or are they 'live bearers' ?
Trish, Sounds like you are working hard.
Paul, I have never caught a crested tit on the camera. Well done.
Patriciat, Sorry to hear of your problems. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Lynette, Thanks for all the pics.
Hi to Diane and Annette and I hope AQ is keeping as cool as she can.
Must retire to my bed now.
Been reading - too tired (or lazy?) for replies - busy putting digi photos in order before we (one day) go back through prints! Goodnight, all!
Quick word for Dibnlib - hope you are safely back home.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
A quick visit before I go & hibernate for the day. Overnight min temp 27C, Already by 10.30 am the sun is a burning 36, well on the way to the dreaded expected 42. My computer fan is working over time and I'd better take pity on it. I would send you excess heat if only I could. Take care all.
Starting new thread.