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 morning. Weather pleasant but cold – so more birds here today. No probs getting on site this morning, all seems to be running much faster – but maybe that’s my broadband because everyone else is watching The Match!
Alan – thanks for last night’s links of wintering Osps.
Alicat and Chrisy – pleased you both saw Lily last night – hope you caught some action.
AQ – sorry about all that heat – I assume you’ll be at the Archive keeping cool. What happened to the proposal to close it which you mentioned some time back? Heard that resourceful woman story before, but it still makes me smile!
Auntie – wonderful to hear about that old WTE! I hope you are well this week and not having to work too hard.
Lindy – good morning, and enjoy the tennis! Just seen score on BBC website – groan!!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Good morning original goldfinch I am multi-tasking well at the moment. In between seeing to my birds, making a goulash for tonight and watching tennis. Andy Murray has just won the second set. I sort of wish he wouldn't get involved in such long rallies as he does often lose the point but that is the way he plays and who am I to criticise. Keeping my fingers crossed now for him.
Not a bad morning here but very cold indeed and my birds are back in force, let's hope it stays that way for the Watch on Sunday.
Margobird
Morning everyone. Have you heard about the culling of magpies, crows, sparrow hawks etc? The Song bird survival, movement want to do this against the wishes of RSPB
http://bit.ly/h3UM7b An Australian newspaper article tells all!
Good morning Lindybird still very cold here too. I dread going out in it to see to my birds and and of course little Billy. Was really worried yesterday as I did not see him until about 4.00, knew he hadn't been because food and milk untouched. Once he did make an appearance he made up for lost time by eating all evening and again through the night. All grated cheese, Whiskas and milk completely gone. OH usually rings me at lunchtime to make sure I am OK and when I told him I hadn't seen Billy he also got worried and phoned me on the hour every hour until I gave him the good news that I had seen Billy.
I am multi-tasking this morning, felt like being creative in the kitchen so made a goulash for tonight, did washing, sorted out the birds while keeping up with Andy Murray's match. Going quite well now, one set all but Andy is to breaks up in the third set. Willing him on now but he does make ne nervous at times as did Virginia Wade all those years ago. He seems to play better when I don't watch all the time.
Hope they have managed to put a new battery in your watch now.
Poor little Sweetpea having to have a jab. Seems awfully young to be sticking a needle in his arm and now wonder he complained.
Good morning auntie guessing you are really busy again but hopefully fully recovered. Thanks for the link to the WTE in Sweden. Must be good when someone sees an eagle that was ringed in Finland all those years ago.
Our weather cold here but not as cold as yours is at times. Looking forward to Spring now and of course the return of our ospreys.
Whoopee Andy Murray now 2 sets to 1 up.
Hi aquilareen sounds terribly hot for you at the moment, must be very tiring. Watching the match at the moment but don't know whether you are so don't want to spoil things. Is your evening your late evening?
Love the Power of a Woman, how very true.
ChrisyB so glad you have at long last managed to get Lily's webcam to work. Must have been very frustrating for you and glad to see so far today the cam is up and working as they have had problems over the last couple of days.
Thanks Alan for the links to the Aberfoyle and Rutland osprey.
Good morning Lynette and thanks for all your captures. Was watching Phoebe last evening and couldn't believe how much Bea amd Jay have grown. Missed all the action with Lily and her cubs.