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.
Alan: Sue is on the ball.....she has replied on 'Sightings'. I found Heather's details were missing from the spreadsheet list, then found Roy's error....and being one of those types, anxious to put right a wrong, I have been searching for Heather's true identity. I guess Roy's old website, would have the info, but it has gone.....unless there is a 'cached' copy on Google.....now, there is somewhere to try to look.
ChloeB & Tiger's Osprey Data Site
Sat track schedule Spring 2014
LG 7 days; RW & SWT nil; LDOP varies
Good morning all nothing much happening here weather is a bit milder and no rain but it is overcast. Enjoyed reading all the chat and the seeing the pictures. It is amazing how animals get into places that you wouldn't think possible and a hawk in a library is unusual.
At the weekend had a trip with SiL and her sister to Loch Leven Larder and then to Baxters at Kelty and Baxters have now got their restaurant up and running again and enjoyed a nice cup of tea and piece of sponge. Today I have been cleaning the bird feeding area as the feral pigeons make a lot of mess.
Margo glad to see that your sister is keeping positive and you are taking your own ideas from her and you can be assured that everyone here is sending good vibes to you and your family. To all those who are also having problems I send my best wishes that your problems will sort themselves out.
I have been and ordered the wood I will need to fix my fence and now I will have to get on and get the garden made dog friendly. Hope every keeps well.
george g
Good afternoon Lindybird tried to do some replies this morning but PC not playing the game and then I started to get the funny message from RSPB site. OH says I have to delete or transfer all the various videos and pics stored in my favourites onto disc. Seems OK again now anyway.
What a gorgeous little boy Sweetpea is. You must love him to bits and of course his Mummy and Daddy. What great big eyes he has and a sweet little smile and you are so right he has grown such a lot already.
Margobird
dibnlib very remiss of me but I kept meaning to say how sorry I was to read about your Mum. I see you are going to visit her for a couple of days. Makes me realise how big Scotland is if it takes you 3 hours to get to where your Mum is. Nice that your brother is close and also there is still a community spirit where she lives. Have a safe journey Thursday.
it is worth going to BBC Earth News for the story of Polar Bears epic swim. Be warned it is sad/happy ending
GeorgeG : Glad you are making progress with the dog proof garden.
Check out Jim Roths photos . There are some of the eagles at NBG:
http://jimroth.zenfolio.com/
Good afternoon original goldfinch sorry about your experience with Tesco. Hope you get a satisfactory reply from them but as you say if you don't the local paper is always a good place to send a letter. I have a friend In Yorkshire who was told she could have a stairlift to be provided by Social Services back last September. To cut a long story short she was then refused saying it was due to the cutbacks. Her OH got in touch with their local MP and at long last it has been agreed that one will be installed. For the past 6 months she has had terrible trouble getting up and down the stairs and was getting more and more depressed about her situation. She phoned me on Monday sounding like a completely different person to tell me that finally the stairlift will be installed.
Hi Diane thanks for posting the link to the trapped hawk. As you say the photos are awesome. Hope they managed to catch and release it soon, poor thing must be so frightened.
Hi AQ pleased to hear that Jasper is starting to eat a little. Hope the weight will start going on now. Wouldn't mind some of the warmth you have. We are promised a return to very cold weather from Thursday, especially here in the South.
Alan such a lovely pic of Pheobe feeding her little ones. Amazing how they are growing. She is such an attentive Mum.