Morning all: Much ballyhooed snow didn't materialize, we had a sunny day but very cold tonight with temps just below freezing. Spent the first couple of hours today online with Dell Tech Support after a website I clicked on (via Google) delivered a spyware program disguised as an anti-virus program (one of those things that suddenly lights up your desktop with alarming messages about threats to your computer). I ignored it and immediately launched McAffee to scan my computer, which found nothing. However, the spyware program (called Internet Security Essentials) wouldn't go away until Dell's remote support took over and did a super-scan and clean up (LOVE that service! So glad I signed up for it!)
Trish: They said it will take a while for the autopsies on the dolphins. Glad your OH remembered his training and sat still, even if Mia forgot!
Diane: Have never heard of the Nevada Triangle. Will certainly keekp an eye out for the program - we're watching DVD of The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest right now. The UK is (it's rumored) is warmed by the Gulf Stream, which perhaps accounts for the daffodils, etc., while you're still dealing with weather from what I believe is called the Canadian Shield...
AQ: Our plants are in danger of drowning right now; have moved some of the potted plants under the eaves to protect them from any frost.
Lindybird: Had big laugh at image of you scraping your pizza off the floor - I'm a firm believer in keeping our immune systems challenged!! :-)) I shall be tuned in to the Oscars from the silly "red-carpet arrivals" pre-show all the way to the final curtain call, although I must confess to shouting a lot at the telly during the entire show. I think The King's Speech will do OK; Colin Firth was nominated last year for A Single Man but didn't get it; think he stands a good chance this time round (and if he doesn't get it, you'll hear me yelling at the telly all the way to the UK)!!
Margobird: Your sister sounds like a real gem.
OG: So glad you had a chance to make various plans with son.
dibnlib: "My fried egg has landed upside down on the floor?" Maybe that happens a lot in Russia? :-))
Hi to all I missed. Have a lovely Sunday!
One or two others coming up as well
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Hi Tiger, I was going to say your GHO looked like he was sunk into the nest, but I see from Lynette's pic that he isn't sitting how I usually expect to see an owl (upright!) LOL
I have just come in from a study day on Sibelius's 3rd symphony, brilliant, my favourite composer.
Terry in Cumbria
Hello Gary and TT that's what I've been waiting for. How she's growing and going a deeper gold by the look of it. Hope your OH has sorted out the crisis ok.
I think this needs to be quick, so, a brief update on Friday and Saturday with us. Yesterday, the Environment Fair was excellent – we learned a lot, caught up with some wildlife friends, got dates for the diary, and were given a few freebies.
Dinner at Bruno’s was also excellent – pleasant ambience (we ate before the rush and celebratory diners!), pleasant staff and good food. We both had very good minestrone soup, and then I was very good and had chicken and mushrooms in a tasty tomato-based sauce, while OH indulged himself with a cream sauce (but we didn’t have time for dessert, so I didn’t comment much!).
Instead of one guest speaker, History evening was Members’ Night, with two speakers. First one gave an interesting talk, with PowerPoint, called “An intriguing encounter in Queensland – he was in NE Queensland and came across the River Annan (he lives near our Annan). He did a little bit of research there, and more when he got home, and talked about the local man from Annandale who went out to Australia and did lot to help establish the territory in the north east. The other speaker showed slides and talked about archaeology of Orkney – some of it a bit close to last week’s episode of the Neil Oliver programme, so a bit of dejà vue there, but still quite interesting.
This morning kind of disappeared! We did spend some time on correspondence and putting wildlife event dates into the diary. This afternoon we almost tidied the shed! That is to say, OH probably thinks we tidied the shed, but really we mostly just moved stuff about, however we achieved the main object of a pathway through the middle for me to access tools and plant pots! We were able to put some patio pots back outside, move a few things into the greenhouse, and identify several things for the next trip to the recycling centre.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Hi Everyone: Well spring has sprung up here on Speyside with another stunning warm sunny day. Daffs are now about 3" above ground. A 2 hour walk in the hills behind me...the birds were all singing their hearts out, the woodpecker was drumming and the buzzards were enjoying the thermals (not underwear). The biggest surprise was a Red Admiral butterfly this was confirmed as OH was with me.
Looking forward to my trip down to Dorset and even more so after watching this clip that the guys at RSPB Arne put out yesterday. They liked what Spring Watch did when they were their last year and have now got the gear to do a weekly video. This one is about their efforts to entice osprey to take up residence around Poole Harbour.
MARGO: this is also for you as you haven't made ot across the water...yet. http://bit.ly/e6uMRS
Now a quick look at news etc – for which thanks, all. Pleased to see so many of us signed the research Bears protection petition.
Margo – Daffs aren’t yet out here, but Crocuses and Irises are good. So pleased to read of the Meow conversations! Don’t worry about talking meowing – I embarrassed my OH by talking Chicken at an agricultural show last year!
Alan – interested to read that you took “Hamish and Lady P for a nice walk” yesterday – hope you put the lead on the right one!! Congrats on mowing – not quite suitable here yet. Pleased Lady P found something to buy at Downtown. Amazing Eagle and Windshield story!
Annette – hope your goofing and puttering day Friday was as good as it sounded when you were planning it. Sorry about garden man – didn’t know he was still around.
Terry – I think I had an advantage when looking for you in the video – but must admit I hadn’t noticed your OH with his sax!
Brenda – your gardening has obviously made more progress than ours, but we shall get there eventually! We are having a Ladybird survey here, and I can count the one from last Sunday. We are also to look out for Harlequins, as none have yet been recorded in D&G even though they have reached further north – some alien species seem to do what some people also do – they zoom up the M74 and miss us out!! Sorry to read about the Whale in Kent.
Lynette – I hope you will find that your lawnmower is still working when the day comes to begin.
Patricia – I hope Fly did really well for you this morning.
George – I hope you and Diesel had a great walk on the LL Heritage trail this afternoon. Did you call at LLL for some Lemon Curd? I shall be hoping to come home that way in April to stock up!
Dibnlib – pleased to “see” you again. I hope you are also enjoying better weather and good walks with Dillon – and how are your studies going?
Tiger – welcome back! – I hope you have had a good winter – if there is such a thing! Amazing pic of the GHO!
Gary – good to “see” you again, also. I hope OH was fully fit before she had to sort out the work crisis. Lovely photo of the contented Toffee.
Heather – hello, there. Maybe OH needs to watch the Ospreys to help with crosswords!
Terry – Pleased you had a good day with Sibelius – Auntie will be pleased!
Wendy – well that was a sudden change to spring!!! Good to enjoy looking forward to holiday as well as actually going! I hope your OH is feeling better.
Coffee time – maybe watch some recorded TV.
Hi all: Our ISP service went down yesterday evening and has only just now come back - but is very slow. So rushing to get this up (only responding to posts I managed to read right up until we lost service) before something else goes down
Hi Toots and welcome! We blather away on this thread during the fall and winter months after the Loch Garten ospreys have flown the coop. Once the LG nest is reinhabited at the end of March, we start a Daily Update thread that runs until the last osprey from that nest has left in late summer. That thread is LG-osprey-related only but we keep the Weekly Chat page going for non-osprey exchanges. Feel free to join in; it's a friendly group with always room for one more. :-)
BrendaH: Maybe we should all move to Finland; Auntie lives there - what other recommendation do we need?
Terry: I suspect Auntie's English is good enough to understand exactly what that study was about. :-)
BrendaH: Read about that whale. Had fun tootling around town; tried on too many pairs of walking/training shoes at Big 5 Sporting Goods (no luck), but did buy a basic white T-shirt at J.Jills. Never made it to the garden centers; will do that tomorrow.
Back later (I hope).
OG: Yes a verry sudden change to spring but if all the locals who are very much doom and gloom merchants are to be believed it won't last. They are probably right as it is a tad early. OH much better as the stress that was causing the situation is now history, well that is until the next company cut backs. Forcast good for tomorrow as well so will venture towards LG for a walk
First osprey of the year arrives at Blackwater, Maryland. Here is a video.
That seems very early. The osprey fans in the USA will be so happy to see their birds this year given that so many are suspected to have perished on the way south in 2010.
Tiger Signature
Hi folks Not a great day today. Fly was very naughty in her first class at the competition. Then I got a call from OH, who had fallen in the house and couldn't get up, so I had to leave the show and come home to the rescue. I feel sorry for myself sometimes - know I shouldn't, as many people have much worse problems. Sorry to moan but I feel I can tell you all when I don't feel I can confide in family and friends here. Have enjoyed reading all the news.
George It's wonderful that you and Diesel have 'hit it off' so well. Enjoy your walks together.
Alan I, too wondered if you had put the lead on the correct companion!