Morning all: Late checking tonight. Back later...
Morning all. Rained last night; raining again now. Very Aprily weather. May not leave the house or even shower today after such a hectic week (but must cook "real" dinner tonight for a change).
Lindybird: I spend a lot of time looking at other people's gardens, etc., (if they're neglected) and thinking, "Now if I owned that, I'd....."
Brenda: I still use blankets and "alternative" down bedcovers; my sisterin the UK has duvets only, but they're always too warm for me, regardless of their weight. I've seen eiderdown advertised recently and suspect it may reappear as a very high end option.
Trish2: Was sitting here late yesterday afternoon and heard several large "whumps" against the kitchen window (by the birdfeeders). Went I went out, our local hawk (a Coopers Hawk I think) was sitting in the bushes not 4 feet away; it took off with much noise and flapping when I appeared. Then, not 10 minutes later, I was sitting at the table and it flew down and sat on the fence just outside before zooming off again.
Alan: What a treat to see the Kingfishers and actually get a pic. Wonder where they've been for two years..
Off to see what else I'm not going to do today!
Annette how fantastic to see a hawk so close. We've had one of the red kites buzzing round over the allotments this afternoon being mobbed by a crow.
Annette and Trish , how wonderful, I feel very envious about your raptor sightings ....... back to drool over the Osps (the best I can do )
Trish : We saw a red kite today at Barnwell and it was also being mobbed by crows.
Another kingfisher pic:
We went to a local pub for lunch. where we both opted for the roast beef and yorkshire puds. We had about four hours of heavy rain today and it was only 13c. The rain has now started again.
I watched the tennis and saw Nadal beat Federer. I wanted Federer to win but Nadal was just too good for him.
Alan, Lovely captures of the kingfisher. I haven't seen one this year yet. I hope all goes well at the vets tomorrow and Hamish won't need any more medication.
Annette, I presume the hawk was after a bird on your feeder. Fantastic to see in your garden though.
Trish, Always love to see a sparrowhawk, but don't like to see them capture one of my garden birds. They have to live though, so we must accept it. I hope your blackbird survived. We haven't spotted any red kites around here yet but they are spreading widly now.
First time on today, folks, and thanks for your news.
Alan what fantastic pics of the kingfisher and glad to hear that they have come back to Barnwell.
Went to church this morning, monthly communion service, then on to do a bit of shopping as I can't get out this week because OH is tied up with envigilating and umpiring. Took it easy after getting dinner ready when we got back and generally a lazy day.
Have to be up by 8am tomorrow as central heating man is coming to start the job and then will be with us virtually all week. Just hope there are no hitches and that all goes smoothly!!!!
Good luck with your planning for your visit to LG, Margobird.
http://scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/things-to-do/wildlife-webcams/loch-of-lowes/
RSPB Giving Nature a Home
Annette - yes the food is great at OG's!
Fingers crossed for everything going smoothly with the central heating tomorrow Lynette.
Thanks for the other kingfisher pic Alan. They are such beautiful birds.
The rain sounds mournful at LG and EJ looks miserable - Star half in the rain, half under mum. Storm nowhere to be seen thank goodness.
Chloe and I were in Wales (Dyfi project) since last Tuesday. It has been so fantastic. No doubt Chloe will post some fantastic pictures.
Tiger Signature
Still raining......