Good evening, Gabfest fans, users and readers. Welcome to the renewal of OUR gabfest thread where LOCH GARTEN OSPREY LOVERS gather to follow & discuss the antics (and consequent roller coaster ride) of EJ and Odin and their offspring. This thread is somewhat unique in that we are not limited to any one topic, but can and do discuss anything from observation and information (always appreciated) to fantasy and fun. We are limited only by good taste and RULES OF THE FORUM. These were posted somewhere recently; just wish I could find them. Even so, our own good manners and common sense will keep each of us well within their boundaries, I'm sure. I'm looking forward to hearing from all of you frequently as September progresses into winter and Tore, Bynack and Rothes progress to Africa. When will Tore get up courage to cross the big waters of the Channel? Will Bynack cross the Alps and Italy or will he change course to the west and cross the Mediterranean at its widest point or, as I hope, proceed even further west to some narrower crossing and a friendlier northern Africa? How long will Rothes stay settled in her adopted home in France? Will she return next year to her real home at Loch Garten? And what about Garten and Mallachie? Those of us who love them and consider one or the other our "favorite" trust they are alive and well somewhere out there in Ospreyland. But will we ever again see them identified at Loch Garten? All part of the never ending roller coaster ride.
Hello, everyone. Oops! Seems I'm in trouble again. I just heard that Oscar was highly offended when I called him a stuffed toy.
OSCAR, I am so sorry that I called you a stuffed toy. I didn't realize you would be offended by this and so I apologize, on my knees, for hurting your feelings. Will you please forgive me? Enjoy that green oasis and being spoiled by those cute little arabian girls while you can. I think you still have more desert to cross.
There! Do you think that will Make him feel better & get me out of trouble?
Hi Fish, we're all glad to meet your dog Scamp. I'm sure we'll be hearing more of him.
June you in trouble that is a first and not "ME" for a change however I did go along with you.
To be honest I never thought about Orange OS being a stuffed toy until you you mentioned it. Now I am laughing again. You know I am only joking but could not resist it :) That is my get out of jail card lol.
Hi - last night in saharah - In the control room for an hour to catch up with you all - if I stay longer I will have to do night shift for them.
B & B you are in trouble along with June laughing at Yellow OS (A stuffed Toy) - At this present moment he is is outside my villa in the tree at the moment so upset that he is pondering whether to leave and carry on with his migration tomorrow. I will let him know of your latest message June.
He is not staying behind with those young algerian girls at site he is even more upset at them they keep squeaking him (I tell them I would not be as upset if they pressed me to see if I squeaked - they just laugh at me) - if they kidnapp him I will squeak them. They too laugh at me in jest but we all have fun out here.
You may next see him beside the lake at campus on Bioko Island with a big fish so don't laugh when you see that one.
It has been a security night mare getting in and out of here and we had to call the army in last week to take me out to an oil wellhead however I shall miss all the comaradship of the locals at site and campus who work out here - they all have fun with me.
I shall be receiving updates regularly on LEMAC.
Looks like I'm still in trouble & must stay on a knees for a while yet. However, I am of the opinion we should all spend more time on our knees anyway. Keith, please get my apology to Oscar ASAP. I really don't want him to be mad at me. Since I got B&B in this, I'm including her in my apolgy. She has such a soft heart for all creatures so I know she would never hurt Oscar on purpose.
Are you all familiar with Bioko Island? I wasn't, so googled it on GE. It showed an awful lot of white. I believe it is on or near the equater so What is it? Snow - on the equator? White sand? Cotton? Traveling thru N.Carolina, we once saw what appeared to be a heavy sprinkling of snow. a closer view showed it to be cotton. I said cotton on Bioko Island as a joke, but maybe it could be.
Oh June seeing Yellow OS with a big fish at the lake of Bioko Island, now that is something worth seeing. My Geography is improving day by day following Keith and also the migrating Ospreys. I had never heard of the Guniea Bissau before and do know something I might have spelt it right. There ya go.
June thank you for sending my apologies, so much appreciated as I have done a lot lol.
Oh the devil you are Keith they press Orange OS to see if he squeaks and you do not mind it if they press you. Glad you have your humour at work also lol. Can see them all having a good belly laugh.
Now I have to look up Bioko Island June. maybe back later :)
A relatively large island 32 miles off the coast of Cameroon, Bioko Island is one of the most biologically significant places in all of Africa. It is known especially as a haven for rare primates and as a principle nesting ground for endangered sea turtles. Most of the island is virgin rainforest and its treacherous mountain terrain creates an array of distinct habitats in which animals can thrive. Many of Bioko's rare monkey species have eluded hunters by retreating through deep ravines and steep ridges. In the island's southeastern corner stands the Gran Caldera, a volcanic crator whose high walls have created a natural refuge for eleven species of primates
Oh Keith so jealous
now I have to find the eleven species of primates. Help by anyone would be appeciated, I digging a hole here
The drill resembles a stocky, olive-brown baboon with a large head, a white ruff around its face and, in males, a bright red chin and an impressive pink and blue rump. Drills are omnivores eating fruits, leaves, roots, mushrooms, giant land snails, sea turtle eggs, insects and small vertebrates. On Bioko, they have also been known to eat injured duikers or the stranded young of other monkey species
That's one and the more I read the more fascinated I get.
Going to walk my dog and the off to bed and maybe someone else will post more and the sea turtles interest me so much.
B & B - Clever girl you are spot on. I was out there for two months December 2010 and Jan 2011 (This year) coming home for Christmas and New Year. There is a big biodiversity protection programme. I went up the mountain to visit them and see the work with The Drill the rarest of the primates it is dangerous however - plenty of columbus monkeys. There are 4 species of Turtles that lay there eggs on the beaches and hundreds of species of tropical birds .
Outside my villa there was a big tree with hundreds of weaver birds weaving there basket style nests - used to watch them all evening so busy - I do not think Oscar will be welcome to roost in that tree - however I have asked for the same villa. I think you would love it as I know you like all wildlife. I will post you some photos.
Anyhow must go as I have to finish putting things in my case - Army comes in at 0700 to collect me - will be in London about 2PM. Also need to get Oscar down from the tree on my way back to the villa and say my goodbyes.
Bioko has two kinds of colobus monkeys, Pennant's red colobus and the black colobus. Bioko's red colobus is a close relative of Miss Waldron's red colobus, a primate that many believe is already extinct.
2 and noisy jumpers they are. Definately going now.
Edit 3 and only 8 to find now. There is one very interesting one.