Hi everyone. If you didn't catch pages 20 and 21 of last week's blog, check them out for lovely photos of Woodpigeons, sunset at Solway, and a wonderful shot of 10 puppies!! And, of course, interesting and funny posts from fellow bloggers.
In the pic she seems to be inviting you to touch her tummy - AT YOUR PERIL!!!!!! I just whish I had her flexibility though. She does look a lovely cat. I had one cat who was the sweetest thing imaginable - until he found himself higher than you. Then his eyes would go from round to half-moon (flat along the base) and if you came in range, look out, attack cat at work!!!!!
Yes, bunnies are cute, and so are foxes and a lot of other animals - in their own habitats. Australia's wildlife for so long only had one largish predatory mammal - the dingo. They really do fight for survival against the multitude of introduced species, which absolutely thrive here! Those cute bunnies brought Australia to it's knees in the early 1900s, turning a normal drought into a real famine, and most of Australia into a dust-bowl. Water buffalo were fast destroying the delicate balance of the eco system of the Top End with their large hooves. Deer, goats and even our much beloved brumbies (descendants of released ex-WW1 horses) compete unfairly with our native species for food and habitiat. Then there are the outright pests - mice, rats, cane toads and fire ants, which reach plague proportions here.
It is lovely seeing all the pieces of the osprey migration fall into place so nicely this year. On my screen Mallachie and Red 8T appear about 40 km apart, and Mallachie and Rothes abt 75 km apart. We are all learning SO MUCH from following all the tagged birds. I still wish there had been the resources available to tag our dear Garten too.
Smiles, Jan.
Unknown said: OG: You are right about the wildlife park - Kincraig, Kingussie, Inverness-shire, PH21 1NL. Have you visited it?
OG: You are right about the wildlife park - Kincraig, Kingussie, Inverness-shire, PH21 1NL. Have you visited it?
It was 2006 when we went - same year we went to LG and various other places around. It's really good - you drive round "safari-park style" and look at loose animals and also local birds - lapwing, oystercatchers etc which seem to nest successfully despite big feet of bison, highland coos etc. Then you go to see stuff in cages where the facilities are - arctic fox among others. Then you are (or were then) allowed to drive round again. There is a paddock area (elk,reindeer etc) which you walk to, but we were allowed to drive because of my blue badge - very good.
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
OG: Thank you for the info about Kincraig wildlife park. Might include a visit next year along with LG if time permit. Love the photo.
While we're on a cat day, here's my youngest helping himself to a drink of water, his name's Leni. His sister is called Meggie. We were going to call them Craig and Meggie, for those of you who know Scottish hills, but decided we couldn't call a cat Craig... Mind you, I know someone who called a cat Kevin...
Terry in Cumbria
What a great picture Terry.
Leni looks a charactor!
Lindybird: Mr. Griffin is on the BBC World News here tonight - they also showed the protesters.
AQ and Wattle: We also saw (on our local news, yet!) a clip from a Australian news program where a giant seagull walked behind the person being interviewed. Apparently, the person was shown against a background shot from a window or roof and the seagull passed right in front of the camera, making it appear of man-eating size! Very funny.
So many animals on the blog tonight. Here's a photo of our cat, Lightning, who does not live up to her name.
CNN's website tonight has a minute or three on Santa Barbara as a weekend getwaway for anyone who has nothing else to do: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2009/08/10/wg.santa.barbara.cnn
Hi, everyone. So many wonderful animals posted on this site!
AQ: Beautiful grandkitten you have! Also, I don't care if those ducks are hybrids; they are terrific, and I want some here!
Caerann: Thanks for the crane site. I had it bookmarked, but had forgotten about it. They are such peaceful, elegant birds. I love all the long-legged birds: cranes, herons, egrets... Great Blue Heron has always been a power animal for me.
Cirrus: Didn't realize that you folks had ongoing strikes right now. I always pay my bills online and have never had a problem, but I know what you mean about not trusting the computer to stay functional. With some credit card companies, you can make a payment by phone if you get in a bind. But, of course, they can charge you an arm and a leg. Don't get me started on the subject of the banks/credit card companies. My soapbox is well worn. :-(
Annette: I just want to hug and cuddle Lightening. What a wonderful cat. I watched the Santa Barbara footage. That is a very special part of the country you live in. Is the mission in the clip the same one where you help take care of the roses? The architecture is extraordinary. Do people attend church there regularly, or is the interest more historical? Or both? Soothing and powerful place, though.
(Annette: I edited my own post to delete my original incredibly nosey religion question! LOL LOL)
Hey Diane: Howzit going? Yes, the Santa Barbara Mission (known as the Queen of the Missions because it's considered the most complete and, by some, the most beautiful of the California missions) is a fully functioning parish church and tourist favorite and yes, just across the road is a large public park that includes the rose garden, which has about 1,700 rose bushes representing some 300 different varieties. It's cared for by one part-time city gardener (!)and 75 volunteers. I typically go up there late Friday afternoon and clean up my bed, which has about 35 white rose bushes; people bring kids, dogs, picnics, etc. It's never crowded and a really lovely place to end the week.
The Mission is lovely, and I would adore seeing the 1,700 rose bushes!!! It's probably a great place to unwind and get perspective.
Our area is having the annual Covered Bridge Festival. We have dozens of old wooden covered bridges here. Every year, 2 million people arrive over a 2-week period to see the bridges and attend the festival. Hundreds of vendors sell food, arts and crafts, furniture, etc. There are all kinds of shows and exhibits: old cars, horses, etc. But the area is not equipped to handle that many people and their traffic.
This year, the tourists are not happy because the rain keeps drenching them. Hotel space is limited so many are camping. We are supposed to get 2 inches and thunderstorms tonight! And the influx of people is spreading piggy flu like crazy. The hospital is standing room only. Do you have much of it there?