Weekly Chat, Sunday October 18, 2009

O. Goldfinch and Annette:  I don't know what a "sackbutt" is, either, but I fear that I have one. Sigh... Anyway, splendidly lovely picture of the Solway sunset. Would love to visit there.

Caerann: Thanks for the updates on the Burnsville, Minnesota peregrines. I'm so glad that the co. is installing the screen to save the birds' lives.

By the way, you and a few others were talking about the aurora borealis and aurora australis. Here is a link to a webcam that has been installed at a hotel in Iceland. It has been aimed at the sky to show the aurora borealis (northern lights). Unfortunately, solar conditions have not provided much of a show yet this year, and everyone has been watching a black screen. But I still have to check every night. LOL http://www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation.com/index.php

This is also the site where you can link to the Barn Owl Trust webcams (nest and barn). I don't remember whether you have mentioned watching these cams, but they are wonderful. I watched the whole cycle this year. You can still see the adults in the barn once in a while.

Lindybird: I just saw your dog picture in your gallery. What a beautiful, happy dog!  Many terrific photos!

Diane: Which option do we choose on that site that links to the Iceland cam? Oh Duh. It's right there. Thanks!  Looks like another thing to add to my daily list.

It's the "Hotel Ranga: The Age of the Aurora" link. I don't know how soon solar activity will increase, allowing for us to watch the Northern Lights. Right now, you may see only tiny points of light go across the screen. Those are car headlights on a nearby road, not the landing of UFOs! :-)

Diane: Thanks. Yes, a nice black screen; not even UFOs - or cars.  :-)    Off to bed now; night/morning everyone.

Unknown said:

O. Goldfinch and Annette:  I don't know what a "sackbutt" is, either, but I fear that I have one. Sigh... Anyway, splendidly lovely picture of the Solway sunset. Would love to visit there.

http://www.thewebbroadcastingcorporation.com/index.php

This is also the site where you can link to the Barn Owl Trust webcams (nest and barn). I don't remember whether you have mentioned watching these cams, but they are wonderful. I watched the whole cycle this year. You can still see the adults in the barn once in a while.

• re Sackbutt - my definition would be European wind instrument of the 16th century, I think invented in what is now Germany, much louder than court instruments of its time, and used for outdoor performance (a bit like bagpipes, then!!!- not really).  A straight wooden cylindrical body with a semicircular curved end containing a tuning hole, and a top chamber containing a double reed (like oboe reed) blown through a small, slightly shaped hole directing air across the reed - ie not lipping the reed.  But for something more accurate, try any search engine!!!  However, when I mentioned it last night, my mind also took me to the definition implied in your comment "but I fear that I have one"!!!!!!
• Website you mentioned - this was the portal (is that the correct techie expression?) used for Scottish Wildlife Trust, including Loch of the Lowes Ospreys!

Where is everybody - is the UK still asleep this morning???!!!???

Original Goldfinch

I'm not asleep ... just making the most of a beautiful autumn day here in Nothumberland ... garden tidying, cleaning bird feeders & baths etc!! Just checked on here to see what was happening :)) Loved your photo of the Solway sunset ... my parents used to live in Carlisle and went along the Solway quite often ... brought back lovely memories of them!

DjoanS said:

Original Goldfinch

I'm not asleep ... just making the most of a beautiful autumn day here in Nothumberland ... garden tidying, cleaning bird feeders & baths etc!! Just checked on here to see what was happening :)) Loved your photo of the Solway sunset ... my parents used to live in Carlisle and went along the Solway quite often ... brought back lovely memories of them!

Weather beginning to deteriorate here after several truly wonderful sunny days - think there is a front creeping in - looked like there was a temperature inversion over on the Cumbia coast last evening.

Had a great holiday in Northumberland two years ago - will be back some time!  Saw Alnwick Garden in apple-blossom time, so want to see its summer flowering next time.  Spent four out of five days in different gardens in Northumberland - all lovely in their own way - fifth day went around Ford & Etal and Hetherslaw.

Joanna Lumley did a programme on the Northern Lights for BBC which has been repeated a few times. She went to the north of Norway but had to wait days to get the right conditions but the film that was taken at that time was really breath taking. It seemingly has to be very cold to get the right conditions or so we were told. I dont know if this film is still available on the BBC website but I will try to find out. 

morning all, from a cold, wet and dark Connecticut! October is meant to be a brisk, bright month here but have not had much of that recently.

George, I saw that programme a while back and it was wonderful . To see the lights was one thing but JL somehow brought home what it means to people in how she reacted.

Annette/Diane, thanks for the comments on the puppies. I can take no credit for the puppies or photo!!

Diane, I agree about seeing all their personalities. They all went to wonderful homes. In fact people had to apply for a puppy and their application was vetted and I know a couple of houses were visited to see if they were suitable. Both mum and dad dogs are champion breeds so the owners are very careful where and who the pups go to.