Starting things off this week with a reminder to check the last of the posts for the week of the 15th so you don't miss any of the excellent information being shared. I hope this week we'll have check-ins from Cirrus, George G and some others who have been quiet but to whom I'm sure we all send our good wishes.
Happy Sunday Everyone!
Morning all. Good that Cumbria escaped more flooding, though I'm sure that's cold comfort to those who've already lost so much.
Mother Hummingbird just fed her chicks - wonderful cam - thanks again Alan!! What fat little critters - barely room to move in that nest! Wriggle, wriggle, squirm, squirm. You can see their little hearts beating a mile a minute. One of the bloggers on that site thinks they might fledge around December 5. It's interesting their Latin name is S.s. sedentarius - I'm sure sedentarius doesn't mean sedentary in the usual sense because hummingbirds are probably the least sedentary birds around! Wonder where in Orange County it is...
Patriciat: Tweed a very handsome fellow! And obviously an athlete. He's clearly aware of his superior status. Brilliant!
Djoan: Thanks for the info re Richard's blog, must check it out to see what cost of mains electricity would be! Lucky you! I love Dublin.
Margobird: Don't forget to pack the helium balloons.
Dibnlib: Have a nice couple of days with your Mum.
Gary/Diane and anyone else on this side of the pond: Have a good Thanksgiving. I'm doing a ham with the brown sugar/mustard glaze.
Have last-minute shopping for tomorrow, so whizzing off. Back to watch the hummingbirds and to say Hi later.
Mum back at h/bird nest!
Annette : Newport Beach CA was mentioned and John Wayne Airport. Any clues there?
JUst watched mum feeding chicks. Amazing that their heartbeat is 1260 beats per minute.
Hello, all
Thanks for the comments about Tweed - he's very modest with it!
Happy Thanksgiving to all in USA and good, safe trips to all who are going travelling. Going now to read Richard's blog.
Son delayed by road closure - was using A66, had to go almost all the way back and use A69 instead - severe gusting wind and loads of spray. He and OH are now searching for his tomorrow's route to his interview -- hope that is more successful.
Tiler turned up this morning - couldn't do everything because of other stuff needing sorting, but he's made me a nice tiled splash-back.
Margobird - have a great break in Cornwall. Rain and wind have to stop some time!!! (I nearly said have great trip but decided you might take that too literally!!!! Please stay upright!)
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Thanks Annette. Being a "Brit abroad" I am having roast beef tomorrow and turkey at christmas!! Looking forward to it already. Your ham sounds lovely
Dibnlib, have a good few days away.
Hi all: See our little hummers are still busy rearranging themselves.
Alan: OK, Newport Beach/John Wayne Airport (they named it after him when he died but many people still call it Orange County Airport). So yes, know that very well; used to work in Costa Mesa, which is the neighboring community. What little fatties! And they have to eat constantly to keep that heart rate up. My neighbor was over this morning delivering a pumpkin pie she'd made; she also has hummingbird feeders and said "If only they'd stop fighting over the feeder, they'd save all that energy."
Happy Thanksgiving to All!!
Afraid that as we don't celebrate it in this house, we just ate a piece of cod with some spuds & green beans!
Margobird: Do hope you have reasonably good weather for the time of year, & enjoy your break in Cornwall.
patriciat: Thanks for the lovely pic of Tweed, he is a handsome fellow, & has an intelligent look in his eye. We had a border collie once, she was very bright & even anticipated sometimes, what I was intending to do. Hope you get around to posting some pics of the others, too.
Dog report: If you read my ramblings yesterday, Dog has hurt his paw but I'm happy to say he is now recovering already & almost back to normal. He was probably chasing a rabbit & not looking where he was going- don't worry, he never catches one. His coat is nice and fluffy after his bath in the lake before,so now I just hope he doesn't start moulting over the Christmas period, as he leaves great clumps of fur on the carpet which don't look festive.
Just read Richard's blog, very interesting. Was surprised when I 1st read about Loch Garten last year that they were operating in such spartan conditions. Hope his efforts are successful.
Cold wind here today, definitely Winter now and more cold weather predicted. Such a relief that the rain was not too much in Cumbria yesterday & today, they must have just about had enough of that now.
Hi Annnette: ooh, I just love pumpkin pie, send some over...
Just going to look at the hummingbird cam, its a job to find the time to fit everything in now, penguins & africacams & deer & all!