Happy Sunday all UK folks and Hi to those in the Eastern US and Down Under and, of course, Auntie in Finland. Don't forget to check out the last posts from last week; I'll be back later to check on them myself!
Annette: I think the difference between ravens and crows is beak structure and overall size. These look like ravens to me. It is difficult to get close enough to really see their beaks clearly. But if they are crows, they are really big ones. So I think they're ravens. They are very, very smart and quite intimidating in appearance. One is almost gray, and I have named him "Poe".
Poe indeed. I think I prefer Pooh. Would he answer to Edgar Allan?
Off to bed; early I know, but we tend to be up a couple of times each night so much grab what I can. Take care and stay as warm as possible
G'night, Annette. Get lots of rest.
Diane: Thanks so much for your concern For the welfare of AQ and myself. I know AQ will tell you her circumstances, but I want to put your mind at rest ASAP. Firstly, we know what to expect with our summers, so we are as prepared as we can be. Our house is airconditioned, and if the day really heats up we shut off all unnecessary rooms, as AQ has said. Any outside work we try to do in the cooler parts of the day, and retreat inside when it gets too warm. Here the humidity is generally low, which makes the heat much more bearable. Luckily I'm retired, so I have no work obligations to keep me out in the heat. If it's to hot to anything much, I park myself in front of the air conditioner and watch TV! The computer is in our study, where I have an evaporative air cooler to boost the air condtioning, so that too is quite comfortable. At the moment Tiger is curled up asleep beside me in front of the air cooler, and our family of 6 magpies are under the house singing quietly away to pass the time until it cools down a bit.
For those without air conditioning, evaporative air coolers do a reasonable job if you sit fairly close to them, and fans are a cheap as chips now because they're made in China. Any shopping malls usually attract quite a few day-long visitors on hot days too, taking advantage of the air conditioning. ;-)
Today our temperature is not far behind AQ's. At 4.00 pm it was 40 degrees C in the shade outside my kitchen window.
Smiles, Jan.
Thanks, Wattle. I feel better for you. When we have extreme winter weather, our local stores sell out of snow shovels, generators, space heaters, and other necessities to deal with the cold and snow. So I didn't know whether you, also, had trouble getting the stuff you need. I would think that there would be an enormous demand for air conditioners, fans, etc. I wasn't sure the supply could meet the demand. We can have brief heat waves during our summers, when the temps may reach over 38C/100F, and I really hate it. Our summers are very humid though, so we don't have the extreme fire risk that you do. Take care!
AQ – we actually received a Christmas card Saturday! It had come from Thailand and was posted a bit late – I don’t think our friend knows the actual date, but he knows it’s end of December! We have low humidity because of freeze – everything that might put any water vapour in the air turns to ice! But nothing like your dry heat – do hope you (and Wattle) will be safe from fire this summer and manage to stay as cool and hydrated as possible. Totally agree about Ms Access – I’ve always found it so logical and useful. Hopefully they will completely dump the old database when this exercise is completed! Hot cross buns seem to be available all year in Tesco and Morrison’s - and Easter Eggs are about too! Actually, I do enjoy a spicy hot cross bun (cold actually – don’t like them hot) for supper!
Diane – I always think of Ravens as rather noble birds – but that maybe because of my English upbringing and the Tower of London thing! Very good of you to feed them like that – hope you kept something in the fridge for Dad’s dinner!
Ospreys Rule OK, but Goldfinches come a close second!
Awful sorry - don't know what has happened to the font in my previous message - Yukkk!
Morning all
The temperature must have risen above freezing during the night, because when I looked out this morning, the snow had melted from the roof, the fence, the car etc. although plenty still on the ground. It is probably the calm before the next storm, but it is a very welcome respite!
I saw 2 crows yesterday (I think they were crows, could have been rooks) which looked as if they were playing in the snow on the roof opposite. They were sliding down slowly & then rolling on their backs in the snow - I thought at first they had slipped but they went back up and did it again several times. Does anyone know if this is normal behaviour? Looked very strange :)) Have never seen any fieldfares here, but usually see redwings each winter.
Hope everyone is surviving their various weathers - stay safe!
Joan - avid bird and nature watcher in Northumberland!
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Like AQ, I get un comfortable if the temp is much above 28 degrees. At about 33 degrees, my feet swell, so it's bare feet or slippers. At about 36 degrees, I get heat headaches. I dread to think how our early settlers coped! It was bad enough when we used to come up here every 2 or 3 weeks to plant trees, water, etc, and camp out in the paddock. There wasn't much shade here then, either. I don't like to sweat. But I don't like to get cold, either! I spend the spring battling hay fever, so autumn is my season. It could be autumn all year long and I'd love it! ;-)
I don't think we'll see AQ on here again tonight. I've just checked, and the temp in Adelaide is still 38.4 degrees, and won't be cooling down below about 29 degrees overnight. Her computer is in the warmest part of the house, so I think she'll be avoiding it!
Wattle Yes I was looking around davesgarden a bit more last night. It really is a treasure trove of amazing information. I came across this picture of a Cardinal bird feeding a goldfish. Now there is a novel (for me at least) idea. See http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/fp.php?pid=3921984
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