Tuesday 30 September 2014
Monday 29 September 2014
It's that time again... groaners!
I collect visual puns religiously. When I have enough for a post, I publish them and wait for View to post a really good one in the comments...
Sunday 28 September 2014
Highland games in... Virginia!
Lynn attended a festival where many men in kilts could be observed. Here's her report, with some detail about the caber toss added by me:
Today was the day of the Highland Festival and, as promised, there were men in kilts. Sadly, many of them looked about to deliver triplets, but there were a few fine specimens.
Tossing the caber is a Scottish athletic event consisting in throwing a “caber,” a straight, approximately 17-foot-long log (from which the bark has been removed) so that it turns over in the air and falls on the ground with its small end pointing directly opposite the tosser.
This guy looked especially pleased when I asked if I could photograph him for my blog friends/kilt fans. I think the fact that I told him he was about to become "internationally famous" didn't hurt either.
Thank you, Lynn. The whole thing looks very entertaining!
Today was the day of the Highland Festival and, as promised, there were men in kilts. Sadly, many of them looked about to deliver triplets, but there were a few fine specimens.
Tossing the caber is a Scottish athletic event consisting in throwing a “caber,” a straight, approximately 17-foot-long log (from which the bark has been removed) so that it turns over in the air and falls on the ground with its small end pointing directly opposite the tosser.
This guy looked especially pleased when I asked if I could photograph him for my blog friends/kilt fans. I think the fact that I told him he was about to become "internationally famous" didn't hurt either.
Thank you, Lynn. The whole thing looks very entertaining!
Saturday 27 September 2014
Fantastic birds
Amy sent us some info about this great book about a bird sanctuary. Thank you, Amy.
Here are some excerpts from an article by Jon Foro:
More than 350 birds spanning 40 species have found sanctuary under the care of Michele Raffin. Her passion for these exotic creatures--through rehabilitation of injured animals, breeding, and the return of as many as possible to their natural habitats--is doing the hard work of (hopefully) pulling many back from the edge of extinction.
The Birds of Pandemonium is the story of Raffin's extraordinary efforts, but she's far from the only star. We meet many of the birds themselves, and through their personalities (and you'd be hard-pressed not to consider them individuals after reading these pages), we come to understand the challenges they face and the importance of ensuring their continued existence and success.
Enjoy these images and short biographies of some of the book's more memorable characters.
Tico, Blue and gold macaw
Tico is extremely intelligent and can pick just about any lock. A trickster who loves to play practical jokes, he will mercilessly mimic other animals—and then watch as I become totally confused and slapstick ensues. Tico used to enjoy dancing with me, his body hugged to my chest, his head resting under my chin, until he dumped me for Mylie, a gorgeous Catalina macaw.
Mylie, Catalina macaw
Sweet but not so smart, Mylie only knows a few words, such as “kiss, kiss,” which she says with an air kiss. When I’m away, she doesn’t resent my absence as the other birds do. Beauty queen Mylie is too self-absorbed to even notice.
Gwen & Lancelot, Green-naped pheasant pigeons
When Gwen died of a heart attack, her grieving mate, Lancelot, cried so mournfully that I began the search for a new mate for him. Today, almost 40 percent of green-naped pheasant pigeons (GNPPs) in the U.S. live at Pandemonium, the largest population in the country. GNPPs are threatened due to the destruction of their native New Guinean tropical rain forest and there are very few places that have been successful at breeding them. Pandemonium Aviaries is one of those places.
Coffee & Wing, Victoria crowned pigeons
Coffee really wants to be house pet and be hand-fed. His one-winged sister, Wing, is more wary. Pandemonium has the second largest population under conservation in the world of Victoria crowned pigeons and their close relatives, blue crowned pigeons. These are the largest pigeons in the world—a distinction that used to be held by the dodo bird until its extinction in the 1600s. Unless measures are taken to preserve their natural habitat and protect these birds, crowned pigeons may head that way as well.
Oscar, Lady Gouldian finch
A cast-off given refuge at Pandemonium, Oscar was shy and couldn’t fly. With some love and attention, he became a very social bird, interacting with the other finches as though he were “one of the boys.” Unfortunately he could not reach the upper perches of his aviary. He solved this problem brilliantly—by “teaching” me how to build a ladder that would allow him to climb up to sleep among his friends.
Amigo, Red-headed Amazon parrot
Amigo is a disgruntled, grumpy old bird who finds it hilarious to bite me, especially if someone is watching. Although partial to attractive young women, he did fall madly in love with an African gray parrot.
Amadeus, Lady Ross’s turaco
Amadeus lost a leg when attacked by a predatory bird at his previous home but has the demeanor of James Bond: suave, confident, a real ladies’ man. He is keenly interested in what’s going on around him and has a remarkable connection with autistic boys.
Harli & Peeki, Rainbow lorikeets
Harli spoke with a strong New Jersey accent. Signature phrase: “Whacha doin’, honey?” An adorable but sometimes dangerous bird who could exact painful bites, Harli found love with Peeki, a rescue from a bird mart. The two were inseparable for many years, until Harli died. After that Peeki began talking with Harli’s Jersey accent.
[I always think of you when I look at exotic birds... I wonder why?]
Here are some excerpts from an article by Jon Foro:
More than 350 birds spanning 40 species have found sanctuary under the care of Michele Raffin. Her passion for these exotic creatures--through rehabilitation of injured animals, breeding, and the return of as many as possible to their natural habitats--is doing the hard work of (hopefully) pulling many back from the edge of extinction.
The Birds of Pandemonium is the story of Raffin's extraordinary efforts, but she's far from the only star. We meet many of the birds themselves, and through their personalities (and you'd be hard-pressed not to consider them individuals after reading these pages), we come to understand the challenges they face and the importance of ensuring their continued existence and success.
Enjoy these images and short biographies of some of the book's more memorable characters.
Tico, Blue and gold macaw
Tico is extremely intelligent and can pick just about any lock. A trickster who loves to play practical jokes, he will mercilessly mimic other animals—and then watch as I become totally confused and slapstick ensues. Tico used to enjoy dancing with me, his body hugged to my chest, his head resting under my chin, until he dumped me for Mylie, a gorgeous Catalina macaw.
Mylie, Catalina macaw
Sweet but not so smart, Mylie only knows a few words, such as “kiss, kiss,” which she says with an air kiss. When I’m away, she doesn’t resent my absence as the other birds do. Beauty queen Mylie is too self-absorbed to even notice.
Gwen & Lancelot, Green-naped pheasant pigeons
When Gwen died of a heart attack, her grieving mate, Lancelot, cried so mournfully that I began the search for a new mate for him. Today, almost 40 percent of green-naped pheasant pigeons (GNPPs) in the U.S. live at Pandemonium, the largest population in the country. GNPPs are threatened due to the destruction of their native New Guinean tropical rain forest and there are very few places that have been successful at breeding them. Pandemonium Aviaries is one of those places.
Coffee & Wing, Victoria crowned pigeons
Coffee really wants to be house pet and be hand-fed. His one-winged sister, Wing, is more wary. Pandemonium has the second largest population under conservation in the world of Victoria crowned pigeons and their close relatives, blue crowned pigeons. These are the largest pigeons in the world—a distinction that used to be held by the dodo bird until its extinction in the 1600s. Unless measures are taken to preserve their natural habitat and protect these birds, crowned pigeons may head that way as well.
Oscar, Lady Gouldian finch
A cast-off given refuge at Pandemonium, Oscar was shy and couldn’t fly. With some love and attention, he became a very social bird, interacting with the other finches as though he were “one of the boys.” Unfortunately he could not reach the upper perches of his aviary. He solved this problem brilliantly—by “teaching” me how to build a ladder that would allow him to climb up to sleep among his friends.
Amigo, Red-headed Amazon parrot
Amigo is a disgruntled, grumpy old bird who finds it hilarious to bite me, especially if someone is watching. Although partial to attractive young women, he did fall madly in love with an African gray parrot.
Amadeus lost a leg when attacked by a predatory bird at his previous home but has the demeanor of James Bond: suave, confident, a real ladies’ man. He is keenly interested in what’s going on around him and has a remarkable connection with autistic boys.
Harli & Peeki, Rainbow lorikeets
Harli spoke with a strong New Jersey accent. Signature phrase: “Whacha doin’, honey?” An adorable but sometimes dangerous bird who could exact painful bites, Harli found love with Peeki, a rescue from a bird mart. The two were inseparable for many years, until Harli died. After that Peeki began talking with Harli’s Jersey accent.
[I always think of you when I look at exotic birds... I wonder why?]
Friday 26 September 2014
Cats and hats
Quickie post today... We have to go out to get a few bits and bobs to mend certain things the "spring" clean revealed. I'll leave you in the company of some cute furry friends.
Thursday 25 September 2014
Wednesday 24 September 2014
Tuesday 23 September 2014
Monday 22 September 2014
Sunday 21 September 2014
Sleeping in on a lazy Sunday
We all deserve a nice sleep in after the excesses of yesterday's birthday party... especially cat owners!
Thank you, Lynn, for the cartoon.
Thank you, Lynn, for the cartoon.
Saturday 20 September 2014
Well, well, well, he asked for it!
Pallottine wasn't terribly impressed with 1smartcanerican's healthy granola cupcakes earlier this month and announced that he wanted chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate for HIS birthday. I'm happy to oblige! Happy birthday, dear friend!
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