1 October 2024
Good Morning Everyone,
There was a ‘stand off’ at the garden door between Baby Hope and ‘The Boyrfriend’ yesterday morning. I had not been out to replenish his dish and he was telling us that it was time for breakfast! Baby Hope was not impressed.
My goodness. Fall arrived with a surprise on the Canadian Prairies. It had been so warm, and then strong winds came during the night, and now – it is crisp, like a lovely fresh apple! The skies on Sunday morning were a golden pinkish apricot. The Starling flooded the big tray feeder scattered with mealworms, and there were THREE Blue Jays – Mr and Mrs Junior and this summer’s fledgling with the crooked tail. It survived! What a joy to see – it was like my eyes were fooling me. There were two, and then there were three. What happiness.
We continued our decluttering on Sunday while, at the same time, switching out summer clothes for winter ones. The house was built in 1902 at a time when closets were either tiny or non-existent. The Japanese cabinets are 1.2 metres or 4 feet; they do not hold a lot. But, in truth, how much do we really need?
Meals will switch now to more comforting things. Tonight we are going to try and remember how to make sweet potato slices with Maple Walnuts and Goat cheese. It is simple – if I remember it correctly – and delicious. Cut the sweet potato into thick slices and baste with margarine, olive oil, or butter while baking at 350 degrees until tender. Meanwhile, take the walnuts (or pecans) and toss them with a bit of cinnamon, sugar, and maple syrup. Put on a try preferably lined with parchment paper. Bake for about 20 minutes. Cool. To serve, put the tender potatoes on a plate. Scatter with the candied walnuts and crumbled goat cheese. Enjoy!
The farmers are harvesting and, traditionally, they would be finished for our Thanksgiving, which is the second Monday in October. Nothing to do with pilgrims, etc. – it is a day of thanksgiving for the bountiful crops of the land.
Bird News is thin today.
Gabby and 24E1 were at the Northeast Florida Bald Eagle nest and then heavy rains began. I do adore this male. Gabby obviously does, too. I also really liked Beau, but it seems that Gabby, for the moment, feels that he is the one to protect her and her babies and to take care of them. I hope nothing happens to him!
Posted by the AEF Monday evening:
In Port Lincoln, all eyes are on the eggs of Mum and Dad as pip watch approaches.
There are no confirmation pips on the cam at Xavier and Diamond’s yet.
Sea Eaglet spreads its incredible wings at the Olympic Park Nest. https://youtu.be/Lp2w8wyD28g?
Nice fish lunch for the Olympic Park sea eaglets! https://youtu.be/K8ovnAeaKPY?
Jackie and Shadow made a brief visit to the nest in Big Bear. https://youtu.be/A_pQRMQBcSM?s
There is a little eyas in that flower pot!!!!
Geemeff sent some news items – some will make you smile while others will simply make you more than angry.
G: This still has me gritting my teeth:
https://www.thecooldown.com/outdoors/man-kills-osprey-idaho-retaliation
but more stopping off spaces for Ospreys makes me happy:
And this is something to smile about:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgl3p877njo.amp
At one time, the use of feathers in millinery and in haute couture, caused birds to become nearly extinct. Did you know that feathers are still be used in the fashion industry? One designer is working to stop the practice!
Is it possible to have a town with more parrots than human residents? Have a read!
Calico’s Tip of the Day: Wash that Pumpkin. Do not put any bleach on the pumpkins. It is harmful to wildlife. Deer, squirrels, even some birds love to eat the pumpkins. Keep them healthy!
This is what our Ospreys need – Menhaden. Little fish for ospreys and stripped bass, not supplements!
Thank you so much for being with us today. Please take care. See you soon!
Thank you to the following for their notes, posts, announcements, images, videos, stories, and streaming cams that helped me to write my post today: ‘Geemeff’ NEFL-AEF, American Eagle Foundation, Port Lincoln Ospreys, Eagle 22, Nesting Bird Life and More, Nazz Debz and Orange Peregrine Falcon FB, The Guardian, BBC, Devon Air News, Brian Collins, Chesapeake Bay Programme, and Family Fun.
