THE black swan that found love in Limerick city is back, but it's going to be a lonely Valentine's weekend as there is no sign of its mate.
It was affectionately called Oz by Kevin O'Dwyer, who first photographed it in Castleconnell last August, as it is native to Australia.

Along with being the black sheep among the white swans Oz has a red beak compared to the normal mute swan's orange beak.

It attracted crowds to Castleconnell but also the wrong crowd as some youngsters shot at it with pellet guns. Oz high-tailed it to Limerick City and landed in the Shannon at O'Callaghan Strand in September.

There were fears for his safety when he wasn't seen for three days in Limerick but then Oz turned up with another black swan in tow.

Shortly after they took off and are believed to have honeymooned in Galway over the winter. But there seems to have been a divorce as Oz has arrived back to Limerick on his own this week.

Mr O'Dwyer, Clare Street, saw that Oz was back on Monday evening.

"I'm delighted he's back. It's definitely him. I went down the ramp at St Michael's rowing club to see him and he came up to me," said Mr O'Dwyer, who even travelled to Galway to see if he could track Oz down.

And the amateur photographer, who has sold dozens of pictures of Oz, says his partner might not be too far away.

"She can't be too far away. I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up back in Castleconnell together. They wander around the place, they don't stay in the same area too long. I think they are lost and they came from a park of some sort," said Mr O'Dwyer.

There are many theories about where the two black swans came from.

It is understood that Beamish bought two black swans a couple of years ago to live in a manmade lake in Cork City and they disappeared around 10 months ago. However, they couldn't shed any light on the subject.

There are some in Rosscarbery and Fota Island in Cork and Lispole in Kerry, but, normally, if the swans were part of a collection they would be ringed. These two swans have no identification rings.

Wherever they came from, it's hoped it won't be a flying visit and Oz's partner lands in Limerick too,

Well known conservationist Corbally man, Pat Lysaght was thrilled to see the black swan back.

"When he was spotted at the slipway of St Michael's rowing club there was great interest and a big crowd surrounded him. It is great to see him back, even if he is on his own," said Mr Lysaght.

Oz, the black swan on the banks of the River Shannon this Wednesday

Limerick Leader source

Be good for fledging for sure!

I remember watching her sing...had tears! Great video Paul. Thank you!

That was me who posted it...

Lou

Oops, sorry Lou! My mistake. I have no excuse! Well.......we won't go there!

http://outdoorchannel.com/Conservation/EagleCam.aspx The Live cam site

She laid 1st egg 4 days ago...maybe only 1 for her?

[2010]

http://www.fws.gov/nctc/cam/stillimage.html

Winter Update #3 - February 12, 2010

The winter weather has been a major hindrance for the successful nesting of our eagle pair this year. With snow amounts approaching or exceeding 40 inches in the last week, this has served to overwhelm our birds and quite likely result in the first three eggs being non-viable.

Here's a history of the eggs laid thus far:

   1. 2/2 10:15pm--First egg laid.
      2/6 2:12pm--Second egg laid.
      2/9 6:00pm--Third egg laid.

Within hours of the second egg being laid, it became apparent that by their behavior that the eagles had lost their eggs in the deep snow that filled the nest.

A third egg was laid during the second storm on Feb. 9th, but the eagles have not been attentive to keeping the egg warm, and it seems likely that this clutch is no longer viable.

Time will tell if the eagles will lay more eggs. The odds are typically 50/50 for a second clutch. With this problem happening early this year, we are hoping that there will be additional eggs produced.

The 4th egg was the survivor and fledged!

Performer list
Super Bowl    Year    Venue    Performer(s)
I    1967    L.A. Coliseum    University of Arizona & University of Michigan Marching Bands
II    1968    Orange Bowl, Miami    Grambling State University Marching Band
III    1969    Orange Bowl, Miami    Anita Bryant
IV    1970    Tulane Stadium, New Orleans    Al Hirt
V    1971    Orange Bowl, Miami    Tommy Loy (Trumpeter)
VI    1972    Tulane Stadium, New Orleans    U.S. Air Force Academy Chorale
VII    1973    L.A. Coliseum    Little Angels (Children's Choir) of Chicago's Holy Angels Church
VIII    1974    Rice Stadium, Houston    Charley Pride
IX    1975    Tulane Stadium, New Orleans    Grambling State University Marching Band (2)
X    1976    Orange Bowl, Miami    Tom Sullivan
XI    1977    Rose Bowl, Pasadena    None (Vikki Carr sang “America the Beautifulâ€�)
XII    1978    Superdome, New Orleans    Phyllis Kelly of Northeast Louisiana State University
XIII    1979    Orange Bowl, Miami    The Colgate Thirteen
XIV    1980    Rose Bowl, Pasadena    Cheryl Ladd
XV    1981    Superdome, New Orleans    Wyatt Metty
XVI    1982    Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan    Diana Ross
XVII    1983    Rose Bowl, Pasadena    Leslie Easterbrook
XVIII    1984    Tampa Stadium, Tampa    Barry Manilow
XIX    1985    Stanford Stadium, Stanford    San Francisco Boys Chorus and San Francisco Girls Chorus
XX    1986    Superdome, New Orleans    Wynton Marsalis
XXI    1987    Rose Bowl, Pasadena    Neil Diamond
XXII    1988    Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego    Herb Alpert (trumpet, to date last instrumental performance at the Super Bowl)
XXIII    1989    Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami    Billy Joel
XXIV    1990    Superdome, New Orleans    Aaron Neville
XXV    1991    Tampa Stadium, Tampa    Whitney Houston along with The Florida Orchestra directed by Jahja Ling
XXVI    1992    Metrodome, Minneapolis    Harry Connick, Jr.
ASL performed by Lori Hilary
XXVII    1993    Rose Bowl, Pasadena    Garth Brooks
ASL performed by Marlee Matlin
XXVIII    1994    Georgia Dome, Atlanta    Natalie Cole
ASL performed by Atlanta Falcons cheerleader Courtney Keel Foley
XXIX    1995    Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami    Kathie Lee Gifford
ASL performed by Miss America Heather Whitestone
XXX    1996    Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe    Vanessa L. Williams
ASL performed by Mary Kim Titla
XXXI    1997    Superdome, New Orleans    Luther Vandross
ASL performed by Erika Rachael Schwarz (Miss Louisiana 1996)[15]
XXXII    1998    Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego    Jewel
ASL performed by Phyllis Frelich[16]
XXXIII    1999    Pro Player Stadium, Miami    Cher
ASL performed by Speaking Hands[17]
XXXIV    2000    Georgia Dome, Atlanta    Faith Hill
ASL performed by Briarlake Elementary School Singing Choir
XXXV    2001    Raymond James Stadium, Tampa    Backstreet Boys
ASL performed by Tom Cooney
XXXVI    2002    Superdome, New Orleans    Mariah Carey
ASL performed by New Orleans Police Officer Joe Narcisse
XXXVII    2003    Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego    Dixie Chicks
ASL performed by Janet Maxwell
XXXVIII    2004    Reliant Stadium, Houston    Beyoncé Knowles
ASL performed by Suzanna Christy
XXXIX    2005    ALLTEL Stadium, Jacksonville    Combined choirs of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy,
the U.S. Air Force Academy (2), and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy,
and U.S. Army Herald Trumpets.
ASL performed by Wesley Tallent
XL    2006    Ford Field, Detroit    Aaron Neville (2) and Aretha Franklin,
Piano accompaniment by Dr. John,
ASL performed by Angela LaGuardia
XLI    2007    Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens    Billy Joel (2)
ASL performed by Marlee Matlin (2)
XLII    2008    University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale    Jordin Sparks
ASL performed by A Dreamer (of Phoenix College)
XLIII    2009    Raymond James Stadium, Tampa    Jennifer Hudson
ASL performed by Kristen Santos
XLIV    2010    Dolphin Stadium, Miami Gardens    Carrie Underwood
ASL performed by Kinesha Battles
XLV    2011    Cowboys Stadium, Arlington,TX    Christina Aguilera (BOO!)
ASL performed by Candice Villesca

Is Paypal the only choice Shaky? Ever since my account was hacked, I can't open a new one. I even called them, it's not happening. I kept trying to start a new account but it say's, sorry someone else has that email. Pfft, I gave up!

Do you have a credit or debit card? The PayPal payment screen will accept either from people without PayPal accounts.

If you still want to set up a PayPal account, you can do so using an alternate email address at gmail, msn, or even your local ISP if they offer multiple email addresses. (I know my roadrunner ISP offers 10.)

Good to know, thanks!

That is a great thing! 

WOW, that was you Annette?? 

Is Paypal the only choice Shaky? Ever since my account was hacked, I can't open a new one. I even called them, it's not happening. I kept trying to start a new account but it say's, sorry someone else has that email. Pfft, I gave up!

Don't rock the Anthem. Don't hop-hop it. Don't pimp it. Don't boogie it. Just sing it right! Get some high school kid from the neighbourhood and ask him or her to do it right! It does not need twists and turns and rubbish phrasing. Sing it straight! I am always soooooo embarrassed when I hear these hot rock people go at it. Just get up there, cut the rubbish and sing! Hand on heart and sing!

I'm with you!  Our National Anthem isn't some trendy rock song.  I feel the same about what some of them do to Christmas Carols.  Keep the theatrics on the stage at THEIR OWN concerts, and spare us the rubbishing of classics.
My NOT so humble opinion 
Carol
WV

Go, Carol! For next year's SB, let's suggest they get the high school choir to do it... and give the residuals to the school!!!

Yeah and NOT Roseann Barr! P2E. I agree, a school choir, an unknown child....NO MORE CELEBS!!! Even 1/2 time should be changed...School bands??? Something interesting!

How much can we take from the seas? And for how long? At least this one was lucky.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12416523

Breaks my heart to see this as a whale lover. Your right Bobbie, this one was saved, how many weren't!

This is from Bobbie: 

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — It’s a story of love lost – and found again.

It starts with Skippy, a black-necked stilt from Mexico.

“Mr. and Mrs. Skippy were actually an extraordinary couple,� National Aviary Veterinarian Dr. Pilar Fish said. “They did everything together.�

But Skippy’s mate became ill and died.

“Skippy cried – he mourned so much that he cried,� Dr. Fish said. “He stopped eating, he stopped grooming himself and he became incredibly weak because he was mourning so much.�



http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2011/02/09/heartbroken-bird-finds-new-love-at-national-aviary/ video and rest of story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJZMunpgOtI#

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1Id4S5x3kI&feature=player_embedded#at=21 wow!!