Osprey views right now show a rain-swept nest-site with one young aboard. Looks more like a rain-forest habitat than Scotland. At one stage yesterday, the camera panned off the nest to show some deer wandering through the nearby woodland. What a wonderful place. Soon to be silent as it sees the winter close in - and we await news of the next beeding season. Hardly seems possible that the Lady of the Loch would be back again. This breeding season has been such a privilege. Thanks, Donna, for keeping us posted.

Slainte!

BOBBIE

I have to admit that Brian was the one to ID the mink.  I wouldn't have had a clue.  Although I did get a picture minus the head, due to the mink's head and fish were under a log.  

Brian told me that they are currently protected.  I really don't know that much about them.  I'll have to do some research.

I will be v. interested to hear re minks being protected. They are obviously "native" to some part of the world... but what with the poor critters being kept for the fur trade, who knows where they belong. When they get into rivers etc. which are not their true homes, they simply create havoc. Let that be a lesson to us...

Speaking of fish.  Brian and I saw a mink fishing on the river next to the Broad St. Bridge yesterday.  Imagine our surprise when he pulled an approx. 2 lb, small mouth bass up onto the rocks and dispatched it.  He/she then dragged it into what looks like a small den made of big bundles of sticks.  Very cool!

That is VERY cool on several points:  The Mink - most people wouldn't recognize one of those varments in the summer; that was a good-sized fish!

Just wondering what the attitude there is re mink. I see them at times down at a wonderful riverside garden, just below us in the village. They are NOT welcome, I can tell you. I am convinced that they are the reason that some birds like Irish Dippers do not bring their fledges along further. I am not sure about the capture status, tho - something I should really look into! And then there are the Grey Squirrels... Our poor little native Reds don't have a chance.

Thanks, Donna - no wonder you "never leave home"!

 

"Lost in admiration" for the Osprey Mom does not even begin to say it, does it?! A fond but sad "Fare-Well"... we may not see her like again...

Donna, you are right up there with the news from my part of the world! Here's hoping for long and productive lives these latest releases, what with the continuing poisoning... which has happened here in my County Wicklow with the Red Kites. Seems that no matter how much information and support is out there, the poisoning continues. Shame on them.

(BTW - where did you see that piece?)

Ask Shaky.  He's a cat expert.   

I never let cats have catnip. It makes them taste funny.

... especially the gravy...

Gravy? You don't serve gravy with cats. That's why they invented catsup.

No poutine???

Bedtime, everyone! Bedtime!

Ask Shaky.  He's a cat expert.   

I never let cats have catnip. It makes them taste funny.

... especially the gravy...

One of the kids is now back... looking skyward... "MOM! I'm hungry! I'm thirsty!"

 

Thanks for the latest Osprey info, Donna. 

I was sorry to see the empty nest this morning - esp after yesterday's activity with one of the young being a total gut-bucket and keeping everything to him/herself while the hungry sibling complained and looked on... and Mom sat there saying "Play nice, Kids!" Won't be long now and they will all be off. And our hearts will be suspended til Mom returns... I will miss them! 

[CHIRPY BIRD-DAY, NORA!]

CHIRPY BIRD-DAY, NORA!

 

Jeanne, I see you are viewing the Osprey Cam now - aren't those images super?! I love the guy with the fish, making all the noise - tho what he has to complain about, I do not know!

His Mother should have told him: "It's rude to talk with your mouth full!"

Jeanne, I see you are viewing the Osprey Cam now - aren't those images super?! I love the guy with the fish, making all the noise - tho what he has to complain about, I do not know!

   A little buckshot in his posterior would be even more fitting!    

PS

Graystone is the old nut-house in Morris County.

and it's still in business, sometimes the crazies escape!  That place is creepy, I'll have to go take some pics.

Take some pix, Donna? Now, just how are you going to do that... unless, of course...

~~~~I LEAVE THE HOUSE~~~~

Noooooo! Unless... you have an inside track! Hahahahah!

   A little buckshot in his posterior would be even more fitting!    

PS

Graystone is the old nut-house in Morris County.

and it's still in business, sometimes the crazies escape!  That place is creepy, I'll have to go take some pics.

Take some pix, Donna? Now, just how are you going to do that... unless, of course...