Pleasant surprises

[Onelife]

I had a pleasant surprise the other morning…it was about 7.45am and I’d just stepped out of the back door only to hear this whooshing noise, I thought to myself “what the hell is that”? Anyhow, all of a sudden four Swans came flying right over our house no more than a couple of metres above it…. spectacular sight!

Beat that if you can…

[screwy]

I had a pleasant surprise Saturday morning but I won’t go into it,

[barney]

Our door bell rang at 7.45 this morning.
No idea why as there was no one there.
Weird.

[Kendhni]

I had a pleasant surprise the other morning…it was about 7.45am and I’d just stepped out of the back door only to hear this whooshing noise, I thought to myself “what the hell is that”? Anyhow, all of a sudden four Swans came flying right over our house no more than a couple of metres above it…. spectacular sight!

Beat that if you can…

Amazing.

Sadly not this weekend, but was a few years ago ... we were holidaying in Mexico and decided to visit Xcaret. It was an absolutely amazing day out. There were a few things of interest
- the flamingos had become so lazy they that wouldn't fly down to the beech, they would walk through the park with everyone else
- one of our group had a bit of a go at the tour guide about keeping animals in captivity, as the tour guide said 'do you see any nets or cages' (there were none)
- they talked about their attempts to reverse the extinction of the red macaw and how they had managed to breed something like 140 birds - many had been released back into the wild but they were getting about a 50% survival rate

However at the end of the day is a show that truly deserves the name 'spectacular' in its title. It traced through various ages of Mexican history. At the end it was building to a climax and they let loose a flight of about 40 red macaws across the top of the stadium. Very moving.


However, closer to home, we have a couple of hawks or kestrels or whatever (bird watching is not one of my fortes) that must nest somewhere close to us. You always know when they are about because of the racket the other birds start making. The crows especially seem to get into a huddle and then they seem to pick one to do combat. The chosen crow circles up to get to the same height as the hawk while all the others on the ground seem to be cheering it on. There is often a couple of strikes, sometimes the hawk goes away, other times the crow comes plummeting back down (after which they send another one up to do battle). The one thing it has taught me is that dem birds is vicious.

[Onelife]

Funny you should mention the 50% survival rate of captive raised birds as my wife was telling me that white doves which are released at weddings and such have about the same survival rate. One of the contributing factors is that some don’t return and eventually die through not knowing where or how to find food for themselves.

Your Xcaret visit sounds fascinating…it sounds a bit like Jurassic park other than them not having you for dinner.

[Onelife]

I had a pleasant surprise Saturday morning but I won’t go into it,

Put it away Screwy

[Stephen]

The suns out and it’s blooming hot

[Meg 50]

My SD and her colleague had their first jabs at the end of January and scheduled no.2 to fit in with working hours....
The hospital changed them both so they have had to swap days leaving SD with an unusual weekday day- off ( well, until later this afternoon when she has to go for the jab).

We took the opportunity for a trip to Kelsey Park in Beckenham for a longish walk.

There's some beautiful birds on the lake plus an unfortunate number of Canada Geese....
One pair made us laugh - one was waddling along quacking away (or whatever noise geese do) volubly while the other one was totally monosyllabic. We couldn't decided if it was a nagging spouse and the partner saying 'yes dear' or nagging parent and a teenager saying 'whatever'

[Quizzical Bob]

I had a pleasant surprise the other morning…it was about 7.45am and I’d just stepped out of the back door only to hear this whooshing noise, I thought to myself “what the hell is that”? Anyhow, all of a sudden four Swans came flying right over our house no more than a couple of metres above it…. spectacular sight!

Beat that if you can…

A couple of years ago we went over to Sancerre to stock up our cellars before Brexit started to bite and drove over to the site of Guédelon where they are building a medieval castle using only original tools and methods.

Just after lunch there was a strange honking noise in the sky and a flight of about 150 cranes flew over on their way heading to warmer climes in the south. A fantastic sight. Apparently the correct term for the noise that they make is 'bugling' and the name for a group of cranes is...

...a sedge.

[Manoverboard]

The postman delivered two letters from Glasgow this morning

[david63]

The postman delivered two letters from Glasgow this morning

Didn't know that you were able to vote in the Scottish elections!!

[Stephen]

The postman delivered two letters from Glasgow this morning

Bet there was no stamp on them.

[screwy]

I had a pleasant surprise Saturday morning but I won’t go into it,

Put it away Screwy

I did, got put out of sight for Ooh,ages.

[Stephen]

This chap certainly had one.


https://www.facebook.com/1210351615/vid ... 676312543/

[oldbluefox]

Sometimes pleasures are very simple.
We were staying in an apartment at Blore Hall in Derbyshire and outside was a bird table which was well frequented. Sat outside with a glass or two just enjoying the afternoon sun what a lovely experience it was to actually hear the flap of the sparrows' wings as they flew in to feed from the table. Whilst we have feeders at home I have never been so close as to hear them. A simple pleasure indeed.

[Stephen]

Sometimes pleasures are very simple.
We were staying in an apartment at Blore Hall in Derbyshire and outside was a bird table which was well frequented. Sat outside with a glass or two just enjoying the afternoon sun what a lovely experience it was to actually hear the flap of the sparrows' wings as they flew in to feed from the table. Whilst we have feeders at home I have never been so close as to hear them. A simple pleasure indeed.

We have the same experience where we stay in Devon. A wonderful array of birds constantly visiting, and like you, up close and personal. It’s great watching them from the kitchen when having our meals or sitting out on the decking having a medicinal drink.

All we get are starlings, sparrows and the odd blue tit visiting our feeders.

[Manoverboard]

The postman delivered two letters from Glasgow this morning

Didn't know that you were able to vote in the Scottish elections!!

An invite to subscribe to the Salmon Party I thought but no it was actually ' Salmond '

The postman delivered two letters from Glasgow this morning

Bet there was no stamp on them.

Not only a stamp but also a total of £125 inside them ... but both for Mobietta

[Stephen]

The postman delivered two letters from Glasgow this morning

Didn't know that you were able to vote in the Scottish elections!!

An invite to subscribe to the Salmon Party I thought but no it was actually ' Salmond '

The postman delivered two letters from Glasgow this morning

Bet there was no stamp on them.

Not only a stamp but also a total of £125 inside them ... but both for Mobietta

What's hers is yours and what's yours is your own