Birders' Nest

[Elgarian Redux]

Elgarian, I hope the stings or bites are no longer painful. How is your eyebrow?

Almost completely healed now, thank you. I made a lot of fuss about nothing (apart from the cost of new spectacles.)

I cannot tell you how much I love this!! All of it-- the book, the autograph, the drawings and photo. All of it is fabulous; thank you for sharing it!!

I wonder if you might like to get a bit of the flavour of the text? I've scanned a couple of pages explaining how he learned to help with the typewriter - see attached.

[Elgarian Redux]

Lovely day today - sunny mostly, bit of a breeze up on the hills, 19 degrees. Very few birds to be seen, but butterflies - wow. It seemed that I saw as many peacock butterflies today as I have seen in my life so far. One of the small tortoiseshells settled on my wife's shoulder (see photo) and gosh, this felt like acceptance of us as fellow creatures of the land.

Too breezy to get good photos though.

[Iota]

I've been busy and am now thinking about heading home soon. Gotta pay the bird tax on this thread, so here's a bird from last August; I think he's pretty proud of his tail (and who can blame him?! Not I!).

Cape Sugarbird

That's extraordinary! I can't imagine how such a tail could be remotely practical for a bird of that size, it's like one of those long-trained wedding dresses, which are very elegant for weddings, but otherwise resides in the wardrobe. But obviously nature knows better!

[Kalevala]

@owlice Were you in Africa last year?

K

[Elgarian Redux]

Thought I'd add a bit more context to our regular bird and butterfly hunting ground. Someone, at some time, has built a fake stone circle up here using old stone gateposts. There are no genuine prehistoric stone monuments nearby as far as I know. Also someone (else?) has erected a wooden statue, a la Easter Island. Don't ask me why. But while you're pondering this, you can turn around and look out across the ever-changing landscape to the hills and clouds, over there, across the green and pleasant land, beyond beyond ...
These birds and butterflies have it made, sure enough.

[owlice]

That's extraordinary! I can't imagine how such a tail could be remotely practical for a bird of that size

It's completely practical: it gets the girls! 

You might like this site: https://birdhelpful.com/birds-with-long-tails/

[owlice]

@owlice Were you in Africa last year?

K

Yes, in Kenya and South Africa.

[Iota]

It's completely practical: it gets the girls! 

You might like this site: https://birdhelpful.com/birds-with-long-tails/

Haha, I figured it might be something like that. It was just my (complete layman's!) first impression that such a tail might be somewhat overdressing for the purposes of flight etc, but your helpful link has dissuaded me completely of that impression. Interesting link too, thanks. 

[Kalevala]

It's completely practical: it gets the girls! 

You might like this site: https://birdhelpful.com/birds-with-long-tails/

Took a quick gander at the website [No pun intended]...fun website!

Yes, in Kenya and South Africa.

Cool!    I'll bet that you saw all kinds of cool birds and other animals.    Were you in those countries for very long?

K

[owlice]

Almost completely healed now, thank you. I made a lot of fuss about nothing (apart from the cost of new spectacles.)

I'm glad your wounds are almost completely healed, and you made a very appropriate and fitting fuss! The audacity of the offending insect -- how dare it!

I wonder if you might like to get a bit of the flavour of the text? I've scanned a couple of pages explaining how he learned to help with the typewriter - see attached.

Thank you very much; you are always so kind! I have already looked into acquiring the book; clearly, I need (need) this book. (NEED!)

Thought I'd add a bit more context to our regular bird and butterfly hunting ground. Someone, at some time, has built a fake stone circle up here using old stone gateposts. There are no genuine prehistoric stone monuments nearby as far as I know.

How lovely it all is!

Also someone (else?) has erected a wooden statue, a la Easter Island. Don't ask me why.

I suspect the answer is "Because they could." 

Maybe they want to stare at the seaside and do nothing at all.

But while you're pondering this, you can turn around and look out across the ever-changing landscape to the hills and clouds, over there, across the green and pleasant land, beyond beyond ...
These birds and butterflies have it made, sure enough.

As do those who wander among them.

[owlice]

Took a quick gander at the website [No pun intended]...fun website!
Cool!  I'll bet that you saw all kinds of cool birds and other animals.  Were you in those countries for very long?

K

Yes, I saw a lot of interesting life forms! Africa is fascinating and the wildlife is incredible, stupendous, fabulous! I'd been to both Kenya and South Africa before, and I hope to go to both countries again (and to go to countries I've not been to yet).

One of the best aspects of retirement is not having to restrict travel to just a few weeks a year. I consider it a good year when I'm away from home more than I'm at home.¹ I travel a good bit, some for meeting/conference/workshop type things, for which I also try to fit in some birding/wildlifeing, and some just to go someplace to walk around looking at things. There's a big world out there.

Kitty!

African Leopard (vulnerable)

Puppy!

Southern Black-backed Jackal

Flutterby!

Common Pathfinder

Birdies!

African Darter

Another birdie!

Gray Crowned-Crane (endangered)

¹Unless my absence from home is due to disastrous events in others' lives, as sometimes happens, alas.

[Kalevala]

Yes, I saw a lot of interesting life forms! Africa is fascinating and the wildlife is incredible, stupendous, fabulous! I'd been to both Kenya and South Africa before, and I hope to go to both countries again (and to go to countries I've not been to yet).

One of the best aspect of retirement is not having to restrict travel to just a few weeks a year. I consider it a good year when I'm away from home more than I'm at home.¹ I travel a good bit, some for meeting/conference/workshop type things, for which I also try to fit in some birding/wildlifeing, and some just to go someplace to walk around looking at things. There's a big world out there.

Great photos!

So, I remember that you had said that you had retired from IT.  Have you now set up your own company?

K

[owlice]

Haha, I figured it might be something like that. It was just my (complete layman's!) first impression that such a tail might be somewhat overdressing for the purposes of flight etc, but your helpful link has dissuaded me completely of that impression. Interesting link too, thanks. 

When you're a bird, apparently there's no such thing as overdressing! Have you seen some of the outfits some feathered dudes wear?! 

For other takes on birds and fashion, there's this Twitter thread, and also this one.

[owlice]

Great photos!

So, I remember that you had said that you had retired from IT.  Have you now set up your own company?

K

No. I had done that early in my career, but then switched back to a "real job" ( ) when I became a parent. I have no interest in running a company again.

[Elgarian Redux]

Thank you very much; you are always so kind! I have already looked into acquiring the book; clearly, I need (need) this book. (NEED!)

Well I look back at the wonderful array of wildlife photographs you've shown us, and I think you are well ahead in the kindness stakes. But with regard to the book - yes, you do, really. It's a book written for you. I noticed there are still copies to be had (eg ABE books) that don't cost an arm and a leg (or even just an arm), so you should be alright.

I have a little Elswyth Thane story that has nothing to do with birds, but I'm wondering if I can get away with telling it here? The 'Off-Topic' Police might get me, but maybe it's a risk worth taking. I could argue that it's important contextual information for the bird book, couldn't I?

Elswyth Thane adored England and its history and before WW2 she spent her summers here. Out of those experiences came a book: England was an island once. She describes how she spent a day at Wookey Hole with a friend, worn out by the day's adventure, and also anxious about the threat of war. To recuperate, they took a taxi to the ancient city of Wells:

"As we retraced our steps along the path the thought of that upstairs lounge in the Swan at Wells, its windows looking on the cathedral green, its little coal fire on the hearth, and the generous teas, bulked larger and larger in our thoughts. ...
Wells lived up to it. It was all there - the thrilling, changeless outline of the grey cathedral, the placid stretch of green lawn, the sign of the Swan above the narrow street - the smiling, white-aproned maid, the laden silver teatray, the hot toast, the cakes, the scalding, heavenly tea, at a table in the window. Wells never lets you down."

So we had to go and find the Swan next time we were near Wells, didn't we? It's changed since Elswyth's day. We saw no white-aproned maids. But now they have a little tea-garden between the hotel and the cathedral green, and we sat in the sunshine with a giant pot of tea looking across at Wells cathedral, and I do not think I have ever felt so close to an author as I did sitting there, that afternoon, in the Swan's tea-garden, thinking about Elswyth Thane.

Apologies to those who hoped there would be birds in this.

[Elgarian Redux]

Yes, I saw a lot of interesting life forms! Africa is fascinating and the wildlife is incredible, stupendous, fabulous! I'd been to both Kenya and South Africa before, and I hope to go to both countries again (and to go to countries I've not been to yet).

One of the best aspects of retirement is not having to restrict travel to just a few weeks a year. I consider it a good year when I'm away from home more than I'm at home.¹ I travel a good bit, some for meeting/conference/workshop type things, for which I also try to fit in some birding/wildlifeing, and some just to go someplace to walk around looking at things. There's a big world out there.

Kitty!

African Leopard (vulnerable)

You stroked this kitty, yes?

Puppy!

Southern Black-backed Jackal

So cute [!!!] I wouldn't buy a used bone from this fellow.

Flutterby!

Common Pathfinder

Not so common around these parts.

Birdies!

African Darter

What a fantastic action shot.

Another birdie!

Gray Crowned-Crane (endangered)

You couldn't invent birds like this, could you?

More staggering images, Owlice. Thank you.

[Iota]

Yes, I saw a lot of interesting life forms! Africa is fascinating and the wildlife is incredible, stupendous, fabulous! I'd been to both Kenya and South Africa before, and I hope to go to both countries again (and to go to countries I've not been to yet).

One of the best aspects of retirement is not having to restrict travel to just a few weeks a year. I consider it a good year when I'm away from home more than I'm at home.¹ I travel a good bit, some for meeting/conference/workshop type things, for which I also try to fit in some birding/wildlifeing, and some just to go someplace to walk around looking at things. There's a big world out there.

Kitty!

African Leopard (vulnerable)

Puppy!

Southern Black-backed Jackal

Flutterby!

Common Pathfinder

Birdies!

African Darter

Another birdie!

Gray Crowned-Crane (endangered)

¹Unless my absence from home is due to disastrous events in others' lives, as sometimes happens, alas.

What a vibrant life you lead. owlice! And another haul of great photos! The African Darter shot is incredibly striking, and the headgear on that Gray Crowned-Crane is extraordinary! The sort of thing you might expect to see on Ladies Day at Royal Ascot.

[Iota]

Well I look back at the wonderful array of wildlife photographs you've shown us, and I think you are well ahead in the kindness stakes. But with regard to the book - yes, you do, really. It's a book written for you. I noticed there are still copies to be had (eg ABE books) that don't cost an arm and a leg (or even just an arm), so you should be alright.

I have a little Elswyth Thane story that has nothing to do with birds, but I'm wondering if I can get away with telling it here? The 'Off-Topic' Police might get me, but maybe it's a risk worth taking. I could argue that it's important contextual information for the bird book, couldn't I?

Elswyth Thane adored England and its history and before WW2 she spent her summers here. Out of those experiences came a book: England was an island once. She describes how she spent a day at Wookey Hole with a friend, worn out by the day's adventure, and also anxious about the threat of war. To recuperate, they took a taxi to the ancient city of Wells:

"As we retraced our step along the path the thought of that upstairs lounge in the Swan at Wells, its windows looking on the cathedral green, its little coal fire on the hearth, and the generous teas, bulked larger and larger in our thoughts. ...
Wells lived up to it. It was all there - the thrilling, changeless outline of the grey cathedral, the placid stretch of green lawn, the sign of the Swan above the narrow street - the smiling, white-aproned maid, the laden silver teatray, the hot toast, the cakes, the scalding, heavenly tea, at a table in the window. Wells never lets you down."

So we had to go and find the Swan next time we were near Wells, didn't we? It's changed since Elswyth's day. We saw no white-aproned maids. But now they have a little tea-garden between the hotel and the cathedral green, and we sat in the sunshine with a giant pot of tea looking across at Wells cathedral, and I do not think I have ever felt so close to an author as I did sitting there, that afternoon, in the Swan's tea-garden, thinking about Elswyth Thane.

Apologies to those who hoped there would be birds in this.

Another lovely tale, Elgarian!

[Elgarian Redux]

It's completely practical: it gets the girls! 

That settles it. I'm getting one too!

[owlice]

That settles it. I'm getting one too!

hahahahahahahahaha!!! This made me burst into laughter (which scared the resident cat who is now hiding under the dining room table)!!!

I have a little Elswyth Thane story that has nothing to do with birds...
...

Apologies to those who hoped there would be birds in this.

Whatever are you worrying about?! There's a Swan!!

And Swans are undeniably birds!!

Three (yup, three) Mute Swans

"nothing to do with birds" Sheeesh and pish posh! A Swan and a lovely tale along with it. Thanks for sharing!