We made it to North Truro, MA yesterday after a bit of drama. Everyone else was ready to leave bright and early from the Bay View Campground, but when Terry and I tried to activate the slide out on our trailer we got nothin'. No whir, no click, no nothin'. I checked all the fuses I could reach and couldn't find one that was burned out or anything. I pulled the switch from the wall and tried to use a jumper cable in case the switch was bad and that didn't accomplish anything. I took a look under the trailer in case a wire was busted--I don't know why, maybe a squirrel would have chewed through it--but there was no signs of any problem.
So, off to the office we go to get the number of The RV Doctor. Terry makes the call and tells him we are scheduled to leave at noon. Remember, this is Memorial Day. The Doc says he'll try to get to us before noon and--better than his word--he shows up around 9:30 AM. We describe the problem and he starts going through his check list. All the fuses (including a few I didn't know about under an access panel in the nose of the trailer), all the wires, all the switches. I even showed him some fuses, selenoids and what-not under the bed he was happy were easily accessible. All the fuses and wires were A-OK. Finally he gave the little selenoid under the bed a little tap with the handle of his screwdriver and BINGO! juice was flowing to the slide out's motor again.
But...the rear side of the slide out was binding and the whole thing wasn't coming in properly. SO...in and out, out and in, in and out...I pushed the little button to make the slide out move while The RV Doctor tried to figure out what was causing the damn thing to bind. Finally, he asked me, "When did you lubricate this last?" and I had to confess it was just before we left fro Alaska in June of 2010. His head dropped and I heard him mutter under his breath as he went to get the WD40. (He says silicone lubricant is best and should be used ONCE A YEAR! or more even if the trailer is in storage. Another lesson learned.)
We managed to get out of Bay View almost an hour ahead of our noon dead line and boogied up Route 6 to the Adventure Bound Campground in North Truro where the rest of our party was already encamped.
Our adventures for the day didn't end there, however. Terry and I drove up to the very tip of the Cape on Route 6 to Provincetown. Some spectacular sand dunes and spits along the way. The town itself has a very, very large and active gay community and this weekend they sponsored a film festival or something. And we got there just as it was time for everyone to go home or out to dinner. We were looking to dine at The Lobster Pot, but so was everyone else.
Commercial Ave. is one-way, narrow, has parking on both sides of the street, has bicycles going in both directions--often in the middle of the street, has people walking in the middle of the street, has people walking their dogs in the middle of the street, has people (and their dogs) standing in the middle of the street, etc. In short, it was not a great street to be driving on with my Tundra. With no place to park, I reached the north end of Commercial without running over anyone or their dog--or having a bicyclist become a new hood ornament. There was a gentleman in safety yellow directing traffic so I pulled up to near where he was.
"Excuse me, could you tell me how to get out of here?" I asked.
He smiled, "Oh, seen enough have you?"
We laughed a bit but he told me how to get back to Route 6 so Terry and I could find a little quieter place to eat with a little less flamboyant atmosphere. (Really! Two guys dressed as Captain Jack Sparrow walked by as we talked to the fella giving us directions.)
Today we visited several lighthouses, the site of the first wireless radio transmission by Marconi and the Truro winery. A very nice day. There's talk of going whale watching tomorrow. It's a three hour cruise. If I see Ginger or Mary Ann get on board....
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Saturday, May 26, 2012
On the Cape and Martha's Vineyard
We spent the day out on Martha's Vineyard.
We left the dock at Woods Hole bright and early, catching the 6:15 AM ferry for the 6 mile ride across to the island and then had a three hour guided tour of all the villages. We didn't actually stop at any of them but enjoyed the running commentary of our guide along the way. I was once a tour guide on the island but with a full sized bus that couldn't comfortably access some of the small roads we traveled today in our large vans. (Our group of 16 divided into two vans for the trip around the island.)
The ferry dropped us off at Vineyard Haven and after taking a brief ride around the Haven, our guide headed off to Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, (almost) to Chappaquiddick (there's no longer a bridge to this little town and it's become an island all by itself), through West Tisbury, Chilmark, over to the cliffs of Aquinnah, through Menemsha and back to Vineyard Haven in time for lunch.
Terry and I had lunch in the restaurant no part of the hotel I once brought guests to back in 1974. It's long been improved and the name has changed to The Mansion. Looks much, much fancier today than it did back then.
I found I recognized very little of the island despite the fact that very little has changed. Oak Bluffs and Edgartown are still the beautiful little villages they were back then with a combination of small and quaint and big and impressive. The difference is today they are all expensive. (Oak Bluffs was a religious camp meeting town back in the 1880s and is the center of the Afro-American community on the island. Edgartown was once home to whaling captains galore when Martha's Vineyard ruled that particular industry.)
Our tour guide pointed out the number of celebrities who have homes on or who have vacationed on the island. Nearly all the politicians mentioned seemed to be Democrats and nearly all the actors, singers, performers named I seem to remember as being of the progressive bend.
We gathered at the dock to catch the 2:15 PM ferry back to Woods Hole on the Cape and then head back to our campground.
******
I haven't taken many pictures this trip, but here are a few to give you a feel...
We left the dock at Woods Hole bright and early, catching the 6:15 AM ferry for the 6 mile ride across to the island and then had a three hour guided tour of all the villages. We didn't actually stop at any of them but enjoyed the running commentary of our guide along the way. I was once a tour guide on the island but with a full sized bus that couldn't comfortably access some of the small roads we traveled today in our large vans. (Our group of 16 divided into two vans for the trip around the island.)
The ferry dropped us off at Vineyard Haven and after taking a brief ride around the Haven, our guide headed off to Tisbury, Oak Bluffs, Edgartown, (almost) to Chappaquiddick (there's no longer a bridge to this little town and it's become an island all by itself), through West Tisbury, Chilmark, over to the cliffs of Aquinnah, through Menemsha and back to Vineyard Haven in time for lunch.
Terry and I had lunch in the restaurant no part of the hotel I once brought guests to back in 1974. It's long been improved and the name has changed to The Mansion. Looks much, much fancier today than it did back then.
I found I recognized very little of the island despite the fact that very little has changed. Oak Bluffs and Edgartown are still the beautiful little villages they were back then with a combination of small and quaint and big and impressive. The difference is today they are all expensive. (Oak Bluffs was a religious camp meeting town back in the 1880s and is the center of the Afro-American community on the island. Edgartown was once home to whaling captains galore when Martha's Vineyard ruled that particular industry.)
Our tour guide pointed out the number of celebrities who have homes on or who have vacationed on the island. Nearly all the politicians mentioned seemed to be Democrats and nearly all the actors, singers, performers named I seem to remember as being of the progressive bend.
We gathered at the dock to catch the 2:15 PM ferry back to Woods Hole on the Cape and then head back to our campground.
******
I haven't taken many pictures this trip, but here are a few to give you a feel...
The 2010 Alaskan Crew
The Ferry arrives at Vineyard Haven
The Ticket Office at Vineyard Haven
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
Part of the Village of Woods Hole from the water.
More of the Village of Woods Hole from the water.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Report from the road: On Cape Cod (barely!)
Terry and I left the Bolt Hole early on Wednesday morning and drove out to Cape Cod, MA via the Bourne Bridge over the Canal and to the Bay View Campground. We were the last of the arrivals on Wednesday but one other couple, Robert and Nancy, would be arriving on Thursday.
After a brief "Happy Hour" gathering, we split to do our own thing for dinner, which, for Terry and I meant going to a place called Sandy's just over the bridge for a seafood platter large enough to supply us with several meals!
Thursday was another day of "everyman for himself." Terry and I drove down to the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, then Woods Hole to visit the Aquarium (small, but nice), a short walk on the beach of Nantucket Sound, and finally on to Historic Downtown Falmouth. Back at the trailer park, we all got our foods and beverages together and headed over the bridge to West Wareham and Bruce and Sue's home for a picnic. There are 8 couples from the 2010 Alaska Trip present. Bruce and Sue made 9 out of 23 rigs. A pretty good turn out.
Friday: "Everyman for himself," again and Terry and I went to visit Sandwich and the glass museum they have there. Much smaller than the museum in Corning, NY and focused upon the product of their own glass factory but very interesting indeed. (They needed to import sand--sand!--from Maurice, New Jersey because the sand on Cape Cod contained too much iron. Go figure.) Then we had lunch at a lovely bakery/cafe before heading over to the north end of the Cape Cod Canal where the Corps of Engineers has a Visitors' Center and the Coast Guard a DHS facility. If we could have found a spot with free parking--and if my knees stopped complaining--we might have enjoyed a walk on the beach of Cape Cod Bay.
Tomorrow we are going to take a ferry over to Martha's Vineyard where we will have a bus tour of the island scheduled.
After a brief "Happy Hour" gathering, we split to do our own thing for dinner, which, for Terry and I meant going to a place called Sandy's just over the bridge for a seafood platter large enough to supply us with several meals!
Thursday was another day of "everyman for himself." Terry and I drove down to the Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, then Woods Hole to visit the Aquarium (small, but nice), a short walk on the beach of Nantucket Sound, and finally on to Historic Downtown Falmouth. Back at the trailer park, we all got our foods and beverages together and headed over the bridge to West Wareham and Bruce and Sue's home for a picnic. There are 8 couples from the 2010 Alaska Trip present. Bruce and Sue made 9 out of 23 rigs. A pretty good turn out.
Friday: "Everyman for himself," again and Terry and I went to visit Sandwich and the glass museum they have there. Much smaller than the museum in Corning, NY and focused upon the product of their own glass factory but very interesting indeed. (They needed to import sand--sand!--from Maurice, New Jersey because the sand on Cape Cod contained too much iron. Go figure.) Then we had lunch at a lovely bakery/cafe before heading over to the north end of the Cape Cod Canal where the Corps of Engineers has a Visitors' Center and the Coast Guard a DHS facility. If we could have found a spot with free parking--and if my knees stopped complaining--we might have enjoyed a walk on the beach of Cape Cod Bay.
Tomorrow we are going to take a ferry over to Martha's Vineyard where we will have a bus tour of the island scheduled.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
All set to hit the road!
It rained softly for most of the night. Started just about 4 PM on Monday and has continued overnight and through much of today, although it was a bit spotty at times. We'd get an hour or so when there were actual blue skies visible--but never in a postion to allow the sun to break through. This rain is supposed to continue through much of the night but stop around dawn. I blame Alberto.
Lucky for us the avian alarm system worked a little too well this morning. The birds started 30 to 45 minutes before sunrise--which was officially around 5:30 AM. It wouldn't have been too bad but I have learned a few too many bird calls and spent time trying to ID the songs instead of pulling the pillow over my ears and going back to sleep.
Being up and about at 5:30 provided lots of time to get things done between showers and before noon.
The trailer is now packed, the ATV is pretty much put back together (it's only missing the starter which is on order) and we're ready to hit the road for Bourne, MA tomorrow morning bright and early. I'm sure the birds will see that we are up in plenty of time to have breakfast and pack a lunch for the road.
I'm looking forward to seeing some of the folks from our trip to Alaska again. We'll be meeting up with a couple of Tennesseans, Texans, Louisianans, some Aussies, and a few Massachusetts folks. Hopefully we'll be able to enjoy the weather around the Canal area and get a nice tour of Martha's Vineyard before heading up the Cape to North Truro for a couple of days. Once in North Truro, there will be time to walk the beaches and visit Provincetown.
Lucky for us the avian alarm system worked a little too well this morning. The birds started 30 to 45 minutes before sunrise--which was officially around 5:30 AM. It wouldn't have been too bad but I have learned a few too many bird calls and spent time trying to ID the songs instead of pulling the pillow over my ears and going back to sleep.
Being up and about at 5:30 provided lots of time to get things done between showers and before noon.
The trailer is now packed, the ATV is pretty much put back together (it's only missing the starter which is on order) and we're ready to hit the road for Bourne, MA tomorrow morning bright and early. I'm sure the birds will see that we are up in plenty of time to have breakfast and pack a lunch for the road.
I'm looking forward to seeing some of the folks from our trip to Alaska again. We'll be meeting up with a couple of Tennesseans, Texans, Louisianans, some Aussies, and a few Massachusetts folks. Hopefully we'll be able to enjoy the weather around the Canal area and get a nice tour of Martha's Vineyard before heading up the Cape to North Truro for a couple of days. Once in North Truro, there will be time to walk the beaches and visit Provincetown.
Monday, May 21, 2012
Report from the Bolt Hole, May 21, 2012
Okay, so Terry and I went shopping today and got all the things we needed to stock the trailer and the Bolt Hole for an extended stay. That included the cable to repair the garage door. On our way back, we also stopped and got some chicken wings for lunch.
After lunch I went out to install the new cable and that got done lickety split. Then I tried starting the ATV again.
Under the heading: "It's always something." The ATV would not start. The battery is fully charged, the fuel is clean (no water) and it coughed once or twice before there was a "PING" and that was it. After that there was a rapid "click, click, click, click..." whenever I pushed the start button. I've heard that sound before and knew there was a problem with the starter relay and that it needed to be replaced. Sooooo....I tore the innards apart to get the starter out. Then went on line to find a Yamaha dealer who might have the part. The closest dealer (Utica) is closed on Monday. The second closest--still 40 miles away--was open and I made the call.
After we figured out what year my Pro Hauler was sold (1989), and based on my description of the problem and the part, he was able to determine what part number he needed to be looking for in his system. Of course, he didn't have the part in stock. I would have been surprised if he did as the Pro Hauler was only marketed for one year. He could, however, order the part (apparently Yamaha still makes that particular part which is a relief and a far cry from the support you can get from Microsoft for outdated software and such) and will hold on to it when it comes in. He'll email me when he gets it and I can get it when I come back from Portland or, time permitting, as we swing back from Cape Cod in two weeks.
While I can't get the ATV running immediately, it is comforting to know that the part I need is available and I should be able to get it going when I return and need to use it.
******
After ordering my part, I needed to take a walk into the woods to dispose of the chicken bones from our lunch. I walked down the side of the barn with the bag in hand and got stopped short when I rounded the end of the barn by the growl of a Momma gray fox who didn't like me showing up so unplanned. She hustled her little kits under the back end of the garage post haste and continued to growl at me as she too backed into her little den. I made sure to give them a wide berth as I headed out into the woods but snuck back in on my return. Mom was no where to be seen but the kits had started to come out again to play a bit. I saw three of them, each about a foot long and still full of pepper and baby fat. One tried to wrestle its sib to the ground but lost its head lock attempt and ended up under instead of over its sibling. Not wanting to disturb then further--and since it was starting to rain--I quietly headed to the cabin. Of course, I didn't have a camera in hand at the time.
After lunch I went out to install the new cable and that got done lickety split. Then I tried starting the ATV again.
Under the heading: "It's always something." The ATV would not start. The battery is fully charged, the fuel is clean (no water) and it coughed once or twice before there was a "PING" and that was it. After that there was a rapid "click, click, click, click..." whenever I pushed the start button. I've heard that sound before and knew there was a problem with the starter relay and that it needed to be replaced. Sooooo....I tore the innards apart to get the starter out. Then went on line to find a Yamaha dealer who might have the part. The closest dealer (Utica) is closed on Monday. The second closest--still 40 miles away--was open and I made the call.
After we figured out what year my Pro Hauler was sold (1989), and based on my description of the problem and the part, he was able to determine what part number he needed to be looking for in his system. Of course, he didn't have the part in stock. I would have been surprised if he did as the Pro Hauler was only marketed for one year. He could, however, order the part (apparently Yamaha still makes that particular part which is a relief and a far cry from the support you can get from Microsoft for outdated software and such) and will hold on to it when it comes in. He'll email me when he gets it and I can get it when I come back from Portland or, time permitting, as we swing back from Cape Cod in two weeks.
While I can't get the ATV running immediately, it is comforting to know that the part I need is available and I should be able to get it going when I return and need to use it.
******
After ordering my part, I needed to take a walk into the woods to dispose of the chicken bones from our lunch. I walked down the side of the barn with the bag in hand and got stopped short when I rounded the end of the barn by the growl of a Momma gray fox who didn't like me showing up so unplanned. She hustled her little kits under the back end of the garage post haste and continued to growl at me as she too backed into her little den. I made sure to give them a wide berth as I headed out into the woods but snuck back in on my return. Mom was no where to be seen but the kits had started to come out again to play a bit. I saw three of them, each about a foot long and still full of pepper and baby fat. One tried to wrestle its sib to the ground but lost its head lock attempt and ended up under instead of over its sibling. Not wanting to disturb then further--and since it was starting to rain--I quietly headed to the cabin. Of course, I didn't have a camera in hand at the time.
Sunday, May 20, 2012
At the Bolt Hole
Terry and I made it up to the Bolt Hole after an uneventful drive. We towed the ATV up on the baby trailer so it would be available for use when we get back from our longish five week journey(s).
Today was a beautiful day with temperatures into the low 80s through Syracuse and Utica. It only reached the mid 70s in the shade at the Bolt Hole but the sun was strong and hot. Only a few late day clouds have shown up but there's no rain in the forecast until next week if you overlook the scattered T-storms they say might (20-40%) hit the area Monday night/Tuesday.
We got right to work unloading the ATV, parking the little trailer and then towing the travel trailer out and hooking up the electricity and water so as to flush the antifreeze from the pipes. Then we (read "Terry") got to work cleaning up all the mouse poop in the cabinets. Meanwhile, I spent my time running down into the basement to reset the circuit breaker when it tripped...which it did--often. I guess the hot water heater and vacuum, plus the house's refrigerator were just a bit too much for the circuit. I also got the air compressor out and tried to get the tires up to the 50 psi they say on the sides. (Actually couldn't get past 48 psi, but that will do.)
The black flies were out in earnest and attacked in mobs. I got several bites on my forearms but just as many drowned in my sweat. Surprisingly, the bites have not raised welts as they usually do, nor do they itch. Have I become immune due to previous exposure? Sure hope so! The little buggers are still royal pains in the ass, but having no after affects from their is a blessing!
Tomorrow, we will be doing a more thorough check of the trailer and go shopping for supplies. Food, of course, tops the list already but right below that is paper goods (used for mouse nests beneath the cabinets) and plastic wrap and aluminum foil (piddled all over by mice with over active bladders).
Oh yeah. I also have to get some cable to fix the garage door. When I parked the ATV inside and pulled the door down, the cable jumped off the pulley. That's when I noticed that the four or five strand cable had just two still intact. I also have to go purchase a small Yankee screwdriver with multiple bits. I left the one I own back at the Aerie in the only tool box that is NOT at the Bolt Hole. (That's something that happens on a regular basis, BTW, and the reason I own two or three of just about everything--except Yankee screwdrivers--yet.)
Today was a beautiful day with temperatures into the low 80s through Syracuse and Utica. It only reached the mid 70s in the shade at the Bolt Hole but the sun was strong and hot. Only a few late day clouds have shown up but there's no rain in the forecast until next week if you overlook the scattered T-storms they say might (20-40%) hit the area Monday night/Tuesday.
We got right to work unloading the ATV, parking the little trailer and then towing the travel trailer out and hooking up the electricity and water so as to flush the antifreeze from the pipes. Then we (read "Terry") got to work cleaning up all the mouse poop in the cabinets. Meanwhile, I spent my time running down into the basement to reset the circuit breaker when it tripped...which it did--often. I guess the hot water heater and vacuum, plus the house's refrigerator were just a bit too much for the circuit. I also got the air compressor out and tried to get the tires up to the 50 psi they say on the sides. (Actually couldn't get past 48 psi, but that will do.)
The black flies were out in earnest and attacked in mobs. I got several bites on my forearms but just as many drowned in my sweat. Surprisingly, the bites have not raised welts as they usually do, nor do they itch. Have I become immune due to previous exposure? Sure hope so! The little buggers are still royal pains in the ass, but having no after affects from their is a blessing!
Tomorrow, we will be doing a more thorough check of the trailer and go shopping for supplies. Food, of course, tops the list already but right below that is paper goods (used for mouse nests beneath the cabinets) and plastic wrap and aluminum foil (piddled all over by mice with over active bladders).
Oh yeah. I also have to get some cable to fix the garage door. When I parked the ATV inside and pulled the door down, the cable jumped off the pulley. That's when I noticed that the four or five strand cable had just two still intact. I also have to go purchase a small Yankee screwdriver with multiple bits. I left the one I own back at the Aerie in the only tool box that is NOT at the Bolt Hole. (That's something that happens on a regular basis, BTW, and the reason I own two or three of just about everything--except Yankee screwdrivers--yet.)
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Talking Baseball...Are these the NY Mets?
If you had told me at the beginning of the season that the Mets would be 21-17 in the middle of May, I would have said you were crazy. Yet, after today's 9-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds, that's is their record-- 21 wins and 17 loses. Still doesn't get them higher than third in the NL East--toughest division in baseball right now. (Washington and Atlanta are currently ahead of the Mets. Miami and Philly are right behind. Even the 5th place Phils are at .500!)
The Mets should be better than 21-17, though. The Mets' bullpen, to put it mildly, really sucks. They have blown more saves and frustrated more fans than you could imaging. Probably have caused a few TVs to get broken, too.
Why, just in the last five games, they have managed to seize defeat from the jaws of victory twice. Sunday in Miami the Mets led 4-2 going to the bottom of the 9th. First they yielded the tying runs, then loaded the bases only to see a rarity: a walk-off grand slam home run, ruin the day. Last night they lead 3-2 going into the top of the 8th at home against the Reds the bullpen needed to get six outs. The Mets lost 6-3 as the Reds scored 4 runs in the 8th.
The Mets are using that cardiac kid Frank Francisco as their closer. While he has 9 saves, he can probably be credited with giving Terry Collins as many heart attacks. Francisco coming into a one or two run game int he ninth inning is like tossing gasoline on an open fire and hooping it doesn't go BOOM! Even today, leading 9-4 he could NOT get three consecutive outs in the ninth. He got the first two men up on a blooper and a ground out, but then walked the third. All he has to do is throw strikes in that situation. Let the man put the ball in play. But, no, he has to give him a free pass. Luckily, the next batter proved over eager and grounded out to second on the first pitch.
So why are the Mets doing as well as they are? Second baseman Daniel Murphy is hitting .331; Mike Baxter, part time outfielder and pinch hitter extraordinaire, is hitting .364; Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who came up from Buffalo to play left field when Jason Bay broke a rib, is hitting .291; and David Wright, who struggled all of last season, is leading the major leagues with a .411 batting average. (In today's game Wright was 2-for-2 with three walks, three runs scored--including the tying run in the seventh--and the go ahead RBI in the eight. Oh, and he stole third, too.)
Will they continue to hit this well? I'd be surprised if the continue to have the third best BA in the National League (second in the NL East), but I'd be willing to see their hitting go down if their bullpen would start doing its freakin' job and hold/save the games when the team is ahead in the 8th and 9th innings. Until that happens, the late innings will be finger-nail biting time.
The Mets should be better than 21-17, though. The Mets' bullpen, to put it mildly, really sucks. They have blown more saves and frustrated more fans than you could imaging. Probably have caused a few TVs to get broken, too.
Why, just in the last five games, they have managed to seize defeat from the jaws of victory twice. Sunday in Miami the Mets led 4-2 going to the bottom of the 9th. First they yielded the tying runs, then loaded the bases only to see a rarity: a walk-off grand slam home run, ruin the day. Last night they lead 3-2 going into the top of the 8th at home against the Reds the bullpen needed to get six outs. The Mets lost 6-3 as the Reds scored 4 runs in the 8th.
The Mets are using that cardiac kid Frank Francisco as their closer. While he has 9 saves, he can probably be credited with giving Terry Collins as many heart attacks. Francisco coming into a one or two run game int he ninth inning is like tossing gasoline on an open fire and hooping it doesn't go BOOM! Even today, leading 9-4 he could NOT get three consecutive outs in the ninth. He got the first two men up on a blooper and a ground out, but then walked the third. All he has to do is throw strikes in that situation. Let the man put the ball in play. But, no, he has to give him a free pass. Luckily, the next batter proved over eager and grounded out to second on the first pitch.
So why are the Mets doing as well as they are? Second baseman Daniel Murphy is hitting .331; Mike Baxter, part time outfielder and pinch hitter extraordinaire, is hitting .364; Kirk Nieuwenhuis, who came up from Buffalo to play left field when Jason Bay broke a rib, is hitting .291; and David Wright, who struggled all of last season, is leading the major leagues with a .411 batting average. (In today's game Wright was 2-for-2 with three walks, three runs scored--including the tying run in the seventh--and the go ahead RBI in the eight. Oh, and he stole third, too.)
Will they continue to hit this well? I'd be surprised if the continue to have the third best BA in the National League (second in the NL East), but I'd be willing to see their hitting go down if their bullpen would start doing its freakin' job and hold/save the games when the team is ahead in the 8th and 9th innings. Until that happens, the late innings will be finger-nail biting time.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Bits and Pieces from the Aerie
Terry's little yellow Aveo got it's timing belt replaced yesterday. The manual (that book almost nobody reads) says it's supposed to be replaced every 60K miles or, should it break, the engine will seize up. It had 80K on the odometer so we got lucky. Our regular mechanic at Mansfield Exxon had one in his lot that was awaiting an engine transplant so when it went in to have an oil change he warned us about the problem. As Terry was paying the bill at the Chevy dealer, she got into a conversation with the clerk who also has an Aveo--with 90K on her odometer. She now is scheduling a belt replacement.
******
On the way back from the Chevy dealer's we stopped and picked up some herbs, tomato, and pepper plants for the garden. This morning I spent four hours putting those plants in the ground as well as seeds for cucumbers, zucchini squash and string beans. Then I gave everything a good watering. One of the tomato plants looks a bit stressed and wilted but, hopefully, it will pull through. We start our five weeks of travel on Saturday and I should know whether or not that plant has hydrated by then.
[UPDATE: So, of course, weather.com has posted a frost advisory for tomorrow between 3 and 8 AM.]
******
The rain that we had Monday through Tuesday morning amounted to 1.32 inches. What ever dry spell we went though during the winter certainly ended the end of April. Between the foot of snow and the rain since then, we've gotten almost 4" of liquid precip in about three weeks--and it looks threatening out there as I type.
******
Listened to an Indigo Bunting singing his head off at the top of the Poplar trees this morning. One of the many birds singing early this morning. Not that I needed the birds to wake me up. Shadow did that at 5 AM after I rolled over in bed and made some slight noise--probably a groan due to my aching knees. She took this to mean I was going to get up and feed her--NOW! And she wouldn't take now for an answer.
******
With my morning with a dose of arthritis strength acetaminophen and a couple of cups of coffee. With all the flavored coffees out there you'd think someone would produce a coffee that contains extra strength pain killers. Not that two tablets are a problem to swallow or anything, but such a pain relieving coffee would be like having an IV drip all morning/day long. And that couldn't hurt!
******
On the way back from the Chevy dealer's we stopped and picked up some herbs, tomato, and pepper plants for the garden. This morning I spent four hours putting those plants in the ground as well as seeds for cucumbers, zucchini squash and string beans. Then I gave everything a good watering. One of the tomato plants looks a bit stressed and wilted but, hopefully, it will pull through. We start our five weeks of travel on Saturday and I should know whether or not that plant has hydrated by then.
[UPDATE: So, of course, weather.com has posted a frost advisory for tomorrow between 3 and 8 AM.]
******
The rain that we had Monday through Tuesday morning amounted to 1.32 inches. What ever dry spell we went though during the winter certainly ended the end of April. Between the foot of snow and the rain since then, we've gotten almost 4" of liquid precip in about three weeks--and it looks threatening out there as I type.
******
Listened to an Indigo Bunting singing his head off at the top of the Poplar trees this morning. One of the many birds singing early this morning. Not that I needed the birds to wake me up. Shadow did that at 5 AM after I rolled over in bed and made some slight noise--probably a groan due to my aching knees. She took this to mean I was going to get up and feed her--NOW! And she wouldn't take now for an answer.
******
With my morning with a dose of arthritis strength acetaminophen and a couple of cups of coffee. With all the flavored coffees out there you'd think someone would produce a coffee that contains extra strength pain killers. Not that two tablets are a problem to swallow or anything, but such a pain relieving coffee would be like having an IV drip all morning/day long. And that couldn't hurt!
Monday, May 14, 2012
Back at the Aerie
This is post #4000 since I started putting my thoughts/interest/comments here on the Interwebs....
[Interesting. This now says this post is #4001 but moments ago it said the previous post was #3999.]
******
Back at the Aerie after driving south this morning.
After walking around the Bolt Hole I found there was little need to any mowing. Mark had gotten the entire yard and not just the area visible from the road. I was also pleasantly surprised to find Mark at his cabin on Sunday. (He drove in while I was off at Lowes getting plumbing supplies and I didn't notice because it was already getting dark when I returned.)
So instead of walking about with the lawn mower for a couple of hours, we did some talking and then turned our attention to starting the brush hog. It hadn't been run all last year so it was no surprise that it didn't turn over immediately. We drained the gas, took the air filter off, sprayed a little starter fluid in the gaping maw thus exposed and, while it did kick to life very briefly, it didn't stay caught. It was even more frustrating when it wouldn't stay running after half an hour.So we let it sit.
We then took a look at the travel trailer. We attached the battery (so there would be lights inside) and put the propane tanks in place. There will be some cleaning up to do inside as there were some mice inside. I would have checked the tire pressure, but the damn gauge was not in the truck so that will have to wait until Terry and I go up on Sunday.
Mark went back to his place to escape from the black flies and I went inside to get some lunch and follow the Mets' game. (That didn't work out so well when the Marlins got 6 runs in the bottom of the 9th--including a walk-off grand slam.)
Game over, I went back out to give the brush hog another try. It started and ran. And I let it run for 15 minutes before trying to do any...well...hogging. I did a couple of hundred yards before taking the beast back to the garage.
The rest of the evening was spent sweeping and vacuuming.
This morning's wake-up call came at 5 AM when the birds started singing. Now that I've learned more and more bird calls, it gets tougher to ignore them. You start composing a list of species as you try to go back to sleep. And it gets worse when you hear one you're not sure of.
Anyway...With such an early start, I was able to be on the road by 8 AM. The ride was uneventful and it was only the last 30 miles that I started to get a little spritzing rain. I got back to the Aerie around noon. I fed the kittehs and got my stuff out of the truck. Moments later, Terry pulled up having returned from New Jersey. She ran into a lot more rain along I-80 west of Bloomsburg and northward on Route 15.
******
Rain will continue through the evening before slowing down tomorrow before noon. Terry's little Aveo has to go into the shop to get the timing belt replaced. The manual says it needs to be done at 60K miles and if it breaks, the engine will seize up. The Aveo has 80K on the odometer. Who reads the manual beyond how many miles for between oil changes or how to reset the clock?
It will take about four hours for the mechanic to change the belt out. And it will cost about $100 an hour.
While that's being done, we'll get some breakfast and go look at some plants for the vegetable garden. I'll need to get plants and/or seeds into the ground in the next day or two. Once they're in the ground, we'll have to home that Gaia will take care of the watering while we are gone.
[Interesting. This now says this post is #4001 but moments ago it said the previous post was #3999.]
******
Back at the Aerie after driving south this morning.
After walking around the Bolt Hole I found there was little need to any mowing. Mark had gotten the entire yard and not just the area visible from the road. I was also pleasantly surprised to find Mark at his cabin on Sunday. (He drove in while I was off at Lowes getting plumbing supplies and I didn't notice because it was already getting dark when I returned.)
So instead of walking about with the lawn mower for a couple of hours, we did some talking and then turned our attention to starting the brush hog. It hadn't been run all last year so it was no surprise that it didn't turn over immediately. We drained the gas, took the air filter off, sprayed a little starter fluid in the gaping maw thus exposed and, while it did kick to life very briefly, it didn't stay caught. It was even more frustrating when it wouldn't stay running after half an hour.So we let it sit.
We then took a look at the travel trailer. We attached the battery (so there would be lights inside) and put the propane tanks in place. There will be some cleaning up to do inside as there were some mice inside. I would have checked the tire pressure, but the damn gauge was not in the truck so that will have to wait until Terry and I go up on Sunday.
Mark went back to his place to escape from the black flies and I went inside to get some lunch and follow the Mets' game. (That didn't work out so well when the Marlins got 6 runs in the bottom of the 9th--including a walk-off grand slam.)
Game over, I went back out to give the brush hog another try. It started and ran. And I let it run for 15 minutes before trying to do any...well...hogging. I did a couple of hundred yards before taking the beast back to the garage.
The rest of the evening was spent sweeping and vacuuming.
This morning's wake-up call came at 5 AM when the birds started singing. Now that I've learned more and more bird calls, it gets tougher to ignore them. You start composing a list of species as you try to go back to sleep. And it gets worse when you hear one you're not sure of.
Anyway...With such an early start, I was able to be on the road by 8 AM. The ride was uneventful and it was only the last 30 miles that I started to get a little spritzing rain. I got back to the Aerie around noon. I fed the kittehs and got my stuff out of the truck. Moments later, Terry pulled up having returned from New Jersey. She ran into a lot more rain along I-80 west of Bloomsburg and northward on Route 15.
******
Rain will continue through the evening before slowing down tomorrow before noon. Terry's little Aveo has to go into the shop to get the timing belt replaced. The manual says it needs to be done at 60K miles and if it breaks, the engine will seize up. The Aveo has 80K on the odometer. Who reads the manual beyond how many miles for between oil changes or how to reset the clock?
It will take about four hours for the mechanic to change the belt out. And it will cost about $100 an hour.
While that's being done, we'll get some breakfast and go look at some plants for the vegetable garden. I'll need to get plants and/or seeds into the ground in the next day or two. Once they're in the ground, we'll have to home that Gaia will take care of the watering while we are gone.
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Saturday morning in the park.
Here's the results of our bird walk at Hills Creek SP Saturday morning. With the leaves of the trees growing larger and larger, more and more of the birds are first IDed by their singing. That will end soon for some of them as they pair up, build a nest and become a bit more secretive.
Hills Creek SP, Tioga, US-PA
May 12, 2012 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Beautiful morning: Clear, cool (45-60 degrees), sunny, with little breeze.
42 Double-crested Cormorants flew over in a perfect V formation.
39 species
Canada Goose X
Mallard X
Hooded Merganser X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Blue Heron X
Osprey X
Spotted Sandpiper X
Chimney Swift X
Ruby-throated Hummingbird X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X
Pileated Woodpecker X
Eastern Phoebe X
Red-eyed Vireo X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Carolina Wren X
Eastern Bluebird X
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
European Starling X
Ovenbird X
Common Yellowthroat X
Magnolia Warbler X
Yellow Warbler X
Chestnut-sided Warbler X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Black-throated Green Warbler X
Eastern Towhee X
Chipping Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
American Goldfinch X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Hills Creek SP, Tioga, US-PA
May 12, 2012 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
2.0 mile(s)
Comments: Beautiful morning: Clear, cool (45-60 degrees), sunny, with little breeze.
42 Double-crested Cormorants flew over in a perfect V formation.
39 species
Canada Goose X
Mallard X
Hooded Merganser X
Double-crested Cormorant X
Great Blue Heron X
Osprey X
Spotted Sandpiper X
Chimney Swift X
Ruby-throated Hummingbird X
Red-bellied Woodpecker X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X
Pileated Woodpecker X
Eastern Phoebe X
Red-eyed Vireo X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Carolina Wren X
Eastern Bluebird X
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
European Starling X
Ovenbird X
Common Yellowthroat X
Magnolia Warbler X
Yellow Warbler X
Chestnut-sided Warbler X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Black-throated Green Warbler X
Eastern Towhee X
Chipping Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
American Goldfinch X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
One mystery solved...
Besides which switch is used for the hot water heater, that is. (Yeah. I forgot. Between rewiring the circuit board last August, not being up here long enough to use the hot water system since September when I drained it, and not updating the paper sheet on the inside of the circuit box's door.... Luckily I had a written copy sitting on the kitchen table.)
I got the toilet to work properly...for now. First an explanation: A flush toilet works by holding a quantity of water (1.5 gallons in the new version, closer to 3 gallons in the old) in a tank. Flushing the toilet requires opening a valve that lets that water rush into the bowl building up pressure to push water over a system of humps inside the base. (Think a combination of water slide and roller coaster.) When the water gets above and over a critical hump, it creates a siphon that pulls the balance of the water (and other stuff) in the bowl into the drain pipe. It all depends upon that valve.
My tank has a flap valve that gets pulled up by a chain attached to the end of an arm attached to the exterior handle that you push to start the whole thing rolling. The simple flap is soft but stiff rubber it's own weight and the weight of the water in the tank holds it firmly closed until the chain pulls it upward. Somehow, while getting all the water out of the tank last year, the chain was adjusted and became too taut. It would not allow the flap to fall that extra 1/10th of an inch necessary to form a seal. I couldn't see that last night until I shinned a flashlight in there. (The inner workings of a toilet are dark and secretive. And the water in the tank was damn cold!)
Solution, let the chain out one link--about 1/4 inch--and everything is hunky-dorey. For now.
I got the toilet to work properly...for now. First an explanation: A flush toilet works by holding a quantity of water (1.5 gallons in the new version, closer to 3 gallons in the old) in a tank. Flushing the toilet requires opening a valve that lets that water rush into the bowl building up pressure to push water over a system of humps inside the base. (Think a combination of water slide and roller coaster.) When the water gets above and over a critical hump, it creates a siphon that pulls the balance of the water (and other stuff) in the bowl into the drain pipe. It all depends upon that valve.
My tank has a flap valve that gets pulled up by a chain attached to the end of an arm attached to the exterior handle that you push to start the whole thing rolling. The simple flap is soft but stiff rubber it's own weight and the weight of the water in the tank holds it firmly closed until the chain pulls it upward. Somehow, while getting all the water out of the tank last year, the chain was adjusted and became too taut. It would not allow the flap to fall that extra 1/10th of an inch necessary to form a seal. I couldn't see that last night until I shinned a flashlight in there. (The inner workings of a toilet are dark and secretive. And the water in the tank was damn cold!)
Solution, let the chain out one link--about 1/4 inch--and everything is hunky-dorey. For now.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
All right! (Almost.)
Well, the plumbing repair seems to have worked. I just turned the pump back on and there were no leaks in the pipe!
But now the toilet doesn't work.
The water flows into the holding tank just as it should...but the tank never fills up! I've no idea where the water is going but it's not going down into the bowl. (It did just once fill and flush properly, but quoth the Raven....) There are several spidery cracks in the porcelain god throne but there are NO extreior leaks. It sounds like the water is going right down the drain. How it's getting there is the puzzle. The damn thing may have hemorrhaged internally despite the use of antifreeze. Considering the number of winters in the unheated cabin the current throne has endured, it's not terribly surpirsing.
Now I'm waiting for the hot water heater to...well...heat the water that currently fills the tank.
But now the toilet doesn't work.
The water flows into the holding tank just as it should...but the tank never fills up! I've no idea where the water is going but it's not going down into the bowl. (It did just once fill and flush properly, but quoth the Raven....) There are several spidery cracks in the porcelain god throne but there are NO extreior leaks. It sounds like the water is going right down the drain. How it's getting there is the puzzle. The damn thing may have hemorrhaged internally despite the use of antifreeze. Considering the number of winters in the unheated cabin the current throne has endured, it's not terribly surpirsing.
Now I'm waiting for the hot water heater to...well...heat the water that currently fills the tank.
It's always something...
There's always some little thing that tries to ruin a perfectly good day.
******
We had a good morning birding at Hills Creek State Park today. First we had two new couples and a long lost couple show up thanks to an article that ran in a local free magazine called Mountain Home. It contained information about our walks and several of Gary's excellent bird photographs. Then we had perfect conditions for an enjoyable walk as the temperatures ranged from the upper 40s to the low 60s under clear, blue skies. And there wasn't much of a breeze either. Finally, the birds cooperated and we spotted some 38 species including a few I don't believe we've seen before..they were certainly new to this year's walks. I'll be posting the complete list probably tomorrow.
******
After our bird walk, we had our end of the year picnic for the Tiadaghton Audubon Society. Even that was well attended with the core group of a dozen or so showing up. Even our east-west snow birds made their return from California in time to join in. We had a good time talking birds, travel, gizmos and what-not.
******
Around 1:30 PM our picnic broke up and Terry headed to New Jersey for Mother's Day and I headed north to the Bolt Hole to see what needed to be done in and around the cabin and to start getting the trailer in shape for our trip to Cape Cod.
My trip went well with no traffic delays or snarls and I even got to listen to the last two innings of the Mets game against the Marlins. (Mets won 9-3.) I arrived at the Bolt Hole around 5:30 PM. I got a few things out of the truck, turned on the phone and refrigerator and went down into the basement to turn the water on and that's when things got wonky.
Oh, the pump turned on just fine, but for the first time since I bought the place, one of the PVC pipe sprung a leak and water started to spray all along the 3-foot section of pipe. Needless to say, I was not pleased.
I started to rummage around and found the pipe cutter, a length of pipe, properly sized joints, primer and glue for repairs. Unfortunately, the glue had congealed over the winter and was worthless. Soooo...off to the nearest Lowes to get more. (The local hardware store closes around 5 PM on Saturdays and doesn't open on Sunday so the 60+ mile round trip was necessary.) I needed to pick up some gasoline for the lawn mower anyway.
Back at the Bolt Hole it took me about half an hour to cut out the old, split section of pipe, cut a new length, prime and glue the joints to the replacement and then clean, prime and glue the new piece to the old ends. Now I wait while it cures before turning the water on again. Hope the patch works!
******
Tomorrow, if the plumbing repair worked, I can get on to the other things I need to do. I'll crank up the lawn mower and get those sections of the yard that Mark has not been maintaining. He's gotten the bulk of the yard done in an effort to make the place lok lived in so that leaves the pieces out of sight from the road.
Then I'll check the tire pressure on the trailer (I brought the air compressor with me--just in case--but left the tool box witht he spare gauges back at the Aerie. Sure home there's one in the truck!) and see what's going on inside. I brought the fully charged battery up to put that in place and will get the propane tanks out of the garage and put them in their cradle.
******
We had a good morning birding at Hills Creek State Park today. First we had two new couples and a long lost couple show up thanks to an article that ran in a local free magazine called Mountain Home. It contained information about our walks and several of Gary's excellent bird photographs. Then we had perfect conditions for an enjoyable walk as the temperatures ranged from the upper 40s to the low 60s under clear, blue skies. And there wasn't much of a breeze either. Finally, the birds cooperated and we spotted some 38 species including a few I don't believe we've seen before..they were certainly new to this year's walks. I'll be posting the complete list probably tomorrow.
******
After our bird walk, we had our end of the year picnic for the Tiadaghton Audubon Society. Even that was well attended with the core group of a dozen or so showing up. Even our east-west snow birds made their return from California in time to join in. We had a good time talking birds, travel, gizmos and what-not.
******
Around 1:30 PM our picnic broke up and Terry headed to New Jersey for Mother's Day and I headed north to the Bolt Hole to see what needed to be done in and around the cabin and to start getting the trailer in shape for our trip to Cape Cod.
My trip went well with no traffic delays or snarls and I even got to listen to the last two innings of the Mets game against the Marlins. (Mets won 9-3.) I arrived at the Bolt Hole around 5:30 PM. I got a few things out of the truck, turned on the phone and refrigerator and went down into the basement to turn the water on and that's when things got wonky.
Oh, the pump turned on just fine, but for the first time since I bought the place, one of the PVC pipe sprung a leak and water started to spray all along the 3-foot section of pipe. Needless to say, I was not pleased.
I started to rummage around and found the pipe cutter, a length of pipe, properly sized joints, primer and glue for repairs. Unfortunately, the glue had congealed over the winter and was worthless. Soooo...off to the nearest Lowes to get more. (The local hardware store closes around 5 PM on Saturdays and doesn't open on Sunday so the 60+ mile round trip was necessary.) I needed to pick up some gasoline for the lawn mower anyway.
Back at the Bolt Hole it took me about half an hour to cut out the old, split section of pipe, cut a new length, prime and glue the joints to the replacement and then clean, prime and glue the new piece to the old ends. Now I wait while it cures before turning the water on again. Hope the patch works!
******
Tomorrow, if the plumbing repair worked, I can get on to the other things I need to do. I'll crank up the lawn mower and get those sections of the yard that Mark has not been maintaining. He's gotten the bulk of the yard done in an effort to make the place lok lived in so that leaves the pieces out of sight from the road.
Then I'll check the tire pressure on the trailer (I brought the air compressor with me--just in case--but left the tool box witht he spare gauges back at the Aerie. Sure home there's one in the truck!) and see what's going on inside. I brought the fully charged battery up to put that in place and will get the propane tanks out of the garage and put them in their cradle.
Friday, May 11, 2012
Past, Present, and Future
It's been a couple of very quiet days at the Aerie. Well, for me anyway. Terry's been running hither and yon doing all kinds of stitching stuff.
After a rainy Tuesday we had a decent Wednesday and I got the grass cut once more. Thursday we had a nice morning but then waves of isolated showers swept in to keep everything nice and damp. And the wind picked up, too. Out of the north-northwest so things got really raw. When the rain stopped, the wind didn't so we had a very cool night with temps dropping to the upper 30s here on the side of the hill. It probably got colder down in the valley.
We're going on the road in about a week. Yesterday we made arrangements to have a young lady come in to care for the cats while we are out gallivanting around--first to Cape Cod and then to Portland, Oregon over a five week period. The first leg of our trip will be with travel trailer in tow and will be a reunion of sorts with the folks from our Alaska Adventure. After returning the trailer to the Bolt Hole, we'll head west to visit with our son and daughter-in-law. They've a porch that needs reconstruction. Terry also has a desire to see her niece and her husband down San Francisco way so we may end up looping down the coast before heading east on I-80.
In the interim, we've got a Saturday Bird Walk to attend to and then a picnic lunch. Then I get to go up to the Bolt Hole tomorrow afternoon to check out the trailer and--probably--cut the grass.
After a rainy Tuesday we had a decent Wednesday and I got the grass cut once more. Thursday we had a nice morning but then waves of isolated showers swept in to keep everything nice and damp. And the wind picked up, too. Out of the north-northwest so things got really raw. When the rain stopped, the wind didn't so we had a very cool night with temps dropping to the upper 30s here on the side of the hill. It probably got colder down in the valley.
We're going on the road in about a week. Yesterday we made arrangements to have a young lady come in to care for the cats while we are out gallivanting around--first to Cape Cod and then to Portland, Oregon over a five week period. The first leg of our trip will be with travel trailer in tow and will be a reunion of sorts with the folks from our Alaska Adventure. After returning the trailer to the Bolt Hole, we'll head west to visit with our son and daughter-in-law. They've a porch that needs reconstruction. Terry also has a desire to see her niece and her husband down San Francisco way so we may end up looping down the coast before heading east on I-80.
In the interim, we've got a Saturday Bird Walk to attend to and then a picnic lunch. Then I get to go up to the Bolt Hole tomorrow afternoon to check out the trailer and--probably--cut the grass.
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Covering some new ground
looking for birds.
This morning six of us went west on Route 6 to the small village of Rexford just east of Gaines where one of our Tiadaghton Audubon Society members lives on the banks of Pine Creek. She led us on a merry little car tour southeast over the mountain and through the woods all the way to the west rim of the Pine Creek Gorge at Colton Point State Park. Our quest to find birds had us stopping on the road numerous times. Sometimes we were in front of private lands and cabins while at other times, we were in wither parts of Tioga State Forest or Colton Point State Park.
Our goal was to locate the allegedly abundant Blue-headed Vireo and we finally succeeded. (Its call was heard many more times than we were able to actually see the little bird.) Along the way we also saw 37 other species according to my list. A couple of the warblers (the Black-and-white and Blackburnian) put on a nice little snow for us but several species were more easily heard than seen as the leaves of the trees are mostly out now and provide excellent hiding spots for the small birds.
Rexford to Colton Pt, Tioga, US-PA
May 9, 2012 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
6.0 mile(s)
Comments: From the Rexford Bridge over Pine Creek we took Painter Run Road to Painter-Leetonia Rd then on to Deadman Hollow Road to Colton Point.
The weather was cool (55 degrees) and overcast. No breeze at all.
38 species
Common Merganser X
Wild Turkey X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X
Northern Flicker X
Least Flycatcher X
Eastern Phoebe X
Blue-headed Vireo X
Red-eyed Vireo X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Common Raven X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Hermit Thrush X
Wood Thrush X
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
Ovenbird X
Black-and-white Warbler X
Common Yellowthroat X
Blackburnian Warbler X
Yellow Warbler X
Chestnut-sided Warbler X
Black-throated Blue Warbler X
Black-throated Green Warbler X
Eastern Towhee X
Chipping Sparrow X
Field Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
Rose-breasted Grosbeak X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Baltimore Oriole X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Our goal was to locate the allegedly abundant Blue-headed Vireo and we finally succeeded. (Its call was heard many more times than we were able to actually see the little bird.) Along the way we also saw 37 other species according to my list. A couple of the warblers (the Black-and-white and Blackburnian) put on a nice little snow for us but several species were more easily heard than seen as the leaves of the trees are mostly out now and provide excellent hiding spots for the small birds.
Rexford to Colton Pt, Tioga, US-PA
May 9, 2012 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Protocol: Traveling
6.0 mile(s)
Comments: From the Rexford Bridge over Pine Creek we took Painter Run Road to Painter-Leetonia Rd then on to Deadman Hollow Road to Colton Point.
The weather was cool (55 degrees) and overcast. No breeze at all.
38 species
Common Merganser X
Wild Turkey X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Mourning Dove X
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker X
Northern Flicker X
Least Flycatcher X
Eastern Phoebe X
Blue-headed Vireo X
Red-eyed Vireo X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Common Raven X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Hermit Thrush X
Wood Thrush X
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
Ovenbird X
Black-and-white Warbler X
Common Yellowthroat X
Blackburnian Warbler X
Yellow Warbler X
Chestnut-sided Warbler X
Black-throated Blue Warbler X
Black-throated Green Warbler X
Eastern Towhee X
Chipping Sparrow X
Field Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
Rose-breasted Grosbeak X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Common Grackle X
Baltimore Oriole X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Mowing the Grass...again.
Sheesh! Last Saturday I came back from our bird walk and realized that the lawn--which I had mowed on the previous Monday--looked like hell. Some of the grass had started to send up seed heads and all the dandelions that ducked beneath the blade on Monday were standing tall, proud and, in most cases, in seed. So I cut the lawn again. It looked like I succeeded in cutting off some 90% of the flowers and all the seed heads. (Some of the flowers still hugged the ground.)
Then we had some cool nights, a little rain and some sunny days and when I got back from taking another bird walk this morning (more on that in the next post), I looked at the lawn and saw that it was in pretty much the same shape as it was Saturday before I cut it: lots of dandelion flowers and seed heads. So I got out the lawn mower and cut it again before the predicted showers arrive this evening. This time I dropped the blade about half an inch before starting. Once more the lawn looks respectable with about 95% of the dandelions clipped off.
This time I spotted four snakes while working on the lawn. Two garter snakes were spooked from the stone wall that forms one of the raised garden beds and two red-bellied snakes--one of them the largest red-bellied I have ever seen was over a foot long--were on the edge of the driveway. Like the return of certain species of birds, the appearance of snakes on the stone walls and in the grass is a sure sign that summer has nearly arrived.
This is the third time I've had to cut the grass in a week and a half. I'll probably have to cut it again Sunday or Monday. I really do not mind cutting the grass. It's good exercise and a pretty mindless activity. I've already got a huge pile of grass clippings that should be worked into a compost heap by mixing in some soil. But that can wait fro another day.
Then we had some cool nights, a little rain and some sunny days and when I got back from taking another bird walk this morning (more on that in the next post), I looked at the lawn and saw that it was in pretty much the same shape as it was Saturday before I cut it: lots of dandelion flowers and seed heads. So I got out the lawn mower and cut it again before the predicted showers arrive this evening. This time I dropped the blade about half an inch before starting. Once more the lawn looks respectable with about 95% of the dandelions clipped off.
This time I spotted four snakes while working on the lawn. Two garter snakes were spooked from the stone wall that forms one of the raised garden beds and two red-bellied snakes--one of them the largest red-bellied I have ever seen was over a foot long--were on the edge of the driveway. Like the return of certain species of birds, the appearance of snakes on the stone walls and in the grass is a sure sign that summer has nearly arrived.
This is the third time I've had to cut the grass in a week and a half. I'll probably have to cut it again Sunday or Monday. I really do not mind cutting the grass. It's good exercise and a pretty mindless activity. I've already got a huge pile of grass clippings that should be worked into a compost heap by mixing in some soil. But that can wait fro another day.
Monday, May 07, 2012
Saturday, May 05, 2012
Birding at Hills Creek State Park
May 5, 2012
We had a nice morning for a walk about at Hills Creek State Park. It was overcast and a little humid but the temperature stayed between 55 and 60 degrees.
There were a ton of warblers in the trees which means I'll be putting some hot compresses on my neck this afternoon! Most of the little buggers were Yellow-rumped Warblers but there were a few Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, and Magnolia Warblers, too. Hermit and Wood Thrushes were present along with the Ovenbirds although none of them were real easy to spot! The Red-eyed Vireo, usually very difficult to find in the tree tops, cooperated by picking an ash tree that hadn't yet leafed out as it's singing perch of choice.
We didn't see many water fowl except for the Canada Geese, but there were two ospreys and an adult Bald Eagle.
In any event, here's the list of species I compiled this morning:
Hills Creek SP, Tioga, US-PA
May 5, 2012 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Overcast with a slight breeze out of the north. Temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees.
38 species
Canada Goose X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Bald Eagle X
Spotted Sandpiper X
Mourning Dove X
Eastern Phoebe X
Red-eyed Vireo X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Carolina Wren X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Hermit Thrush X
Wood Thrush X
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
European Starling X
Ovenbird X
Common Yellowthroat X
Cape May Warbler X
Magnolia Warbler X
Yellow Warbler X
Chestnut-sided Warbler X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Black-throated Green Warbler X
Eastern Towhee X
Chipping Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
There were a ton of warblers in the trees which means I'll be putting some hot compresses on my neck this afternoon! Most of the little buggers were Yellow-rumped Warblers but there were a few Chestnut-sided, Black-throated Green, Blackburnian, and Magnolia Warblers, too. Hermit and Wood Thrushes were present along with the Ovenbirds although none of them were real easy to spot! The Red-eyed Vireo, usually very difficult to find in the tree tops, cooperated by picking an ash tree that hadn't yet leafed out as it's singing perch of choice.
We didn't see many water fowl except for the Canada Geese, but there were two ospreys and an adult Bald Eagle.
In any event, here's the list of species I compiled this morning:
Hills Creek SP, Tioga, US-PA
May 5, 2012 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Protocol: Traveling
1.5 mile(s)
Comments: Overcast with a slight breeze out of the north. Temperatures between 55 and 60 degrees.
38 species
Canada Goose X
Turkey Vulture X
Osprey X
Bald Eagle X
Spotted Sandpiper X
Mourning Dove X
Eastern Phoebe X
Red-eyed Vireo X
Blue Jay X
American Crow X
Tree Swallow X
Barn Swallow X
Black-capped Chickadee X
Tufted Titmouse X
Carolina Wren X
Ruby-crowned Kinglet X
Hermit Thrush X
Wood Thrush X
American Robin X
Gray Catbird X
European Starling X
Ovenbird X
Common Yellowthroat X
Cape May Warbler X
Magnolia Warbler X
Yellow Warbler X
Chestnut-sided Warbler X
Yellow-rumped Warbler X
Black-throated Green Warbler X
Eastern Towhee X
Chipping Sparrow X
Song Sparrow X
Swamp Sparrow X
White-throated Sparrow X
Dark-eyed Junco X
Northern Cardinal X
Red-winged Blackbird X
Brown-headed Cowbird X
This report was generated automatically by eBird v3 (http://ebird.org)
Friday, May 04, 2012
Carolina Wren
Another bird to add to the Aerie's list for 2012.
The Carolina Wren, is a resident. I spotted a pair of them looking over the box they've used for three years as a nest site. They are NOT good neighbors, however.
For one, they are loud! For small birds, their vocalizations are surprisingly up there on the decibel scale. And, since they sing all day from dawn til dusk, that can be annoying. (Good thing the cats wake us up early anyway.)
The other problem with Carolina Wrens is that they do not like having other birds nest in the boxes they consider too close. They build their nest in one box and then fill the other(s) with sticks to make it look occupied.
Like I said--bad neighbors. So we have a small, brown, feisty, loud, obnoxious bird who's a bad neighbor. Remind you of anyone?
Okay. This one has to give it away. Chin up and off to the viewer's right. Look familiar?
The Carolina Wren, is a resident. I spotted a pair of them looking over the box they've used for three years as a nest site. They are NOT good neighbors, however.
For one, they are loud! For small birds, their vocalizations are surprisingly up there on the decibel scale. And, since they sing all day from dawn til dusk, that can be annoying. (Good thing the cats wake us up early anyway.)
The other problem with Carolina Wrens is that they do not like having other birds nest in the boxes they consider too close. They build their nest in one box and then fill the other(s) with sticks to make it look occupied.
Like I said--bad neighbors. So we have a small, brown, feisty, loud, obnoxious bird who's a bad neighbor. Remind you of anyone?
Carolina Wren
How about now? Carolina Wren
Okay. This one has to give it away. Chin up and off to the viewer's right. Look familiar?
Carolina Wren in a..ahem..Presidential pose
Baltimore Oriole
Yet another bird to add to the list: The Baltimore Oriole
I see these come through the yard once or twice a summer. I haven't found any nesting areas on the property, perhaps because we don't have any ponds or streams. The neighbors do, however. What we have are several apple trees and a handful of crab apples and choke cherries. All of which are currently in flower. And the orioles seem to like the nectar.
Today, three of them appeared in the apple tree across the driveway at noon as I started grilling a steak for my lunch. One stayed around long enough for me to grab the camera and snap a few pictures off the deck.
I see these come through the yard once or twice a summer. I haven't found any nesting areas on the property, perhaps because we don't have any ponds or streams. The neighbors do, however. What we have are several apple trees and a handful of crab apples and choke cherries. All of which are currently in flower. And the orioles seem to like the nectar.
Today, three of them appeared in the apple tree across the driveway at noon as I started grilling a steak for my lunch. One stayed around long enough for me to grab the camera and snap a few pictures off the deck.
Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Baltimore Oriole
Rose-breasted Grosbeak
I mentioned the other day that we have had Rose-breasted Grosbeaks coming into the feeders I've seen three males at one time and they have nested around the house in years past so it was only a matter of time before the females showed themselves.
Today I managed to get a couple of pictures of both when they came to the tray feeder on the deck. The photos could be clearer--if I just went out and cleaned the windows--but these are pretty good for showing the very different plumage between male and female.
Although she's not nearly as flashy as her male counterpart, I like the lines on the head that camouflage her in her weedy nest. (The Red-winged Blackbird female is similarly camouflaged.) And the subtly yellow on her striped breast--about the only other part of her that would be seen while she sits on a nest--is also very nice.
Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Male Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Although she's not nearly as flashy as her male counterpart, I like the lines on the head that camouflage her in her weedy nest. (The Red-winged Blackbird female is similarly camouflaged.) And the subtly yellow on her striped breast--about the only other part of her that would be seen while she sits on a nest--is also very nice.
Dandelions and Butterflies
I mentioned the other day that while I was mowing the lawn all the dandelions seemed to have ducked beneath the blade. That left nearly as many yellow dots on the lawn after I cut them as before. I'm not about to go out and get some weed-and-feed type lawn fertilizer or even spray weed killer upon the lawn indiscriminately. To do so would result in 1) virtually no greenery at all and 2) grass growing too quickly for my liking (i.e. more mowing). Maybe I should get a cow or a couple of goats or sheep.
We've had some thunderstorms the last few nights and the result is a well watered lawn--and crop of dandelions. Bright sunlight and warm temperatures have caused those dandelions to stick their heads up and go to seed.
Besides, the dandelions attract numerous insects. Anything from honey bees and bumble bees, to butterflies will come in to sip their sweet nectar.
Dandelion seed head
Dandelion flower and seed head
Besides, the dandelions attract numerous insects. Anything from honey bees and bumble bees, to butterflies will come in to sip their sweet nectar.
We've had dozens of the Red Admirals flitting about the yard and seen countless others on the dirt roads here about. (They also love the minerals from the clay.) Several other species of butterflies of about the same size but much more orange with black dots--possibly fritallary species, have also visited the dandelions.
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
More Birds
Two more birds to add to the list of Aerie visitors.
I was standing on the deck this evening when I got buzzed by a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the first of the year. The two feeders I put up are hanging there. After buzzing me, the little bird moved to the more distant of the two feeders and took a few sips before taking off for the trees.
As I followed its flight, an Eastern Phoebe came from around the corner of the house. It was almost as thought the Phoebe thought the Hummer might be a large bug. It pulled up when it got near the hummer and headed off in a different direction, landing on a nearby branch. It pumped its tail a couple of times and then took off into the woods hunting bugs in flight.
I was standing on the deck this evening when I got buzzed by a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird, the first of the year. The two feeders I put up are hanging there. After buzzing me, the little bird moved to the more distant of the two feeders and took a few sips before taking off for the trees.
As I followed its flight, an Eastern Phoebe came from around the corner of the house. It was almost as thought the Phoebe thought the Hummer might be a large bug. It pulled up when it got near the hummer and headed off in a different direction, landing on a nearby branch. It pumped its tail a couple of times and then took off into the woods hunting bugs in flight.
A Lazy Man's Birding Report
A couple of new birds to add to this year's Aerie list:
The Ovenbird and it's "Teacher, teacher, teacher" call was heard today for the first time. And the Black -and-white Warbler's squeaky wheel; "wee-see-wee-see-wee-see" was heard during lunch. I (very) briefly heard what I thought might have been a Wood Thrush early this morning, but it sang only once and didn't repeat its song for me to be sure. Yesterday I did hear a Black-throated Green Warbler as it sang "zoo-zee, zoo-zoo-zee" repeatedly from the woods. Never did get a look at him though.
The Ovenbird is one of those you can hear and never see as it stays very close to the forest floor seldom singing from more than three feet above the ground. And it's olive-drab back and streaked breast blend into the shadows and shades of the understory very well. That and they seem to be ventriloquists. Even when you're 100% sure you've got their location, they may be 10 feet away from where the sound is coming from. We've had a couple of these nesting in the area over the last few years. They're ground nesters and there's enough stone ledges and tree trunks to provide protective roofing for them.
The Black-and-white Warbler is easy to spot among the tree tops--if you don't mind getting warbler-neck. It's distinctive appearance make it difficult to misidentify even when the bird you're looking at is busy searching for bugs and not singing. When it's singing, you can't miss it at all.
We continue to have a pair or more of Eastern Towhees in the woods around our clearing. They too have a very distinctive call that sounds like a command: "Drink your tea! Drink your tea!" They've nested here before and will probably do so again. Like the Ovenbird, the Towhee is a ground nester and you nearly have to stumble upon the nest to find it. I must have come pretty close this afternoon while looking for the Ovenbird as a pair of Towhees suddenly appeared no more than 10 feet away from me and seemed a tad concerned about my presence.
A couple of male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have been coming to the feeder fairly regularly. They haven't been singing until today, however. Perhaps they're hoping to convince a female that this would be as good a place as any to raise a family.
Add those to the American Robin, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Siskin, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Red-winged Blackbird, Chipping Sparrow, and White-throated Sparrow and I've a pretty decent list for sitting on the deck this morning. [I forgot to add Turkey Vulture to the list.]
A friend from over near Hills Creek State Park reported having a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in her yard for the first time yesterday, so I've mixed up some sugar solution (1 cup sugar to 4 cups water) and put two feeders out. Her husband, Gary, also said he saw some Pine Warblers at the park so it seems things are heating up on the birding migration as well the thermometer.
Last evening I heard several Woodcock "peent"ing out their love call and performing their aerial ballet.
The Ovenbird and it's "Teacher, teacher, teacher" call was heard today for the first time. And the Black -and-white Warbler's squeaky wheel; "wee-see-wee-see-wee-see" was heard during lunch. I (very) briefly heard what I thought might have been a Wood Thrush early this morning, but it sang only once and didn't repeat its song for me to be sure. Yesterday I did hear a Black-throated Green Warbler as it sang "zoo-zee, zoo-zoo-zee" repeatedly from the woods. Never did get a look at him though.
The Ovenbird is one of those you can hear and never see as it stays very close to the forest floor seldom singing from more than three feet above the ground. And it's olive-drab back and streaked breast blend into the shadows and shades of the understory very well. That and they seem to be ventriloquists. Even when you're 100% sure you've got their location, they may be 10 feet away from where the sound is coming from. We've had a couple of these nesting in the area over the last few years. They're ground nesters and there's enough stone ledges and tree trunks to provide protective roofing for them.
The Black-and-white Warbler is easy to spot among the tree tops--if you don't mind getting warbler-neck. It's distinctive appearance make it difficult to misidentify even when the bird you're looking at is busy searching for bugs and not singing. When it's singing, you can't miss it at all.
We continue to have a pair or more of Eastern Towhees in the woods around our clearing. They too have a very distinctive call that sounds like a command: "Drink your tea! Drink your tea!" They've nested here before and will probably do so again. Like the Ovenbird, the Towhee is a ground nester and you nearly have to stumble upon the nest to find it. I must have come pretty close this afternoon while looking for the Ovenbird as a pair of Towhees suddenly appeared no more than 10 feet away from me and seemed a tad concerned about my presence.
A couple of male Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have been coming to the feeder fairly regularly. They haven't been singing until today, however. Perhaps they're hoping to convince a female that this would be as good a place as any to raise a family.
Add those to the American Robin, Northern Flicker, Blue Jay, American Crow, Mourning Dove, Dark-eyed Junco, Pine Siskin, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Purple Finch, Red-winged Blackbird, Chipping Sparrow, and White-throated Sparrow and I've a pretty decent list for sitting on the deck this morning. [I forgot to add Turkey Vulture to the list.]
A friend from over near Hills Creek State Park reported having a Ruby-throated Hummingbird in her yard for the first time yesterday, so I've mixed up some sugar solution (1 cup sugar to 4 cups water) and put two feeders out. Her husband, Gary, also said he saw some Pine Warblers at the park so it seems things are heating up on the birding migration as well the thermometer.
Last evening I heard several Woodcock "peent"ing out their love call and performing their aerial ballet.
Parakeet or Stool Pigeon?
Stray parakeet tells Japanese police where he lives
A pet parakeet was returned to its owner Wednesday after the lost bird told police its home address near Tokyo.Credit goes to the bird and the owner.
The bird's owner, a 64-year-old woman, once lost another parakeet after it flew away and was determined to prevent a repeat, the spokesman told AFP."So the owner decided to teach the address to this parakeet after she bought it at a pet shop two years ago," he said.
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