BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?

Subject: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 08:19 PM

Since yesterday a pair of bald eagles has been flying by my window and then perching on one of three tall spruce trees nearby. They sit on a branch about 3 feet from the top and there is no nest there but maybe there is one in the denser part of the tree. If there is, and if they rear eaglets, I may be able to watch them all season. Interesting.

We have a number of birds here already, early as it is. A huge flock of crows showed up one day, a winter wren has been hopping about and someone told me they saw a robin (American thrush) the other day.

It has been snowing tiny flakes the last few hours and the ground is whitening. The temperature is 18F, from a low last night of 1 degree.

Maybe we'll get winter again?

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 09:03 PM

Nothing, at the moment. The blinds are closed.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: frogprince
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 09:11 PM

Just outside the window, there's snow. Then, a little further away, there's more snow. On beyond that, there's snow.

Haven't seen any eagles here, but we've had more deer crossing the road within a quarter mile or so of our house than I've seen here before. Not really a big surprise; there have always been plenty of 'em in the immediate area.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Bill D
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 09:17 PM

At 4PM, like when Ebbie posted, it was Cardinals and Sparrows and wrens... and squirrels... stuffing themselves as if they knew what was coming.

Now? Street lights glinting on snow at about the same temp as Ebbie. Maybe 3/4" now... expecting 8" or MORE by morning.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 10:02 PM

Bill, there are a number of things I miss from the east side of the Rockies, including fireflys and cardinals.

It is now 6 o'clock here and it's still snowing. Have maybe close to an inch so far.

The one good thing about not having snow for so long is that there is no ice. When/if it warms up, it will be a different story.

Stay safe, everybody. And warm. You have had a goodly number of hammer blows this winter.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 10:06 PM

Forgot to mention that we have pan ice floating on the ocean. Alwqys a source of bemusement to me, even though I realize that the ice forms from fresh water flowing from the mountain sides into the sea.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 12 Feb 14 - 11:30 PM

Mostly what I see out the only window that's "lookoutable" is the dirt on the outside of the glass (that I can't get to for cleaning because of "storm windows" installed out side those, improperly nailed up by the previous owner).

A few times daily I do see the butt end on one of the neighborhood stray cats. I started putting dry cat food out last winter when one was huddled up against the window and acting like "somebody stole my people" when it was 14F (-10C) with sleet coming down. I've continued since and have about five fairly regular "patrons."

"Scruffy" is a really ugly dirty grey, quite large, and known for at least the past 4 years as a neighborhood scavanger. Extremely WILD and unapproachable.

"Predicate" (pronounced "Pretty Cat") is a really cute calico, and at first seemed less wild (recently abandoned?), but has become somewhat more "feral" recently. It would be tempting to be adopted by this one, but I haven't had time or energy to make much of an attempt.

Two or three others show up occasionally, but not often enough for me to pick a name (which of course needs to match the personality) and the others intermittently show signs of owning a family somewhere nearby.

I do have to make a point of looking at the "watering trough" at least daily, since they all seem to appreciate fresh(?) water about as much as the food. I used a small "bread tin" about 4"x5"x9" and put a 50W acquarium heater in it to prevent freezing, and they pretty much empty it at least daily. The itty bitty heater only flips on intermittently, and has been sufficient so far to keep it clear of ice down to 8F (-13C), the lowest I've seen since I set it up, provided the water stays up enough to cover the heater.

A side reason for feeding the strays, aside from my indignation that someone abandoned them, is that rabies has been far too common here, and with easy and clean food they should be less likely to stalk wild critters that could pass that infection to them. So far all that have come to my "diner" seem to have stayed quite healthy.

I do wonder where they live when they're not "out to lunch," but it doesn't really matter much since there's little I can do about it if they haven't found a good enough shelter.

John

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 12:25 AM

Finches and dark-eyed juncoes, and lots of hummingbirds.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 12:31 AM

that's a lovely thing to do, John

Sometimes when I look out my living room window I see Tabby Next Door, we both live on the 3rd storey of 4 storey buildings. Mostly I just see the walls & windows of her building, & if I look out my bedroom window I see the buildings on the lane behind our buildings.

Which I why I have sheer lace curtains on bedroom & living room windows, & masses of plants on the sills & hanging at various levels.

sandra (inner city bird in an old neighbourhood of 4-8 storey buildings)

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,UK town centre
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 12:48 AM

The rented building across the road full of drunks, junkies, and skinheads.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 12:55 AM

It is now about 9 o'clock and it has almost entirely quit snowing; the temperature is below freezing so walking is lovely. Maybe two inches of snow on the ground so it is white and fresh and beautiful.

I'll be keeping an eye out for that pair of eagles. I do hope they will nest.

As far as birds go, I much prefer ravens but when eagles are nesting they become more copacetic(sp?).

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 04:52 AM

70 or so starlings that arrive early in the morning for some food that I offer.They roost, all fluffed up,high in a tree in the back, always facing the sun for warmth and remaining face into the cold wind until sunset (I also give them a late afternoon snack).

Two seagulls fly high over the neighbourhood most days spotting any unclaimed food of their liking.

Midday, a family of four blurjays arrive for a few peanuts which they first check over and take to store for later meals.

Each day, just before dusk hundreds of crows connegrate in two tall trees in the adjacent back property. It seems thatv they have a daily meeting before leaving for their nightime sleeping spot, chattering loudly - possibly recounting what they did and saw throughout the day.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Ed T
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 04:53 AM

Oops last was me.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Megan L
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 05:57 AM

Today I see the ghostly white winter sun lancing through the thick banks of dull grey clouds. It pays them no heed forcing their edges to glow in its brightness. The lazy big old fellows are to gorged on water to chase to defend the breach allowing him his moment of glory.

The sparrows see his boldness and dart around in a delighted spring dance from garden to garden. There are those who think our little sparrows are drab brown little things, they are sad people who have never thrown out a cup of seed. As soon as it reaches the grass my lawn becomes the most attractive in the town. They arrive quicker than teenagers texting the knowledge that their favourite band is in town.

What a wondrous mix they are when you look each as different as we are ourselves from those who look in need of a good meal to the little golf balls who look fit to burst. The "I'm here look at me!" to the timid hovering anxiously at the edges hopping to find some morsels unnoticed by the flight bully, they flirt and bicker allowing me to see the myriad of glorious browns that adorn them. The shy grey collared doves wait patiently on the fence till the mini mobsters head of hopping the will find something nice left hidden in the grass.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: gnu
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 08:31 AM

Beautiful, Megan. As usual.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: bubblyrat
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 08:59 AM

Millions of gallons of filthy,turgid,swirling,muddy brown floodwater that has surrounded the house for 53 (yes, ! fifty three ) days now .This is because Tewkesbury, a riverside town in England with a beautiful 12th century Norman Abbey , is at the confluence of the rivers Severn ( Hi Severn, how are ya ? !! ) and Avon .Whilst many other towns in this "system" , ie Stratford On Avon, Worcester , Upton,Bewdley, Pershore ,Evesham, and others ,are all becoming increasingly "protected" with sand-bags,barriers, pumps ,and other flood defences ,Tewkesbury,because of its geographical location,is denied these reliefs , and cannot be protected AT ALL !! So I guess we just have to wait for the inevitable and watch the Abbey and all its treasures , sink beneath the waves ( more VERY HEAVY rain is forecast for tomorrow and Saturday ( 80 millimetres !!). Help !

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 10:37 AM

Our front windows are quite close to the pavement. We have net curtains so no-one can see in. I like to sit by the window and watch all the village go by, the little ones going to nursery with their mums, older children to school, then all my lovely neighbours heading down to the village shop to get their paper. Then the fish man arrives tooting his horn, then the postie. I suppose I'm a bit nosy, but I take a great interest in all the folk who live here. And not long ago, I spotted a red kite soaring in the sky over the field. Wow!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Bill D
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 11:01 AM

Yup... we got the snow 8-9" so far - with more to come in awhile, they say.
There were Cardinals, Doves, Goldfinches, Titmice..(Titmouses?)... and one Blue Jay! looking for treats, so I tossed 'em some sunflower seeds to go with the hanging suet. (We usually have 3-5 varieties of woodpecker come by when there's suet available.)

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 11:17 AM

Still, quiet streets in the aftermath of the sleet storm.

The mailman just went by, about 5 hours early. Apparently access by car to the rest of the world has opened up.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 11:17 AM

In the city: semi-opaque drapes mute the sight of the butcher, pizza and luncheonette, the bus which stops right here, the uly buildings and the bit of sky crossed with electric wires AND a couple nice sized trees - leafless at the moment.

In the country: large window, no curtains. we watch the sunrise - when it does - and the ever changing sky, though it has often been monochromatic grey lately. We see the chimney sweep come and go from his workshop across the road and the traffic on the highway, the neighbours next door who are very nice and the corn fields which are under about 18 inches of snow. There is Trout River way out there across the fields but we only know it is there but cannot see it. Flat is the land! Birds of some sort fly in the coldest weather and sit on the wires and poles in the yard and two grungy cats go where they please. The neighbour must feed them.

There are neighbours across the street we have never seen well enough to recognize elsewhere. Maybe in the summer, we could visit them.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Sawzaw
Date: 13 Feb 14 - 10:35 PM

Birds at the bird feeder. Doves on the ground under it.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Andrez
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 02:56 AM

My big old oak tree and the red sky still carrying smoke from nearby bush fires earlier this week.

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 03:20 AM

All i see is grey sky but a brightly plumed pheasant over the last two days taking an interest in my chickens. My wife baricaded into her office at the bottom of the gardem because she is divorcing me, like the last outpost on Hadrians wall to keep away invaders.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: gnu
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 05:29 AM

Snow, rain, slush. I pity the birds. Of course, all wild animals suffer with this warm 'wet' as it will freeze before day's end.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 03:39 PM

Right now, I see (and hear) light rain, very welcome rain. Much of the state is currently in drought, and for many weeks now everything has been dry, brown and parched. Even though the rain......and some yesterday, and hopefully more tomorrow......won't break the drought, it will bring some relief to farms, animals and gardens. If it keeps up, the mob of kangaroos who live in the hills behind us will appear out of the trees.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 04:00 PM

Oh my goodness Jennie! If it's rain you want, we have so much here we're all nearly drowning. Thousands of homes are flooded, railway tracks washed away, the whole of the West Country a gigantic lake... Please, take some of our blasted rain, you're welcome to it!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 04:34 PM

Had someone local been looking out their window this morning, they would have had a good (I wrote 'goof') view of me sprawled on the snow. My first fall of the winter.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 05:08 PM

Thanks but no thanks, Eliza.......floods are not unknown here, too! Here's a poem you might like -

Said Hanrahan

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 05:14 PM

The windows are partly blocked by the snow and in the open spaces -snow!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Ed T
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 05:41 PM

Rain last night and much of today. Strong winds now, that are supposed to last overnight.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Janie
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 06:52 PM

Not from my window, but if I step out on the carport, which I do often to put another bullet in my lungs - moon rising through the trees. Orange/pink and diffuse - will not take the shape of an orb for a few more minutes.

Hugs to you guest. I've noticed your posts here and elsewhere on threads in the past few days. I was the leaver rather than the left after many years, but no matter, it is very painful and disorienting. My ex and I both agree that focusing on the natural world in the here and now is one way to get through.

All the best to you and your estranged spouse.

Janie

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Ed T
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 07:25 PM

I was also a leaver many years ago, Janie.

Though, in retrospect, it turned out to be the long term best for all.

I don't dwell on it. But, when I do, I very clearly recall the many mixed and gut-renching emotions at the time (as clear as if it were today) .

My departure was on a dark and cold evening during a snow storm. When at the end of the street, I stopped my car and looked back in my rear view mirror. I saw my tire tracks as the oly ones in the snow. A lonely and empty feeling came over me, as it hit me hard that I was on a one way voyage away - never to return to a life I had known - with both very good and very bad memories.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 07:39 PM

Thank you, Janie. It isn't easy on anyone, ever. You take care of yourself.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 07:44 PM

Oh, yeah: white stuff, white stuff and more white stuff.

Also, Janie, I don't know to which guest your remark was addressed, but my remark back is heartfelt :-) regardless.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: bobad
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 08:01 PM

Muchosnow.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Janie
Date: 14 Feb 14 - 10:02 PM

I spend way to much time at the computer and have long compensated, to some extent, by being sure me and the 'puter are right by a large window with a broad vista and lots of bird feeders visible by a simple turning of the head. Even at night, where I live, I might see an owl swoop down and across under the streetlight from the large magnolia across the way, in pursuit of some small prey. Rabbit and vole populations are down this winter so haven't seen or heard an owl this winter. Used to see a handsome gray fox in the yard or on the street under the streetlights in late summer or fall, but did not see him/her this year. Hope the fox has moved on as opposed to died.

We had a rare significant snow followed by freezing rain a night or so ago which has not melted. Unusual here in the Piedmont of NC to see a long expanse of glassily reflective snow covered yard under a nearly full moon. Bright outside, with lovely stark shadows cast by all the trees on the gleaming snow cover. I really ought to go buy a decent camera.

Earlier today, and also yesterday, a large mixed flock of assorted blackbird species descended on the yard. Raucous, greedy and gorgeous against the snow and ice.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 10:22 AM

SNOW! Poles and wires, some bare trees, but nary a bird today. YEsterday morning my car was concealed under a foot of snow but today I can see it and the bumper sticker, "Celebrate Diversity", its rainbow the only colours out there today.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 01:56 PM

Aaaaarrrgh! Looked out of the window this afternoon, and our lovely Iceberg rose (about 5ft tall) is flat on the ground. It was attached to the greenhouse, which luckily is still in one piece. This terrible wind is getting dangerous. My husband bravely went forth and reattached the rose (which hasn't snapped off at the base, phew!) lashing it firmly to a fence post. Icebergs are a tough variety, so I hope it will survive. It's had flowers on it all through the winter. You hardly dare look out with all these storms.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 02:39 PM

Sparrows (about 20), pigeons (about 25), nuthatches (2), cardinals (2) and chickadees (4).

And snow.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Jeri
Date: 15 Feb 14 - 03:25 PM

GUEST, here ya go. I have more chickadees, a few tufted titmice, and mourning doves. Mourning doves are lovely and sound sad, but they're stupid as pigeons. Maybe not THAT stupid, but they're still pretty stupid. Got snow, too.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: RichM
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 09:55 AM

We have regular winter visits to our backyard feeders...pigeons, grey squirrels, red squirrels, blue jays, crows, chickadees, sparrows, finches, cardinals, an occasional nuthatch, small hawks,an owl---and mallards! thirteen of 'em yesterday, filling up on black oilseed.

We aren't in the "country", just a suburb 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa. It's kinda nice to see these ducks swoop in and devour seed.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 10:06 AM

Tough year for our feathered friends. The crust on/near the surface is preventing hawks--we have a Cooper's that visits and grabs the occasional pigeon--from getting the mice, moles and voles he'd usually take. I expect that those of us who've been hit with this weather will see a substantial drop in numbers of partridge and pheasant this coming warm season and a substantial rise in rodents. We have five crows that come in every now and then. Seldom seen them this close in before.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 10:19 AM

Just went to put some seed and suet out and there were at least a dozen gold finches (?) that flocked off. Haven't seen too many of them in the past few years.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 10:48 AM

Tan grass, dark brown trees, and a light gray sky with spots of blue. NO snow.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 12:15 PM

On again. Off again. On again. Day before yesterday we had about a foot of snow. Yesterday it rained it all away. This morning we have snow again.

Birds must wonder what's going on. (I just thought of their behavior when I was standing on an Oregon hillside watching a total solar eclipse: as the air darkened, birds all around me went swooping into the the bushes. )

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Megan L
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 01:03 PM

Right now I am watching the twinkling lights glinting like a necklace around the edges of Scapa flow.

Flash flash in red then ten second count and repeat I smile knowing I am safe from the dangers of Copinsay pity help any ship that ignores those red flashes. The slow stately red flash of Hoy High reminds me of other days when that light would entice me from bed to watch its white flash. Eyes swinging a little farther right brings me to the blinking red eye of Hoy Low just visible over the low rise at the far edge of town.

Dropping my eyes a little without realising it I check for the blink of the channel boys guiding the ship into the deeper water of the Cairston Roads. Not of course to be confused with orange lights on Cairston road. Our ancestors weren't very good at choosing names of either their families as son was named for father or their places (just don't ask an Orcadian how to get to Kirbuster you could end up on the grand tour of the island).

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Ed T
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 01:31 PM

A couple of hours ago, I noticed out my front window an elderly woman walking up and down the sidewalk in front of my house quote a few times. She was carrying a couple of grocery bags.

Concerned, I went outside and asked her if I could help her in some way. She said she went shopping for groceries she needed and could not find her way back to her house. She asked if I could call her a taxi. When she gave me the address,a it was only a couple of blocks away. I offered to drive her home, and she seemed very thankful. As I was leaving her house, her next door neighbour called me over to talk. He told me she is 85 years old, lives alone and has a touch of dimentia. He said she never goes outside, and was very surprised that she dis so. He said that the neighbours "keep a watch over her" Sadly, he told me she has a daughter who lives near-by but rarely visits her, just comes once a week with groceries.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 04:04 PM

Ed T, that is a great thing to see - and respond to - out your window.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 08:59 PM

It's dark now, but when I awakened from a nap a little while ago the sky was so blue it was nearly painful. Dark tree branches created cracks across the panorama.

There was light rain earlier today, and even flood warnings. If what snowpack we have starts to melt in rain our aquifer wouldn't be the only thing damaged!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Janie
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 09:25 PM

For about 100ft darkness with a few very small patches of remaining snow faintly glimmering - shadows of light rather than shadows of dark. Raising my eyes gradually, the darker than shadow outline of tree trunks for about a hundred feet down the gradual south slope that is my yard, then, under a streetlight across the road, a just as slight north sloping yard still completely snow covered and a brightly lit tree trunk of what I know to be a large old oak. The large old Southern Magnolia I know to be standing just 15 yards east of the oak is completely invisible in inky blackness, unless one notes the ragged contrast of the edges between snow and blackness under the streetlight, and happens to know what causes that contrast.

Lovely thread.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Rusty Dobro
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 05:57 AM

Stayed over at the 'Eel's Foot', Eastbridge after an excellent Thursday-night singaround, and woke up to see a marsh harrier hunting across the fields.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 06:31 AM

The swans glided by on the canal yesterday - in plain view from our front window in the winter when the hedgerow is bare - two adults with last Spring's youngster, who is nearly all white now. It'll be time for it to go on it's own way soon, before it's parents have another brood.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 12:45 PM

Where do birds go on bad weather days?

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,olddude
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 01:10 PM

Ebbie
right now it is my big fat black dog taking a dump :-)

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 02:06 PM

We have seen birds flitting about on dreadful windy, snowy days and wonder how they do it! But the last few days: saw none during the snowing, a couple the day after and this morning, with blue sky and no wind, several large birds down at the small woods, a couple blue jays for a dash of welcome colour and several black and white ones - too far to tell. They must be as happy as us for a sunny day although it is about 5 F! They are amazing as we think they would just freeze solid.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Charmion
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 04:10 PM

Effing snow.

I'm not feeling too perky today. Normally I would be all, "Ooh, look, sunshine! And snow!"

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 04:16 PM

(that I can't get to for cleaning because of "storm windows" installed out side those, improperly nailed up by the previous owner).


If there is a Harbor Freight Tools near you you can pick up some cheap Pakistani prybars and take care of that.

http://www.harborfreight.com/hand-tools/pry-bars.html

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: JennieG
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 04:57 PM

Right now I can hear - and if walked out to the front verandah could also see - sulphur-crested cockatoos sqwarking overhead, their raucous sound is often the first bird call (no way could it be called a 'tweet') we hear in the mornings. Rainbow lorikeets are yelling to each other in the eucalypt tree in our front yard while they chew off the blossoms and drop them on the ground. Shortly some pink and grey galahs will arrive on the hill behind us and add to the morning cacophony. When there is rain around the kookaburras will laugh at each other......did you know that sound is actually a territorial warning? Magpies will chortle, their call is probably the most beautiful of all Ozzie birds - and, melodious as it is, it is also a warming to other birds because they will fiercely guard their own patch of bush against all comers, humans included in nesting season.

Life here on the edge of a country town in Oz is not quite quiet, you know.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 05:23 PM

JennieG, reading your listing of things seen and heard reminds me of how far apart our worlds are! It is amazing that you once made it to the far north!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: JennieG
Date: 17 Feb 14 - 10:33 PM

Ebbie, I know......sometimes when our pictures of Alaska scroll round on our computer I have to remind myself, that we did, indeed, go that far 'up'......right up to Fairbanks, in fact!

We tend to overlook, too, the fact that in other parts of the world Aussie birds are regarded as exotic and desirable. It's easy to take something you see everyday for granted, isn't it? I once sent a Canadian friend the link to pictures of galah, she thought they were the most beautiful bird she had ever seen, while to us they are just a bird we see all the time outside our back fence - and often inside.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: gnu
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 05:35 AM

Wonerful sights and sounds! Lovely thread.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Ed T
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 05:57 AM

I live in an urban area. Each time it snows, I see my neighbour from my window removing snow in shorts. Regardless of the temperature (even at -10 C) and no matter how long it takes, he always moves snow in shorts. People wearing shorts outdoors in cold winter always puzzles me.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Seaham cemetry
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 06:23 AM

it depends where the window is;

I am in a rented flat for work till Easter, and the view is a typical Northern England city. The clinic where I can look out of the window is the same.

However, my home has rather nice views over the moors and the sort of wildlife where I wish I could name more of the large birds. When I exercise my dogs, I am at peace, even if I dont know the names of what I enjoy. I was recently in Afghanistan (I'm a medic) and the view from the window of the health centre at the camp is snow, snow and more snow at the moment. (My tent didnt have a window!) When the snow goes, the colour of the view changes to light orange and grey, but the features remain the same, although the hills in the distance look more inviting than they actually are.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: bbc
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 08:51 AM

At the moment, as has been common, this winter, snow! We're forecast to get 2-4 inches, today, to add to 15 inches already on the ground. I had a lovely surprise on Valentine's Day, though, when a darling little red-phase Eastern Screech-Owl
roosted in my backyard apple tree for more than an hour, in the mid-afternoon! That was a first! Several weeks ago, a female Pileated Woodpecker visited the yard! Another first! Sometimes, it's lovely to live in a rural area!

Barbara (Columbia County, New York)

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 09:20 AM

Lund's tower and Cowling pinnacle.

Well, out of the back windows anyway. From the front it is more of the Aire Valley but nothing famous :-)

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 12:58 PM

Shucks, Dave, only the Aire Valley? Life's bitch ain't it!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 01:26 PM

The temperature made it above zero for the first time in weeks. Feels like a summer's day. Of course, no sooner did I mention that than it has started snowing. Come Thursday we're expecting temperatures to rise to plus seven degrees C (45 degrees F). HEATWAVE! Will have to drink plenty of fluids. Buy stock in Molson's. These hot spells mean it's time to air the house.

There's a nuthatch out front--the only bird of which I am aware that walks down tree trunks with its head toward the ground. They are fun to watch. The pigeons lost their home when the bridge was taken down, so they have four or five spots they go to throughout the day although I have no idea where they sleep at night.

It'll be time soon enough to relocate some squirrels. There is a pair of brothers who have been together for a few years so I will do my best not to separate them. Unless the price of meat gets any higher in which case that's it for them and the raccoon who comes around at night.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 01:53 PM

Aaaaarg, Billy. Wishful thinking and hope over experience. The temperature is supposed to get to 4 degrees C or 39 degrees F.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 05:16 PM

Books that I read growing up frequently featured roaming the moors and the occasional thatched cottage nestled within.

Question: What is the equivalent of a moor on this side of the water? In Alaska, we have tundra, not to mention muskeg, but I don't think that moors are swampy. Right?

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 06:54 PM

We have spring weather outside. Sunny, 20 degrees C. Same forecast all this week. Maybe spring has spring.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 07:16 PM

Ah, the sidewalk plow just flew past the window. Wonder if it is my young friend Melanie! So what I saw today, when I looked, was a light snow quietly falling.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Megan L
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 03:30 AM

Ebbie if you look at the picture 8 down on this link it will give you and idea of the moors yorkshire moors

I have to drive over moorland on my way south I am not sure about he Yorkshire moors but ours are usually rough ground quite often peaty and very low occupation.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 06:01 AM

amazing photos, Megan, thanks for posting the link

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 12:19 PM

Thanks for the photos- but it still doesn't address my question: What makes a moor a moor? To me it looks mostly like undeveloped, rough country- which we in the USA have a lot of, too, but don't have a specific name for.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Megan L
Date: 19 Feb 14 - 01:02 PM

Ebbie I cant talk for anywhere else but our Scottish muirs (moors) are a specific eco system mostly peatbog and heather, it is home to many of Scotlands iconic flora and fauna http://www.jottercms.com/showpage.php?id=8449

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Will Fly
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 09:28 AM

Looking out of the window on this bright, sunny day, I see the town square in from of me, bordered by a fringe of acacia trees. Trim young ladies in full skirts and pink and blue blouses, carrying handbags and the morning paper, trip lightly past the fountain in the middle of the square, and wave gaily to the young men driving by in their Chevrolets and Studebakers. From the ice-cream parlour on one side of the square, comes the sound of the Chordettes singing "Mr. Sandman" from the jukebox inside. Across the square is the town hall, its clock reading ten minutes to eleven, and at the smell of freshly brewed coffee drifts across in the morning sun. A poster at the front of the movie house advertises this week's film - "Davy Crockett". Two men in dark suits by Saks stroll casually by, smoking their Marlboros and chatting to each other.

Well… it makes a change from the fucking rain!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 10:11 AM

Will! And it was going so well :-)

DtG

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Will Fly
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 10:24 AM

Yes, I suppose so - it's just that one of the scenes from "Back To The Future" seemed so much better than this morning's weather.

Oddly enough, just after posting that, the weather turned yet again (it's been SO fickle recently) and, when I did look out of the window, I saw...

"the town square in from of me, bordered by a fringe of acacia trees. Trim young ladies in full skirts and pink and blue blouses, carrying handbags and the morning paper, trip lightly past the fountain in the middle of the square, and..."

Aargh!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 11:30 AM

Does anyone want a raccoon? The one that's been coming around is going to be in need of rescue really soon. On the bright side he'll make a nice warm hat and a good meal with himself as the guest of honor.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Janie
Date: 20 Feb 14 - 10:36 PM

I found this wikipedia article to be somewhat helpful, Ebbie.   
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moorland

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Megan L
Date: 22 Feb 14 - 04:06 AM

It must be derby day for clouds they are galloping across the sky. The crows are tacking like black sailed yachts desperately trying to reach the tree they were aiming for. The wind can't be to bad yet when that happens they walk everywhere. I have seen them standing among the slightly longer grass of the open ground praying that a gust does not catch them and blow them to Norway they are not very good with new languages.

The one tree that dared to grow above the level of a house is bouncing around like Tessie Oshea doing aerobics. Fran next door is trying to take her puppy for a walk I think she will give up in a moment her tall slender frame is bent like a hairpin.

Good grief the Boat must have decided to go down the Flow rather than out by the Back of Hoy but she is struggling to turn onto the Cairston |Roads, if she doesn't turn soon there will be a new island in the Bay of Ireland. Just another lovely Orkney morning.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Dorothy Parshall
Date: 22 Feb 14 - 03:16 PM

"Does anyone want a raccoon? The one that's been coming around is going to be in need of rescue really soon. On the bright side he'll make a nice warm hat and a good meal with himself as the guest of honor."

I have no doubt whatsoever that this is aimed directly at me by I-know-who! Just in case you don't know it, if you remove one raccoon, or other wildling, from a habitat, another one will quickly move in - maybe even two or a pregnant mom ready to drop a litter of 3-4. Nature abhors a vaccuum! So it is far better to co-exist with the raccoon you know...

I am delighted to have sunlight pouring in the windows, melting snow, a spring-type breeze - even though the temp is dropping again tonight. Today has been a wonderful holiday - from winter.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Feb 14 - 06:33 PM

Hi, Dorothy. Don't worry about the critter:-) I'll put some cayenne pepper in a small piece of ground meat and let Alfred have it.

We are supposed to have three days of fairly warm weather and then back to minus 20 once again. Pot while you can.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Ebbie
Date: 07 Mar 14 - 06:48 PM

There have been a few flakes flicking past my window and it's supposed to dump some overnight. Not to worry- I like seasonal weather, and in early March snow in Alaska is definitely seasonal.

I have been applying cold compresses on my left knee - helps some - and since I've been tied to one spot I've been watching mountain goats on the mountain side all morning. They have come down from the summit approximately 1/4th of the way and are busily chomping on brush. Nice to watch.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: gnu
Date: 07 Mar 14 - 08:02 PM

Megan... as usual. >;-)

Yesterday, I was entering my back door when I heard a familiar sound. I froze and slowly looked toward it. Twas a male crow crowing that crow. Then, as I watched in awe, he did the dance I have seen many times but never this early in the year! UP! DOWN! UP! DOWN! Impressing his mate so that she will bear his young. Well, that's REALLY cool but there ain't no other crows around here now on accounta it's still winter. If she does let him in the coop and she lays eggs, they will freeze no matter how much 'sitting' she does. Of course, practice makes perfect, eh? Nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Yeah... I know... skelp.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 08 Mar 14 - 11:56 AM

From my window I am watching all the dog walkers who are out and about with their happy tail wagging dogs. It's a wonderful sight to see every kind of breed or non breed alike enjoying the sun and warm weather out together with owners and families. Although I am not a dog owner anymore it makes me feel really warm inside just to observe them.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Mar 14 - 12:07 PM

Patches of melting snow, sunshine, and tweety-birds! This will be he warmest 2 days in a row for... oh, ages. Supposed to make 60F today...65 by Tues. Then...*sigh*, another dip into the 30s. But we're getting there!

Take care of that knee, Ebbie... no trampoline practice for awhile...okay?

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: keberoxu
Date: 18 Jul 17 - 04:56 PM

My spot right now is a public computer station at the local library branch. A new modern building with BIG windows.

The sun is out, shining bright and hard,
AND we just had a cloudburst with rain pouring straight down.

I'm looking for a rainbow. If there is one,
it's not out of this window. Maybe on the other side of the building.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Senoufou
Date: 18 Jul 17 - 05:21 PM

Well it's pitch dark at the moment (our village has no street lights, which is much better in my opinion) and I can see a few stars (the Plough is overhead and to the west a bit) I can also see that blooming white cat Spirit lurking about round our garden cuttings bin, which we put out to be collected tomorrow. Luckily, our cats are both in, and the cat flap is firmly shut.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 05:08 AM

my window is covered by it's curtain as it's almost 7pm on Wednesday here. I'm looking at a curtain with lovely green & brown leaves.

Reading my post from 3 years ago - Tabby Next Door & her person moved sometime last year & the bloke who lives there now leaves his washing on an airer in his living room for days cos he doesn't open his window.

Here on the edge of Sydney's CBD we are having what we call winter - minimums between 6 & 10C, maximums between 16 & 23, my windows are permanently locked open & I don't have a heater & just put on more clothing when I get cold. But then I am about .5 km from Sydney Harbour (can't see it, but feel the influence) - friends a couple of km on land side of Sydney have heaters, & lower temperatures, sealed windows etc & more heating are the rule the further west you go. Some friends in the Blue Mountains 100km to the west get snow, other towns in the area are merely very cold.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Senoufou
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 05:23 AM

Oooh Sandra, you must be a hardy soul. I could never 'just put on more clothes'. In winter, we have the oil-fired heating on at 80 degrees. But we do open the windows at night when the heating goes off. I like freshly-aired rooms.

Outside at the moment, because of torrential rain and horrible thunderstorms all night, the earth is nice and damp. Worms are coming to the surface, so there are lots of starlings, blackbirds and thrushes poking their beaks into the soil to get some juicy morsels. Our birdbaths are full of clean rainwater. Everything looks fresh and newly-washed.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 05:24 AM

Oz temperatures seem odd. My brother is a bit inland near Sunshine Coast. Their summer can sound unbearable and what my niece thought of as cold when she visited recently felt pretty mild. Think I said if I was to live in that country I'd opt for Tasmania.

I'm not that many miles away from Sen and (reading another thread) it seems we both had thunderstorms last night. Outside here now looks quite pleasant. Great tits and goldfinch at the feeders as I look out of my bedroom window.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 05:27 AM

(Ah Sen beat me to post...)

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 05:39 AM

memories of Fawlty Towers

Basil: You complained about the view. It's Torquay! What do you expect to see from the window of a Torquay hotel?
Joan Sanderson's character: well it's not good enough!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 05:44 AM

Can't remember that line but I loved her playing of the (perhaps a bit selectively) deaf character.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: keberoxu
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 01:39 PM

Yesterday, here at the public library, it was bright sunshine AND pouring rain, at the same time.
I looked for rainbows, but failed to see any.

The refrigerated air is going full blast and it's lovely;
I can look at the blue sky, puffy white clouds, and bright sun,
without feeling the beastly humidity and high heat.
It's enough to flatten you when you step out the door.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Andrez
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 08:07 PM

My big old oak tree is still there after my last post in 2014, as usual in autumn, leaves have changed colour and are falling, japanese maple trees leaves are red, orange and yellow and we are having one of the driest winters for many years, not a good outlook for the coming summer......

Looking at leaving the big smoke and moving back out to the bush next year so this may be the last time I see the oak tree leaves change. Having more or less grown up with it, I'll sure miss my oak friend.

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Jul 17 - 08:43 PM

The room I'm in doesn't HAVE a window. If it did it would look out on the flowers in the backyard and beyond that the green of the golf course. Except in winter, of course.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 20 Jul 17 - 09:10 AM

Eliza, my CBD/Harbourside version of winter is very mild compared to friends who live further west & south, even those who live 5km away. Everyone else I know has heaters & needs them.

It's 10.2C & 11pm on Thursday night, 100km west in the Blue Mountains it's 2.4C, it's -2C on the ski fields 400km to th south, 400km northwest where JennieG lives it's 5.2C & it's 6C in Hobart, Tasmania!

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Senoufou
Date: 20 Jul 17 - 09:19 AM

10 degrees C is blooming parky to me! I'd be reaching for the heating switch that's for sure. But I have to say we both adore the heat. I'm fine in 40 degrees C. Of course, it's different if one has to work.

I can now see Paul the wet fish man outside. He comes every Thursday and toots his horn. Most of the elderly folk who no longer drive totter out to get some haddock, cod or coley for this evening's tea. He goes round all the villages in these parts.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: keberoxu
Date: 20 Jul 17 - 11:24 AM

Here at the public library, it is one of the mornings for mothers with infants and toddlers. They could be indoors with the refrigerated air (like me -- nice in here). Their preference, which is provided for them this week, is to be on the other side of the library window.

Out the window, beyond the sidewalk that goes around the building,
is a nice grassy lawn. A canopy has been put up for shade, to which several mothers have beat a retreat. Outside the shaded area, the lawn is outfitted with specially set up water sprinklers, the child-friendly kind.

So the little ones are racing around and squealing as the sprinkler cools them down. There is at least one portable kiddie pool with a toddler splashing in it. I see one tiny boy whose trunks are too big for him, and he is unintentionally mooning the library window while he bounces around with a toy fishing pole.
Stroller chairs everywhere. Half a dozen plastic balls being tossed about. The children's library supervisor standing to one side spotting everybody.

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: Janie
Date: 20 Jul 17 - 07:30 PM

Although I'm sure I should, I have neither blinds nor curtains on the big window in the room in which I spend most of my time. I just make sure to have clothes or pj's on when in the front of the house.

Right now, seeing numerous birds of different species, including lots of recently fledged birds, squirrels, butterflies (Painted Lady and Viceroy are the most numerous, oak trees, a fire hydrant and a grand Southern Magnolia that occupies the vacant lot across the road.

Within the next 15 minutes will likely not see any birds or butterflies, but will see some of the last of the lightning bugs of the season. A few hours later,, may see a gray fox and will definitely hear owls - and maybe see one if a rodent dares dart through the grass under the streetlight.

There goes a cotton-tail rabbit!

Subject: RE: BS: What's To Be Seen Out Your Window?
From: keberoxu
Date: 21 Jul 17 - 04:53 PM

Cool! a rabbit!

Dragonflies, hereabouts.