Post archive
Sylvamaine Q Stardust - 14th November 1995 to 24th July 2009
Another very sad time
Q, one of our beloved and beautiful silver tortie Maine Coon girls, has passed away. She was rather small for the breed, but made up for it with a big personality. We always knew when Q was around and wanted a fuss, as she made us very aware of her presence with a persistent cry until it was acknowledged, usually by being picked up and then cuddled. She also liked a daily brush and comb, to remove the tangles in her long, fine fur. Q loved baskets, especially those on sunny window sills. It was also very clear that Q enjoyed our company, as she liked to curl up on a cushion on a desk or chair near by, to be within easy reach of our hands for stroking. Q will be sorely missed by all who knew her. R.I.P. |
Posted @ 18:58:01 on 31 July 2009 back to top
Sylvamaine Rockabye Bryce - 14th November 1995 to 18th June 2008
A very sad day today.
| Rocky, our beloved and beautiful red silver Maine Coon boy, passed away in the early hours of this morning. He was a gentle giant, very loving, and very noisy, and ruled our household for over twelve years. He loved warm laps and chairs, and sunny window sills. Rocky will be sorely missed by all. R.I.P. |
Posted @ 20:10:34 on 18 June 2008 back to top
Florida, USA - March 2006, April 2007 and 2008
Florida is another place that has relatively 'tame' birds.
We have now been to Florida three years running. The emphasis is to photograph the Ospreys, Herons, Egrets and Pelicans, plus all the other birds that can be found on the water/sea shores.
We have no interest in sunbathing on the beaches, though they are very nice for those that enjoy that type of thing.
Places visited on all trips to date are Venice Rookery, Fort de Soto, and Oscar Shearer Nature Reserve. On previous trips we visited Sanibel Island and Corkscrew Swamp Nature Reserve, but this time we went to St Augustine Alligator Farm and Gatorland in Orlando instead.
Very enjoyable.
Posted @ 09:12:50 on 15 June 2008 back to top
The Falkland Islands - November/December 2003 and 2007
The Falkland Islands, just off the tip of Argentina in the South Atlantic Ocean, comprises of two main islands - West and East Falkland, plus over 700 much smaller islands.
We flew from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, to the Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island for a refueling stop. There is then another 8 to 9 hours flight to the Mount Pleasant Airfield on East Falkland, when we are escorted in by one of the fighter jets as we approach. Quite an experience to see a fighter jet just off the wingtips of your aeroplane. The islands visited during our stay are Saunders, Bleaker, Carcass and Sea Lion. In addition, we had an overland trip by 4x4 to Volunteer Point.
Our biggest problem, pre-leaving home, was deciding what not to take. Going island hopping on the little Britten-Norman Islander aircraft meant that we had an official baggage weight limit of 14 kg. We did go over a bit, and paid the appropriate fees. It is almost impossible not to exceed the limit when there is photographic equipment to take, like 2x 1DMII camera bodies, 2x 300mm 2.8 lenses, 2x 70-200mm 2.8 lenses, 2X and 1.4X converters, 1 standard zoom lens, 1 wide angle lens, plus backup bodies and lenses, and the 2 tripods. On top of that, w needed clothing for 2 weeks! Fortunately, anything we didn't actually need on the Islands could be left at our hotel in Stanley.
Experience - Awesome!
For the local wildlife to allow us to walk around them is a privilege. To be able to sit among them, and to observe their normal behaviour is an unforgettable experience. We loved the Black-browed Albatross, very clumsy on land, but a joy to watch in flight. Also the little Rockhopper Penguins, nesting on the tops of high cliffs, and full of character. Then there is the Striated Caracara, a very rare bird of prey. You leave bags unattended or opened at your peril, as the juvenile Striated Caracaras will nick anything they can take away.
Will we go back? We hope to do one more trip in the next couple of years, this time in January, to see the chicks.
We flew from RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, to the Wideawake Airfield on Ascension Island for a refueling stop. There is then another 8 to 9 hours flight to the Mount Pleasant Airfield on East Falkland, when we are escorted in by one of the fighter jets as we approach. Quite an experience to see a fighter jet just off the wingtips of your aeroplane. The islands visited during our stay are Saunders, Bleaker, Carcass and Sea Lion. In addition, we had an overland trip by 4x4 to Volunteer Point.
Our biggest problem, pre-leaving home, was deciding what not to take. Going island hopping on the little Britten-Norman Islander aircraft meant that we had an official baggage weight limit of 14 kg. We did go over a bit, and paid the appropriate fees. It is almost impossible not to exceed the limit when there is photographic equipment to take, like 2x 1DMII camera bodies, 2x 300mm 2.8 lenses, 2x 70-200mm 2.8 lenses, 2X and 1.4X converters, 1 standard zoom lens, 1 wide angle lens, plus backup bodies and lenses, and the 2 tripods. On top of that, w needed clothing for 2 weeks! Fortunately, anything we didn't actually need on the Islands could be left at our hotel in Stanley.
Experience - Awesome!
For the local wildlife to allow us to walk around them is a privilege. To be able to sit among them, and to observe their normal behaviour is an unforgettable experience. We loved the Black-browed Albatross, very clumsy on land, but a joy to watch in flight. Also the little Rockhopper Penguins, nesting on the tops of high cliffs, and full of character. Then there is the Striated Caracara, a very rare bird of prey. You leave bags unattended or opened at your peril, as the juvenile Striated Caracaras will nick anything they can take away.
Will we go back? We hope to do one more trip in the next couple of years, this time in January, to see the chicks.
Posted @ 21:17:15 on 14 June 2008 back to top
