tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731660835554890553.post6572883775315648910..comments2024-02-08T23:36:57.924-08:00Comments on bikesbirdsnbeasts: A Visit, Two Walks and "Leave it" FailureBlack Jack's Carolhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18436115876996209227noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731660835554890553.post-41812600531817447512009-03-10T06:25:00.000-07:002009-03-10T06:25:00.000-07:00-Evensong, thanks for the encouragement that Sprin...-Evensong, thanks for the encouragement that Spring is coming, but yikes - snow again yesterday! <BR/>-I reread Oregon Sunshine's instructions and am giving it another go. The problem, I think, is that I never made it to the second phase. <BR/>-And you and dp are right, those little white flowers are heather. I saw some again yesterday, but for some reason, the flowers are really difficult to photograph.<BR/>-Ned, he shall be! I'm pretty sure he is indeed a male, after Jean's question about the "beard", so it's the perfect name. Now, I have two herons, Nicky in North Van and Ned at Jericho, to know on a first name basis. The only challenge will be to figure out if any impostors lurk in the same area:) <BR/><BR/>Jean, you were right! I found this info about mating habits: The grown heron bird has a yellow bill and long neck feathers only when it breeds. The bird also has long and showy plumes on its head, breast, and back while it is in the breeding season. It breeds in the habitat of brackish and freshwater marshes, fields, and other wetland areas. The male will perform a number of things to attract a female. For example, it flies over its own nest in three hundred and sixty-degree turns." I went back to look at the photos, and can even see the yellow bill. For some reason, I find that really exciting:) Thanks!<BR/><BR/>dp, funny, how horse manure is appealing to so many dogs. Kim, my dog before Scott, used to come to the stable with me, and it's all coming back now:) Gross question, but do the worms transfer from horses to dogs?<BR/>-Thanks for the light info. Have decided to get one.Black Jack's Carolhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18436115876996209227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731660835554890553.post-801063400044588132009-03-09T09:53:00.000-07:002009-03-09T09:53:00.000-07:00I think EvenSong is right -- that looks like a whi...I think EvenSong is right -- that looks like a white heather to me (there's a couple of different kinds), but I can't see the flowers clearly. <BR/><BR/>OS's "leave it" method is very good. Mine is much less friendly, but effective for my dogs. They will get into stuff if I'm not watching, but are smart enough not to try when I am watching. I do not enforce any such rules with Titan and the pet dogs find it very unfair. The other day he was chowing down on some horse manure and Willow was looking at me as if to say "are you seeing this?"<BR/><BR/>I keep meaning to say: yes, a good headlamp with fresh batteries will light your way on your bike -- much more effectively than something mounted on your handlebars. If you spend $50 or more you will be pleased, I think.dphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03072031429438530210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731660835554890553.post-70002853781112328642009-03-09T07:56:00.000-07:002009-03-09T07:56:00.000-07:00Amazing heron pictures - I don't think I've ever s...Amazing heron pictures - I don't think I've ever seen a heron with the "beard" all flowing and fluffed out like that. I wonder if it reflects mating season? I sometimes see one in my neighbour's pond but the front is always smooth. <BR/>I empathize with you re Black Jack's snacking habits. Oliver is fine onleash, but let him off and it's nom-nom-nom - dirt, poop, grass, snow, gravel.......I seem to be constantly on his case. And, like Black Jack, all treats are high value to him.Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08231007979360748217noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731660835554890553.post-43547987457056543242009-03-09T06:44:00.000-07:002009-03-09T06:44:00.000-07:00Also, on Oregon Sunshine's "leave it" method--we'v...Also, on Oregon Sunshine's "leave it" method--we've been trying that one with Sandy and her toys (you can't play fetch if she won't give you back the toy), and having some success--as long as she knows that the treat is forthcoming. Like BJ and the low value treat, after awhile, she won't chase the toy 'cause she just wants the treat!EvenSonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032555334605790413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5731660835554890553.post-40499640338394171242009-03-09T06:41:00.000-07:002009-03-09T06:41:00.000-07:00I love the various layers in the pond picture! It...I love the various layers in the pond picture! It's hard to see, but could the little flowering plant outside the cafe be another type of heather? I've only this year found out what heather actually looks like (even tho, at one time I adopted that as a nickname).<BR/><BR/>I like the gender-non-specific name "Nicky" for your one heron--tho the beard would tend to make me think "old man"--what about "Ned?"<BR/><BR/>And the crocuses (crocusi?) are a sure sign that spring is on the way, so take heart!EvenSonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02032555334605790413noreply@blogger.com