Raptor Domain

Um, Ok, did mention that i would write a more detailed account of my visit to Kangaroo island, South Australia .... buuuut ... inconsistent snippets escape into internet technology.
Herewith two images that have managed to capture from the video of our visit to Raptor Domain.

Will unashamedly promote the enterprise. One of the most exciting and educational aspects of our visit.
Click images to 'embiggen' - not my invention - try Holties house. (if he and it remains alive).

So, yep, this image is a snapshot from the video clip of me with a kestrel ... but the video clip is quite funny, as Robin (travelling companion) had to ask me to turn around; my back was toward the camera. "eh?" asks me. She had to ask twice! AM NOT DEAF
(well, self delusion, perhaps)














This is a snapshot from the video of Robin with a fully fledged, adult Wedge Tailed eagle on her hand (glove).
(am, of course, now regretting that i didn't decide to come up with the extra $10 to have this pic, with me, in my files).

 The video clips add more details, and am working to edit it all together - but resources are small ... and my concentration levels are short. The project to edit it all into a coherent and interesting (amateur - really need to go back for more 'cutaways' )  documentary is time consuming - but it's mostly for Robin; and may well end up on Vimeo at some point in the future.

However ... if  this post gets enough encouragement? - will redouble efforts to complete it sooner.

revisiting personal history

Last month, had the chance to experience ten days on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

If ya wanna find out where it is - try yer favorite search engine .. heh.

Originally arrived on the Island at around age 5;  1950 - after my mother re-married to a 'Soldier settler' who took the opportunity and advantage of the offer of the gummint of the day to 'develop' farms on the Island.

Lived, learned, loved there until about 1962.

Have, now, many anecdotes, memories; of what is was like then - and images of how it is now ...
but that will have to wait until i have organised them all into some sort of coherent narrative with images.  Don't hold yer breath.

After 60 or so years - has it changed much?  Yes, and no.
One of the Island philosophies IS 'preservation'. Quite a lot of the land space is devoted to National Parks and "conservation habitat' (no rabbits, foxes, or bees - apart from the pure strain of Ligurian bees that exist on the island).

(They don't like dogs, either, had to put Abbey into kennels for the entire time .. meh).

Aaaah ..... memories.

Though if anyone wants to ask specific questions ... they will be answered.
(and no - wasn't suckled by a sealion ...).

cute critters?

Um, OK, have no photos at this point, the little blighters won't sit still. Forgive me, but have dispatched 35 of them this month to mouse Valhallah.

(correction - last month - but, despite my best efforts to entice them into oblivion, there are still several leaving 'dot points' on my kitchen benches).

a country road

I do, occasionally, get 'out and about'.

... and yep, there are always these surprises along the byeways  ..

may your wayfaring be always joyous.

Wandering ...

editorial@ypct.com.au


Images for 'What the? …??


Hello,
have no idea whether any of the following images would qualify – but here's the story.


Since the weather has warmed a bit, was wandering along the “Walk the Yorke” path near the end of Park St. North at Edithburgh last Wednesday (5^th September).. Suddenly my faithful companion, Abbey, went off the path, pricked up one ear (she normally has floppy ears) and peered over the cliff top.

Um, think I, what's up. Peered over cliff and saw ..sound asleep, sunning itself

Pic


Do have a 30X zoom on camera, but clambered down to shoreline, snuck up on it.

Pics.

Have no idea how often seals are seen sunning themselves in this location … but raised its head, peered at me, then went back to sleep. Perhaps 'What the?' Could apply to the seal's expression.


Cheers,
David j. H

In hibernation fer the winter

Dunno wot wombats do, here; when it gets chilly.
Perhaps they migrate to warmer climes.
Perhaps they dig deep burrows,
 hunker down, curl up; and sleep.

Until the weather (and attitude) warms.

Have only ever seen one live wombat,
hereabouts; and three dead carcasses
 by the roadside.

Apparently it's not a good idea to migrate;
across technology.

a nag i can cope with

.. or with which i can cope  .. depends ..

OK, Tara may be a "ditzy blonde bimbo" (as described by my tutor) .. buut, from 9.30AM last Thursday, until roughly 3pm the same day .. we enjoyed ourselves.

my world has shrunk

Mr. Mystie - my world has shrunk. I find, now, that i have little interest in what happens beyond the distance further than which i can walk.
(or ride a horse - but that's a different story .. heh)

Um, am re-posting this 'comment' that i just made on a previous post as it  was (a) "off the cuff" and (b) made me think a bit more about what i meant.
 
While yes, it is true that i live alone .. but not necessarily "by my self", am not a 'hermit'. Have read some rather astonishing stories of people who have 'survived'  'solitary confinement'  for some many years with themselves intact - but most notably those accounts of Tibetan monks walled into a cave for up to 8 years with no contact or interaction with human beings or other living thing; whatsoever.  Whether true or not is an interesting point; haven't been there, nor done that. Would also argue that the daily supply of food through whatever small 'hole in the wall' may well qualify as "interaction". The longer philosophy and discussion of the meaning and definitions of "solitary" are beyond the intention and scope of this blog.


However, my life is far from that version of "solitary".  Yesterday i went out and played several versions of football with Andy from round the back when he came to collect his 6 yr old son from the school bus at 3.30pm.  He teaches 'soccer' to the schoolkids .. though seems to have a good understanding of both "Aussie Rules" and "Rugby" (both versions). (would, actually, be interesting to research the origins of 'pig's bladder' (odd-shaped) ballgames .. and/or 'round ball' games. Have read that some of them originated from whacking the severed head of the leader of the 'opposing tribe' around on whatever field happened to be in full view of both tribes. Thankfully? "civilisation?" seems to have discarded that notion - or has it?)

Yesterday, also,  was yet another 'interaction' between me, a horse and human beings.


My tutor at the riding school is proving to be what i would call somewhat ... erm, assertive, with horses - which is fine by me, as a general principle; but self, apparently, has a tendency (according to her) to be "soft-handed" on the reins. And no, I don't feel the necessity to "kick it" when the horse turns its head to see what my feet are doing.  Am, of course, being a bit simplistic and short on detail with these 'descriptions'; and, since she prefers geldings to mares, am now wondering if she is also sending a message to me that she is the "herd leader" (which is also ok, at this point of time).


The first horse i was given to ride was/is a 17 hand gelding. A very experienced 'eventer' as am told, but have never seen it under experienced hands in a 'dressage' situation. I tend to think of it as "Mr. Plod" (not its real name); big, docile, obedient.


Two lessons on Mr. Plod, then on to ... um, am now not sure of its name. Was under the impression that its name was Tom, a 14.5hand quarterhorse gelding (or Galloway) as told).  He felt, well, too small, but was extremely responsive to foot and leg pressure - not that am expert in all this, as yet; am still re-learning some considerable changes co-ordinating  leg muscles between "walking" and "riding".


Yesterday i had the pleasure of interacting with a mare by the name of Tara. 15.5 hands. A failed racehorse, my tutor refers to her as a "ditzy blonde bimbo". Well, dunno why, but i rather liked her (Tara .. though the tutor is also OK .. heh - am sure that the 'armchair psychologists' should be able to manufacture all sorts of guesses as to why i liked this particular equine ).  


Yes, Tara prefers to travel in a straight line .. well, with a bias to one side. It's called 'following the rail'; and quick to get into a fast canter.  Even so, in a dressage situation, she can step sideways on forelegs and shift her back-end around when foot pressure tells her.  Was only with her for an hour, but loved every minute. 

On a different note .. 

Am not sure whether i really need to interact with human beings who come up with ..from the comments box ..

" ..and the struggling remnants of the alcohol-pickled wreckage of what was, no doubt, once your brilliantly functioning brain ..."

.. which oddly enough, i view as a - perhaps intriguingly articulate and literary - backhanded compliment .. as i also do this gem .. recently said to my face -

"Stop staring, ya stupid old prick! haven't ya anything better to do".

(long story behind THAT one ..heh)

Never too late

They say an image is worth a thousand words ..

Would this dog attack?

[edited and updated Friday 26 Aug; 7am]
I post this, since there has been a recent incident in Melbourne (Australia) where a dog attacked a 4 year old girl, and killed her.

The 'airwaves', of course, have been full of emotionally heated discussion. Mostly focussed around a 'specific breed' of dog. The American Staffordshire Terrier - mostly known as the 'pit bull'. 

My response is that any canine is capable - depends on the circumstance -  or trainer. Human beings are capable of killing, and frequently do.

Canines are 'social' animals, and remarkably intelligent. They are also 'pack', and 'roaming'  animals, and - in the wild - look to a 'leader'. In the absence of a specific 'pack leader' - in other words, if they are 'locked up' in a backyard or cage on their own will, um, go crazy (or obey the wishes of whoever they think is their "pack leader".

So, is my dog, Abbey, intrinsically 'vicious'. Methinks no .. but she can be..

Allow me to tell a little story. She is, often, allowed 'free range' - in other words, not on leash nor behind gates and fences. By and large she 'plays' with all other dogs; some of her 'play' with other dogs might be seen as 'aggressive' (and yes, have video and photos to illustrate this) .. but also have video of her 'gentleness' with other animals.

So, there was a time when she came across another dog (am carefully suppressing the actual breed of dog here, since it already has 'bad reputation').  I threw a ball, both dogs went for it and, frankly, there was more blood on the other dog by the time we separated them.
So yes, dogs fight.

On the other hand - or, for a different perspective - there is an English collie (Charlie, male, free range, more or less) round the back of where i live who has a tendency to wander here and say hello to my dog Abbey (female, neutered).

It is somewhat of a joy, for me, to see them play.  I throw a ball. Charlie is the first one there; but won't bring it back to me. What he does, is pass it to Abbey who brings it back and drops the ball at my feet.

Dunno what all that means.

(in the interests of full disclosure - she is allowed to 'chase, clamp teeth on - retrieve', cats and rabbits.)
[further edit addition: Friday 26 Aug]
 ( was going to add this as a "comment", but the 'comments' have strayed 'off topic' .. heh)

In the interests of actual 'facts': While yes, she is allowed - even encouraged - to chase and catch rabbits, she has never been able to.  Have no idea what she would do if she caught one. Cats?, well, depends on the cat. There has been only one instance where she 'chased' one.  She's naturally 'curious', and poked her nose too close to one. It bopped her on the nose, and ran, she chased; but never caught it. By and large, she gets on well the several she's been 'introduced' to.

The point that am trying to make, methinks, is that while she may well have a 'natural instinct' to "hunt, chase, kill' - it would be mostly for food, and perhaps 'entertainment'. She is well, but not 'over', fed. She has a backyard to 'play' in, I am gentle and 'loving' toward her, and also take her for 'walks' around the neighbourhood (on, and off leash: depending) so that she can sniff and say hello to the other canines and animals (including the baby goats, free range hens, ducks) and has never shown any specific initial "aggression" toward any of them.  Nor is she specifically "territorial". Other canines (and other birds and animals) are frequently in "her" (my) yard. She accepts them with equanimity.