Pony Penning Fever

I've already captured and released (and a medical check-up) another sparrow this morning.  Lovey brought the youngster in and let it go in the clothes hamper (it doesn't have a lid).  I was able to capture it inside a book bag, where it was trying to escape Lovey; the bird was unharmed, so I turned it loose in the front of the building.  That's six birds in three days - either the sparrows are getting slower (or younger?), or the kits are perfecting their catching skills.
    I called my friend Mary at our agreed time on Friday afternoon, but missed her.  I've called back multiple times, but still receive no answer.  I hope she's OK.   I called and left a message for my friend Carolyn in Vero Beach on Saturday, and she called me back yesterday morning, so we had a wonderful chat.  I spoke with my friend, Michele, in Illinois on both Saturday and Sunday evening...  I feel like my ear is a suction cup attached to the phone this morning.  And I go to Maggie May's this morning for 10 days...
  The Antares re-supply rocket launch from Wallop's Island to the International Space Station flew through the skies yesterday afternoon, stampeding a herd of Angus cattle on a farm in Atlantic, Virginia.  WBOC, the local ABC station from Salisbury, Maryland has an interesting video of the launch and stampede.  It was filmed by Jay Diem, who takes incredible photos of Chincoteague's annual Pony Penning for the Salisbury Daily Times newspaper.
    ...  Of course I led the blog back to Chincoteague and Pony Penning!  It's like a fever that I won't be able to be cured from until the first week of August...
     If you're still interested in articles and videos regarding Chincoteague, I have a few to recommend:

http://fathomaway.com/guides/usa/us-south/itineraries/what-to-do-in-chincoteague-virginia/
(a nice little article, with photos, that mentions Captain Barry)

http://www.hrtv.com/videos/inside-information-ponies-of-chincoteague/
(an HRTV presentation, including interviews with Chincoteaguers)

And there is always both the Chincoteague website and the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company site:
http://www.chincoteague.com/

http://www.cvfc3.com/

Chincoteague Pony Swim   -  27 July 2011

Stock Show Photos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just Photos Today

These photos of the Canada goose with it's new gosling on it's back,

and the new-born calf getting it's first bath from it's Momma's tongue,

were both taken by photographer Robin Loznak

in Oregon state.

These meerkats are enjoying an early Easter treat of
mealworms served in ostrich and rhea eggs. The
photo was taken by Andrew Milligan at a safari
park in Scotland.

A Very Fun Day

I played hookey from my work yesterday - I was at the National Western Stock Show early in the morning, and I stayed through mid-evening. I had a ball! I saw about 50% of all there was to see - some of the Draft Horse Show classes, several weight divisions of the the steer judging, went through the kids' petting zoo, looked at all kinds of livestock, saw several "how to" demonstrations, got to try my hand at blacksmithing, enjoyed watching children and older folks wander through the concourse, and, last, but not least, I picked up a few books. I had a wonderful day!
We had 4 inches of snow fall in three hours Wednesday afternoon; traffic was grid-locked in Boulder for over 4 hours. Locals are getting upset with the roads and streets crews - this was a predicted snow fall, but it took one lady 3 hours to drive her usual 13-minute commute that afternoon. - It was also sister Kathy's birthday, and the family went out for dinner at Murphy's Pub. She and Jim flew to Phoenix yesterday for their annual participation in P F Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon. I'm supposed to pick them up from DIA on Tuesday, but I have yet to find out when they are due back. I guess nephew Mike will let me know. Kevin, my son, turned 30 yesterday. Time flies; it seems only yesterday that we were watching him play football in high school.
I've already taken care of my kits, plus walked the Shih Tzus, and cared for Ooch. As soon as I finish this, I'll head out to gather up Rosie and Remy; then it will be Tessa's turn for a walk, and then back to Aiko and Yoshi (the little guys). I'll stay with Aiko and Yoshi until 4, when the owners' son is due back home; then I'll do Ooch's night routine, and finally go home to Lovey and Nedi. Tomorrow I just have Ooch and Tessa in the morning, and then I'm finished until Monday. Which should work out nicely, as we are expecting another shot of snow Saturday afternoon/evening, like we received on Wednesday. On Sunday, it'll just be me, the kits, the Sunday paper, NFL football, and my books. What a nice thing to look forward to!