the wild pigeons of Salisbury beach # 106

I haven't fed the pigeons on the beach because of the "new ordinance" prohibiting the "feeding of all wildlife' on the beach.
There were two nests that I could see with youngsters in them above one pizza shop. In one nest, the mother is mostly abscent. I thought she was gone for good and I panicked seeing the two youngsters in the nest.
 I took my bike down the beach during the day and I would nonchalantly check to see if the mother returned. My heart sank thinking "how long has she been gone?" "Will they just starve to death?" "Where is the father or "auntie" pigeons?" (Fathers and sometimes nearby females (the Aunts) who had just lost babies step up and care for the orphan babies)
And then, sometimes the opposite happens. The fathers will chuck the babies out to make room for "new babies". In otherwords, the male is just interested in mating and not the babies at all. (hmmmmm.. similar to humans in many respects) And some of the neighboring females (Aunts) will also chuck the babies to make room for the potential of having "new ' babies.
After two hours on the beach and as I was unlocking my bike to depart, I saw the mother return to the babies. Thank God!
I was visualizing a early morning "rescue" in hopes that I wasn't too late to save them.
 There is food at the beach for the critters such as pizza crusts, french fries and bits of fried doe. People for the most part are slobs and leave their refuge for seagulls, pigeons, dogs and raccoons to forage.
They seem to have enough food, I think.
I just have not been bringing seed to the beach in the morning like I used to feed the pigeons. It would be my luck that despite the no dog policy, no littering policy, etc..I would be the one who would be fined $1000.00 (seriously)for feeding the pigeons.
The pigeons recognize me even during the midday when I take my bike to the beach. I will have a parade of pigeons following me. One little brat started throwing sticks at them and I stopped, and glared at him.
 He turned away.
The youngster pigeons are still not safe. The most dangerous part of their lives is when they fledge. They are almost at that point of their lives where they will attempt to fly and try to join the other pigeons.
Cats, dogs, hawks, seagulls, and mostly (mean) people is what they need to worry about.
Yikes...

dive #922 & 923 July 20 2014

Dive #922 July 20 2014
A bit overcast with a few sprinkles of rain was today's weather.
 I was hoping for a sunny hot day.
We had Fred and Chris running the show along with Andy helping out with Pete and John (from the "froggies"). Long time dive buddies Linda and Myanna were out on the hunt for lobsters. Plus non-divers , Fred's daughter "Charlie", her husband and Andy's wife Anna were out for a "day on the boat".
Andy had reported that yesterday the water was so cold it hurt his calves. I thought to myself " ay mierda". With that in mind I thought when I hit the freezing water I would swear in spanish rather than in English.
And so I did.
And so I did.
We anchored off of the stone house on the south side of Kettle. It was fairly clear and warmer by the rocks but it was still freakin' cold. It was also a bit surgy by the rocks so watching the kelp swing back and forth was a bit nauseating. I  did see a few bit stripers and some good sized crabs but no lobsters.
Dive #923 July 20 2014
We moved down the shore-line  a bit but I forget the name of the sight. I was shivering but I did not want to take off my wetsuit just in case Andy came across another shark sighting. I wanted to make sure I was suited up "just in case". Andy said he couldn't yell 'shark" last week when he spotted the shark at Folly because he did not want to cause a panic amongst boaters and swimmers.
That was probably a good idea.
Soooooo he taught me the Polish word for shark : "rekin" (pronounced: rrrreakin) I don't think many people around here speak Polish so yelling "rekin!" should'nt cause a panic. (Hopefully)
I went back in the water for a second dive so Chris  could do a little more filming by yours truly using the double hose regulator and full foot black fins. That double hose regulator takes a little bit "getting used to". I forgot to blow out in the mouthpiece to rid it of water causing me to gulp down some seawater.
Yuck.
 I also had a little problem clearing my right ear. I think she might of got some decent shots but we will see after she views the tape.
I think all in all we had a pretty good day. :-)

Birds of Orlando

anhinga

limpkin

common gallinule

ringed turtle dove

sandhill crane

muscovy

boat tailed grackle

wood stork

roseate spoonbill

whooping crane

barred owl

hairy woodpecker

bald eagle (at wildbird rehab)

kestrals (at wildbird rehab)

barred owl (at wildbird rehab)

* I took all of these photos while I was in Orlando.The local parks are loaded with all kinds of beautiful and different birds!

Dive # 919.920 & 921 July 13 2014

June 13 2014 Dive # 919
It turned out to be a perfect summer day. Last weekend was a 'bust' due to hurricane Arthur messing things up. Water currents, murkiness and wind were still a factor in where we would anchor so we ended up at Folly cove.
 I am perfectly happy there. Chris and Fred were running the show with Pete and Andy. On board we had Alan H, Bob, John (from the "froggies". I mentioned in the last dive blog he was from metrowest. My mistake) and Ilya. I wore my wetsuit this time and wanted to check my weights and make sure my right ear would clear.  I also wanted to make sure the anchor was secure. Fred had other plans for me.
The water was really really murky-maybe 5 foot viz. As you descended it got clearer but OMFG it was wicked cold. Although, I must say that the cold water felt good on my head. The migraines and fibromyglia had it's steel claws in me.
Dive #920
I got back in the water with Chris as she filmed me donned in 1950's style scuba equipment.This was Fred's plan for his next film adventure. I had on old style black rubber fins. They were actually pretty comfortable even through I wore just neoprene socks with them.
I had the backpack style tank holder. No BCD. I used a double hosed regulator for the first time.
The damn thing tasted awful. I think in the mouth piece there was a couple of decades worth of chitin shells from various insects.
It was not smooth breathing like my sherwood regulator (which may be also considered an antique)but it served it's purpose. I can see why one would find these double hose regulator useful in taking UW photographs because the bubbles are behind you!
Dive#921
I had a little air left so I hopped back in the water to actually look for some fish.
After I got back on the boat and took my suit off Andy declared he seen a shark!
So you know what that means boys and girls.
We got to get backin the water at the same place next weekend!
Whoo!