On the Nature of Things | Forum

Nonc Hilaire wrote: ↑Thu Jun 08, 2023 11:24 am Respirator availability?

For me? I'm good.

I am out of the loop how governments are handling it-- the most civic minded I've been involves collecting my neighbor's mail/trashcans to limit exposure for someone with a lung issue.

bushfires and living in a smoke haze.

we call that summer

Partly cloudy skys. No thunder storms

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8hJFGqD_xs
The Moon here is white rather than dark red/orange for the first time in several days.

Last 2 weeks or so I've noticed a flashing light through the forest behind the house.

It'll flash about 3 times before going off for the rest of the night. There is a possibility that it's some sort of light from whoever lives on the other side of the forest but it doesn't seem angled right for that; I also would think I'd see more frequent lights coming from that direction if it were a household thing.

And I can rule out the kid next door. He sometimes wanders through but 1) he's loud & 2) when he does cross over on to my property, he sticks to around the very tiny stream/property line between us and the neighbor.

This is not coming from that spot.

bushwalkers looking foir night wild life.

dope growers sneeking out to tend their crops.

that would be the 2 answers in my area

Checked it out before today's storm. Doesn't look like it is coming from any person. I'd expect broken branches, shoe prints, trash...a bit of something to suggest some guy(s) in the woods.

At the same time, really having trouble imagining it reflecting from some household...so it's just an unexplained phenomenon. Or the bears have learned to use flash lights.

Which is fine. I figure if it had anything to do with me, it'd have come out of the woods and killed us already. So we're good.

NapLajoieonSteroids wrote: ↑Sun Jul 09, 2023 11:49 pm Checked it out before today's storm. Doesn't look like it is coming from any person. I'd expect broken branches, shoe prints, trash...a bit of something to suggest some guy(s) in the woods.

At the same time, really having trouble imagining it reflecting from some household...so it's just an unexplained phenomenon. Or the bears have learned to use flash lights.

Which is fine. I figure if it had anything to do with me, it'd have come out of the woods and killed us already. So we're good.

Reads like the beginning of a Japanese horror film

Typhoon wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2023 2:21 am

NapLajoieonSteroids wrote: ↑Sun Jul 09, 2023 11:49 pm Checked it out before today's storm. Doesn't look like it is coming from any person. I'd expect broken branches, shoe prints, trash...a bit of something to suggest some guy(s) in the woods.

At the same time, really having trouble imagining it reflecting from some household...so it's just an unexplained phenomenon. Or the bears have learned to use flash lights.

Which is fine. I figure if it had anything to do with me, it'd have come out of the woods and killed us already. So we're good.

Reads like the beginning of a Japanese horror film

Hah, yes.

Hence waiting 2 weeks to mention it because it sounds ridiculous.

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It is very much ridiculous. I think I figured out what I'm seeing. It is so simple, I'm slapping myself.

Fireflies. It's been fireflies and not some secret flash light morse code message from the local Yeti or aliens or drug cartel.

No exaggeration to say It's been years since I've seen fireflies around here. Where they went, I don't know, but they are back.

--------------------------

I'm sitting there looking out the window, noting the time of the flash and a rough guestimate of the trigonometry of where the light source is coming from...then the area storm is at its peak and suddenly all these lights are going off here and there in a bit of a panic.

And it hit me, that's all I've been noticing.

NapLajoieonSteroids wrote: ↑Tue Jul 11, 2023 3:30 am

Typhoon wrote: ↑Mon Jul 10, 2023 2:21 am

NapLajoieonSteroids wrote: ↑Sun Jul 09, 2023 11:49 pm Checked it out before today's storm. Doesn't look like it is coming from any person. I'd expect broken branches, shoe prints, trash...a bit of something to suggest some guy(s) in the woods.

At the same time, really having trouble imagining it reflecting from some household...so it's just an unexplained phenomenon. Or the bears have learned to use flash lights.

Which is fine. I figure if it had anything to do with me, it'd have come out of the woods and killed us already. So we're good.

Reads like the beginning of a Japanese horror film

Hah, yes.

Hence waiting 2 weeks to mention it because it sounds ridiculous.

----------

It is very much ridiculous. I think I figured out what I'm seeing. It is so simple, I'm slapping myself.

Fireflies. It's been fireflies and not some secret flash light morse code message from the local Yeti or aliens or drug cartel.

No exaggeration to say It's been years since I've seen fireflies around here. Where they went, I don't know, but they are back.

--------------------------

I'm sitting there looking out the window, noting the time of the flash and a rough guestimate of the trigonometry of where the light source is coming from...then the area storm is at its peak and suddenly all these lights are going off here and there in a bit of a panic.

And it hit me, that's all I've been noticing.

Return of the fireflies is probably a good sign for the forest.

Indeed. Lots of good signs this year- especially seeing lots of frogs (another first in years) and baby rabbits just the other day.

Have not seen too many of the land predators this summer but there are plenty of falcons and hawks flying about.

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We had a falcon dive bomb into the side of the house while chasing a chipmunk. It caught its prety but it took the bird about an hour to take flight again. I was worried it was really hurt so I started calling vets in the area to see if there was a specialist in the area.

One guy suggested I go out there and pick it up. That man was obviously crazy. I wasn't going to go near that thing without an army.

The whole thing was fascinating. It wobbled about a bit. Then just stood in one spot and started in the chipmunk, head first. After it was about half way through it (and the hour had passed,) it let out a few calls and took off again.

my property has a fairly large population of colourful parrots.

every now and then a falcon/hawk gets one and its flurry of activity.

noddy wrote: ↑Thu Jul 13, 2023 6:44 am my property has a fairly large population of colourful parrots.

every now and then a falcon/hawk gets one and its flurry of activity.

Aren’t parrots just hawks in drag?

noddy wrote: ↑Thu Jul 13, 2023 6:44 am my property has a fairly large population of colourful parrots.

every now and then a falcon/hawk gets one and its flurry of activity.

Couldn't help myself, had to look up hawk vs parrot.

just brutal stuff

My naive understanding is that these birds basically break the necks/backs of these small mammals so it's all pretty quick. [What I witnessed, it looked like it snapped its neck immediately, so very little suffering.]

The bird vs bird stuff just looks like a confused hawk bullying the smaller bird to death.

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First time I've actually ever noticed a rabbit from an elevated view. The little thing was eating and my eye had initially passed right over it until I picked up the slight movements of it chewing.

It blended in so well with the ground and drove home how it camouflages from aerial attacks. That's the whole game. There is always a puncher's chance against the guys on the land, even the clever foxes.

Nonc Hilaire wrote: ↑Thu Jul 13, 2023 11:00 am

noddy wrote: ↑Thu Jul 13, 2023 6:44 am my property has a fairly large population of colourful parrots.

every now and then a falcon/hawk gets one and its flurry of activity.

Aren’t parrots just hawks in drag?

NapLajoieonSteroids wrote: ↑Fri Jul 14, 2023 6:06 am

noddy wrote: ↑Thu Jul 13, 2023 6:44 am my property has a fairly large population of colourful parrots.

every now and then a falcon/hawk gets one and its flurry of activity.

Couldn't help myself, had to look up hawk vs parrot.

just brutal stuff

My naive understanding is that these birds basically break the necks/backs of these small mammals so it's all pretty quick. [What I witnessed, it looked like it snapped its neck immediately, so very little suffering.]

The bird vs bird stuff just looks like a confused hawk bullying the smaller bird to death.

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First time I've actually ever noticed a rabbit from an elevated view. The little thing was eating and my eye had initially passed right over it until I picked up the slight movements of it chewing.

It blended in so well with the ground and drove home how it camouflages from aerial attacks. That's the whole game. There is always a puncher's chance against the guys on the land, even the clever foxes.

yeh, i love my parrots but the birds of prey gotta eat too - mostly they eat the pigeons and doves - the big ole talons on the feet seem to do the job fairly quickly.

rabbits are just feral pests in these parts, the government tried to get rid of them with mixo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxomatosis

which they have mostly become immune to now but has left them non viable as a dinner, because they call carry it.

noddy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 15, 2023 1:20 am yeh, i love my parrots but the birds of prey gotta eat too - mostly they eat the pigeons and doves - the big ole talons on the feet seem to do the job fairly quickly.

rabbits are just feral pests in these parts, the government tried to get rid of them with mixo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myxomatosis

which they have mostly become immune to now but has left them non viable as a dinner, because they call carry it.

Thom Yorke has it too:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxOO8YkB_Og

So he's not viable either

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It's a "duh" moment everything considered but it never crossed my mind rabbits and hares are just another invasive pest in the great Australian war against the world's other species.

I've been thinking about dogs.

Never had one- just cats- and so I asked the missus what breed she'd be interested in and she (no dog experience either) has her heart set on a wire-fox terrier.



Reading up on it, it's not a good place to start for first time dog owners; much less ones with a cat around.

terriers are high maintenance dogs for bored empty nester women

if you imagine the rural stay at home mum, wanting to constantly fuss over something and an animal that loves that constant two way chat - however it also comes pre-wired to destroy any small critters like mice and rats that might lurk in the pantry, or under the house, making it even more attractive and worth fussing over.

an animal designed by farm wives , for all their specialist needs.

Ive always had dogs around, forever - barring the 10 years in melbourne living the inner city thing, ive had kelpies, labradors, several types of big muttly mixed breeds and current have a fox terrier (short haired version of the one you mentioned) and a staffy terrier - both choices by the missus.

Id not do it again, lovely dogs, very happy and playful, tho the staffy is a bit less mental , but is still prone to seperation anxiety.

all dogs are lots of work for the first 2 years - which amounts to their growth spurt and adolesence - which is why all the abandoned dogs are 1-2 years old , no longer cute puppies but boundary pushing teenagers.

All dogs can be good dogs given enough love and attention, but females are light years easier.

Buy a dog from a small breeder where you can visit for a while. Nice people always raise nice dogs.

Nonc Hilaire wrote: ↑Sat Jul 15, 2023 1:05 pm All dogs can be good dogs given enough love and attention, but females are light years easier.

Buy a dog from a small breeder where you can visit for a while. Nice people always raise nice dogs.

I'll keep that in mind.

Never thought of there being bad dogs but I've also never really thought about dogs. The commitment on top of everything else needs more serious consideration before we decide to get one.

noddy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 15, 2023 9:31 am terriers are high maintenance dogs for bored empty nester women

Life is full of hints.

Ive always had dogs around, forever - barring the 10 years in melbourne living the inner city thing, ive had kelpies, labradors, several types of big muttly mixed breeds and current have a fox terrier (short haired version of the one you mentioned) and a staffy terrier - both choices by the missus.

Id not do it again, lovely dogs, very happy and playful, tho the staffy is a bit less mental , but is still prone to seperation anxiety.

all dogs are lots of work for the first 2 years - which amounts to their growth spurt and adolesence - which is why all the abandoned dogs are 1-2 years old , no longer cute puppies but boundary pushing teenagers.

Most of my experience has been around pugs and terriers- particularly Boston and Norwich- and the toy dogs in general.

NapLajoieonSteroids wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 5:42 am

noddy wrote: ↑Sat Jul 15, 2023 9:31 am terriers are high maintenance dogs for bored empty nester women

Life is full of hints.

current have a fox terrier (short haired version of the one you mentioned) and a staffy terrier - both choices by the missus.

Most of my experience has been around pugs and terriers- particularly Boston and Norwich- and the toy dogs in general.

I really like hounds - if i got a small dog, chances are it would be a beagle.

Never met a beagle that wasn't neurotic.

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Not a preference but once was walking through a park and came upon a pair of huskies with their owners. May have been the most striking pair of dogs I've ever seen.

NapLajoieonSteroids wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 11:35 am Never met a beagle that wasn't neurotic.

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Not a preference but once was walking through a park and came upon a pair of huskies with their owners. May have been the most striking pair of dogs I've ever seen.

Beagles follow their nose and run off for no reason. Def a breed trait.

Nonc Hilaire wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 2:35 pm

NapLajoieonSteroids wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 11:35 am Never met a beagle that wasn't neurotic.

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Not a preference but once was walking through a park and came upon a pair of huskies with their owners. May have been the most striking pair of dogs I've ever seen.

Beagles follow their nose and run off for no reason. Def a breed trait.

I've a pal whose family dog is exclusively beagles. He's continued the tradition and he was telling me (as they've a new pup recently) that one has to be extra vigilant about investigating both lineages of the pup in hopes of getting a stable temperament. Now these people aren't raising show dogs or anything like that, so it sticks in mind when he mentions something like that.

The last dog, Lewis, was very sweet but he definitely had all sorts of issues that made him as difficult as he was sweet. And it turned out that the breeders were dishonest about his heritage. Can't say I remember the full story but it was a funny dog who was perpetually paranoid, stubborn, selective hearing...the whole works.

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We have our own issues with the cat. Five years in, it's safe to say she is a one person cat. We've spent a lot of time just getting to that point.
She likes the missus and that's that. Never had a cat like it but it's not unknown. The good thing is within the last year she's started vocalizing to the missus and will now sit in her lap as long as no one else is within the vicinity. I think that's as far as we'll be able to take it.

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The way the cat is just makes introducing another animal unworkable at the moment. Getting her comfortable with any type of dog is probably out of the question and keeping the 2 separated probably wouldn't work. The last thing I need is to introduce more anxiety into the cat's life.

NapLajoieonSteroids wrote: ↑Tue Jul 18, 2023 5:21 am

Nonc Hilaire wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 2:35 pm

NapLajoieonSteroids wrote: ↑Mon Jul 17, 2023 11:35 am Never met a beagle that wasn't neurotic.

----------

Not a preference but once was walking through a park and came upon a pair of huskies with their owners. May have been the most striking pair of dogs I've ever seen.

Beagles follow their nose and run off for no reason. Def a breed trait.

I've a pal whose family dog is exclusively beagles. He's continued the tradition and he was telling me (as they've a new pup recently) that one has to be extra vigilant about investigating both lineages of the pup in hopes of getting a stable temperament. Now these people aren't raising show dogs or anything like that, so it sticks in mind when he mentions something like that.

The last dog, Lewis, was very sweet but he definitely had all sorts of issues that made him as difficult as he was sweet. And it turned out that the breeders were dishonest about his heritage. Can't say I remember the full story but it was a funny dog who was perpetually paranoid, stubborn, selective hearing...the whole works.

My Uncle had a litter of beagles. He was an avid rabbit hunter and would used to take the dogs in the back of his pick up truck. One day one fell out of the truck and hit its head. After that if you went to his farm where the dogs ran free you have to stay in the car with the window only part way down and wait for my uncle to come out and tie the dog up, or the dog would jump in through the window and start biting you. It did not seem to matter how often you went to his house the dog would do the same thing over and over again

Except for one other dog that I encountered one time, that did not know me, that was the only dog ever that did not like me.

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We have our own issues with the cat. Five years in, it's safe to say she is a one person cat. We've spent a lot of time just getting to that point.
She likes the missus and that's that. Never had a cat like it but it's not unknown. The good thing is within the last year she's started vocalizing to the missus and will now sit in her lap as long as no one else is within the vicinity. I think that's as far as we'll be able to take it.

-----

The way the cat is just makes introducing another animal unworkable at the moment. Getting her comfortable with any type of dog is probably out of the question and keeping the 2 separated probably wouldn't work. The last thing I need is to introduce more anxiety into the cat's life.