Seafood On the Potomac

25 April 2014; Colonial Beach VA--

This evening, Ward & Peggie and I went out to eat at a French-Thai restaurant in this little village of Colonial Beach. Near here was born two of our early Presidents (John Monroe and James Madison); our First President, George Washington grew up not far away; and Robert E. Lee was born South of here aways.

This seafood restaurant is noted [by Ward, no less!] for its delicious crab cakes -- they contain lots of real crab meat! They also offer a wide variety of seafood, including swordfish steak, halibut steak and tuna steak. I had a tuna steak dinner this night -- medium rare! [I had never heard of having a fish steak cooked any way other than and unspoken, "well done". But since I was asked my preference, I decided to give it a try. It was OK, but the next time, I think I will have it done

"medium" if not "well done"!]

As we were finishing our meal and eating our dessert [I had the specialty, coconut ice cream], we spotted this swan serenely paddling his way downstream past some pilings.

After dinner, Ward drove us along the shoreline and upstream along the Potomac where we sighted this sunset and a Peregrine Falcon coming in for a landing on someone's hapless boat. [Think fish parts strewn below where this master fisher-bird eats his/her dinner.]

Alaska Adventure; Part Nine

14 June 2013; Out to See the Sea --

View out our Bus Window; Pass Lake

By bus to Seward for another "boat tour". Although the Kenai Fjiords boat tour out of Seward also includes a viewing of a Tidewater Glacier (Harding Glacier, named after the only President who has visited Alaska), the sea life that one may expect to see is more numerous and decidedly different that what one might see out of Whittier. This day would prove my point.

One of the Not-Sickly Seven; Seward in the background

The boat trip out from Seward to Kenai Fjiords National Park took an hour or more. During this time we enjoyed views of each other as well as views of the mountain scenery. Certain people to pre-emptive Dramamine to prevent any possibility of sea-sickness. They were totally successful in their actions, although how anyone could get mal a mer on such calm waters was incomprehensible to an old swabbie like Grumpy [he got a mild case!].

Later, further out on the water, a Mountain View somewhat similar to the one from the bus window demanded to be remembered with a photograph. There were many more similar views as we passed along this inlet out of Seward. All of these inlets (some are called "fjiords") are evidence of great glaciers flowing out of the mountains that surround them.



The sighting of a Mountain Goat ewe (mother/Nannie) and her  Kid (baby/goatling?) dictated a stop for a few moments so all could crowd to the Starboard side of the boat (a Catamaran hull) to take a hundred photos. Grumpy caught this and three others with the telephoto capability of his little Panasonic video/still camera.

Later, someone spotted this pair of Bald Eagles sitting in a Spruce tree. Their nest is about three "eagle body lengths" below the left-most Eagle. The Bald Eagle is the National Bird of the United States (Benjamin Franklin thought it ought to be the wild turkey). There are actually more Bald Eagles in Canada than in the U.S. Their primary food in this part of North America is fish -- salmon in the late Summer and ealry Fall when the salmon are migrating upstream to spawn (lay and fertilize eggs for the next generation of salmon).

Still later some seals were noticed sunbathing on some rocks. Each sighting of an animal resulted in the boat Captain (a Lady named Laura) to reward her passengers with generous opportunities to photograph the subject.

And so it was that when some Humpback whales were seen breaching [full body leap out of the water and slamming broadside back down to the surface!] a prolonged stop was made. Unfortunately none of the Octogenarian Seven were quick enough with their cameras to capture this two or three times repeated antic.

At last we reached the ultimate destination: the Harding Glacier, so-named because Warren Harding was the first (and so far, the only) President to visit Alaska. The Ice Field which occupies most of the Kenai Peninsula from just North of Seward, all the way to the South-most tip, is also named for President Harding. Many glaciers flow out of the Harding Ice Field; most are Tidewater glaciers, but some, such as Exit Glacier (just North of Seward), are very easily accessible by foot. A road leads to the foot of Exit Glacier [Grumpy was able to walk up and touch the "toe" of Exit when he visited Alaska in 1990 and 1995].

The tour boat remained close to the Harding Glacier for about 15 or 20 minutes. It was hoped that a significant "calving" would take place; Grumpy had his video going, "just in case". He took some "stills" of the face to compare with photos he had taken 18 years ago, to see how much the glacier had receded since then. Grumpy noted that, on his previous visits, the rock outcroppings that can be seen in this later photo, were completely covered by the glacier then.

 The Harding Glacier refused to "cooperate" with a big calving -- or even a decent little one while we watched.

Alaska Adventure; Part eight

13 June 1013; A Relaxing Day in Anchorage --

Note the "Poland-China" [white-banded} duck in center

This day became a "free day" for the Gang of Seven to explore the great city of Anchorage AK. On our list(s) were a visit to a Native Cultural Museum, a walk along the shore of Knik Arm to watch the birds, a visit to the ULU Factory, and a visit to the Native Crafts Cooperative to buy some Oomingmak (Musk Ox) yarn (Qiviut) with which to knit a hat and/or a scarf.

An interesting interlude experienced by several in our party was the movies and simulated hot air balloon ride at the Alaskan Adventure amusement store. The two movies were about the Iditarod sled dog race, and a documentary on the Alaskan native lives.

At the ULU Factory, Grumpy purchased his own Ulu and matching cutting board. The cutting board features a hollowed-out center portion to contain the results of chopping (with the Ulu) item such as pecans, onions and such. The one Grumpy got is of Alaskan Birch an American Walnut. The blade on the Ulu is stainless steel. Stainless steel is not the Native material for an Ulu; Obsidian or animal bone would be more authentic.

However, Grumpy was most interested in the set for its everyday usefulness, not as a collector's item.

At the Native Crafts Cooperative, Grumpy and his Sister each purchased a quantity of Qiviut yarn. Gumpy's evil intention is to cajole Son Number Two into making a scarf (or something) with his 500 yard buy. The Coop had an interesting demonstration going on with Native people knitting various articles for subsequent sale at this store/workshop.

Perhaps the highlight of this day in Anchorage was the (non!)leisurely walk along the coast trail to see the shore birds. Of course there were the plethora of Sea Gulls. But among them were Black Legged Kittiwakes, a small but beautifully white-feathered cousin.

A not-so-common bird that we spotted were these dark-colored Shrike. Missing from our viewing at the Zoo were the Pelican, Puffin, and the ubiquitous Cormorant. 

A visit to the Anchorage Zoo rewarded reluctant members, such as Grumpy, with the surprising viewing of some orphaned baby moose and a pair of young Oomingmak. It would have been nicer to have seen a herd of these animals (the Oomingmak) in the wild, but that would have involved a trip into the wilderness of Alaska, for which we had no time.

Along the walk through the Zoo were many flowers and cacti. Many, if not most, of them were non-native to Alaska. One of these non-native plants was a "Christmas Cactus". Grumpy had never seen such a large and vibrant flower.

Alaska Adventure; Part Seven

13 June 2013; In and Around Anchorage --

Today was an "off" day: no scheduled tours. So we put together a set of objectives that seemed compatible for everyone: Zoo, "Oomingmak" (Muskox) Co-op and a Bird Walk along the shore of Knik Inlet.

The Zoo was not a high priority for Grumpy and his sister. However, they were good sports and went along. What they saw made the diversion worth the two hours that it took out of the day. A special treat was seeing a pair of moose calves (unrelated) that had been orphaned. These creatures (the baby moose) are comical to watch, with their gangly legs and ungainly movements -- it's like watching a left-handed person put peanut butter and honey on a slice of homemade whole-wheat bread.

Another potential attraction at the Zoo was the Brown Bear; this is the Alaskan name for Grizzly bears that feed mostly on fish, and includes that special strain of Grizzly Bear known as the "Kodiak" bear. However, what we saw for the Brown Bear exhibit consisted of very poor habitat and a too-small enclosure for these normally solitary animals.

At the end of our walk around to see the different animals, Grumpy captured this photo of a "Christmas Cactus" in full bloom. The plant did not look so healthy, but had obviously survived more than a few winters in Alaska.

Upon leaving the Zoo, we went for lunch to a locally-famous place known as "The Brew House". It is noted for the several different styles/types of beers that they brew on-site. Grumpy had a "Raspberry Wheat" beer with his Macadamia nut-crusted Halibut lunch. Both were very good and went together rather well, although I'm not sure what other dishes would be compatible with Raspberry-flavored beer.

After lunch we walked two or three blocks to the Oomingmak place where we saw various kinds of goods being knitted or woven using yarn from the under-fur of the Oomingmak. This wool-like material, called "Qiviut", is shed [much like the winter coat of a Bison] and must be gathered by hand from shrubs and clumps of grass. The yarn is very light-weight, but capable of holding in the warmth that is needed in windy, winter weather. The Grand Mother had a head scarf that Grumpy had purchased for her 25 or 30 years ago when he was in Alaska.

From the Oomingmak place five of us walked several blocks West and North to a landlocked lake named "Westchester Lagoon", where there were many water birds making noises and supposedly also nesting. Do baby birds enjoy the constant din of the adults all day -- and all night?]

Back at our motel, we feasted at the in-house restaurant, which featured a chef-owner who had spent many years in Brazil, mining for Amethysts, Aquamarine and Sapphire gemstones. He expressed a great deal of interest in the fish tales that Grumpy and his brother spun about their expedition last Fall. Grumpy will send him photos! [And so the world-wide fame of the two Aviating Octogenarian Brothers widens!]

Alaska Adventure; Part Six

12 June 2013; A Boat Tour in Whittier Sound --

After another early breakfast, the motley group of seven departed Anchorage via train for the little tidewater town of Whittier. At Whittier, we boarded a medium-size excursion boat to take us out into the Sound to see some tidewater glaciers [these are glaciers whose "toe" is in the salt water], and hopefully some "calving" by these glaciers. ["Calving" is a term used to describe the periodic shedding by the glacier of large chunks of ice from the face of the toe, or terminus, of the glacier.]

On the boat tour, we saw snow-covered mountains all around us, with numerous glaciers crawling down valleys that the glaciers themselves carved out of the side of their mountain. A famous glacier is named "Portage" because it lay in the path of an old portage route by which people who came ashore in the protected harbor in Passage Canal. The small town of Whittier (population ~170) is located at the head of this inlet today.

On the other side of the tunnel through the pass leading to Whittier, and the beginning of our boat tour, sits the Zimmerman Glacier. [Don't ask Grumpy how it got its name! -- Grumpy didn't discover it.]

On the boat tour, we were treated to a sighting of a Humpback Whale. Grumpy was able to capture a distant photo of the whale's "spout" [condensing water vapor as the whale empties his lungs through his top-mounted nostril before taking in a new breath], and the fin feature on his hump back. Not wanting to be accused of another "white-dot-that-is-a-Mountain-Goat", Grumpy will save it for private viewing.

On our way to the Glacier and main feature of this cruise, we encountered this large group of Sea Otters feeding and gamboling in the water. 

Finally as we neared Surprise Glacier, this telephoto shot (right) gave us a perspective as to how big this Glacier is. The tour boat near the face of Surprise is about two stories high and 150 feet long.

Once we were parked at the face of Surprise Glacier [approximately in the same location at the boat in the previous photo], Grumpy monitored the face that is about in the center of the photo on the left above. He thought he saw signs that it might "calve". 

As we waited, for fifteen or twenty minutes, we could hear the booming cracking sounds as the glacier made its way down the side of the mountain and gradually came apart. But alas, no major chunks broke off to fall in the water -- until the Captain finally gave up and turned the boat away; at that instant the large corner that Grumpy had been monitoring let loose with the impressive splash and mini-Tsunami for which they are famous.

Returning to Whittier, we passed a nesting area for Kittiwakes. When we got close to the rocky cliff, the noise coming from this swirling mass of birds was almost deafening -- even with Grump's hearing problems! With the 42X telephoto, Grumpy tried to get detailed pictures that would show the nest and possibly chicks hidden underneath the mothers' downy breasts. I can't spy any chicks, but the reader is welcome to use their own imagination.

Grumpy found the juxtaposition of the Kittiwakes and the waterfall to be irresistible. So here it is as well.

Tidal mud flat, with tidal "bore" moving upstream

The train between Anchorage and Whittier went along Turnagain Arm [named by Captain Hook because he had to turn his ship so many times to follow the main channel in the otherwise very shallow inlet]; this gave us excellent views of any sea life that might appear. Grumpy had seen Beluga whales alternately surfacing as they cruised down to Arm, and he hoped to show his companions this sight. Unfortunately none appeared. Later in the day, when we were returning to Anchorage after out boat tour out of Whittier, the tide was out and the extensive mud flats were exposed, demonstrating Captain Cook's dilemma.

Concluding Saga of a Small Brazilian Dove -- Pt III

12 November; Adelaide's Casa --

As those who have been following this thread of Grumpy's adventures in Brazil, you may remember this story of the small-variety Brazilian dove that had made her nest under the roof of the carport at Adelaide's Casa. Grumpy has been attempting to provide a sequel of photos (and some video clips) of her progress in incubating and pledging her young.

Alas, when I looked out this morning, the nest appeared empty! Further, closer examination revealed that it was indeed empty. As I attempted to climb up on a pile of used tires, I detected a motion in the corner of my eyes. Investigation revealed a nearly full-grown chick! He seemed to be still feathered in what I would call "baby feathers"; he was not able to fly, although he definitely could scoot around on the carport deck in such a manner to make my attempt at rescuing him difficult.

Ultimately, I caught him and placed him back in his nest. But later, I found him again on the floor. I then gave him over to Marta, the tenant who lives in back of Adelaide and cares for her dogs and house when she is gone. Still later, I received news that the baby dove had died. A sad day for Grumpy.

Continuing Saga of a Small Brazilian Dove--Pt II

November 7th; Adelaide's Casa, Brazil--

In a recent post, I introduced a small Brazilian dove mother whom I said was sitting on one egg. I had taken Uncle Bob's word for the single egg; as it turns out, there were two eggs in that nest! No more; now there are two little, half-naked, fuzzy chicks!

I noted, when we returned from visiting Bob's friends in Sao Jose de Campos, that the mother dove seemed to be sitting higher in her nest than before we left. Sure enough, she was semi-standing over the product of her incubation! As I sought to get a photo of her new attitude, she flew out of her nest. The good thing was that this gave me an opportunity to get up closer and view what was the reason for her new positioning.

Now I shall take periodic photos depicting the development of these two chicks, hopefully even a video of the mother feeding them. And, hopefully, of these new creatures making their first solo flight!! [Do baby doves take flight instructions?]

 

Dream on, Grumpy, dream on.

Brazilian Doves

During October; Sao Paulo State, Brazil --

The other day I posted a description of the maturing life of a dove chick and its mother. Over about the same time period I had the opportunity to film a pair of wild doves of the large (25-30 cm) variety, together with several wild doves of the more common, small (10-12 cm) variety feeding on corn scattered for the chickens at Sao Carlos.

Now I want to show you both kinds in one frame so you can see for yourself the large differences in their sizes and markings. The large dove has the blue, horizontal bars on its neck on either side (an "authoritative" book on Brazilian birds shows these bars as red!). The smaller dove has three dark patches on each side on their wings.

Now we begin a new, exciting  tale  for which I introduce to you a mother dove of the small variety, sitting on a nest in the extremely convenient location of Adelaide's garage! This mother is sitting on just one egg, approximately two or three weeks into incubation, so we may be blessed to watch as this happy event as it proceeds to hatching, feeding and maybe even fledgling!

More sightings, more adventures, ... LESS foolishness [but my back is healing!!]

Story of a Brazilian Dove

18th-21st October; Sao Carlos vicinity --

A large Brazilian dove chose to make her nest in full view of the residents (all male) of the second level of the Tennis Club dormitory. At first as I viewed her, she sat as motionless as a statue, turning her head neither to the right nor to the left -- not even blinking her eye!

It was said that she had chicks, and one of the residents told of watching her feeding them early one morning. So the next morning I crawled out of my nice, warm bed [wait a minute! it is so hot down here that one usually lies on top rather than in one's bed], at the first indication of daylight. This was about an hour before sunrise. I could barely see her sitting on the nest -- unmoved since the night before, as far as I could tell.

 

As I waited and watched, she never left her nest; finally, as the appointed time for breakfast arrived, I abandoned my vigil until later. However, when I returned an hour or so later, she was still in the same position; my opportunity to watch her feed her chick(s) seemed doomed.

The next morning I was pleased to see that she had reoriented herself. I also got a short video of her movements as I made various noises to attract her attention and/or curiosity. The chick (now I could identify that there was only one) also moved for a better look at the "noisemaker".

Later the third day, the chick was sitting virtually side-by-side with its Mother. Also notice that the Mother dove's crop appears less full than in the earlier morning photo; she apparently had fed her chick and I had missed the event. 

Near sunset on this third day of my observations, I noted a rather alert, neck-outstretched posture by the mother and chick. What was going to happen next, I wondered.

Sure enough, the next morning (day four) I was greeted by an empty nest! I had missed the fledging event of the young chick.

Such is life.

A Tale of an Old Man -- and Two Young Chicks

In Early August 2012; At Grumpy's Castle --

It might be expected that, after losing one's partner, companion and wife of over 63 years, that an Old Man would seek company to share his lonely life. But what Grumpy undertook may be considered by some to be beyond the pale [Irrevocably unacceptable or unreasonable: e.g., behavior that was quite beyond the pale.]: Two (2) young chicks!!

Cheep (front) and Cheeper (rear)

Now lest any of you females in the Z-clan begin to get any of the wrong idea(s), let me see if this photograph of these two young charmers can clear things up a bit.

As a pair, these two [whom I have, for obvious reasons, named "Cheep" and "Cheeper"] have been perfect companions -- for each other. I could leave them outside in the front yard and go back every fifteen or twenty minutes, and find them partially-hidden back under the plants next to the house. When I called them [by "clucking" like a mother hen] they would "cheep" back to me and move a little bit so I could detect them by their motion. If I kept "clucking", they would come to me and would allow me to pick them up to take them into the house and put them in their box [for the night, or to take with me in the car].

When I was invited to go up to Granite Falls Friday afternoon to enjoy a family "Camp-out" with Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, I took Cheep and Cheeper with me. They were perfectly happy when released from their box and left to roam free; after all, the Red Rocket was there, a familiar sight, under which for them to hide and to find shade during the heat of the day. When night fell, I simply called them to me, placed them back in their box and placed it in the car.

Poor little Cheep [Andalusian] the day before she disappeared.

On Sunday, when I went to visit Demetria and not wanting to leave them in the car in the shadeless parking lot, I thought to leave them in my front yard where everything was familiar and where they had been happy before -- as a pair. Sadly when I returned, only Cheeper's plaintive cry could be heard in response to my call; Cheep was nowhere to be found -- not a sound or even a sign. I agonized over what could have happened -- and still do not know for sure.

Cheeper -- My friend for life!

Subsequent to the disappearance of Cheep, her buddy Cheeper has become inconsolably attached to me. She even prefers my company to eating and drinking. And I have become more attached to her, and more protective of her than I ever thought possible. She still has to stay in her box -- alone -- at night so we can both get some sleep. But I go out in the front yard occasionally to stand next to her so she will eat and drink water. Otherwise she either roosts on the ledge of the storm-screen door, or she flies up to roost on top of the tool shed or on the utility trailer. [When she starts roosting on top of the Rocket, I will have to find another solution!]

A Visit to Virginia Pt II -- Further Adventures and Eating Feats

26-31 March 2012; Out and About in Virginia --

Grumpy's East Coast Heir took me to work on Monday, a pleasant day meeting the Navy personnel of the squadron he supports, including a lady officer who was in charge of maintenance. I understand that there was another female officer who had flying (pilot) status. I regret that I did not get to meet a senior flight officer about whom Heir often talks. 

I also got a glimpse of the "new Navy" -- the "heads" are now modified for occupancy by anyone! The urinals have been removed; that means that the male sailor should consider putting the toilet seat down when he is done. Gone, apparently is the "class" discrimination of separate "Officers" and "Enlisted" heads. That is good.

On many of our trips into or out of the #1 Son's Castle grounds, we spotted wildlife typical of this area such as this fine Tom Turkey (left and below). These pictures were taken by a more alert passenger in #1's car: She also got a snapshot of a fleeting hen, which was the objective we cheated this frustrated Tom out of by our untimely appearance on the scene.

This same evening we spotted these five deer (above)-- Virginia Whitetails -- feeding at the edge of the woods on the next-door neighbor's property. The Virginia Whitetail is native to much of the USA; it is said that there are more of these deer now than when white man arrived over 400 years ago! They are known for their adaptability to civilization (i.e., outsmarting of their human predator!) -- just like the coyote!

At other times during this most enjoyable week in Virginia, Grumpy had the pleasure of visiting with his second-oldest Great Granddaughter. Jordyn is a lively and lovely 16-year old who says she "hates school", but is getting top-notch grades. What a waste of a mind if she decides not to go on to college. But, she is young and could well (I hope!) change her mind -- after all, she is a woman!

Here she is, a "Jordyn Sandwich" between her proud Great Grandpa Z and her equally-proud Grandpa Z. Grumpy wishes her well in her life ahead, and looks forward to future visits.

One of a series of "eating out" experiences was our last night together (Friday 30th of March) at an Outback Steakhouse.

As we were waiting to be called that our table was ready, Grumpy shot this photo (right) to document the time and location of this last feast.

As Grumpy took the above photo, he failed to notice the voluntary, unsolicited obedience to tradition that took place. Note the elevated foot of each person in this "zoomed-up" photo at left. Such obedience to tradition must not go unrewarded. [Let it be known that this public recognition on my BLOG constitutes that reward.]

Later, when we were all seated inside and had finished off one of Outback's famous "Bloomin' Onions", we were a happy group, about to dig in to some delicious steak and seafood which had just been served.

Unfortunately, shortly after this picture was taken and we had just the first taste of the entree which had been served, Peggie noticed a "funny" feeling and excused herself from the table. #1 Son subsequently took her to a nearby hospital where she stayed "for observation", subsequently being transferred, on 1 April, to a specialty hospital for some kind of surgery.

As of this posting date she is back at home, it having been determined (so far at least) that she did not suffer a heart attack as was at first feared.

Grumpy flew home on Saturday, 31 March where he has been striving to catch up on all the things that get left to do while one is "out of town". He will survive!

Stay tuned.