Happily Ever After
Life in The Rural Retreat with a beautiful wife, three cats, garden wildlife, a camera, a computer – and increasing amounts about running
Earlier posts can be found on Adventures of a Lone Bass Player, where this blog began life. Recent entries can be found here.
Waiting and Waiting
by admin - 23:52 on 04 May 2011
The wait for this year's first sighting of a snappable marten grows increasingly frustrating; our visitors still usually come well after dark and when we're in bed. That's gross ingratitude in return for all the food they've enjoyed.
However, I'm being impatient. Last year's first snap was taken on May 14, so there could still be a while to go. That said, it was at 9.50pm (Exif data's very handy) so Romeo the black-and-white bully might have some effect on marten routine.
That could change again, for Mr and Mrs Montague plan to raise a few chickens, we learned today. A gentle hint may be dropped that pine martens are a protected species, even if they do enjoy a nightly hen's egg...
My first marten snap last year – there should be a new series soon
Bird activity has declined, doubtless because more time is being spent in nests. Even Shrek and his harem have not been seen for a while, although he can often be heard shouting in the neighbouring field. And the Prescott clan has yet to recolonise the gatepost, so I've had no opportunity for lizard snappery either.
So on Friday I'll travel to a secret lair, somewhere on the Black Isle, to lay in wait for red squirrels. Shame that the good weather ends tomorrow, but I have to keep myself amused somehow because Matchgirl is to abandon me again for a few girlie days and nights in Edinburgh.
For company I should have Marten James, who's been unable to resume camera trap activity since unwisely returning from Borneo with his Canon in the cargo hold. Bad decision.
Book Update: A call from Norman, who's now paranoid about colour quality in The Bumper Book of Black Isle Snappery's new print run, took Andrew and me to his premises yesterday to examine early pages from his newly serviced and recalibrated printer. However, all was well and the book remains on target to be with us midweek next week.
Just as well, for Marten James has gone publicity crazy since seeing our spread in the Scottish Daily Mail. I've yet to see the paper. He's now approached the Press and Journal, the Highlands' biggest daily newspaper, and is considering a plea to the Daily Record.
Election Update: Anyone confused about the referendum should have all their questions answered by the video above. Bess found it very enlightening.
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