BATS – AUSTIN, TEXAS
November 17, 2011 in Wildlife Village by Ann B
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Todays post is about another interesting little bit of information that came up on the internet. Where would we be without it eh?
If you thought bats only came out at night- think again!
Around one-and-a-half million of the winged animals are currently living under a bridge and taking over the skies in the American city of Austin in Texas.
The bats have been forced to come out before sunset because of a harsh drought that has hit the area making it harder for them to find food.
Local residents have been flocking to see the creatures in the daylight.
The cloud of bats show up on weather radars! The drought has destroyed loads of crops in Texas and killed lots of the tasty pests that the Mexican free-tailed bats like to eat.
Each night they fly out from under the bridge in a black cloud that’s so large it shows up on local weather radar!
Conservationists don’t think that anyone should worry about the drought harming bat numbers, as long as it doesn’t last much longer.
Bat expert James Eggers reckons that “if we just have one to two years of drought, it’s a natural cycle and it’s not going to affect the species as a whole”.
It’s thought that about 100 million bats live in Texas. The largest bat colony in the world, about a whopping 20 million, can be found in a cave in the northwest of the state.
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The Dyfi Osprey Project and the Scottish wildlife Trust  have kindly given their permission for us to post still and video images from their webcams. To visit their sites please click on the relevant link.   Loch of the Lowes.  Dyfi Osprey Project.
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Congrats Anne on the new Grandchild – so wonderful isn’t it?
The post today interesting as usual and I’ve been to Austin – compared to other Texas places I’ve been its very nice there. Also been to San Antonio (again really like it – lovely river walk through the buildings in the centre and of course the Alamo) and there was flocks of these black birds all over the place – they were swarming and noisy – bigger than a blackbird thinner with long tail – trees were covered, never seen anything like it!!
My grandson Euan loves Giraffes – I have many photos of him in Houston zoo but they’re too big to download to Village – tried!!
Carole – I had problems resizing my photos for ages. I am sure if you PM Ann B, she can talk you through it. It really is so easy to download and once done there will be no stopping you!
Love Julie x
Good afternoon, Everybody from what has been a lovely sunnty Plymouth. Thank you ANN for your bat post today. I know so little about these creatures that I am looking forward to going back and reading about these ‘daytime’ ones.
So many CONGRATULATIONS Ann, on the arrival of your beautiful new Granddaughter, and congratulations to her Mama and Papa. Gazing at your photos of little Naomi, so recently arrived in the world, gave me a veriable ‘Aw’ moment – what a little poppet is she.
JULIE I so enjoyed reading about your 2nd Scottish holiday trip. You always write so interestingly and I could picture just how the ‘Discovery’ looked – thanks of course, to your photo of her. These days, we are so caught up with all the modern technology used, in shipping just as much as in other fields, yet, what an achievement of the Discovery in her voyages, right back in 1901. When I come up to Perth in May, I fully intend to take a trip to Dundee and visit that vessel. With others here, my mouth is watering, reading about that delicious Scottish dessert, mind you, I guess I could force that down at any time of the day!!
MARION Thank you for updates of Oswald, what a relief that he made it to Africa. Now we must wait until Autumn Watch tomorrow to see if Roy Dennis found any sight of Leri.
Off to have a cup of tea now, after a very energetic dance class this morning where among other dances,we learnt a new, complicated ‘Cha cha cha’ -( glad Craig wasn’t there)!!! followed by our monthly ‘sing song’ in one of our local churches. We sing non stop for an hour, accompanied by the piano. Today about 40 people turned up, most of us being ‘of a certain age’, so knew all the songs!!!! Might pop back later. Oh, fabulous news about the Dolphins – a Happy Day all round!
Thank you Rosy – I can’t wait to meet you too, it’s so exciting already.
Hi Julie – hope you are feeling a bit better now – this bug reallyy takes it out of you doesn’t it! Loved your 2nd day holiday report – that Discovery ship sounds terrific! I remember taking a tour around the S.S. Great Britain in Bristol Docks and loved looking around and imagining being on it in its heyday – I’m sure the Discovery was like that for you too! The rest of your excursions sound brilliant too and loved your photos – can’t wait for our Scottish Trip next May and also my L & G hol in July! Don’t want to wish the year away but I think 2012 is going to be an exciting time!
BTW loved your giraffes too – one of my fave big animals!
Rosy I am so pleased you will be with us in May, this meeting is getting better and better. So looking forward to meeting you in the flesh (so to speak) You will be the one dancing lol . xxxx
Woodmouse in the Helligan nest just now. Looks as though it is doing some more nest building!
Some lovely photos today, thank you! You may see the Moroccan climbing goats again soon, just finished a future post a couple of days ago and they are included in it! Spooky!
Hi Fiona – i think i passed the place where you went Ghosthunting, was it near Pitlochry?
Love Julie xxx
It’s about 30 miles away from Pitlochry at Weem, near Aberfeldy xx
Oh yeh, thats where i saw it, at Aberfeldy. Knew i had passed it somewhere. Glad you had a spooky time and enjoyed yourself xxx
Hello again, all. I took a photo at the vet’s this morning of the grooming room. It was all decorated with balloons, and they had the Pudsey ears Alice bands ready for their ‘Children in Need’ event today. The team are hoping to trim as many pets’ nails as possible today between 8am and 8pm, with all donations going to the charity. It felt like there was a party there, it was lovely.
I left them to it and retreated to the waiting room for a lovely cup of hot chocolate while Tango was having her nails done. They said she was OK until the last paw, but they both escaped any injury!!!!
What a great way of making money for Children in Need
Brilliant Joyce, so good to hear of the fundraising for Children in Need, I hope they make the Guinness Book of Records. xxx
Good for them!
Thank you for all your good wishes. I can confirm that Naomi is indeed gorgeous and i had a lovely cuddle today. Julie and Steven are happy and I’m so proud of both of them. All i could say was ‘Thank you’. Daft old me lol.
Nothing daft about that Ann! Your pride is entirely justified, and thanks for sharing your fantastic news with us all. xxx
Thanks too, for another interesting post, yet another topic I knew little about! xx
Ahhh
Ahhh
Ahhhh Ann you had your first cuddle! Loved the photos of the little angel only a few hours old! She will be the most spoilt grand-daughter in the world!
Nothing like the first cuddle Ann – so happy for you all xxx
So happy for you Ann after the long awaited birth. I bet you did not want to put Naomi down. Um where are the pics from your visit LOL. We want more! xxx
So pleased for you Ann, she is a beautiful baby, nothing like your first grandchild bet you
can’t wait for Julie and Steven to take her home and being the proud Gran pushing the pram.
Dx
ANN, I am so pleased you have had your first cuddle. You are not daft with your “thank you”. I said that with all my Grandchildren!! 8 in total!! Plus 1 Great grandson!!
I was at the birth of my 1st Grandchild, and held him shortly after. (I wouldnt attempt to now, he is 24). Oh how I love the smell of new born babies.
Oh, how lovely Ann – you must be just the proudest Granny ever!
I’m sure I’d weep buckets if I ever became a granny – that’s if the shock didn’t finish me off first!!!
Hope we soon have a picture of you with the little princess, Ann. xxxx
Right i’m off out dancing, i actually feel like i have a bit of energy this evening.We hav’nt been since we got back from Scotland. Mind you i will probably regret it tomorrow.
Have a good evening and hi to you Jill if you are on here later.
Love Julie xxx
I said earlier I bet you’re not resting
Dx
Hi Hi Hi – I’m just back home – have a good evening dancing but don’t overdo it! Love Jill xxx
Take care Julie, but enjoy xxx
How lovely to hear that you feel you have enough energy for dancing Julie! Hope you’ve had a great evening. xxx
Wondering where our Chrissy is, and Eileen seems to have gone AWOL too!
SUSAN if you are looking in hope the mouth is getting better.
Dx
Yes I was wondering too about Chrissy – wonder if she has connection problems. We know Eileen sometimes has a job to connect.
While we are the subject of missing villagers – we haven’t seen Cas for a while and Carolyn and Nuphar haven’t posted for sometime – hope all is well with them all.
Deirdre – will reply soon! LOL
Don’t worry, time flies doesn’t it when we are blogging
Dx
i think come march we’ll have more familiar faces back.
yes not seen Chrissy for a day or so. I’ve still no internet. Hope my router comes tomorrow.
Or Claire since the really upsetting incident she was involved in. Hope she is ok xxx
Perhaps she has gone down with the virus.
Must be annoying at the moment not having your internet. Have you decided
about the flat yet?
Dx
OK just off to cook some pasta with mushrooms – be back later xxx
Hand picked mushrooms Jill? I am trying to grow my own mushrooms at the moment. They are now in the wardrobe and tiny little mushrooms are appearing. Cant wait to taste them, could be a while yet though!!! xxx
With your clothes Jan?
No not in the clothes wardrobe Deirdre. My bits and bobs wardrobe. What are you going to tell me? xxx
Oh nothing really Jan, just would be a bit worried about creepy things in the compost
with the mushrooms LOL. We have been plagued with those harlequin ladybirds in
the last two or three weeks, daren’t open a window they are in straight away, and
keep finding clusters of them hibernating in odd crevices, so I can imagine they might find the
mushrooms!
Dx
Oh yes Jan – hand picked from the shelves of the supermarket today! LOL actually I’m trying out some exotic mushrooms called Buna Shimeji – Brown Beech, and also some nutty portabellini stirred into a pasta sauce – mmm mmm – its almost ready ……
Sounds delicious Jill, the ones in the wardrobe are only white mushrooms!! Wish I could get those mushrooms in my supermarket!! Have a lovely dinner. xxx
That sounds like fun Jan – they will grown really quickly I expect – at least you know they are organic xx
First time I have tried to grow them Jacks, got them from the garden centre where we met. xxx
I have my I tunes on shuffle and this just played, I love this theme, so went to find it on you tube. As a couple of our villagers are dancing it seemed just the thing xxx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuLiKz39ZOM
Thats good Jan. I like it when i can hear the shoes
Love Irish dancing
Dx
JAN, Thank you. I loved that. I love to see Irish dancing.
Hi All
Before I start I have to say CONGRATULATION to Grannie Annie and family. Doesn’t Noami look beautiful little baby.
Great post today Ann, they are amazing.
Great links to and brilliant pics today. Love the one’s of the Giraffes from Zoe Jan, they are great.
Well, back at the dentist today and she had a play about with the plate and took off a bit here and there, so we are getting there. The right side of my mouth has finally started to heal and I can stand a little bit of pressure on it, and the left is still very sore with the large ulcers, but feels a little better, so fingers crossed things will start to heal as I was just tearing the skin off of these ulcers when trying to get the plate in which did not help. Surely things can only get better now.
I have been missing you guys. xx
We miss you too Susan. I am cringing with the thoughts of the ulcers. it will take time to heal, OUCH!. As you say things can only get better. Lovely to hear from you, but take good care of yourself or I will be up there to sort you out!!! xxxx
Hi Jan, I was cringing too, lol. I will I promise mum, lol xx
Oh Susan – it all sounds so painful but glad the Dentist has tweaked your plate a wee bit. Hope the left side starts to heal now – it must be awful trying to eat. Take it easy – we miss you xxx
Hi Jack, long time no speak, lol. It has been terrible trying to eat, just stuff I dont have to chew, lol. I had practically nothing at all ove the weekend and I was starving, Here’s hoping now xx
How are you doing xx
Hi Susan,
I’m fine – it’s you we are all worried about. Can you not manage soup and yoghurt – oh and porridge – in fact the sort of stuff I eat all the time!!! LOL Shall I come round and cook for you!!
Dont like porridge, yoghurt etc. lol
Yes please Jack, that would be lovely xx
Susan so glad you are on the road to recovery and hopefully the left side will improve
now the dentist has tweaked the plate.You deserve a nice treat at the end of all this!
We’ve missed you too, but you do need the rest all helps a quicker recovery.
Dx
Hi Deirdre, thought everyone had deserted me there, lol
I do hope so D, fingers crossed it starts to improve now. Ohhh I wonder what treat I could have then, lol
Susan xxx
What would really grab your fancy?
Dx
Hi Susan – I’m so glad that you are starting to heal. Last time I had a tooth out I found the only thing that really helped me was warm salt water mouth washes – but not too much salt as that tastes horrible!
Get well soon, anyway. xxx
Meant to say Julie, love the holiday story and pictures, what a lovely time you had xx
Just had a look in at one of the cams, isn’t this sweet
Aw so cute, which cam is this one Susan xxx
San Diego cam
Thats a good cam.
Oh, that’s lovely too!
Polar Bear enjoying his carrots
Just never imagined they ate carrots, must need a ton of them!
Dx
I am falling asleep so will wish you all a goodnight. Sleep tight and sweet dreams. Night Night Lady and Laird, hoping for the best news for you Leri. xxxx
Night Night Jan, sweet dreams my friend xxx
Goodnight, Jan, and sleep well. xxx
Night night Jan, yes really hoping for some good news of Leri.
Dx
Night night Jan – sweet dreams – see you tomorrow xxx
I’m just watching the panda on the San Diego cam. It’s playing bedmaking with the straw.
Must get to bed hope you all have a good night.
Dx
Goodnight, Deirdre, and sleep well xxx
Night night Deirdre, sweet dreams, xxx
Night night Deirdre – sweet dreams – sleep tight xxx
Susan – are you still up – I have just replied to you further up the Blog – unfortunately I must go now – can’t wait for that laptop – house still not sold but we have a buyer and are at the fingers crossed stage.
Hope you have eaten something tonight even if it’s only soup – hopefully it will all be worth it when your gums heal to suit the plate which I assume is the idea.
Night night Susan and anyone else still up – sweet dreams – sleep tight xxx
Night night Lady and Laird – stay safe – Leri we are all hoping for good news tomorrow xxx
Hi Jack, yes fingers crossed of a possible buyer, that would be good news for you, something less to worry about
I manage to have a bit of fish tonight, but found a couple of bones and that put paid to that, lol
Night Night Jack, sweet dreams xxx
Oh that is a pity just when you were managing to eat.
Night night pet xxx
story of my life, lol xx
night night all. I’m having a early night. Love this place. Loved my cards that I’ve been sent. Lots of love tonight. Lol. (lots of love). See you all tomorrow. Because I’ve got Oor internet tomorrows post isn’t very educational but i Hope it makes you smile. Xxx
Goodnight Ann – hope you have lovely dreams now.
See you tomorrow everyone, I’m off to bed too. xxx
Night night all, sleep well my friends xxx