Webcam Birding Report from Seniors

We have been busy meeting at our library all glued to our large screen computer twice a week and enjoying every minute of spying on the private lives of nesting birds. Their main activity is eating, poo-ing and sleeping. Outbursts of sibling rivalry occur more often with the Redtailed Hawk chicks. While watching the baby hawks being fed suddenly the chat box beside the online webcam lit up with a class of kindergarten asking if they could ask some questions about the Hawk family. Of course the moderator of the website was more than happy to have the teacher ask questions on behalf of her students. We were so pleased at being able to sit in on this classroom discussion. What a privilege!

Red-tailed Hawk webcam

Our Eagle family experienced a death in the family. One little chick was probably kidnapped and eaten by the crow family. A few days ago we saw the eagle nest being persistantly harassed by a crow. We know there was 3 chicks at that time. When we came back a couple of days later there were only 2 eagle chicks left in the nest.

American Bald Eagle Nest webcam

Webcam Birders Group Inaugural Meeting

April 30,2014
Three Seniors met together for our inaugural meeting of Webcam Birders Group. More will join us later. We will meet daily throughout the bird nesting season to visit our favourite nesting birds live until all the chicks fledge.
Today everyone was excited when Mom Hummingbird flew to her nest to feed her babies while we had the webcam on FULL screen! It was awesome to watch.

Sunset & Twilight on the Porch Card by gramabarb

Thank you Whidbey Island Back Porch

Poem in Your Pocket Day April 24, 2014

Here is my poem for you on Poem in Your Pocket Day April 24, 2014

Rondeau
Jessie Redmon Fauset
(1882-1961)

When April's here and meadows wide
Once more with spring's sweet growths are pied
I close each book, drop each pursuit,
And past the brook, no longer mute,
I joyous roam the countryside.

Look, here the violets shy abide
And there the mating robins hide—
How keen my sense, how acute,
When April's here!

And list! down where the shimmering tide
Hard by that farthest hill doth glide,
Rise faint strains from shepherd's flute,
Pan's pipes and Berecyntian lute.
Each sight, each sound fresh joys provide
When April's here.

Today's poem is in the public domain.
About This Poem
Rondeau was first published in 1912.
More information about Poem in Your Pocket Day
http://www.squidoo.com/poem-in-your-pocket-day

Friendship Cherry Blossom Card by gramabarb
View other Friends Cards at Zazzle.com

Seniors on Tour of Vancouver Murals by GramaBarb

A few photographs we took while on tour of Vancouver Eastside Murals. Enjoy the piano music "Sunday Stroll" while you view a 2 minute tour on YouTube on Grama Barb's channel:
Vancouver eastside murals slide show with piano music "Sunday Stroll"

http://youtu.be/uDYkw2VB1GI

List of mural titles:

Introduction
1. Earth Giveth & Earth Taketh Away
236 Clark Drive
2. Groundwater Hydrolics
1216 Franklin Street
3a. Japanese Eagle
3b. Japanese Eagle (full size)
3c. Quote up close
657 Powell Street
4. A Store Entrance
Comercial Drive
5. Penguins
Alley side trip
6. Panda
Alley
7. Tiger
Alley
8. Lion
Alley
9. Cactus in the Alley
10. Salmon Mural
1201 Franklin
11. The Russian Hall
600 Campbell Avenue
12. McGregor Mural 1
1209 Adanac Street
13. McGregor Mural 2
14. McGregor Mural 3
15. McGregor Mural 4
16a. Crossings
1249 Adanac Street
16b. Crossings
17. The River of Crows
1100 McLean Drive
18. Fratelli Bakery
Commercial at 2nd
19. Thank you

Our thanks to the management of Terraces on 7th for arranging a special tour guide to come onboard our Bus and explain the background of all these marvelous murals.
You can learn more about the Vancouver Eastside project at this website:
Vancouver Eastside Mural Tour

A new Vancouver book
The following book will be released May 13, 2014.
Written by Lani Russwurm who holds degrees in political science and history from Simon Fraser University.

Vancouver Was Awesome: A Curious Pictorial History

Seniors Wii Bowling Tournament by GramaBarb

February and March 2014 Seniors throughout the Greater Vancouver area have been busy taking part in an organized Seniors Wii Bowling Tournament. There are 21 teams in this tournament and currently The Terraces are 12th (our team).
The scores are being posted online here: Wii Bowling Tournament

Photograph: Barbara trying to get a spare...

Food Memories Flourish with Seniors

Sometimes it is hard for young people to start a conversation with seniors. Try talking about food. I did an experiment last week and asked Seniors a simple question: What do you like to put on your toast? Your most favourite! I have posted the results on my mini blog. Here is the answer from Pat (85) What do you like on your toast, Pat?
Read the entertaining comments following the blog. You are welcome to add your comments too. I asked 2 more seniors the same question - both are in their 80s and passionate about their toast.
Passionate Seniors blog
It is a fun conversation starter for all ages - Give it a try!
Have some homemade jam handy as your guests will want some toast to go with their tea.

Carol's Rose Petal Jam Recipe Postcard by gramabarb
Browse more Roses Postcards

A Senior is Hunting for Socks - New or Used

The Sock Granny wants your old or new socks for charity.

Read about the Sock Granny in action
http://www.bubblews.com/news/1676068-sock-granny-in-action-be-kind-12
The Sock Granny continues her quest
http://www.bubblews.com/news/1691000-the-sock-granny-strikes-again-be-kind-14
You can collect socks for the homeless in your neighbourhood.
http://www.bubblews.com/news/1608262-how-to-start-a-sock-drive-for-the-homeless-be-kind-4
http://www.bubblews.com/news/1632771-kindness-abounds-be-kind-7
As of Dec.6, 2013 The Sock Granny has donated 264 pairs of Socks to the MPA Society for the mentally ill and homeless.
Many more are needed during the cold winter months.
Update: For the 2013/14 winter 400 pairs of socks were donated. This year, 2014/15 winter, we have been able to increase our activity thanks to volunteers who want to collect socks with The Sock Granny. The will be known as Sock Friend-Amanda; Sock Friend-Camilla; Sock Friend-Rei.
We have set a new goal to be reached by the end of January 2015 of:

1000 pairs of socks