There are several heron rookeries in the Vancouver area which are populated by sieges (thanks for the correct word) of big birds during the nesting and fledging season. Then they all move on, leaving behind smelly white splotches until the rains wash them away.

We will be home, in relatively sane Canada, by mid February, and would welcome you with open arms. You could take up residence in our spare bedroom and stay for as long as you wish, or at least until it is time to brave the border for your second knee surgery. This invitation is truly sincere. Let us know if you want to take us up on it. Love, Dodie

Vile! Now there's another good V-word, and easier to spell. Thanks for the tip and reference. I thought I had it blocked, but it's back. I'll have to study this and try again.

It is really beyond belief. It does feel like we might be at a turning point though, and the craziness of the last few weeks will start breaking down the damned dam. In the meantime, we're building up our inventory of Tyenne needles. Once I'm fit to travel I think we'll be able to spend most of our time overseas somewhere sane.

First off, you should know there's a term for this: this is a siege of herons, and even though you usually see them alone or in pairs it's apparently a recognized behavior for them to gather in larger groups like this too.

That is amazing! There's got to be a reason.

Wow! I've never seen more than one or two at a time. Is there a reason that they congregate in this large of a group?

I’m pretty sure you can turn off the new AI features in Google and Gmail. They are vile. AND they harvest your data, which is of no earthly good to you. https://www.spurnow.com/en/blogs/how-to-delete-gemini-ai-account

Kind of a sad name. I wonder if common mergansers ever wish for something more.

So sad to watch your country bleeding out and not be able to do anything to make it stop!!

Thanks, Rich. I just need to readapt to the winter light. It's definitely more of an issue for me than it was pre-GSA, but I don't think it's worsening. I've got an ophthalmology visit scheduled for after surgery, but it does feel like my vision is stable. I'm just grateful that I didn't break or injure anything in my fall. I was really pretty tangled up between the bike and fence. I should have handed my android to that guy to take a photo!

Scott, I was having the same problem with low sun angles yesterday when I was out on my bike. We're about the latitude of Grants Pass. I'm not telling you not to get your peepers checked. I'm just concurring with Suzanne that it's a winter problem in these northern latitudes.

All the essentials of life there!

Glad to see you back!

Good for you to find the one bright spot in a sticky situation.