Early Morning Dipsy-Doodle Blues: Saturday, April 19th!

If life were fair Elvis would still be alive today and all the impersonators would be dead. ~ Johnny Carson

Hi Lads! I'm going to head out for a quick up-and-over of Lions Gate. Any interest? Want to beat the rain. Cora lee is up so phone if you wish to join me. Cheers, Patrizzio!
 

 P, I will pass but thanks for the offer. I am playing a match at 10AM. Look forward to hearing about the ride lasterday. Steveston was way to busy for my liking and the tourist throngs were worse than Stanley Park on a Japanese holiday. Enjoy, G

​After more scrutinizing​, I am now of the confirmed opinion that the bird in question is a Sharp-shinned hawk, adult because:

a) That is the bird that commonly could be seen in the area (Cooper's are not show to be there in the National Geographic Field Guide to Birds of North America. Peregrins remain rare.
 

b) Looking carefully at the head and neck you will see that the diagnostic eye patch which dips considerably below the eye for the peregrin, does not do so in the bird shown.

c)Underfeathers for this bird are rufus, while peregrin feathers are more tan.

d) Cap of the Adult Cooper's head is descibed as darker and more clearly delineated from the neck and shoulders. The bird in question has a gentler gray about the head.

e) We have had a couple of Sharpies spend time in our backyard and they look just like that. Very striking birds.

I do believe Ms. Coriander has what it takes to be an excellent birder. One shouldn't discourage her, but after a few years under the belt ( not Yours Sir Patrick) her discerning powers are sure to improve! Likewise a few excellent reference books will speed her progress immeasurably. Fondestos Nancy aka Donna Florida

Hi Donna Florida and Prickly Cactoosian!

Thanks for bird reports! I thought it might be a Cooper's Hawk at first as I didn't notice any red feathers, or at least I think I didn't, when I was snapping away. Can't really tell from blow-up either. Anyway, in spite of latest theory of Sharp-shinned Hawk, Cora Lee still insists that it is a Peregrine Falcon and, as you know, she is The Colour Expert! Please inform your expert(s), both GGRO and Donna Audobonna, that she/they are obviously wrong, in spite of her/their credentials!
 

This morning I was up at just before 7:00 am so first thing I did was look at weather forecast. Called for rain to start at 10:00 am so I dashed off a quick message to Giorgio and Sarge, (Both are early risers so I knew they'd see my email.), saying I wanted to leave by 7:30 am in order to try and beat the rain. Told them to phone if interested as Cora Lee was up, (Unusual for her, I must say!), as well and so any calls wouldn't disturb her. No response so I took off just after 7:30 am and it was grand to be out at that time of the morning. Quite overcast with a very strong wind out of the northeast but otherwise wonderful. Not many people on Seawall, the odd jogger or dog walker but not many cyclists. Once I passed Science World had only the cross-wind to contend with so I managed to achieve and AVG of 21+ km/hr.  

Just before I hit the road I take around Stanley Park I was riding along the bike path towards the Second Beach Concession and a loudly squawking Canada Goose, huge wingspan fully extended, swooped down just ahead of my bike. But moments later another jumbo jet followed and I literally had to duck my head, or felt I had to do so, in order not to collide with the massive bird! Never been dive-bombed by these birds before. When I related my near side-on collision to Cara Lee she mentioned she'd been "attacked" by a crow a few days ago, just off our patio. They usually nest in one of the large trees there and had often given chase to Maggie when she was still well enough to venture outside. 

Sarge had seen a similar incident a day or so ago, near the pond where we encountered the raptor on Thursday. A couple was walking their medium-sized dog which happened to be off-leash and had wandered close to the edge of the water. Out of nowhere a Canada Goose landed right on the dog's back and then hovered over the dog, wings beating, ready to strike again, squawking piercingly all the while. Tail between its legs, the once happy pooch dashed for the safety of its owners! At least I had a helmet on!

By the time I was about to climb Prospect Hill I was at 22.3 km/hr but I knew this would drop significantly by the time I made my way over Lions Gate. Still, had 20.8 km/hr on the clock by the time I was at Spirit Trail in North Van. From there I followed the route I often take, to Bewicke and back so that I had about close to 38/39 km on my odometre by the time I was making the long climb up Lions Gate. 

At the bottom of Prospect Point Hill I had logged 42 km so I knew I had all the distance I needed for my "basic" 51 km ride once I was back home. However, the sky looked fairly clear of rain clouds, (This was around 9:30 am.), so I thought I'd try for a longer outing, making for Canada Place. I felt that the Seawall, past Coal Harbour, wouldn't be too crowded, given time of day and forecast, and my prognostication turned out to be quite accurate, although plaza outside The Pan Pacific Hotel was quite crowded with tourists and people, both children and adults, wearing costumes and make-up. I assume this might have had something to do with an Easter event.
 

Having threaded my way throught the colourful throng, I made my way back to Stanley Park and after a final dipsy-doodle to bring up mileage, (61 km), I set off for home. I had said I would be back by 10:00 am but with extra 20 km I didn't roll into The Heartbleed Bug Terrace until just after 11:00 am. Very pleased that I'd managed to parlay the initial, imagined ride into one of a much more respectable distance without suffering so much as a drop of rain! Stats for ride:

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/483112459#.U1MHnkKJdlc.email  

Inside for a quick shower and change and then we headed for Costco to buy the ham we are contributing to Sunday's Easter dinner downstairs with Clan Sutherland. Stopped at Marquis on the way home and had a very pleasant tasting with David Lanceleot. Wanted to buy the WOW, (Wines of the Weekend, usually nicely discounted), selection, the Cono Sur 2013 Riesling, 13.5%. I was quite taken with this large producer's expression of this varietal first time I'd tried it, more than a year ago, if not more. Since then have not seen it anywhere so as quite pleased to see it advertised at Marquis. As well, ended up tasting a 2010 MandraRossa Nero d'Avola, Sicilia, 13.5%, and was much taken with it as well. Great value for money at $11.90 btl! Must away, as Flamin' and Sarge are coming for dinner so I have to start opening bottles and making saladin! Fondestos from Neo-Birder Coriandre. Cheers, Patrizzio!

PS: Don't despair about the state of the States! 

Having more money doesn't make you happier. I have 50 million dollars but I was just as happy as when I had 48 million.~ Arnold Schwarzenegger.

America is so advanced that even the chairs are electric.~ Doug Hamwell

This evening Flamin' and Sarge came for dinner and Chloë joined us for the meal as well. She had been working her shift at GIB so it was a lively time, as you can perhaps imagine. Sutherlands contributed some very tasty scallops, Coriandre did Dover Sole, I made a large salad with heritage tomatoes and prepared some new potatoes to go with the polenta Cora Lee fried, in the round. 

Unfortunately, Chloë liked the Nero d'Avola so much that she took a bottle to the party she was going to later that evening! Flamin' brought up a box of Purdy's chocs for dessert and there is one lonely one left, for Peter Rabbit, I suppose! After gang left, we wached a two hour, final episode of Bomb Girls. While the period action unfolded, I continued to sip on the bottle of 10 yr old Bowmore Small Batch Release, No. 3, 55.6%, which Sarge needed to help him digest his share of the chocolate! 

Hi Pat, Corinne, Just wanted to write an email and say thank you again for letting two stray cats into your home yesterday

- Jen was impressed by Pat's larger-than-life persona, to say the least, and Corinne's grace in the face of the former. Sorry for interrupting your evening for as long as we did, we were only supposed to say hi and get Pat's approval of the "19-year old", but thank you for your hospitality as always. 

Corinne, looking forward to hearing from you regarding joining the board. Pat, you may post this email to your "secret" blog, preferably above/under one of Patrizzio's emails : ) Happy Easter to everyone at the Islay Inn! Take care, VL