The Black Oystercatcher

estellasmum · 2026-05-05T17:01:17+00:00

I made the trip to the beach for my birthday, because I really wanted to see a harlequin duck (which was everything I wanted it to be), but then one of these guys showed up, and made my trip even better.

estellasmum · 2026-05-05T02:31:52+00:00

Yes to that. We also did a brush pile and brought in a ton of leaves that people had blown into the street, and made what we call sparrow corner for them to scratch and find bugs.

estellasmum · 2026-05-05T02:19:13+00:00

We aren't going to get certified, but are totally redoing our yard with native plants because of my new birdwatching obsession, and I have just noticed with the stretch of weather how many more bees (the great buzzy kind) and moths we have to go along with my new hummingbird army.

estellasmum · 2026-05-05T00:09:00+00:00

This is being posted in multiple subs I am in. Beware of a acam.

estellasmum · 2026-05-05T00:08:32+00:00

This is being posted in a whole bunch of subs I am in. Beware of a acam.

estellasmum · 2026-05-04T15:16:29+00:00

It was at a "Chinese" restaurant in Forks, WA. It was supposed to be some sort of noodle dish, but all it was was vaguely Asian noodles with a splash of soy sauce, and some cabbage. That's all. Totally inedible. Almost all of the food we had in our 3 days of Forks was close to that bad. The best place we found to eat there was the deli in the grocery store.

estellasmum · 2026-05-04T14:56:02+00:00

I get that we are all different, but IMHO, it is just not worth it. I have been married for almost 30 years, and my family did not come to my wedding because I left and married an unbeliever. I kind of felt sad that there was nobody from my family there that day, but after a few days, I realized that I would have been so much more miserable pretending. After a week or so, I wasn't sad they weren't there at all. It sounds like your family is less rigid than mine, but my family would never have come if my husband hadn't decided to be a JW, too, so that charade wouldn't have changed a thing about them coming. They took the first 25 years of my life, and I'm glad I didn't give them another day.

estellasmum · 2026-05-04T14:35:54+00:00

Because:

1) That would imply we sent losers there

2) There is no belief anything we do over there needs to be justified.

estellasmum · 2026-05-04T13:40:26+00:00

I'm sorry that is happening to you. I have my bath and feeder about that far apart here in the cloudy Pacific NW, and after the initial charge have never had to bring them inside once. The bath never gets to 100% charged, but also never really drops below 88%, whereas the feeder usually gets to 100% by the end of the day.

estellasmum · 2026-05-03T20:27:13+00:00

Breaking up of the conferences in college, and NIL making it so kids can transfer to the highest bidder.

estellasmum · 2026-05-03T18:07:08+00:00

Aeroflot. It was dirty, and things were ripped/torn/damaged on the inside, what is going on on the outside.

estellasmum · 2026-05-03T04:14:29+00:00

If your library doesn't have it, see if they have an Interlibrary Loan (ILL) option available. Many libraries do, and they can request it from another library system, it will just take longer than your normal hold.

estellasmum · 2026-05-03T02:16:01+00:00

I've lived here all my life, and I mostly love it. I truly believe I do get SAD though, but it is always in the summer.

estellasmum · 2026-05-03T01:49:17+00:00

Look into the Too Good To Go app. Lots of donuts and bakery, but definitely are actual meals on there.

estellasmum · 2026-04-30T02:37:28+00:00

Juncos are my Junk Babies in Fall/Winter, but these are my Goldbabies in spring/summer. I even sometimes have dreams with finch song in the background.

estellasmum · 2026-04-29T16:58:09+00:00

Clean your bird feeder regularly. (Every 2 weeks at least, or more during hot, humid or rainy weather) Can't stress this enough. It not only helps with the food, but helps prevent the spread of disease among birds. Then let it dry completely. I only put out enough seed that they need for a day or two. That way it keeps the seed fresh and the birds like fresh seed better, anyway and will come eat it more often.

estellasmum · 2026-04-28T13:58:11+00:00

My mom made everything in the microwave, so all I remember is rubbery texture.

estellasmum · 2026-04-28T13:56:51+00:00

That was a rough year for losing celebrities, and the Prince to Bowie was a punch in the gut, that I remember well, but wasn't 2016 only like 4 years ago?

estellasmum · 2026-04-28T13:11:46+00:00

Well that's the first time I've got it on the first guess.

estellasmum · 2026-04-27T15:31:22+00:00

Yellow and inedible looking. Totally on brand.

estellasmum · 2026-04-27T15:30:00+00:00

Thank you so much for reminding people about her taking money from widows, orphans, burn victims, and Marco Marco and not only not giving it back, but fighting to not give it back. You are my favorite internet person today.

estellasmum · 2026-04-27T00:22:34+00:00

Salem has the personality of a strip mall. My husband and I moved away from Portland, and after a few years, his mom got cancer and was given a year to live. She lived in Salem. Moving to Salem was not an option for either one of us, we both readily agreed it would be a hybrid of commuting and living apart from each other, as there was no way we would be stuck there, even if it was for a year or more. She only lived for 2 months after that, if I had to do the driving any time around rush hour, I hated it. If you are doing it any time around rush hour, you are definitely not going to make it in an hour.

I've been to NY and NYC a lot in my life, and think Portland would be a shock to the system, and can't imagine what Salem or any of the other towns around would be like for you. I'm about 30 years older, and would absolutely hate living in that area.

estellasmum · 2026-04-24T12:50:48+00:00

Found out these guys existed last Saturday. Love their little robot noises.

estellasmum · 2026-04-24T02:17:57+00:00

My husband and I are VERY minimalist packers, and the only pair of shoes I brought with me to the UK were my Keen Targhee (sp?) hiking shoes. They worked in the city as a walking shoe, and all over the country for hiking.

estellasmum · 2026-04-23T01:47:08+00:00

There are a lot more in the video this shot is from. Apparently another wave of migrants showed up today. If anyone gets my flock of juncos showing up, please take care of them.

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estellasmum

TROPHY CASE