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Hi, Rusty!
I have just been reading in the Online News about a sea eagle bearing off a lamb in its talons, on the Isle of Mull
A photograph of the incident was taken by a holiday maker.
It quite puts our local park heron grabbing a baby gosling/duck, in the shade , doesn't it?
A lamb is a hefty trophy indeed!
Poor thing......

Good morning, Elle!
Fine day here!
Just heading out to get my paper and catch up with the local news!
Yes, I read about the sea eagle.
There have been a few reports of lamb predation by the sea eagles up here in the last few years.
Even across the river in Fife.
Been quite a few complaints from the farmers and crofters about it....and insurance claims, I suppose.
Been reading too, that in the Borders, the grey squirrels are being killed to try and stem the squirrel pox that is killing the reds.
The greys are immune to the virus but the reds have no protection against it.

Good morning, Rusty!
Damp here......
You were out early to get your paper!
We are just back from the park...we were a tad later than usual this morning, and nearly got caught up with the Saturday Running Club!
As this last involves an average of 200 runners, it is an event best avoided by the dog walkers!
We just made it .......
The squirrel pox situation is obviously a problem....and I know how serious and nasty a disease this is....and of course no one wants to see the red squirrel suffer - or to become extinct through such squirrel pox.
But I personally cannot see the justification in killing off the grey squirrel population (carriers of the disease ) in order to protect the red......
The greys have a right to their own existence, too?
And down here, we love our grey squirrels!
Now...... the not-so -good news, my cat unfortunately has had a relapse...... he is not eating or drinking, and is trying to be sick just as before.
And I think his temperature is up again.
I have an appointment to see the same vet as previously at 1pm.
Fingers crossed that this is not too severe a set back.......
I hope this post catches you before you go to the Pine Cone!
Have fun with your granddaughter(s)!

Hello, Elle!
Great day here.
Shirtsleeves weather!
I know what you mean about the running club.
With me it's young girls on horses on the Nature Trail!
In Scotland the law is that greys when caught must be killed.
That's our law, rightly or wrongly.
The greys are seen to be an alien invasive species and the law is in place to protect our native reds.
Hope the cat will pick up.
It is good that you have an appointment so soon with your vet.
I am just about to head out now with the girls!

Good afternoon, Rusty!
It is now pouring down here!
We are just home from the vets.
It is not very good news...the poorly cat has been readmitted, and is to have more blood tests...some of which will be repeats of before, to see if there is any further development.
As I suspected, he has a very high fever again - this time worse than previously.
So far, there is northing specific that one can put one 's finger on as being the root of the trouble.....
I am concerned he may have pancreatitis again....this was a problem before, alongside his hepatitis....... so that is now being rested for.
We are fortunate in that the same vet as treated him on Tuesday is on duty this weekend, so at least there is a continuity of treatment.
And I like her and thought her very efficient.
The vet will phone me later...all I can do now is wait.....
How was your outing with the girls?
I am assuming that Miss O went along, too?

Good afternoon, Elle!
Still a great day here.
Not so good news about your cat, but I agree about it being a positive that the same vet is treating the cat.
Let's hope the 'phone call will bring uplifting news.
I had a good time with my granddaughters.
Yes, Miss O was our back seat driver today.
Thought I'd let you know that on the leafy roads to the Pine Cone there are several large road signs with a large exclamation mark on them, saying " ! Red Squirrels".
Not certain what they mean, but possibly, watch out for them crossing the road, perhaps!

Hi, Rusty!
I have at last spoken to the vet...
She sounds to have had a very hectic day......working routinely for this morning's surgery, and then on for emergency cover for the remainder of the weekend.
Since the veterinary practice changed hands, it has grown beyond recognition...so I don't know how many other vets and nurses are also on duty with her?
I shall enquire tomorrow when we go to visit our cat.
Now.... I am unsure whether this is actually good news...but at least a diagnosis has been reached.
Definitive tests have shown that my cat has pancreatitis.
He had a bad bout of this over two years ago, if you can remember, when he also had a bacterial form of hepatitis.
He was desperately ill at the time.
The up side is, I guess, that at least we now know with what we are dealing.
I am worried, though, whether there might be an underlying cause for the pancreatitis..... like a tumour?
But first things first....let us hopefully get him over this bout, before we look for a reason.....
Yes, I think the exclamation mark followed by "red squirrels " means "Take care , look out for them"
I have seen a similar sign for deer.
BGT tonight...I could use some light relief!

Hello, Elle!
I am having problems connecting to the forum!
Anyway, hope this gets through!
Let's hope you find out a bit more when you visit your cat tomorrow.
I know pancreatitis in humans is very painful.
At least your cat seems to be in good hands.
Yes, I agree about the exclamation mark.
"Watch out for reds!"
I think a hatching at the loch is imminent!

Hello, Elle!
I am having problems connecting to the forum!
Anyway, hope this gets through!
Let's hope you find out a bit more when you visit your cat tomorrow.
I know pancreatitis in humans is very painful.
At least your cat seems to be in good hands.
Yes, I agree about the exclamation mark.
"Watch out for reds!"
I think a hatching at the loch is imminent!

Update, Elle!
First chick hatched a few minutes ago!