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majroj
But because the horse hockey wasn't viable, he turned to pony pucks.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 6, 2008 at 1:33 PM
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It seemed to be a favorite of Colonel Henry Potter, MD (M*A*S*H 4077)
He was constantly calling for it.
posted by
majroj
on February 6, 2008 at 1:26 PM
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majroj
It is majroj. How knowledgeable of you. Not many people know about horse hockey. The sport had a short life due to the inability of the horses to stand still long enough for the skates to be fitted. Apart from this, when they were pushed into the centre of the rink, they had a tendency to crap themselves, making the ice dull and requiring too many Zamboni passes.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 6, 2008 at 12:02 PM
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"Horse hockey"...is that polo?
posted by
majroj
on February 6, 2008 at 7:28 AM
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Re: Locally, still outnumbered by mallards and released domestic whites.
Ha! The expression 'Canada Goose' is one of the many confusing things I was bombarded with when I arrived here, much like 'There is no such thing as ice hockey -It is hockey - got it?
HOCKEY.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 5, 2008 at 8:34 PM
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Locally, still outnumbered by mallards and released domestic whites.
But a nuisance nonetheless.
Good to see someone not write "Canadian Goose".
posted by
majroj
on February 5, 2008 at 2:50 PM
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Sira
A quote from Wikipedia, Sira.
In North America, non-migratory Canada Goose populations have been on the rise. The species is frequently found on golf courses, parking lots and urban parks, which would have previously hosted only migratory geese on rare occasions. Owing to its adaptability to human-altered areas, it has become the most common waterfowl species in North America. In many areas, non-migratory Canada Geese are now regarded as pests. They are suspected of being a cause of an increase in high fecal coliforms at beaches.[4] An extended hunting season and the use of noise makers have been used in an attempt to disrupt suspect flocks.
This is a polite way of saying they are a pain and they crap everywhere. When we see them heading south in the fall we break open the champagne and start wearing our good shoes again - you know, the ones that we couldn't wear in case we stood in Canada Goose poo.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 5, 2008 at 1:28 PM
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TAPS
The thought of those horrible birds sitting on telephone wires and crapping on us, gives me the shivers, TAPS. They are called Canada Geese, because they breed in Canada and the Northern States of the United States, TAPS. Me? I'd call them a pain in the ass, and if they are ever declared pests I'll be the first one there with a rifle.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 5, 2008 at 1:24 PM
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majroj.
According to Wikipedia the Canada Goose migrates to all over America, which isn't what I expected. I always had visions of the mucky things descending on one particular state and bringing it to a halt with hundreds of tons (tonnes) of bird crap. They've even been declared a pest in New Zealand - that's one helluva flight, even by Air Canada.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 5, 2008 at 1:19 PM
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I don't like birds
and I really don't like bugs. In fact, as far as I'm concerned, the only good thing about birds is that they eat all the bugs (or, at least the ones that I don't kill first!).
And I can relate to TAPS, as far as those geese are concerned - I got attacked by one a couple of years ago! I was walking along a path in the park, totally minding my own business, trying to avoid stepping in their piles of poo, when one of them puffed right up and came after me, murder written all over his beaky little face.
Dad says I probably just walked too close to his nest. Incidently, dad really likes birds, and usually sides with them, even after a blatant attempt at murdering me--his own child!
I think the goose was just a big jerk of a bird, and he decided to bully me because I was closest to his height.
I don't go to that park anymore.
posted by
Sira890
on February 4, 2008 at 11:41 AM
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Johnmacnab
I'm so glad the herds of cow-like, squawking Canadian geese don't sit on the wires here. One would have to wear steel helmets or carry steel umbrellas or be inundated by the poop. Why are they called Canadian Geese anyway when they were born and raised here in MO, across the way from me, and squat in my park and float in my lakes and amble down my road?
posted by
TAPS.
on February 3, 2008 at 8:01 AM
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Nice one macnab.
Actually we are a flyway and overwintering area for all sorts of raptors as well as sandhill cranes and others. Used to see great flocks of white pelicans and occasional mobs of white swans with noctural fly-bys of snow geese ("chihuahuas in the sky" I'd call them, hearing their cries in the dark), but those days have passed.
I'm more the handbook and "drive-by birding" sort.
posted by
majroj
on February 3, 2008 at 6:28 AM
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majroj
Are you kidding? The insects have to migrate to somewhere, majroj, and I know you'll do a wonderful job of looking after them until it's time for them to return - around 2030 - and no I don't mean 10.30.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 2, 2008 at 9:04 PM
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They're all down here!! Get em off me!
posted by
majroj
on February 2, 2008 at 6:21 PM
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Pat
We sometimes see 4 or 5 grackles chasing off a hawk, but no starlings acting the same way. It must be a wonderful book Pat, but I'll settle for the articles and advertisements for it.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 2, 2008 at 3:15 PM
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The other question is -- are there fewer insects?
From my little house in Seattle I often saw a flock of songbirds attacking a hawk, (also egg-thieving crows) and driving it out of the neighborhood. But one starling on its own is no match for a hawk. I know the book must be lovely. :)
posted by
Pat_B
on February 2, 2008 at 9:13 AM
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afzal
My pleasure afzal.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 2, 2008 at 6:39 AM
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Thanks for sharing !
posted by
afzal50
on February 2, 2008 at 6:01 AM
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ginnie
That's exactly what it's called, ginnie. We are hoping that the Ospreys, at least we think they are Ospreys - are circling and licking their lips at our squadron of pigeons. NB, Mac - Look up Osprey's diet.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 2, 2008 at 5:43 AM
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TAPS
Looking out of the window, I can see 23 pigeons on a high wire just waiting for me.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 2, 2008 at 5:40 AM
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SB
Probably because of human interaction, SB.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 2, 2008 at 5:38 AM
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BC
In the UK the starlings were the problem.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 2, 2008 at 5:32 AM
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sam
I quite agree sam - no mystery at all.
posted by
johnmacnab
on February 2, 2008 at 5:27 AM
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Isn't it termed 'balance of nature'?
Or maybe that's a bit simplistic or is that what you are getting at?
posted by
ginnieb
on February 1, 2008 at 10:54 PM
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Johnmacnab
Beware of big bird gatherings on wires overhead and eyeing you as you move along.
posted by
TAPS.
on February 1, 2008 at 9:47 PM
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Wildlife and birds are generally decreasing. Butterflies and bees too! Why??
posted by
Soul_Builder101
on February 1, 2008 at 8:48 PM
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I love birds. Interesting. The sparrows were once considered pesky, pushing out the bluebirds.
posted by
BC-A
on February 1, 2008 at 8:41 PM
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I don't think it is a mystery. We need a balance! sam
posted by
sam444
on February 1, 2008 at 8:16 PM
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