Wednesday, 20 January 2016
Eagles Over El Hondo
Tuesday, 19 January 2016
Stanza Mar Menor - Poetry & Dissent
We met again with only a week's break in between and we still had plenty to read, discuss and comment upon. However first things first. We examined the offerings brought by Margaret, Douglas and an updated version of David's 'Fuming'. Now that he has had time to digest our comments and to consider what should be amended he came up with a more rhythmic end product. His lines contain a very good damnation of those that pollute the atmosphere having no regard to it, and to those who cannot escape the fumes.
Margaret brought two that she considered were work in progress. 'Alan' was given our scrutiny first. It was one taken out of her early life where children were labeled and put into convenient compartments. We liked it with its simple style and rhyming pattern. Changes were suggested.
Her second one was entirely different. It was entitled 'News from 2001 - 2016' and originated from the news items and her attitude to the horrors in our world.
This is part of the first verse.
.....Perhaps I will be desensitised, or sentimentalised,/But No, I find myself sickened, reeling/feeling hurt and angry for those terrorised. ........
Her final line hits out at the waste of human life.
'Killing at a steady, effective, frightening pace'.
Says it all from 9/11, Charlie Hebdo to today.
Douglas had written 'Caliphate'. This was his view of THEIR view of the 'war on terror'. This piece is very thought provoking and chilling. We are used to hearing the Western view and this swings it around the other way. It expounds an external view, it being the very opposite of much of poetry that has an internalized version of life. In my view the writing takes us to another place. We discussed it and offered no suggestions. It stands as it is and maybe should be submitted to a quality newspaper.
Death came several times last week with David Bowie and Alan Rickman departing this planet. Both so well loved and now who can play the Sheriff of Nottingham? Douglas wrote Valedictory for the former and a short Tribute to a great scary character actor. I can now another sad note for Glenn Frey left us yesterday. No more standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona for any of us, but the memories are great and will live on.
John had reacted to a theme offered by TORREVIEJA WRITERS CIRCLE of ' The Fondest Kiss'. He had surprising comments from Margaret about the simple fact that she consider it poetry. David is of the opinion that it is 'poetic, but not poetry. A shock really as the three pieces were written as 55 word Flash Fiction. He will consider the thoughts offered and will probably read it for TWC this coming Wednesday. There is no 'fondest' in his three versions, but I suppose that is what a warped mind does!
And now to something entirely different. We are a small group and very enabled to spend time examining what is being offered by some in the poetry world. Some of it we don't like and we have decided to say so. This will involve much reading, digesting and the formulation of articulate replies - for we are writers after all!
We will look again at the winning entry at Ledbury, together with the TS Eliot Prizewinner, Sarah Howe and also Rachel McCarthy who has been labeled as 'the climate scientist poet unleashing elemental forces'. Articles have appeared in The Guardian and so they are already in the public domain. Ledbury Poetry Festival announced its competition winners and those can be accessed via their website. We are going to see who has been examining and judging and who has decided and adjudicated upon what. We will look at background and gender to see what prejudices ( if any) are in play. This is not a 'witch hunt' - no sexism at all here - and having read some of the comments on social media I know that we are not alone in being skeptical about what is good and well written and what masquerades as poetry. I believe that poetry is for every person and not for an elite group who evidently consider that they are the ones that know best. It does not mean to say that everything must rhyme, but it must have rhythm and it must be poetic.
Margaret brought two that she considered were work in progress. 'Alan' was given our scrutiny first. It was one taken out of her early life where children were labeled and put into convenient compartments. We liked it with its simple style and rhyming pattern. Changes were suggested.
Her second one was entirely different. It was entitled 'News from 2001 - 2016' and originated from the news items and her attitude to the horrors in our world.
This is part of the first verse.
.....Perhaps I will be desensitised, or sentimentalised,/But No, I find myself sickened, reeling/feeling hurt and angry for those terrorised. ........
Her final line hits out at the waste of human life.
'Killing at a steady, effective, frightening pace'.
Says it all from 9/11, Charlie Hebdo to today.
Douglas had written 'Caliphate'. This was his view of THEIR view of the 'war on terror'. This piece is very thought provoking and chilling. We are used to hearing the Western view and this swings it around the other way. It expounds an external view, it being the very opposite of much of poetry that has an internalized version of life. In my view the writing takes us to another place. We discussed it and offered no suggestions. It stands as it is and maybe should be submitted to a quality newspaper.
Death came several times last week with David Bowie and Alan Rickman departing this planet. Both so well loved and now who can play the Sheriff of Nottingham? Douglas wrote Valedictory for the former and a short Tribute to a great scary character actor. I can now another sad note for Glenn Frey left us yesterday. No more standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona for any of us, but the memories are great and will live on.
John had reacted to a theme offered by TORREVIEJA WRITERS CIRCLE of ' The Fondest Kiss'. He had surprising comments from Margaret about the simple fact that she consider it poetry. David is of the opinion that it is 'poetic, but not poetry. A shock really as the three pieces were written as 55 word Flash Fiction. He will consider the thoughts offered and will probably read it for TWC this coming Wednesday. There is no 'fondest' in his three versions, but I suppose that is what a warped mind does!
And now to something entirely different. We are a small group and very enabled to spend time examining what is being offered by some in the poetry world. Some of it we don't like and we have decided to say so. This will involve much reading, digesting and the formulation of articulate replies - for we are writers after all!
We will look again at the winning entry at Ledbury, together with the TS Eliot Prizewinner, Sarah Howe and also Rachel McCarthy who has been labeled as 'the climate scientist poet unleashing elemental forces'. Articles have appeared in The Guardian and so they are already in the public domain. Ledbury Poetry Festival announced its competition winners and those can be accessed via their website. We are going to see who has been examining and judging and who has decided and adjudicated upon what. We will look at background and gender to see what prejudices ( if any) are in play. This is not a 'witch hunt' - no sexism at all here - and having read some of the comments on social media I know that we are not alone in being skeptical about what is good and well written and what masquerades as poetry. I believe that poetry is for every person and not for an elite group who evidently consider that they are the ones that know best. It does not mean to say that everything must rhyme, but it must have rhythm and it must be poetic.
Saturday, 16 January 2016
SATURDAY MORNING AT EL HONDON
Saturday morning was cold with skeins of ice on the puddles on the track. The wind was blowing. at 22k and warm wind proof clothing was required. The usual culprit ensconced himself in the corner of the hide as usual, but I was soon joined by some great people. We had fun and still watched and saw the birds.
The Spotted Eagle (Moteada) flew and dropped into the vegetation with numerous Marsh Harriers paying it close attention. In fact we had very good showing of these birds. A Merlin flew across and I had a good view of my bogey bird. Later in the distance what we thought was an Osprey showing all black and white was a finely marked male light morph Booted. It landed and we all had good views of it.
On the water were seen two Wigeon and several Pintails. Dunlin flew around as did Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwings, and Dunlin. Very close attention was paid to the flying Lapwings as the flock could contain a Sociable Plover/Lapwing. Eagle eyed Mr Bryan Thomas saw it and for those left behind for the final few minutes we had an excellent sighting within the stationary flock.
This was terrific way for our few hours within El Hondon. The wind prevented good sightings of smaller species and I have not listed everything.
It always good to meet friendly liked minded birders who were a pleasure to be with. Thanks for your company. Some of us are in next week too.
The Spotted Eagle (Moteada) flew and dropped into the vegetation with numerous Marsh Harriers paying it close attention. In fact we had very good showing of these birds. A Merlin flew across and I had a good view of my bogey bird. Later in the distance what we thought was an Osprey showing all black and white was a finely marked male light morph Booted. It landed and we all had good views of it.
On the water were seen two Wigeon and several Pintails. Dunlin flew around as did Black-tailed Godwits, Lapwings, and Dunlin. Very close attention was paid to the flying Lapwings as the flock could contain a Sociable Plover/Lapwing. Eagle eyed Mr Bryan Thomas saw it and for those left behind for the final few minutes we had an excellent sighting within the stationary flock.
This was terrific way for our few hours within El Hondon. The wind prevented good sightings of smaller species and I have not listed everything.
It always good to meet friendly liked minded birders who were a pleasure to be with. Thanks for your company. Some of us are in next week too.
Friday, 15 January 2016
El Hondon Parque Naturel
San Felipe Neri, El Hondon.
A cool Thursday (14th) morning with no wind, some sun
and light cloud provided an ideal morning.
In the new scrapes were:
Black-winged Stilt
Coot
Chiff-chaff
Purple Gallinule
Green Sandpiper
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Little-ringed plover.
Magpie
Meadow Pipit
Moorhen
Muscovy Ducks - a pair.
Snipe
White Wagtail
It was still cool as I went via the Boardwalk
where there was not much to see.
Sardinians called, flew and one perched in full view.
Collectively the two hides allowed us to see only:
Flamingos
Kingfishers - many in flight
Shelducks
Mallards
Pochards and nothing else not yet listed.
We searched and saw both female and male Black Redstarts, and Stonechats
Once it warmed up there were Marsh Harriers flying and overhead a white morph Booted Eagle and then a male one flew over giving terrific close-up views.
Returning via the Boardwalk we saw a 'vole' swimming. Still to be identified, but definitely not a rat!
It was good to be out and to meet two like minded people in Tony and Peter that made it all the more enjoyable. It is good to talk. And now Saturday morning via the North Gate.
A cool Thursday (14th) morning with no wind, some sun
and light cloud provided an ideal morning.
In the new scrapes were:
Black-winged Stilt
Coot
Chiff-chaff
Purple Gallinule
Green Sandpiper
Little Egret
Little Grebe
Little-ringed plover.
Magpie
Meadow Pipit
Moorhen
Muscovy Ducks - a pair.
Snipe
White Wagtail
It was still cool as I went via the Boardwalk
where there was not much to see.
Sardinians called, flew and one perched in full view.
Collectively the two hides allowed us to see only:
Flamingos
Kingfishers - many in flight
Shelducks
Mallards
Pochards and nothing else not yet listed.
We searched and saw both female and male Black Redstarts, and Stonechats
Once it warmed up there were Marsh Harriers flying and overhead a white morph Booted Eagle and then a male one flew over giving terrific close-up views.
Returning via the Boardwalk we saw a 'vole' swimming. Still to be identified, but definitely not a rat!
It was good to be out and to meet two like minded people in Tony and Peter that made it all the more enjoyable. It is good to talk. And now Saturday morning via the North Gate.
Tuesday, 12 January 2016
Stanza Mar Menor
STANZA MAR MENOR
We met again on Monday 11th January 2016 and we intend to do the same again next Monday.
There were four of us assembled around the table with the IPad recording every word so that we can send our readings and comments to David in Murmansk.
Douglas had, with him, five sonnets and a five-verse-four-lined one entitled 'No Longer Daffodils' that referred back to Wordsworth and the Future Learn course that we had studied. It was not about daffodils, of course, but about something closer to our thinking. That important subject of what or how good are a collection of assembled words. Are they prose or are they 'real M'Coy' - Poetry. He spells his view out eloquently and then we have one line 'that poetry can be sublime' summing it all up. He and the rest of us are aware of what is being exhibited as poetry. That's the modern form that lacks rhythm for one thing and masquerades as being poetic. I do not blame the words for they are never at fault. I blame the writers, the academics and the judges that proclaim and exalt this tedious stuff. Poetry should be for everyone and not for some clique who think that they know what is best. We don't concur, but still respecting their individual right.
Douglas's five sonnets were of personal thoughts and touched, delicately, on important things to all of us. However, one of them, told of an old cure for sleeplessness. Of course everyone should know that a peeled onion placed by the resting head of the insomniac will always succeed! These last few months has seen his production rate soar and he has announced that his next book will be filled brimful with sonnets. That's good as I think that I can find enough space for another signed copy. Well done.
David sent one about the pollution he is experiencing up in frozen Murmansk. I will give you a the first few words. - 'In this shitty city, power station chimneys/spew out plumes of filthy fumes'. That sets the scene and he goes on to spell out the fact that the communities suffer while 'fat-cats' indulge themselves. We commented that this rant was 'soft' unlike his previous sharp edged words. It must be the temperatures! Keep it up David. Rant on for I do believe that there is ample space for poetics to protest.
He also sent to us more words on 'Tonka And The Shaman' which is a children's story that will be illustrated. We will send him our thoughts on this story.
Margaret read two 'stories' that she had heard in England that had been performed at an 'open-mic'. She wanted to share them with us and to elicit our views. Again we revert back to whether they were poetry or prose. The verdict was that neither were poetic, but very good stories.
On exactly the same theme we looked at the product of a Poetry Society Stanza meeting that had been placed on the Society's Face Book Page. It is all there for all to see and so we read and commented. The theme picked upon was the original reason for the recipe for Bakewell Tart. So we have a recipe 'poem' or several. The one offered publicly contained some good words and lines. We have to bear in mind that it was written in an evening, but we did suggest that things could be better. For us, it was not poetic. So be it.
Robin had joined us for only the second time and promised to write something again. Margaret too hopes to get some more words into print. John was not able to make a contribution of his own, but has several ideas to become more than work-in-progress.
We did also try to link up via Skype as well as record our meeting which was sent out by email. It is all to do again next week.
We met again on Monday 11th January 2016 and we intend to do the same again next Monday.
There were four of us assembled around the table with the IPad recording every word so that we can send our readings and comments to David in Murmansk.
Douglas had, with him, five sonnets and a five-verse-four-lined one entitled 'No Longer Daffodils' that referred back to Wordsworth and the Future Learn course that we had studied. It was not about daffodils, of course, but about something closer to our thinking. That important subject of what or how good are a collection of assembled words. Are they prose or are they 'real M'Coy' - Poetry. He spells his view out eloquently and then we have one line 'that poetry can be sublime' summing it all up. He and the rest of us are aware of what is being exhibited as poetry. That's the modern form that lacks rhythm for one thing and masquerades as being poetic. I do not blame the words for they are never at fault. I blame the writers, the academics and the judges that proclaim and exalt this tedious stuff. Poetry should be for everyone and not for some clique who think that they know what is best. We don't concur, but still respecting their individual right.
Douglas's five sonnets were of personal thoughts and touched, delicately, on important things to all of us. However, one of them, told of an old cure for sleeplessness. Of course everyone should know that a peeled onion placed by the resting head of the insomniac will always succeed! These last few months has seen his production rate soar and he has announced that his next book will be filled brimful with sonnets. That's good as I think that I can find enough space for another signed copy. Well done.
David sent one about the pollution he is experiencing up in frozen Murmansk. I will give you a the first few words. - 'In this shitty city, power station chimneys/spew out plumes of filthy fumes'. That sets the scene and he goes on to spell out the fact that the communities suffer while 'fat-cats' indulge themselves. We commented that this rant was 'soft' unlike his previous sharp edged words. It must be the temperatures! Keep it up David. Rant on for I do believe that there is ample space for poetics to protest.
He also sent to us more words on 'Tonka And The Shaman' which is a children's story that will be illustrated. We will send him our thoughts on this story.
Margaret read two 'stories' that she had heard in England that had been performed at an 'open-mic'. She wanted to share them with us and to elicit our views. Again we revert back to whether they were poetry or prose. The verdict was that neither were poetic, but very good stories.
On exactly the same theme we looked at the product of a Poetry Society Stanza meeting that had been placed on the Society's Face Book Page. It is all there for all to see and so we read and commented. The theme picked upon was the original reason for the recipe for Bakewell Tart. So we have a recipe 'poem' or several. The one offered publicly contained some good words and lines. We have to bear in mind that it was written in an evening, but we did suggest that things could be better. For us, it was not poetic. So be it.
Robin had joined us for only the second time and promised to write something again. Margaret too hopes to get some more words into print. John was not able to make a contribution of his own, but has several ideas to become more than work-in-progress.
We did also try to link up via Skype as well as record our meeting which was sent out by email. It is all to do again next week.
Friday, 18 September 2015
A Great Bustard Day
Thursday, 17th September was our first autumnal venture to Lagunas de Petrola, Bonete and Coral Rubio. Primarily it was to see how much water was in the area and to see what birds had arrived. It clearly had a soaking and there was a lot of water. The waders and other water birds were not in great numbers ... yet. Bryan Thomas wanted to ensure that the Bargainbirdingclub members were going to see the best that was available.
We arrived soon after 8am with the temperature at 13 degrees Celsius and with a strongish wind. It may be shorts and T shirts on the Costas, but up there wear suitable clothing and shoes. Later in the day at about 2pm it was 23 degrees, still with a wind and an almost full sun with some clouds.
Prior to arriving at the wetlands we had seen a mixed flock of both House and Tree Sparrows. There were also a good number of Rock Sparrows too. Also Greenfinch, Goldfinchs and Linnets were seen. We checked the Starlings and we eventually could clearly see both the Spotless and European in various locations. In different places we saw three Rock Doves, Collared Doves, Wood Pigeons, numerous Crows and a Jackdaw.
At Petrola where there are extensive wet lands we found;
Black-necked Grebe
Black-tailed Godwits - 5
Black-winged Stilts in good numbers
Common Sandpipers - juveniles - ran around in front of us on the road
Flamingos - in good numbers with numerous adults and some juveniles
Green Sandpiper
Marsh Harriers - two flew around
Yellow Wagtail - just the one here.
Afterwards we investigated some of the 'caminos' and we saw our first Booted Eagle - White Morph - since the Spring, another Marsh Harrier - female, and a total of three Buzzards. Later we saw two separate Common Kestrels.
Crested Larks were around, but not in great numbers although Bryan had previously heard and seen a small flock of Calandras. We saw the occasional Barn Swallow, but no Swifts or Martins.
On our way to Coral Rubio wetlands we searched everywhere for what would be a target bird for many - Great Bustards. They proved to be very difficult until later.
In this area we saw:
Avocet
Black-winged Stilts
Black-necked Grebe
Coots
Dunlin - just the one
Flamingos
Green Sandpiper
Lapwings
Little-ringed Plovers
Mallard
Moorhen
Northern Shoveler
Pochard - Common and Red-crested
Ringed Plovers
Snipe
Yellow Wagtails 5 - presumably on passage.
We would suggest that the approach is made from Coral Rubio as the birds can be seen more easily from there; there is easy parking, there is a fence to screen visitors from the birds and because part of the causeway is under water.
Afterwards we carried on with out search for GB's and had the pleasure of watching right up close a Chiff - our first for moths. Then in the distance Bryan with his keen eyes found two Great Bustards. Okay, they were some distance away, but they are still there. We also scanned every field for Little Bustards, but without any luck. Just to add there were only a few butterflies around and we did have too close-ups of Marble Whites. Not too bad for a between season day with over 40 species.
We arrived soon after 8am with the temperature at 13 degrees Celsius and with a strongish wind. It may be shorts and T shirts on the Costas, but up there wear suitable clothing and shoes. Later in the day at about 2pm it was 23 degrees, still with a wind and an almost full sun with some clouds.
Prior to arriving at the wetlands we had seen a mixed flock of both House and Tree Sparrows. There were also a good number of Rock Sparrows too. Also Greenfinch, Goldfinchs and Linnets were seen. We checked the Starlings and we eventually could clearly see both the Spotless and European in various locations. In different places we saw three Rock Doves, Collared Doves, Wood Pigeons, numerous Crows and a Jackdaw.
At Petrola where there are extensive wet lands we found;
Black-necked Grebe
Black-tailed Godwits - 5
Black-winged Stilts in good numbers
Common Sandpipers - juveniles - ran around in front of us on the road
Flamingos - in good numbers with numerous adults and some juveniles
Green Sandpiper
Marsh Harriers - two flew around
Yellow Wagtail - just the one here.
Afterwards we investigated some of the 'caminos' and we saw our first Booted Eagle - White Morph - since the Spring, another Marsh Harrier - female, and a total of three Buzzards. Later we saw two separate Common Kestrels.
Crested Larks were around, but not in great numbers although Bryan had previously heard and seen a small flock of Calandras. We saw the occasional Barn Swallow, but no Swifts or Martins.
On our way to Coral Rubio wetlands we searched everywhere for what would be a target bird for many - Great Bustards. They proved to be very difficult until later.
In this area we saw:
Avocet
Black-winged Stilts
Black-necked Grebe
Coots
Dunlin - just the one
Flamingos
Green Sandpiper
Lapwings
Little-ringed Plovers
Mallard
Moorhen
Northern Shoveler
Pochard - Common and Red-crested
Ringed Plovers
Snipe
Yellow Wagtails 5 - presumably on passage.
We would suggest that the approach is made from Coral Rubio as the birds can be seen more easily from there; there is easy parking, there is a fence to screen visitors from the birds and because part of the causeway is under water.
Afterwards we carried on with out search for GB's and had the pleasure of watching right up close a Chiff - our first for moths. Then in the distance Bryan with his keen eyes found two Great Bustards. Okay, they were some distance away, but they are still there. We also scanned every field for Little Bustards, but without any luck. Just to add there were only a few butterflies around and we did have too close-ups of Marble Whites. Not too bad for a between season day with over 40 species.
Friday, 4 September 2015
INJURED EAGLE OWL
INJURED EAGLE OWL - BUHO REAL
This morning an Eagle Owl was found stuck in a wire fence on the fringes of Embalse de la Pedrera by a friend. He freed it, caged it and then took the bird to Pets World on the carreterra leading from San Miguel to Bigastro which is where we saw it. The bird did not appear to be an adult bird but it was in excellent plumage and generally in good health. Unfortunately it had broken it's right wing. At Pets World they were very helpful and considerate. Earlier we had phoned Guardia Civil, Seprona (669819779), but our Spanish was insufficient. Thankfully the staff in Pets World contacted Centro Recuperaccion Alicante who came and took care of the bird. The phone number for this is 965 152 104 and it would appear to be more local to us and possibly the location could be in Torrevieja. This is the third such bird that I have seen with the previous two being dead. The remains of one was by a metal fence and the other one had made contact with a pylon. They are a protected species, but not uncommon although not that easy to locate and see. Patience is certainly required. Their call is unmistakeable.
Thanks to Arthur for the photographs - to follow - and for the rescue.
This morning an Eagle Owl was found stuck in a wire fence on the fringes of Embalse de la Pedrera by a friend. He freed it, caged it and then took the bird to Pets World on the carreterra leading from San Miguel to Bigastro which is where we saw it. The bird did not appear to be an adult bird but it was in excellent plumage and generally in good health. Unfortunately it had broken it's right wing. At Pets World they were very helpful and considerate. Earlier we had phoned Guardia Civil, Seprona (669819779), but our Spanish was insufficient. Thankfully the staff in Pets World contacted Centro Recuperaccion Alicante who came and took care of the bird. The phone number for this is 965 152 104 and it would appear to be more local to us and possibly the location could be in Torrevieja. This is the third such bird that I have seen with the previous two being dead. The remains of one was by a metal fence and the other one had made contact with a pylon. They are a protected species, but not uncommon although not that easy to locate and see. Patience is certainly required. Their call is unmistakeable.
Thanks to Arthur for the photographs - to follow - and for the rescue.
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