Mari Hannah and 'Deadly Deceit' where on the cover it is said that 'pure evil wears many disguises', and as it unfolds you will know that it does.
This is the third book that I have read following on from the 'Murder Wall' and 'Settled Blood' where her top detectives DCI Kate Daniels and her solid as a rock DS Hank Gormley battle not only with themselves, but the murdering kind as well.
She paints her characters with a vividness that steps off the page into our imagination. I like the way she writes about individual frailties that become exposed within the murder room and in the real world of the street. No one is perfect.
Her books voice our concerns about what we know is out here. The prejudices and discriminations
that hinder the freedom of choice. Kate battles with 'coming out' or staying stum so as not to hinder her possible promotion. I enjoyed the revelations about her sex/love life and the need to remain focused on her work that just gets in the way of emotional satisfaction.
Kate is a super-woman who has the apparent energy of a battalion of lesser people. Here I ask why do writers have to give their heroes more than they should?
I will not say a thing about the plots as you can read the back cover if you care to. Incidents are pulled together and the participants write their own story. There is one occasion where Kate is leaning against the wall at the nick and within a few lines she is opening a back door in a house. What occurred there? There is one other section that also requires a leap of the imagination.
If you want a hero, particularly a female one, then you have one here and there are others that can entice. You will know that it is much less of a perfect world that you may have thought before reading this fast moving novel.
Sunday, 15 March 2015
El Hondo
Saturday 14th March.
Lots of cloud cover this morning with a small threat of rain. A cold wind and the lack of sun made it colder especially after the midweek temperatures of the high twenties. The incoming Swallows could have wondered if the journey north had been a good choice!
As always with wildlife they write the script and so it was when the Spotted Eagle (Águila Moteada) was perched as we drove down to the hides. It flew perched again and then it flew further away. It is a marvelous sight when it flies and it was close enough not to need binoculars.
The small tower hide easily contained the four of us and for the first time in weeks I was able to watch the lagoon and there was a lot of birds to be able to focus on. This eagle was seen perched, but in the distance for most of the morning. We were fortunate to have a very sharp eyed and knowledgeable birder with us that not only told us what he saw and heard but also imparted his knowledge. Among all the ducks, grebes and gulls a Lesser Black Backed was located, a male Pintail too, Black-necked Grebe in breeding plumage and finally towards the end of our stay three Baltic Gulls and what could have been a female Smew -what was that doing there?
In respect of the Baltic Gulls they have been seen here before, but they were a new species to me. I had to look them up when I got home and every time that I see a Lesser Black Backed I will look more intently.
Overhead Barn Swallows, Red-rumped too with one or two House Martins flew around. There were some Crag Martins with them and it cannot be to long before they head inland with the Marsh Harriers and Booted Eagles for the breeding season.
I seldom completed a species count and this morning it was forty seven. It is so good to have a site like this within 20 minutes of home. A great morning with some great company.
Lots of cloud cover this morning with a small threat of rain. A cold wind and the lack of sun made it colder especially after the midweek temperatures of the high twenties. The incoming Swallows could have wondered if the journey north had been a good choice!
As always with wildlife they write the script and so it was when the Spotted Eagle (Águila Moteada) was perched as we drove down to the hides. It flew perched again and then it flew further away. It is a marvelous sight when it flies and it was close enough not to need binoculars.
The small tower hide easily contained the four of us and for the first time in weeks I was able to watch the lagoon and there was a lot of birds to be able to focus on. This eagle was seen perched, but in the distance for most of the morning. We were fortunate to have a very sharp eyed and knowledgeable birder with us that not only told us what he saw and heard but also imparted his knowledge. Among all the ducks, grebes and gulls a Lesser Black Backed was located, a male Pintail too, Black-necked Grebe in breeding plumage and finally towards the end of our stay three Baltic Gulls and what could have been a female Smew -what was that doing there?
In respect of the Baltic Gulls they have been seen here before, but they were a new species to me. I had to look them up when I got home and every time that I see a Lesser Black Backed I will look more intently.
Overhead Barn Swallows, Red-rumped too with one or two House Martins flew around. There were some Crag Martins with them and it cannot be to long before they head inland with the Marsh Harriers and Booted Eagles for the breeding season.
I seldom completed a species count and this morning it was forty seven. It is so good to have a site like this within 20 minutes of home. A great morning with some great company.
Saturday, 7 March 2015
El Hondo
El Hondo Saturday 7th March.
Fairly low early morning temperatures with a light chilly breeze and temperatures climbing up to around 20C under a blue sky.
People wise it was busy, but with some of the birds on the water ways it was less so. The large area of water had numerous gulls, grebe, coots and ducks, with an Osprey Águila Pescadora) perched. I am told that the Spotted Eagle (Moteada) was seen perched and flying. It will not be too long before this big eagle flies north.
My purpose for this morning was to concentrate again on the Moustached Warblers (Carricerin Común) with many viewings both in the reeds and in flight. They are quick, but when they are seen through a scope it is a fabulous sight. They were full of song as well with more than one singing.
One birder thought that he could have seen an Aquatic Warbler (Carricerin Cejudo) which has a centre stripe on the crown unlike the Moustached (Carricerin Común) The Aquatics have been netted and rung here in the past but none of the acknowledged birders have not seen one here. Interesting and something to look out for.
Thanks to a local Spanish birder we had terrific views of four Penduline Tits (Pájaron Moscón) both males and females in the reeds very nearby. A most enjoyable morning with pleasant company and with sightings of Blackcap (Carruca Capirotada), Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común) and Cetti's (Ruseñor Bastardo) among the usual birds.
Fairly low early morning temperatures with a light chilly breeze and temperatures climbing up to around 20C under a blue sky.
People wise it was busy, but with some of the birds on the water ways it was less so. The large area of water had numerous gulls, grebe, coots and ducks, with an Osprey Águila Pescadora) perched. I am told that the Spotted Eagle (Moteada) was seen perched and flying. It will not be too long before this big eagle flies north.
My purpose for this morning was to concentrate again on the Moustached Warblers (Carricerin Común) with many viewings both in the reeds and in flight. They are quick, but when they are seen through a scope it is a fabulous sight. They were full of song as well with more than one singing.
One birder thought that he could have seen an Aquatic Warbler (Carricerin Cejudo) which has a centre stripe on the crown unlike the Moustached (Carricerin Común) The Aquatics have been netted and rung here in the past but none of the acknowledged birders have not seen one here. Interesting and something to look out for.
Thanks to a local Spanish birder we had terrific views of four Penduline Tits (Pájaron Moscón) both males and females in the reeds very nearby. A most enjoyable morning with pleasant company and with sightings of Blackcap (Carruca Capirotada), Chiffchaff (Mosquitero Común) and Cetti's (Ruseñor Bastardo) among the usual birds.
Monday, 16 February 2015
El Hondo in February
El Hondo, Saturday 14th February, 2015.
My first visit this year with the main intention of seeing the Spotted Eagles (Águila Moteada) before they go north. Sometimes the views here are in the distance and this morning it was the case. One had perched low in the red beds, but one bird was in a distant Palm tree and allowing a full view of it.
In the larger hide we could see in the distance two birds flying sometimes together, acrobatically so, and then flying apart before rejoining. Undoubtedly they were the eagles that I had come to see, but without any of them flying over our heads.
Nearby Moustached Warblers (Carricerin Real) were calling from reeds and eventually we did have very good views. I will look for these birds next time I visit. All the time I was watching these warblers Crag Martins (Avion Roquero) were flying within feet of us. Also seen was a Swallow (Golondrina Común) and some House Martins (Avión Común).
Earlier a female Merlin (Esmerejón) flew and a Peregrine ( Halcón Peregrino) was seen.
There is always something good to see here and I could have listed more, but in many ways it was a relatively quiet morning.
My first visit this year with the main intention of seeing the Spotted Eagles (Águila Moteada) before they go north. Sometimes the views here are in the distance and this morning it was the case. One had perched low in the red beds, but one bird was in a distant Palm tree and allowing a full view of it.
In the larger hide we could see in the distance two birds flying sometimes together, acrobatically so, and then flying apart before rejoining. Undoubtedly they were the eagles that I had come to see, but without any of them flying over our heads.
Nearby Moustached Warblers (Carricerin Real) were calling from reeds and eventually we did have very good views. I will look for these birds next time I visit. All the time I was watching these warblers Crag Martins (Avion Roquero) were flying within feet of us. Also seen was a Swallow (Golondrina Común) and some House Martins (Avión Común).
Earlier a female Merlin (Esmerejón) flew and a Peregrine ( Halcón Peregrino) was seen.
There is always something good to see here and I could have listed more, but in many ways it was a relatively quiet morning.
Friday, 13 February 2015
A HARD DEATH, a novel, by JONATHAN HAYES
A HARD DEATH, a novel, by JONATHAN HAYES (including Gene's Books)
It is exceptional to be allowed to pass by a bookshop without having to drive into the parking lot, park up and enter. We were driving along Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island on the western edge of Florida State when 'Gene's Books' appeared on the starboard side.
Inside it was a beautiful sight. Shiney 'proper' wooden bookcases laden with enticing covers. I browsed. I paused at a corner and there piled up were several copies of Jonathan Hayes' book seducing me with its reddish cover advertising death. At $3.98 plus tax I had to pick one up and scan a page or two. I was persuaded. The marked down price making my decision so easy and I am glad that I did. I had discovered a new author (to me, at least) and a tale of enforced fear, torture and gratuitous violence.
He had introduced Dr Edward Jenner in his first book Precious Blood and both he and Jenner have the same background. Jenner is the protagonist he has chosen to fight for justice after being forced out of New York City. That's a story in itself.
A Hard Death is a story of Florida, with some chapters set in or close to the swamp where many things can be found. There is one paragraph that made me wriggle in my chair and to get over it I had to carry on reading.
This is a 'page-turner'. The plots and the actions flow from page to page with a velocity that kept me reading on and on. There are twists and turns aplenty.
Social issues are included, there is some sex, the dialogues are explicit and since this is a crime novel there is a lot about both criminals and victims. This writer is a veteran forensic pathologist and he includes ample detail. Jenner is the protagonist that he has chosen to combat the bad boys and I think that I like him.
In over 400 pages I found only one piece that stretched my idea of reality close to implausibility. I recommend this book and I will seek out his first one, Precious Blood, and try and discover what makes these investigators of cadavers so willing to write about their work!
It is exceptional to be allowed to pass by a bookshop without having to drive into the parking lot, park up and enter. We were driving along Periwinkle Way on Sanibel Island on the western edge of Florida State when 'Gene's Books' appeared on the starboard side.
Inside it was a beautiful sight. Shiney 'proper' wooden bookcases laden with enticing covers. I browsed. I paused at a corner and there piled up were several copies of Jonathan Hayes' book seducing me with its reddish cover advertising death. At $3.98 plus tax I had to pick one up and scan a page or two. I was persuaded. The marked down price making my decision so easy and I am glad that I did. I had discovered a new author (to me, at least) and a tale of enforced fear, torture and gratuitous violence.
He had introduced Dr Edward Jenner in his first book Precious Blood and both he and Jenner have the same background. Jenner is the protagonist he has chosen to fight for justice after being forced out of New York City. That's a story in itself.
A Hard Death is a story of Florida, with some chapters set in or close to the swamp where many things can be found. There is one paragraph that made me wriggle in my chair and to get over it I had to carry on reading.
This is a 'page-turner'. The plots and the actions flow from page to page with a velocity that kept me reading on and on. There are twists and turns aplenty.
Social issues are included, there is some sex, the dialogues are explicit and since this is a crime novel there is a lot about both criminals and victims. This writer is a veteran forensic pathologist and he includes ample detail. Jenner is the protagonist that he has chosen to combat the bad boys and I think that I like him.
In over 400 pages I found only one piece that stretched my idea of reality close to implausibility. I recommend this book and I will seek out his first one, Precious Blood, and try and discover what makes these investigators of cadavers so willing to write about their work!
Monday, 2 February 2015
Finally a Crested Caracara
Friday 30th. This was our last full day and the last chance to try and see something rare and possibly a species that was endangered.
We looked at the possibilities of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve that was within a 23 minute drive, but eventually decided to go a little further and see if we could find the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.
The area that we chose was the Fred Babcock-Cecil Webb State Management Area and it was easy to find as Tucker's Grade was clearly signed from Interstate 4. As we drove to this 'managed wilderness area' we searched the verges for road-kill hoping to see the rare Crested Caracara, without success. It is a very large area with some good roads and an entrance fee of $6 per car. A guide or volunteer would have been very good to see as we felt afterwards that local knowledge would have been beneficial.
We persevered driving slowly down the roads some of which were metaled, some were graded and some were only dirt, but all were passable. This is the dry season and caution would be needed during the summer months.
Our first find of the day was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. We had to be patient with this one as he kept disappearing around the back of a pine tree. When scoped we could see his red head and chin which identified him as male.
Then, for me, the most interesting birds of the trip. We saw a male Northern Harrier flying around us and within minutes there was a female flying too. We had great views for several minutes and these two birds made the effort worthwhile.
We called it a day and then headed for Naples and The Cheesecake Factory. We knew that Penny had been sacked but I found Sheldon Cooper tidying up the rest rooms. He is very good at that.
The following day we headed north for Orlando International and our home bound flights. We looked out for road-kill and on State Road 31(this bisects Babcock) there was a group of black birds on the road. They were Vultures and Crows and a Crested Caracara. It flew up, went into a tree and then within minutes it flew away. Cameras and binoculars which were all packed were not needed as we had clear and close views of this endangered species.
We have great memories and on the last three consecutive days we had a 'first'. The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail logo bird, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Tarpon Bay followed by the two Northern Harriers and then on route to the airport the endangered Crested Caracara. The most successful few minutes was at Bunche Beach with the 'pipers' and Black Skimmers.
We were in London on Sunday and to carry on with our birding theme we visited the Natural History Museum in Kensington. It is always worth a visit, but our intent was to see the Wildlife Photographers Exhibition. The images of the various species of Birds of Paradise was worth the effort. These photographs taken by Tim Laman, the Portfolio Winner will live in my memory.
We looked at the possibilities of Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve that was within a 23 minute drive, but eventually decided to go a little further and see if we could find the endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers.
The area that we chose was the Fred Babcock-Cecil Webb State Management Area and it was easy to find as Tucker's Grade was clearly signed from Interstate 4. As we drove to this 'managed wilderness area' we searched the verges for road-kill hoping to see the rare Crested Caracara, without success. It is a very large area with some good roads and an entrance fee of $6 per car. A guide or volunteer would have been very good to see as we felt afterwards that local knowledge would have been beneficial.
We persevered driving slowly down the roads some of which were metaled, some were graded and some were only dirt, but all were passable. This is the dry season and caution would be needed during the summer months.
Our first find of the day was a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. We had to be patient with this one as he kept disappearing around the back of a pine tree. When scoped we could see his red head and chin which identified him as male.
Then, for me, the most interesting birds of the trip. We saw a male Northern Harrier flying around us and within minutes there was a female flying too. We had great views for several minutes and these two birds made the effort worthwhile.
We called it a day and then headed for Naples and The Cheesecake Factory. We knew that Penny had been sacked but I found Sheldon Cooper tidying up the rest rooms. He is very good at that.
The following day we headed north for Orlando International and our home bound flights. We looked out for road-kill and on State Road 31(this bisects Babcock) there was a group of black birds on the road. They were Vultures and Crows and a Crested Caracara. It flew up, went into a tree and then within minutes it flew away. Cameras and binoculars which were all packed were not needed as we had clear and close views of this endangered species.
We have great memories and on the last three consecutive days we had a 'first'. The Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail logo bird, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher at Tarpon Bay followed by the two Northern Harriers and then on route to the airport the endangered Crested Caracara. The most successful few minutes was at Bunche Beach with the 'pipers' and Black Skimmers.
We were in London on Sunday and to carry on with our birding theme we visited the Natural History Museum in Kensington. It is always worth a visit, but our intent was to see the Wildlife Photographers Exhibition. The images of the various species of Birds of Paradise was worth the effort. These photographs taken by Tim Laman, the Portfolio Winner will live in my memory.
Friday, 30 January 2015
San Carlos Bay Bunche Beach and Ding Darling
Thursday 29th.
Local information is essential when knowing where and when to find the birds. I have previously mentioned the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and the details posted by the Calhoosa Bird Club have been very useful and accurate. This morning we took them at their word and went to San Carlos Bay Bunche Beach Preserve to look for waders and seabirds. It is opposite Bowditch Point and with the tide low there were numerous birds around. In the space of only a few yards we had three firsts for our all time list. Marbled Godwits were easily seen and numbered about a dozen. Then with the help of two Canadian Birders we saw and identified Wilson's Plover and Piping Plover. Some of them were so close we did not need even binoculars with the Piping Plovers being only feet away. This was birding at its best. As we were walking back at least two hundred Black Skimmers flew in giving us a good show as they flew around, landed and took off again. Also there was a good number of Royal Terns. Due to the weather being ten degrees colder than the average this week and winds causing the water to be very choppy our chances of viewing sea birds was not good.
We were delighted with these sightings, but we were again on our way to Ding Darling and Sanibel. The wildlife drive was our intention and the focus would be to locate and photograph the Short-billed Dowitchers. They were easy to see and after a good examination of about twelve of them we knew we had added another one to our list. Here we also saw Least Sandpipers and some Semi-palmated Plovers.
A quick shopping trip to Tarpon Bay gave us another surprise. As we were about to leave I heard a bird call and in the top of the Mangroves were two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. They flew away quickly but one returned for us to check the identification. There was no doubt what we had seen as there is no other birds like them. Michelle was able to take a record shot.
On this trip we purchased The Sibley Guide To Birds - Second Edition. It has been written and illustrated by David Allen Sibley. There is no doubt that he is an authority on birds and he has been acclaimed by birding societies. It has to be the most informative and detailed bird book that we have bought.
.
Local information is essential when knowing where and when to find the birds. I have previously mentioned the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail and the details posted by the Calhoosa Bird Club have been very useful and accurate. This morning we took them at their word and went to San Carlos Bay Bunche Beach Preserve to look for waders and seabirds. It is opposite Bowditch Point and with the tide low there were numerous birds around. In the space of only a few yards we had three firsts for our all time list. Marbled Godwits were easily seen and numbered about a dozen. Then with the help of two Canadian Birders we saw and identified Wilson's Plover and Piping Plover. Some of them were so close we did not need even binoculars with the Piping Plovers being only feet away. This was birding at its best. As we were walking back at least two hundred Black Skimmers flew in giving us a good show as they flew around, landed and took off again. Also there was a good number of Royal Terns. Due to the weather being ten degrees colder than the average this week and winds causing the water to be very choppy our chances of viewing sea birds was not good.
We were delighted with these sightings, but we were again on our way to Ding Darling and Sanibel. The wildlife drive was our intention and the focus would be to locate and photograph the Short-billed Dowitchers. They were easy to see and after a good examination of about twelve of them we knew we had added another one to our list. Here we also saw Least Sandpipers and some Semi-palmated Plovers.
A quick shopping trip to Tarpon Bay gave us another surprise. As we were about to leave I heard a bird call and in the top of the Mangroves were two Scissor-tailed Flycatchers. They flew away quickly but one returned for us to check the identification. There was no doubt what we had seen as there is no other birds like them. Michelle was able to take a record shot.
On this trip we purchased The Sibley Guide To Birds - Second Edition. It has been written and illustrated by David Allen Sibley. There is no doubt that he is an authority on birds and he has been acclaimed by birding societies. It has to be the most informative and detailed bird book that we have bought.
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)