Hobby Thread - July 19, 2025 [TRex]

Welcome hobbyists! Pull up a chair and sit a spell with the Horde in this little corner of the interweb. This is the mighty, mighty officially sanctioned Ace of Spades Hobby Thread. We gave the Ace of Spades Wheel of Hobbies(TM) a spin and it came up with birds.

Birds? Yes. Birds. Quack, quack.

You might be tempted to say "I'm not really into birds as a hobby." Dig around in the content and soak in the comments. You might find that you're really into birds and didn't know it or you might find reasons to get into birds. Either way, glad you're here.

[Top photo: Kingfisher by polynikes]

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As per usual Hobby Thread etiquette, keep this thread limited to hobbying. Your participation does not need to limited to the theme. All hobbying is welcome. However, politics, current events and religious debates can live in threads elsewhere. Play nice. Do not be a troll and do not feed the trolls. Pants are optional. Puns are welcome and effectively mandatory.

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Birds offer a lot of hobbying possibilities. Bird watchers know the names and species.
The interweb says that something like 11,250 existing and extinct bird species have been identified and classified.

Artists like polynikes find compelling subject matter in the shape, coloring and movement of birds. Likewise for photographers.

Birdhouses come in all shapes and forms. Builders are limited only by their creativity and bird sized scale. Bird feeders and feeding entertains many a human and there are many different philosophies on what bird food is best to attract the winged masses and keep the squirrels and chipmunks at bay (sorry, Perfessor). Hummingbird feeding and watching is a sub-set of its own.

Some people like having birds as pets. Parrots are wild in some parts of the world, but also famously listen and talk back to their owners.

How many people keep chickens at home for eggs? Far more than you might think. Some people hunt birds and are wise in the ways of quail, turkey, and pheasant. Hunters also know about bird or duck calls.

Penguins are very different than robins or cardinals, but they are birds. There are a few places where you can see penguins in the wild and many zoos have penguin exhibits.

We're going to leave Big Bird out of this discussion but you're welcome to talk about Boobies and Tits.

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What happens inside a brand new birdhouse? Watch:

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Not all bird seed is created equal.

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There are countless websites and videos with tips on spotting and photographing birds. Here are three that seem to have abstained from clickbait and pop-ups:

20 Essential Tips for Bird Photography

Backyard Bird Photography - Feeder Setup, Photography Gear, Feeding Options

10 Essential Tips Every Aspiring Bird Photographer Should Know

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Anyone into falconry?

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African or European?

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Smile and wave boys.

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You knew this had to be in here somewhere:

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There are 82 different types of Tits. Who knew?

Tits are all diminutive, measuring between 10 and 15 cm, and possess small but sturdy beaks. A few of them sport crests on their heads and have a varied diet of seeds and insects. Moreover, these birds have an appetite for other invertebrates, particularly fondly for small defoliating caterpillars.
One distinct characteristic of their foraging technique is hanging, which involves scrutinising a branch or twig and its foliage from all angles while suspended upside down to feed.
They are noisy, very active and social birds. They are very territorial, especially during breeding season. They are also known for their intelligence. Great Tits and Blue Tits in Britain learned how to open foil milk bottle caps to get to the cream.
Tit birds are hole-nesting birds that usually build their nests in trees, but some species have adapted to make their nests on the ground. The number of eggs laid by tit birds varies depending on the species, with a range of three to nineteen eggs.

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There has to be a chicken crossing the road joke in here somewhere

Woman attacked driver that hit, killed chicken that was crossing the road, per police

A woman who stopped at an intersection to allow a chicken to cross the road allegedly attacked another driver with bear mace for speeding by her and killing the bird.
According to [the] arrest report, 38-year-old Cynthia Sosa stopped at an intersection on July 9 "to let a chicken cross the road" when another driver "began honking at her and later passed her, running over the chicken."
Sosa reportedly pursued the driver out of frustration about the chicken's death. Upon catching up to the stopped driver, Sosa allegedly blocked the road in front of the victim's vehicle, got out of her car and attempted to open their door.
"They began fighting over the door," the report allegedly said. "Cynthia wanted to 'teach her a lesson,'' so she pulled out her bear mace and sprayed it into the vehicle, spraying [the victim] directly in the face while she was seated inside."

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Bird-related practical advice:

How to remove bird poop from a car

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Did you miss the Hobby Thread last week? We talked rocks. The comments may be closed, but you can re-live the content.

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Notable comments from last week:

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Words of wisdom:

"Because despite all our troubles, when things are grim out in that wide round world of ours, that's when it's really important to have a good hobby." Posted by: tankascribe at June 22, 2024 07:41 PM (HWxAD).

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Would TRex include a mystery click behind the top photo in a Hobby Thread? Maybe... If you have trouble finding something in the content or comments that resonates with you, hijack the thread for your hobbying as you see fit. We will feature a different theme next time. What are you hobbying? We love showing off Horde hobbying. Send thoughts, suggestions and photos of your hobbying to moronhobbies at protonmail dot com. Do mighty things.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 05:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Birds? or bird hands?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:30 PM (0eaVi)

2 I see the vid on falconry. I'd bet the most bird action is flipping.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:32 PM (0eaVi)

3 Best way to get rid of bird poop? Kill all the birds in your area.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:33 PM (0eaVi)

4 Hm. I'm on time. Where is everyone else?

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:33 PM (0eaVi)

5 Helllloooooo in here!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:34 PM (0eaVi)

6 Gee, I hope this thread on birds hasn't laid an egg.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:34 PM (0eaVi)

7 Guess I'll say something downstairs.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:34 PM (0eaVi)

8 Called.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:35 PM (0eaVi)

9 Crap! Maybe the world's ended and I missed it.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:36 PM (0eaVi)

10 Sheesh!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:36 PM (0eaVi)

11 Ten is enough!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:36 PM (0eaVi)

12 Getting lonely in here.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:37 PM (0eaVi)

13 Not even T?!?!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:37 PM (0eaVi)

14 I think maybe the world has ended. Maybe I'll check outside.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:38 PM (0eaVi)

15 Hello OrangeEnt *waves*

Posted by: Joyenz at July 19, 2025 05:38 PM (sPQoU)

16 Hi there! Whew! I thought everyone left me here. Ah crap! Maybe I stink??

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:39 PM (0eaVi)

17 13 Not even T?!?!

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:37 PM
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Dinos are shy. Thought you flipped me the bird earlier. I've got thick skin though.

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 05:39 PM (IQ6Gq)

18 Birds:

https://ibb.co/21V5hxTY
https://ibb.co/mCHRgTXd
https://ibb.co/Y4WRBQn7

Photos by me. Embiggen if needed.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 19, 2025 05:40 PM (Q4IgG)

19 Dinos are shy. Thought you flipped me the bird earlier. I've got thick skin though.
Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 05:39 PM (IQ6Gq)

Just a general statement. Flipping the bird goes back to antiquity. Greek thing, or Roman.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:40 PM (0eaVi)

20 For anyone that missed the Gardening Thread, there is a good video of a momma bird defending her eggs on the ground. I think it is a road runner. (Click on the video with the plowed field and Deere tractor.)

The mom is such an 'ette that she is willing to take on a tractor a 1000 times her size. (She doesn't even have a firearm!)

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 05:41 PM (HlyYF)

21 18 Birds:

Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 19, 2025 05:40 PM
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Nice! Always great to spot an eagle.

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 05:42 PM (IQ6Gq)

22 Ok, great. People are here. Now I can slip back into ignored post status.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:43 PM (0eaVi)

23 When I did photography I saw a duck next to some rather endowed female. I asked her if I could take a picture of her and the duck because it made an interesting scene. She declined. So, instead of getting a picture of a duck with boobies, I just got a picture of a duck.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:45 PM (0eaVi)

24 [Top photo: Kingfisher by polynikes]

Huh? I don't see a cab anywhere.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:45 PM (0eaVi)

25 Sat down on our front steps to talk to a neighbor the other evening.

Shortly thereafter, we started getting our a$$es chewed by a tufted titmouse. A few minutes later, a second one joined the auditory assault.

I told the neighbor we needed to move. I am pretty sure the titmouse couple have a nest in our porch eaves. That is the first time ever (that I know of).

They are cute little birds. I hope the fledglings learn to fly on the first try, since we do have one hunter cat.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 05:46 PM (HlyYF)

26 Quite a few eagles at Kentucky Lake/Land Between the Lakes. The back of Sugar Bay is closed Oct-Mar as a sanctuary for them.

Posted by: olddog in mo at July 19, 2025 05:47 PM (q//dC)

27 25 They are cute little birds.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 05:46 PM
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Small, but a ton of energy and personality!

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 05:47 PM (IQ6Gq)

28

To outsmart predators, the killdeer pretends to have a broken wing. The killdeer lays camouflaged eggs nested in rocky crevices, areas that are not exactly inaccessible to predators.

By acting as bait, they distract the danger hovering over their offspring. The killdeer starts to inch away from the nest, loudly squawking, and dragging its tail and wings as if injured. This conspicuous behavior continues until the killdeer is satisfied that it has misled the predator. Subsequently, it “gets better,” and flies away unharmed.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 19, 2025 05:50 PM (63Dwl)

29 I'm a city girl, so not so big on the birds. Except when I saw eagles in CO and MT - they are just magnificent!

Posted by: The Grateful at July 19, 2025 05:51 PM (IQ6Gq)

30 And the Dead Parrot skit is my absolute favorite MP skit!

Posted by: The Grateful at July 19, 2025 05:52 PM (IQ6Gq)

31 I need to get a field book on identifying all the wonderful foliage here in Idaho. I realize the internet is a thing, but I find it hard to find things backwards, so to speak. I also have several bird books.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at July 19, 2025 05:52 PM (0aYVJ)

32 I guess birds could be discussed on the pet thread as well. My kiddo has a Quaker parrot. He's sorta interesting, when he's not being a little asshole and trying to peck at my bare feet. I mean the bird, not the child....

As for my own hobbies, I did a SOTA hike this morning. 20 meter band was good, but I didn't get any DX. Next weekend is a big SOTA camp out in my area, so I'll rack up some contacts even if I don't leave my back yard. But I'm planning on occupying a hilltop for at least a few hours while other people run around from point to point. Apologies to those of you who have no idea what this paragraph means; it's for the other ham radio nerds on this bleg.

Posted by: PabloD at July 19, 2025 05:55 PM (Yyg09)

33 The falconry thing reminds me of a movie (or TV) quote that I can't place.

Guy says he would love to use a falcon to hunt, but he's not sure how to proceed.

Other guy says (paraphrasing), "that's a thing. It's called falconry."

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at July 19, 2025 05:55 PM (0aYVJ)

34 I remember the photo of the kingfisher diving. Polynikes did a great job capturing the feel of the scene. It's a small part but the way he painted the beak just touching the water makes the whole more effective.

Posted by: JTB at July 19, 2025 05:57 PM (yTvNw)

35 Good evening Hobbiests
Just leaving Historicon in Lancaster, had another game to play but bailing out. Was falling asleep yesterday going home and didn't want to do that again.
French won both games, though my troops did ok

Posted by: Skip at July 19, 2025 05:58 PM (iF+iG)

36 35
Posted by: Skip at July 19, 2025 05:58 PM
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Happy travels Skip.

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 05:59 PM (IQ6Gq)

37 We had a falconer in our side yard a few years back.

I was driving around the corner, and my brain noticed a bird flying very laboriously. When I looked closer, it was a falcon flying with a pigeon in its clutch. The falcon was only a bit larger than the pigeon, and the falconer kind of caught them with two hands.

I rolled down my window to talk to the guy, and his body language immediately switched to defensive. I said, "That was awesome, I wished I had seen your falcon make the capture."

His pose quickly changed. I suspect that some of the aging hippies that live in my neighborhood have given him grief for his falcon kills.

As far as I am concerned, he can cull as many "winged rats" as he would like!

I wanted to stay and learn more, but had to rush off to a volleyball tournament. I have never seen that guy again.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 05:59 PM (HlyYF)

38 Wife and I saw a great blue heron today while walking along the river. It stood perfectly still. I imagined it thinking with its bird brain, "if I don't move, they won't see me."

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at July 19, 2025 06:00 PM (0aYVJ)

39 I'll have to go play the "Dead Parrot" video.

My only real connection to birds, either alive or as a hobby, were the Bachmann plastic model assembly kits, the "Birds of the World" line. Many of them were life-size like the robin and the bluejay; there was even a parrot that was close to life-size. Each kit was snap-together, but each came with a palette of paints, a brush, and a bottle of their thinner. The plastic surfaces were molded with lines for you to follow, and the instructions showed you which colors went where, so it was like paint-by-numbers in 3-D.

I had the Baltimore Oriole before I started school, and there were the ones above, plus the scarlet tanager, the goldfinch, the parakeet, and more.

As far as live birds, I had two parakeets Mrs. Wolfus No. 2 and I bought in our first apartment, where we could not have a cat. One had the blue-feathered body, and the other was a light creamy fellow with bars on his wings.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 19, 2025 06:01 PM (omVj0)

40 Woman attacked driver that hit, killed chicken that was crossing the road, per police

Does she know about a bunch of retard bureaucrats murdering 100 million chickens?

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at July 19, 2025 06:02 PM (ULPxl)

41 Pug, when we lived on the west coast we visited Idaho. And I could see moving there - the scenery, the people, etc. Your reports since arriving there have only confirmed that. Very glad it was a great move for you and your wife.

Posted by: The Grateful at July 19, 2025 06:03 PM (IQ6Gq)

42 This conspicuous behavior continues until the killdeer is satisfied that it has misled the predator. Subsequently, it “gets better,” and flies away unharmed.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 19, 2025 05:50 PM

That is exactly how the Antifa protestors act on camera after a LEO barely brushes them.

I guess it would be fair to describe the current crop of idiot protestors playing in the streets as, "bird-brained"!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 06:04 PM (HlyYF)

43 We've been in this house for over 40 years and often had bird feeders in the yard. We've seen some gorgeous things like a dozen or more gold finches and purple finches in full color. I've had a hummingbird fluttering a few inches away. And I always enjoy the acrobatic antics of nuthatches and small woodpeckers hopping up and down trees and branches.

My favorites are the tiny song birds like chickadees and titmice. Something about the way they move and flit is entertaining.

Posted by: JTB at July 19, 2025 06:06 PM (yTvNw)

44 My chickens don't seem to mind when I call them birdbrains.

Lately there has been an escaped parakeet (bright green) flying around with the local sparrows.

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at July 19, 2025 06:08 PM (ULPxl)

45 Your reports since arriving there have only confirmed that. Very glad it was a great move for you and your wife.
Posted by: The Grateful at July 19, 2025 06:03 PM (IQ6Gq)

It's been pretty amazing. Our little neighborhood has a clan of rabbits that were once domestic, but became feral. Variations of white, brown, caramel. Very tame. Walked to the grocery store down the street early this morning and I saw at least two dozen of the cute li'l bastages.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at July 19, 2025 06:09 PM (0aYVJ)

46 Lately there has been an escaped parakeet (bright green) flying around with the local sparrows.
Posted by: Helena Handbasket
***********
There were (and probably still are) wild parrots in LA County...I was enchanted when I first saw them, but quickly came to appreciate why the locals despised them. Loud and filthy...but they are protected. As are the wild peacocks.

Posted by: The Grateful at July 19, 2025 06:11 PM (IQ6Gq)

47 Wintertime is the best time for birding here on the beach. The winter ducks come up and it’s fantastic. I can sit in my chair, bundled up with my thermos of coffee, a snort or two of bourbon in a flask, my binoculars and my birdbath and spend a couple hours amazed.

Posted by: nurse ratched at July 19, 2025 06:12 PM (dKg40)

48 Love the picture of the owl.

I'm not really a birdwatcher- not like people who bring out the binoculars and know all the birds around, and their songs although I admire their knowledge and dedication . I just like seeing birds. I think the herons in the ponds and streams are stately and the white ones majestic and I 'm always thrilled to see gold finches and the rare sighting of a hummingbird.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 19, 2025 06:13 PM (2GCMq)

49 We apparently have a few Bald Eagle nests around town. People on the local towns Facebook page are always posting pictures of them in their fields. My neighborhood has Owls and Hawks.

Posted by: Joyenz at July 19, 2025 06:15 PM (sPQoU)

50 One of the aspects of bird watching we enjoyed was the seasonal appearance of specific breeds. Certain finches and sparrows only showed up in the yard during the coldest part of winter and even then it had to be colder than usual. Juncos are another winter visitor, preferably with a little snow. They are small ground feeders and watching their white and charcoal colors hopping around under the feeders was fun.

Posted by: JTB at July 19, 2025 06:15 PM (yTvNw)

51 31 I need to get a field book on identifying all the wonderful foliage here in Idaho. I realize the internet is a thing, but I find it hard to find things backwards, so to speak. I also have several bird books.
Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at July 19, 2025 05:52 PM

One of my retired neighbors has started bird watching as a hobby. He showed me his new book that he really liked for identifications (Kansas birds only). I really liked the format and said I should probably get a copy for me.

I looked at the authors name, and realized I knew him. He was our "city naturalist" for 40 years and my little brother used to work for him.

He is also a fabulous photographer. Since he has retired, he has started a project to post a quality picture of every single bird species on the planet.

Sometimes, when I do "Google images" for plants or animals I get incorrect images that are close, but not right. If you want a correct picture of a bird species, I would definitely trust Bob's site.

It is called: birdsinfocus.com

Unfortunately, it is NOT an identification guide for amateur bird watchers - but the photos are fabulous if you already have ID'd your bird.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 06:17 PM (HlyYF)

52 polynikes, nice bird.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at July 19, 2025 06:17 PM (q3UPY)

53 As for my own hobbies, I did a SOTA hike this morning.

What's your SOTA antenna?

Posted by: Oddbob at July 19, 2025 06:19 PM (/y8xj)

54 We get Goldfinches here, but only during the summer. Sporadic Hummingbirds in the early spring and early fall.

There's a website that extrapolates bird migrations called "birdcast dot com"

Interesting.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at July 19, 2025 06:23 PM (Q4IgG)

55 Yes; Thanks for the Kingfisher painting , Polynikes. It's lovely!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 19, 2025 06:23 PM (2GCMq)

56 I find owls to be fascinating. Those eyes and the odd postures they can assume just get my attention. The incredibly subtle and complex way their feathers lay and blend is endlessly varied.

Combing hobbies, I would consider myself an artist if I could accurately draw an owl.

Posted by: JTB at July 19, 2025 06:26 PM (yTvNw)

57 When we moved out of our house of forty years and into an apartment, I left behind a large bird/critter feeding operation. For two years I had nothing here. Then I hung a small platform feeder on a small tree me and the cats could watch. Our apartment complex is in a very wooded area so traffic to my feeder is good. Every now and again, I do hear something I've never heard before. It's very nice.

Posted by: Captain Josepha Sabin at July 19, 2025 06:26 PM (sZyeE)

58 Oddbob - I'm using a SOTABeams Bandspringer. It's really just two, 41-ft wires (1 radiator, 1 ground wire) with banana plugs that go into a manual tuner. I run the radiator up a 20-ft mast.

I have some fancy, lightweight wire that I will one day use to construct a 20-30-40 trapped dipole for my little SW-3B rig, but I'm apparently too lazy to do that right now

Posted by: PabloD at July 19, 2025 06:28 PM (HoiAv)

59 Here are some photos of Great Blue Herons in flight.

https://tinyurl.com/3sc2hhv7

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at July 19, 2025 06:31 PM (CHHv1)

60 Here are some ducklings I was able to get quite close to. Mom appeared quickly and shuffled them off.

https://tinyurl.com/27hc2ftf

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at July 19, 2025 06:33 PM (CHHv1)

61 A long time ago, I was in Silver Gate, Montana, walking down a gravel road late at night. I felt a swoosh over my head, and caught a quick shadow against the night sky. It was a great horned owl. I didn't hear it. It made another pass, but this time I was prepared. Impressive birds.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at July 19, 2025 06:34 PM (0aYVJ)

62 Birding is big business on Chincoteague. The big chain hotels stay open year round because of the birders.
The Feds are moving the beach 2 miles north to make more space for the summer nesting site.

Posted by: Accomack at July 19, 2025 06:34 PM (eF17/)

63 56 I find owls to be fascinating. Those eyes and the odd postures they can assume just get my attention. The incredibly subtle and complex way their feathers lay and blend is endlessly varied.

Posted by: JTB at July 19, 2025 06:26 PM

Agreed!

We have a pair of Barred owls and a pair of Great Horned owls at our farm.

Whenever I work until last light, they start having a "hooting contest" against each other.

I assume that if I could correctly translate their owl language, it would pretty much sound like two Morons in the comments section at AOS.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 06:34 PM (HlyYF)

64 Good evening, horde. Busy day for me--given the light commenting, musta been busy for everybody else, too.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at July 19, 2025 06:36 PM (h7ZuX)

65 My younger brother does Falconry.
Neice goes into kindergarden and talking about "her owl".
Teacher had a conference to address the issue of this aledeged owl.
"Does ..... have an owl?"
Brother. "No. She has five."
"Um.. Okay. That's cool. Do you think you could bring one in? Because nobody believes her."
Brother. "Sure"
Following Monday the kids are outside and Bro gets there. Get's ....'s bonded owl out of the truck. Walks towards the kids and lets the owl swoop over them. Then it lands next to my neice and nuzzles up to her. Wants pets from everyone.
From ostracized dork to most popular in an instant.

Falconry is a lot of work.
He's working on getting an Golden Eagle. I have no idea why. He's been trying for four years now.

Posted by: Reforger at July 19, 2025 06:39 PM (sjorS)

66 My daughter wants a pigeon for a pet.

Posted by: Accomack at July 19, 2025 06:40 PM (GfN2c)

67

Does grilling count as a hobby?

I just got my first gas grill. I'm too old and tired to pull out the weber every time I want a couple of brots or something.

Any tips on how to set it up/rig it to make it easier to clean and maintain?

Lots of corners and step offs and heat diffusers, and etc. versus the kettle.

Thanks! Awesome post OB.

Posted by: Mass Spontaneous Exothermic Gaseous Event at July 19, 2025 06:40 PM (kHSVE)

68 We have a pair of Barred owls and a pair of Great Horned owls at our farm.

That is wonderful , and as far as owls sounding like
Morons, well "whoooo " does sound a little like "booobs" 😉

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 19, 2025 06:41 PM (2GCMq)

69 63
they start having a "hooting contest" against each other.

I assume that if I could correctly translate their owl language, it would pretty much sound like two Morons in the comments section at AOS.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 06:34 PM
***
Ha!

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 06:41 PM (IQ6Gq)

70 I've seen numerous bald eagles. I've seen only a few golden eagles. Strikingly beautiful birds, and the feathers take on a gold sheen in the sunlight, thus the name.

Posted by: Pug Mahon, I Have Become Comfortably Lame at July 19, 2025 06:41 PM (0aYVJ)

71 Hubby built a couple of small, simple birdhouses a decade or so ago. They are both still in-use most of the year.

One gets mostly sparrows nesting. The other has a slightly smaller entrance, and usually gets finches.

Posted by: JQ at July 19, 2025 06:41 PM (rdVOm)

72 Rehabbed a red tailed hawk once. Majestic bird.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 19, 2025 06:43 PM (HFcKg)

73 "Does grilling count as a hobby?"

No; grilling is a core component of life.

I haven't had a gas grill in years. I had a charcoal burner, and now I have a pellet grill, but all forms of grilling are good. Don't let the fanatics convince you otherwise. The sad truth is that most grills of any type are made of Chinesium and will burn out within a few years. Not sure there's much you can do about it.

Posted by: PabloD at July 19, 2025 06:46 PM (HoiAv)

74 Following Monday the kids are outside and Bro gets there. Get's ....'s bonded owl out of the truck. Walks towards the kids and lets the owl swoop over them. Then it lands next to my neice and nuzzles up to her. Wants pets from everyone.
From ostracized dork to most popular in an instant.

Posted by: Reforger at July 19, 2025 06:39 PM

That is a great story, especially the ending!

Let's see the "mean girls" try and beat THAT show & tell.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 06:48 PM (HlyYF)

75 TRex, I just sent you an email for your perusal.

Posted by: JTB at July 19, 2025 06:50 PM (yTvNw)

76 Pillage Idiot, could you try my email again? I really want you to see a picture of my cool fossil. And I have some other rocks you might be able to ID, too.*

*iffen you want, no pressure to entertain my questions.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at July 19, 2025 06:51 PM (h7ZuX)

77 66 My daughter wants a pigeon for a pet.

Posted by: Accomack at July 19, 2025 06:40 PM

A live pigeon, or one that is pining for the fjords?

Because if it is the latter, I am pretty sure the falconry people can get her a "Norwegian Blue" pigeon for a pet!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 06:53 PM (HlyYF)

78 My gas grill's bottom rusted out last year. Could've ordered a replacement from the 'Zon for about $30, but opted instead to simply measure and then have a sturdier piece of sheet metal cut to size for about $8.

This year, I bought replacement grill inserts and heat shields from A'zon. Many sizes are available and the cost beats buying a whole new grill.

Posted by: JQ at July 19, 2025 06:53 PM (rdVOm)

79 Evenin’, All. Happy Saturday night!

Posted by: Bulg at July 19, 2025 06:54 PM (77rzZ)

80 There are a few places where you can see penguins in the wild

There 3 types of penguins in New Zealand, We saw all 3 of them while we were there.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at July 19, 2025 06:55 PM (yhot1)

81 Hey FenSpoke, hey TRex, hey Ben Had!

Posted by: Bulg at July 19, 2025 06:57 PM (77rzZ)

82
I assume that if I could correctly translate their owl language, it would pretty much sound like two Morons in the comments section at AOS.
Posted by: Pillage Idiot

Owl Night Thread

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at July 19, 2025 06:57 PM (63Dwl)

83 We have water out for our avian friends, recently we have buzzards , up to 5 at a time, coming in for a drink. They are big birds.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at July 19, 2025 06:57 PM (yhot1)

84 76 Pillage Idiot, could you try my email again? I really want you to see a picture of my cool fossil. And I have some other rocks you might be able to ID, too.*

*iffen you want, no pressure to entertain my questions.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at July 19, 2025 06:51 PM

Darn!

I couldn't ever get through to you, and looked for you in the ONT to report back my lack of success.

I recently migrated my emails and Outlook wants to download ALL of my emails before it lets me talk to you. I would prefer that Mr. Gates minds his own d*mn business.

I have to run a quick errand, but will try again shortly.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 06:57 PM (HlyYF)

85 Bulg!

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 06:58 PM (IQ6Gq)

86 I see the vid on falconry. I'd bet the most bird action is flipping.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at July 19, 2025 05:32 PM (0eaVi)

Expensive. Wait until you see the bill.

Posted by: mrp at July 19, 2025 06:58 PM (rj6Yv)

87 Accomack, I had a couple for pets. Being young and dumb I tied a string on their legs and would fly them around like kites

Posted by: Ben Had at July 19, 2025 06:59 PM (HFcKg)

88 I bought the Dark Souls board game and most of the expansions. They come with 70 unpainted figures, and I only have 15 left to paint.

Posted by: BourbonChicken at July 19, 2025 06:59 PM (lhenN)

89 I miss my Weber gas grill that I had in CA, cooked most dinners on it and even did a Thanksgiving turkey. It was 18 years old when we left and was in great shape. Had an outdoor gas outlet that also fed our family room fireplace. I don't remember any special care, just cleaned it after each use and it kept going. Of course, spending the "winter" in LA helped it's longevity.

Posted by: The Grateful at July 19, 2025 07:00 PM (IQ6Gq)

90 I have been a bird person for 60 years. I have many fond mammaries of birds like tits. My favorites are Great Tits.

Posted by: Justcallmebill at July 19, 2025 07:00 PM (WMlDI)

91 TRex, how are yah?

Posted by: Bulg at July 19, 2025 07:01 PM (77rzZ)

92 86 Expensive. Wait until you see the bill.

Posted by: mrp at July 19, 2025 06:58 PM
***
Well played.

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 07:01 PM (IQ6Gq)

93 Hey there Ben Had, we are working on our TX MoMe X plans!

Posted by: The Grateful at July 19, 2025 07:03 PM (IQ6Gq)

94 I kinda saw a hawk take down a mourning dove in my backyard once. There was a tree a couple of hundred feet to my right where hawks would often sit and scope out the neighborhood. The birds and squirrels would always disappear when a hawk was there.

I guess one day a dove didn't get the message. I was sitting on the porch and I saw a blurred streak almost straight down about as quarter of the way to the left of the center of my vision. There was a soft kind of whump and a big ball of feathers exploding in space.

I saw a bunch of leaves on the ground fly up just below but I couldn't see anything there until I stood up and the was a hawk it's wings spread and just a mess of feathers below it. It saw me so I backed of and went inside to tell my wife.

By the time we returned, probably 30 seconds, there was nothing there.

The hawk hit that dove so hard it just turned into a puffball, looked like a feather duster.

Posted by: pawn at July 19, 2025 07:04 PM (QB+5g)

95 91 TRex, how are yah?

Posted by: Bulg at July 19, 2025 07:01 PM
***
Marvelous. Living the dream!

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 07:05 PM (IQ6Gq)

96 I have a Weber Smokey Mountain 18.5" smoker. I also invested in a Thermoworks Smoke X4 + the Billows to keep temps steady. it works pretty well.

Thermworks' RFX wireless sensor system looks tempting, though.

Posted by: mrp at July 19, 2025 07:05 PM (rj6Yv)

97 Grateful, we are working on MoMe plans around here too. Some fun things in store for MoMe X. Can't wait to see you both.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 19, 2025 07:06 PM (HFcKg)

98 Can't wait to see you both.
Posted by: Ben Had

Add both of us to That comment!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at July 19, 2025 07:07 PM (yhot1)

99 97 Grateful, we are working on MoMe plans around here too. Some fun things in store for MoMe X.
Posted by: Ben Had at July 19, 2025 07:06 PM (HFcKg)

Like last year, I've scheduled the time off. Hope life doesn't interfere with my plans this time. Really looking forward to the 10th anniversary!

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at July 19, 2025 07:08 PM (h7ZuX)

100 >>Does grilling count as a hobby?

Hell yes.

Just wait until I bore the shit out of you telling you how awesome my first ribs were on a pellet smoker.

Gonna take me a few more cooks to get this thing dialed in but boy howdy is it easy.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 19, 2025 07:08 PM (viF8m)

101 Add both of us to That comment!
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron

Like last year, I've scheduled the time off. Hope life doesn't interfere with my plans this time. Really looking forward to the 10th anniversary!
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!

Hope it works this year Dash, would love to meet you.
And AZ, we will definitely talk...

Posted by: The Grateful at July 19, 2025 07:09 PM (IQ6Gq)

102 Just wait until I bore the shit out of you telling you how awesome my first ribs were on a pellet smoker.

Gonna take me a few more cooks to get this thing dialed in but boy howdy is it easy.
Posted by: JackStraw at July 19, 2025 07:08 PM (viF8m)

Wait until you smoke your first beef rib roast. I finish mine in the oven - 15 minutes at 500F.

Posted by: mrp at July 19, 2025 07:10 PM (rj6Yv)

103 TRex,

I am having operator error trying to get to Dash's email.

Do you mind acting as an intermediary?

If you don't mind, did my wife get your cell phone or Grateful's?

(I thought she did, but she is napping on the couch with a Harry Potter movie blaring on the TV.)

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 07:11 PM (HlyYF)

104 AZdeplorable, that makes me so happy.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 19, 2025 07:11 PM (HFcKg)

105 Pillage Idiot, let me know if you need help. I have Dash's address.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 19, 2025 07:13 PM (HFcKg)

106
Birbs.

Configuring my Falcon2 Pro 40w hobby laser this weekend. Got it for making parts for my rockets, but Smash & Junior-ette have convinced me that there is so much more it can make.

*I think I need to change my PW to mess with them*

"None shall laze"

Posted by: BifBewalski - at July 19, 2025 07:14 PM (QcUc+)

107 I'm late as I was finishing a painting for the D&D nerds.

It's of a castle that ace posted on the Cafe and I added a dragon.

Posted by: polynikes at July 19, 2025 07:16 PM (VofaG)

108 105 Pillage Idiot, let me know if you need help. I have Dash's address.
Posted by: Ben Had at July 19, 2025 07:13 PM (HFcKg)

The one Ben Had has is good. I don't link that one because it contains my full IRL name. Don't mind if it's shared with Morons, though.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at July 19, 2025 07:18 PM (h7ZuX)

109 The only thing besides my neighbors that I miss from my old place is the college of Cardinals we had in our green space. I looked forward to every spring to see if had grown.

Posted by: polynikes at July 19, 2025 07:20 PM (VofaG)

110 Birds aren't real...

Posted by: lin-duh at July 19, 2025 07:21 PM (uPqpq)

111 She wants soft and cuddly. Mourning doves are another want of hers.
We went to the local park with a bag of bird food. She poured it out around our feet so the pigeons would come close enough to touch.
She REALLY wanted to grab one and bring it home.

Posted by: Accomack at July 19, 2025 07:23 PM (1pQBc)

112 103 TRex, I am having operator error trying to get to Dash's email.

Do you mind acting as an intermediary?

If you don't mind, did my wife get your cell phone or Grateful's?

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 07:11 PM
***
Happy to assist in any way.

You can use the email in my nic. Yes, your bride should have Grateful's number.

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 07:23 PM (IQ6Gq)

113 Made it home, but was falling asleep again. Glad I didn't stay

Posted by: Skip at July 19, 2025 07:23 PM (wObGo)

114 bought the Dark Souls board game and most of the expansions. They come with 70 unpainted figures, and I only have 15 left to paint.
Posted by: BourbonChicken at July 19, 2025 06:59 PM (lhenN)

What are the figures?

Posted by: polynikes at July 19, 2025 07:24 PM (VofaG)

115 TRex, I just texted him the address.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 19, 2025 07:24 PM (HFcKg)

116 >>Wait until you smoke your first beef rib roast. I finish mine in the oven - 15 minutes at 500F.

I'm planning one for Christmas already.

I have a Weber smoker that I've been using for a while but it is constant work. The pellet grill is so easy.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 19, 2025 07:25 PM (viF8m)

117 Time to say thank you and good night before the next act takes the Ace of Spades stage. As always, thanks for being here and thanks for playing along with the theme. We'll spin the Wheel of Hobbies and come up with a new theme next week. In the meantime, see y'all in Club ONT later tonight.

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 07:25 PM (IQ6Gq)

118 And yesterday the French won at Borodino but my comrades lost the great redoubt and then quit. They had numerous great Cuirassiers Regiments a d they never got moved.

Posted by: Skip at July 19, 2025 07:26 PM (wObGo)

119 Have a BBQGalore Captain Cook gas grill, at leat 16 years old. Replaced flame bars twice, synthetic briquets/rack once. That’s it. Works perfectly.

Can actually “smoke” poultry in it (soaked chips in foil packets, low/slow for a while). Baby-back ribs with my dry rub, low/slow for 4/6 hours, are fantastic.

Climate means no corrosion, except flame bars (cast iron), which last for years. Wish I could buy this quality product in every part of my consumer life.

Posted by: rhomboid at July 19, 2025 07:26 PM (1m82a)

120 Mike Tyson used to be a big pigeon guy IIRC.

It it pretty neat that messages were carried by pigeons. I wonder how reliable.

Posted by: polynikes at July 19, 2025 07:27 PM (VofaG)

121 I looked up the dark souls board game. I do like medieval/game of thrones type themes.

Posted by: polynikes at July 19, 2025 07:29 PM (VofaG)

122 I have a neighbor who has a pigeon coop. He releases them every afternoon, and they fly around and around, and come home.

Have never met the neighbor.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at July 19, 2025 07:29 PM (h7ZuX)

123 Today (finally!), all the hummingbirds around here decided my fake flower feeder was good enough for them. I attached it to the picture window and so I've been watching them feed all day.

I'll refill it tonight - that are drinking the hell out of it.

Posted by: Tonypete at July 19, 2025 07:30 PM (cYBz/)

124 Thank you for the hobby thread TREX!

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at July 19, 2025 07:31 PM (yhot1)

125 I'll refill it tonight - that are drinking the hell out of it.
Posted by: Tonypete at July 19, 2025 07:30 PM (cYBz/)

Hunger is the best sauce.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at July 19, 2025 07:31 PM (zZu0s)

126 Had an orchard oriole in our backyard today. New bird for this house. Goldfinches are still here as are the hummingbirds. On a hobby related note, Hobby Lobby already has Christmas stuff out. Truly an abomination. I was there looking for clay, silicone rubber and resin for mold making and casting. Branching out in my scale modeling work

Posted by: Stacy0311 at July 19, 2025 07:32 PM (gwujb)

127 I've never commented, but this caught my interest.

When I was a child (45 yrs ago), my grandfather kept pigeons in his garage. It was a separate, framed off attic space in his garage where he had, maybe three dozen pigeons. He'd take my brother an I up there to feed them. It was a hot, stuffy, feathery space full of cooing, flapping pigeons.

It never struck me as weird as a child. What did I know? But in recollection, that seems INSANE! Pigeons? Really? Dozens?

I looked into it, and apparently this wasn't crazy in America in the 50s - 60s or so. He perhaps was on the tail end of that. And no, it never occurred to me to ask if he ate any of them. Though my folks are still alive, so perhaps I ought to.

Posted by: SuperG at July 19, 2025 07:33 PM (WC/Lj)

128 That's interesting, SuperG. Yeah, you should ask your parents what he kept them for--food, or some other reason?

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at July 19, 2025 07:35 PM (h7ZuX)

129 127 I've never commented, but this caught my interest.

It never struck me as weird as a child. What did I know? But in recollection, that seems INSANE! Pigeons? Really? Dozens?

Posted by: SuperG at July 19, 2025 07:33 PM
***
Thanks for checking in and welcome!

When you don't know any different, lots of things don't seem unusual!

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 07:35 PM (IQ6Gq)

130 M husband and I were laughing about the birds not being real and the website that said they were drones. my son-in-law texted my husband about there being a lot of birds in their backyard. He told him that he shouldn't worry, they arent real anyway and went into the explaination about them being destroyed and replaced by drones. My daughter texted me about the same time and told me that she was worried that her husband was having a psychotic break because he was saying the birds weren't real anyway, they had been replaced by drones. I told her that he had probably been talking to my husband and check his meds. I told her about the website and she was going to call her dad about it.

Posted by: megthered at July 19, 2025 07:35 PM (GOJbT)

131 >>I've never commented

Me neither.

Comment more.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 19, 2025 07:36 PM (viF8m)

132 I'm out of the loop on the "birds aren't real" thing. How long has this been going on?

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at July 19, 2025 07:37 PM (h7ZuX)

133 I have no idea what "birds aren't real" means. They poop all over our back deck, which I have to clean, therefore they are real. After all, drones don't poop!

Posted by: The Grateful at July 19, 2025 07:39 PM (IQ6Gq)

134 I heard that if a pigeon poops on you in Italy it is a sign of good luck.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 19, 2025 07:41 PM (HFcKg)

135 Birds aren't real and penguins are extinct.

Posted by: The yellow jackets at July 19, 2025 07:42 PM (vFG9F)

136 After all, drones don't poop!
Posted by: The Grateful
---
That's what "they" want you to believe...

Posted by: lin-duh at July 19, 2025 07:42 PM (uPqpq)

137 " I heard that if a pigeon poops on you in Italy it is a sign of good luck.
Posted by: Ben Had"

What if it poops in your pasta?

Posted by: The yellow jackets at July 19, 2025 07:43 PM (vFG9F)

138 Dash,

I cannot get to the actual email address in anyone's nic. (MS will not recognize my new email address.)

I just texted my email to TRex.

Can you email him at his nic? He can then email my email address directly to you.

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 07:44 PM (HlyYF)

139 If birds were real we would see a lot of dead ones on the ground !!!

Posted by: polynikes at July 19, 2025 07:45 PM (VofaG)

140 138
Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 07:44 PM
***
Dash - check your email.

Posted by: TRex at July 19, 2025 07:45 PM (IQ6Gq)

141 >>I have no idea what "birds aren't real" means. They poop all over our back deck, which I have to clean, therefore they are real. After all, drones don't poop!

My backyard is basically an aviary. Endlessly entertaining.

Posted by: JackStraw at July 19, 2025 07:46 PM (viF8m)

142 Got it, TRex, thanks!

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at July 19, 2025 07:48 PM (h7ZuX)

143 TRex and Dash,

Please disregard #138.

Ben Had sent me Dash's email directly.

P.S. Thanks for another entertaining Hobby Thread, TRex!

Posted by: Pillage Idiot at July 19, 2025 07:51 PM (HlyYF)

144 Nood movies.

Posted by: Nazdar at July 19, 2025 07:54 PM (NcvvS)

145 Falconry is a lot of work.
He's working on getting an Golden Eagle. I have no idea why. He's been trying for four years now.
Posted by: Reforger at July 19, 2025 06:39 PM (sjorS)

The Joe Pickett books by CJ Box often feature a character that practices that particular art. Goes into a fair amount of detail. A lot of it comes down to gaining the bird's trust, and IIRC, the Golden Eagle is the most challenging. I think Red Tail Hawks are the most approachable, but my experience is limited to a racing pigeon that flew through my open door and decided to stay for a few years...

Posted by: Joe Kidd at July 19, 2025 08:18 PM (bA75n)

146 Birds? Saw a pheasant in my yard today. I was on the riding mower, and it saw me and ambled into the standing canola crop next door. Did not seem alarmed. Might be a mama with a brood of chicks nearby.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at July 19, 2025 09:41 PM (JcBxc)

147 This was a great hobby post, especially the falconry; I first read about this in a Hardy Boy's book, the Hooded Hawk.

I used to think Monty Python was sometimes funny. Not so much for me anymore.

Posted by: JM in Illinois at July 19, 2025 09:50 PM (PCkod)

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