Short Eared Owl
I was woken up at about 5am this morning by the strangest sounding creature. It was an eerie sound to hear in the dead of night, in the middle of the country (I was at home in Ireland) – I wasn’t sure if it was a fox or an owl, but I just had a look online now and I found out what it was:

The Short-Eared Owl…
I heard a male AND a female. The female kinda sounded like a scratchy ol’ fox.
Click here to hear what the male sounded like…
And here is what the female sounds like.
I have been reading all about Owls today and fantasising about living in the country again….
Kittens in Gozo…
I sat on a wall admiring the view when I was staying in Xaghra. I heard some meowing coming from the hedgerow below. It was very faint and I wasn’t quite sure where it was coming from.
I decided to get a big stick and try to separate the hedgerow to see if i could find where the sound was coming from. As I poked the bushes I heard another cat meowing and realised there was more than one in there somewhere. I wondered if maybe a cat had given birth in there.
A little while later, I spotted a plastic bag off to the left. I poked it with the stick and it felt like there was some meat or something in there. I began to climb down the wall so I could get closer to the bag.
I was then joined by some tourists who asked me what i was doing. They got involved and held onto my arm while I fished out the plastic bag.
I managed to hook it with the stick and put it on the wall. One of the girls opened the knot on top. There were two sheets of newspaper inside which we unwrapped to reveal two tiny kittens clutching onto each other for dear life.
I asked the tourists if there was anywhere we could take them but they said there would be no such place in Gozo. We found a clearing within the hedgerow and lay the newspaper out flat so they could at least breathe freely.
I made the decision to walk away then as I didn’t know what else I could do.
I don’t know their fate after that…
Dogs of Gozo…
I love dogs.
When I was in Gozo I found myself taking more photos of the dogs than of the scenery. Most of the dogs used to hang out on the roofs of the houses and they would look down at you and give you a few barks as you were walking past just to show who’s boss.

Good Guard Dog - Angry Bark - Xaghra, Gozo

Dog at Dusk - Xaghra, Gozo

The envy of all dogs - Xaghra, Gozo

Best looking dog in the neighbourhood - Xaghra, Gozo

Feisty Dog from afar - Xaghra, Gozo

Cute little dog - Xaghra, Gozo

Dog on Balcony - Xaghra, Gozo

Dog on Balcony, Gozo

Dog on distant Roof - On way to Ramla Bay, Gozo

Clean up after your dog!
The Thames Seal…

This is another photo of the Seal.
I saw him the other morning at the crack a dawn again.
Seeing him is almost a religious experience I tellya… especially when it’s just me and him and we’re looking at each other in the peace and quiet of the morning.

Me looking at him and him looking at me.
Dog of the sea.
We dwell in two different worlds, yet our daily routines are entwined. I wonder where he is when the tide is out and he’s not on his wooden floating pallette.
I want to swim in there and go with him for some adventures under the sea.
I really wish I was a selkie…
Alter ego compulsions…
RE: Your black dog in the pub
He has the begging down to a T, I have seen him use and abuse people for their snacks. As soon as they were finished their snacks he would jilt them like lost lovers. He is a cunning piece of stuff.
He is an attractive dog and I suggest you put notices up so that the public don’t ruin him. He has the body of an athelete. If I was a dog myself, I would most definately take him. He has the best hind legs I’ve ever seen in my life. God bless him.
I look forward to seeing him in peak shape next year
All the best now,
—–
From: ////@thebulman.com –> –> –> –> –>///@thebulman.com –>
Date: Jul 3, 2006 11:19 AM
Subject: Re: Your Black dog in the pub
To: Mick Magee –> –> –> –> –>///@gmail.com–>
Hello Mick,
Thanks for the info. I will let the owner know. The Dog does not belong to the bar but lives behind The Bulman. She is a great manipulator with those sad eyes and cute face, it is hard not to give in to her.
Glad you enjoyed your time here and I hope it will be as good on your return visit.
Regards,
C/// R///


