Yesterday spent among the vultures. The capture and marking, measuring, weighing, bleaching certain feathers and fitting a tiny radio transmitter on the tail of two 4 year old black vultures took all day. These have been in a rehab centre after injuries and, along with a griffon vulture, are due to be released early next week if the weather allows. The bleached feathers allow the bird to be identified at some distance and the radio blip when out of sight. The blip changes rhythm if the bird is perched or flying.

Tags: 1st dec 09, decolouration, vultures
Current Location: Verdon

The rain has at last stopped, the cloud lifting with a weak sun and, from
my balcony, can see what's been going on up there. First real snow of the year. Brrr!

My first attempt at growing a bonsai, out in the rain this morning.

From behind the house, which is hidden in the trees, looking eastwards down the valley towards Gréolières.

Autumn sunset--and did the last day of this year's olive harvest in St Cézaire with over 100kgs, my hands darkly shiny and smooth.

Day spent chopping, dragging, burning wood! All for the sake of the little areas of wetland and a tiny fern a few inches tall called Ophioglossum vulgatum and the odd marsh orchid which risks to be overgrown by the pines. Organised by the Parc naturel régional du Verdon.

I've now put my book up in Lulu.comin an Epub format, as well as .pdf for those who want to print. Unlike the .pdf version, however, now all the hyperlinks work as they did on the DVD some years ago.

http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/a-potters-geology/6659241

http://www.lulu.com/content/e-book/a-potters-geology---epub/7911635

Here's part of the introduction:

As the title is intended to indicate, this book is about how a potter can use a little geological knowledge to help him find his materials around him and also perhaps deepen what he may already know about his clay and glazes. It might also point him towards an understanding of, and possibly cures to, problems he may have. This is based on my personal experience--all those heartbreaks and joys I've had over the years.

Southern Daisy, Bellis sylvestris, Called Paquerette d'automne in French, which could translate as Autumn Easter Flower! Sometimes stained deeply red, as this one, or nearly all white. Found along the Med coast in autumn and much of the winter.

This morning, first thing, the mist was sitting in the hollows of the valley, but as the sun came out it lifted up to block out the light.

Up the meadow stands Jack

With a red waistcoat and a black cap... (all I can remember)
A long walk in the woods, but not much wild life around after some sharpish frosts. In the grey light the hips stand out like flames. Dog Rose, Eglantier, Rosier de Chien, Rosa canina

( another wild fruit here )