Mehitabel - The good side of things is that I've realized what a ridiculous waste of money so many things are. Starbucks? No way! 4 tall lattes = a new orchid. I'd rather take the orchid, thanks. Q - you clearly are much more well behaved than I am. You should try the sedirea though - no need for a tank, and if it can survive in the cold, dry, sun-less canadian winter, I'm sure it'll do fine for you. MrB - Hopefully I don't come across as being presumptuous for getting these kinda hard to grow plants - honestly, I do realize how much I need to learn! :) Actually, some of the things I ordered were not listed on the oakhill website; I e-mailed Greg and he sent me a list of things. That was pretty cool of him to do. Still searching for that distincta/splendida though Carol - those ghosts are really cute but weird...there are several of them mounted on one stick...seems like they were recently mounted. I've popped them into the tank and will be keeping a close eye on them. If they do well in the next few weeks I'll post an update. Let me know if you're interested in trying one or two :) Kev - you terrible enabler. Yes, I definitely did eye the dends. That's for my next order :-) And speeding across the great lakes on a boat? Puh-leeeze...that's soo crude - I'm much more of a jumping-from-a-plane-with-parachute-orchids-in-tow-in-the-dead-of-night kinda guy. PS - my habenaria woke up! what should I do with it? WC - You've seen right through my pathetic delusions! Yes...sob...you're right...curse the internet, Jay's orchid species website, and this forum and you bunch of lovely evil enablers :D

Not very often, DavidL, and these were sitting under fluorescent light at the end of an aisle...pretty sad at that point. I did buy a Crassula dubia, however... I know there is a newer name for it but can't think of it this early! Haha Rosemarie, I am definitely a CartJumperer! After a few years of trying to downscale my collection to make room for a busy toddler, my addiction has rebounded big time!

This one is tougher. The presence of the bright eye ring allows one to rule out Veery and Gray-cheeked Thrush. That leaves Swainson's Thrush and Hermit Thrush. I don't see a lot of rufous in the tail of this bird but it is sort of obscured. The uniform coloring on the back, the lack of buff-brown flanks and the presence of what appears to be a dark moustachial stripe extending back from base of the bill leads me to think this is a Swainson's Thrush. That is my best guess based on the photo. BN

Hi jan .sorry to be so late getting back to you,just haven't been around this site for awhile.Glad to know you enjoyed your trip to Newfoundland.I have lived in Ontario for 30 plus years,but Newfoundland will always be home.I'm originally from the north east,central region of the province.I grew up in a little town called Carmanville,and my DH came from a slightly larger town called Norris Arm.Our cottage is on Exploits Island,a tiny island off the north east coast in the bay of Exploits.We go there almost every summer and really enjoy the peace and quiet. There's no doubt that Newfoundland has some unique scenery.If you ever go back the road to the isles "twillingate area" and the Avalon penisula are amazing.St Johns is the oldest city in North America and has an old european charm if you stay away from the new areas.Instead of taking the ferry from North Sydney to Port Aux Basque,you take it to Argentia.newfoundland has a longstanding relationship with the United States,as thousands of gi's were stationed there on three large american bases during and after ww two.Also many Newfoundlanders immigrated to the new england area,mostly Boston ,long before Newfoundland joined Canada.Sorry to be so long winded,but I've spent much time travelling on motor trips all around your beautiful country and am happy to see that you enjoyed a little part of my birthplace.