tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post190871580762417511..comments2023-09-05T04:45:06.546-07:00Comments on Talespinning: Batty night thoughtsTricia J. O'Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-49008927709781024802009-10-25T08:38:00.677-07:002009-10-25T08:38:00.677-07:00Ack! Dave, don't leave the blogosphere! Maybe ...Ack! Dave, don't leave the blogosphere! Maybe give yourself a break, if you must, but don't leave forever! Some people unplug one week a month.<br /><br /> You will love Carlsbad Caverns--although there are other caverns where multitudes of bats live, too. But these caverns are so big and just touring to see the giant stalactites and stalagmites is awesome.Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-49746143988301438542009-10-24T19:27:04.731-07:002009-10-24T19:27:04.731-07:00At the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, you can wat...At the Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, you can watch 400,000 free-tail bats emerge at dusk like an endless black cloud ...<br /><br />Tricia, thanks for that info. I have a scene in my fantasy novel that would be well informed by seeing what you have described happens in Carlsbad. I've been thinking of signing off my blog for good. Perhaps I will post on that decision. Somehow, running across unexpected connections like that makes me reconsider. At any rate, I will tuck Carlsbad away in my memory of places to see.Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10984572932841489282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-64786255867880915262009-10-24T17:26:50.381-07:002009-10-24T17:26:50.381-07:00Laura: Interesting how you remember the detail of ...Laura: Interesting how you remember the detail of its mouth opening and closing. It made an impression that stuck with you.Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-17518668128378329402009-10-23T14:40:24.412-07:002009-10-23T14:40:24.412-07:00This post made me remember the first time I saw a ...This post made me remember the first time I saw a bat. I was walking to kindergarten and it was on the ground near the school in the daytime, obviously sick or in trouble. I remember its mouth opening and closing. It was such an odd thing to see at that age and yet I don't remember being scared, perhaps because my big sister explained what it was.Laura Canonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16574566234310522696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-24063781900951404272009-10-23T11:49:24.198-07:002009-10-23T11:49:24.198-07:00Donna: I never read The Bat Poet. I shall seek it ...Donna: I never read The Bat Poet. I shall seek it out. Thanks!Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-2019033056130146342009-10-23T09:28:06.121-07:002009-10-23T09:28:06.121-07:00Your beautiful post brought to mind two children&#...Your beautiful post brought to mind two children's books from the 1990s that I love (and you may remember): the picture book STELLALUNA (Janell Cannon) about the lost baby fruit bat adopted by birds and THE BAT POET (Randall Jarrell, illus. Maurice Sendak) about a sensitive bat poet who stays awake to write about the day. (I think it's a cross-over, since it's about writing.) <br /><br />In checking the authors, I found a handy web site for choosing books for kids on my Christmas list: www.goodreads.comDonnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00744866369548747484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-732591637684534632009-10-23T08:44:56.283-07:002009-10-23T08:44:56.283-07:00Shelley: Too cool. And you're right, it could ...Shelley: Too cool. And you're right, it could have been a million. It's astounding how many live out of sight. When you are in the right place, right time, they seem endless.<br /><br />Bish: That's an OMG-story!!! First, to feed and to tend to such a tiny, exotic pet, but then for your sister to wear it to school!!! Thanks for that one.<br /><br />Yvonne: Wow. Your grandmother was in tune with nature, for sure. I love that she showed you how to be, too.<br /><br />Linda: Ha! Put out the welcome sign--or one of those bat houses. Maybe you'll have guests.Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-61430985336550325822009-10-23T06:49:51.796-07:002009-10-23T06:49:51.796-07:00You haven't been watching Batman lately, have ...You haven't been watching Batman lately, have you? Kidding. <br /><br />But you pointed out some wonderful points and actually made them sound very beautiful. Poetic. "I saw a bat in the dying of the light." <br /><br />If they really eat that many insects in an hour, they can come visit my house ANYTIME.<br /><br />Thanks for your blog.Linda Kagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00259042112816376940noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-79992340031541770072009-10-23T05:47:26.467-07:002009-10-23T05:47:26.467-07:00When I was ten, my grandmother had a bat in her ho...When I was ten, my grandmother had a bat in her house. It was snuggled inside the lining of her drape and I remember her calm response upon making the discovery. While I was cringing in the far corner, horrified, she took the drape down and carefully folded it over and carried it outside, gave it a healthy shake and smiled at me. "See, Yvonne, that's all you have to do. They won't hurt you and they would rather be outside."Yvonne Osbornehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18212188414972694795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-88955227198229602452009-10-23T05:01:57.459-07:002009-10-23T05:01:57.459-07:00I have a batty story! We once actually had a pet b...I have a batty story! We once actually had a pet bat! A baby was found and given to my mother. We fed him milk through and eye-dropper. As he got older we fed him dead flies and tiny bits of hamburger. He got quite tame. On time my sister took him to school, he hung all day upside down on a chain hanging around her neck. He caused quite a stir.Bish Denhamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13359927719391990534noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-37004875221933385392009-10-22T21:59:12.221-07:002009-10-22T21:59:12.221-07:00I was in Austin one summer and saw what seemed lik...I was in Austin one summer and saw what seemed like a million bats (actually, I think it WAS a million bats) taking off at sunset. For fifteen minutes, the sky was filled with bats as far as the eye could see.<br /><br />Truly amazing.<br /><br />Shelleystoryqueenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07039684494823420722noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-13140734669531644642009-10-22T21:05:51.155-07:002009-10-22T21:05:51.155-07:00PJ: Worms are definitely a bit creepy and slimy, b...PJ: Worms are definitely a bit creepy and slimy, but don't bats eat worms?<br /><br />Melissa: Wow. That's quite a story. A guess you can't coax a bat to a house. Please don't lose any hair over this ;)Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-58553162760618680452009-10-22T18:16:48.100-07:002009-10-22T18:16:48.100-07:00No up-close-and-personal bat stories. But the peop...No up-close-and-personal bat stories. But the people who owned our house before us cleaned out the attic, which had a number of bats living in it. They installed a bat house on a tall pole in the backyard so the bats would have a new place to live, but apparently it takes a long time for bats to get used enough to a new home to call it their own. The bat house was empty and black and kind of creepy so we took it down.<br /><br />(My word verification is scalped. Ouch.)MG Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03584010470283038023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-76075904237309430692009-10-22T17:25:32.933-07:002009-10-22T17:25:32.933-07:00No batty story! But I did try to pick up a worm to...No batty story! But I did try to pick up a worm today and I just have a really hard time with it! It's the squirming...PJ Hooverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02602205868934777662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-72079233223212852192009-10-22T16:14:21.660-07:002009-10-22T16:14:21.660-07:00Davin: I think that's magic to see them hangin...Davin: I think that's magic to see them hanging upside from your hotel room window. Just banish all thoughts of Hitchcock.<br /><br />Lisa: Sounds like you have communed at a reasonable distance, not a bad idea.<br /><br />Tabitha: I can picture that perfectly.<br /><br />Karen: They are cute. And, really, they can do what we wish--fly.<br /><br />Winter: My goodness but you know your bats! I'm impressed.<br /><br />Suzanne: Now there's a trip I'd love.Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-12869267877448071422009-10-22T15:25:08.859-07:002009-10-22T15:25:08.859-07:00I love bats! A grotto in Jamaica... blue waters, i...I love bats! A grotto in Jamaica... blue waters, impossible blue, and the ceiling of the cave covered in layers of bats.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09556206184198452490noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-41523446060583393542009-10-22T15:03:27.863-07:002009-10-22T15:03:27.863-07:00Pippistrelle, fliedermaus, chauve-souris--I love b...Pippistrelle, fliedermaus, chauve-souris--I love bats! Thanks for the great tribute. Whenever I've come across them in my travels (or backyard) I feel like they are a lucky presence. I'll never forget seeing the cloud of bats at Carlsbad Caverns, or the single very squeaky and hard-working pippistrelle outside my hotel window on the island of Salina. They are amazing and misunderstood. National geographic has some great stuff on them: http://bit.ly/20ww4zWinter Hansenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09422302377487027629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-23015373741517776642009-10-22T14:32:51.167-07:002009-10-22T14:32:51.167-07:00I might be a bit twisted, but I think bats are cut...I might be a bit twisted, but I think bats are cute. There is a bat exhibit in Animal Kingdom at Disney and I love watching them. Cute little furry buggers--literally. What's not to love?kahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10789825860272178765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-38358010556095713292009-10-22T14:23:07.267-07:002009-10-22T14:23:07.267-07:00I love bats. we live close to the coast of Austral...I love bats. we live close to the coast of Australia and right on the flight path of feeding fruit bats. Most evenings a swarm will fly over head as they go out to feed for the night. I love it :)Tabitha Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196816108272065974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-35964700742678259342009-10-22T13:22:02.757-07:002009-10-22T13:22:02.757-07:00Our zoo has a bat exhibit. They are so fascinating...Our zoo has a bat exhibit. They are so fascinating to watch. I love watching them fly at night when we're camping. As long as they don't fly toooo low. :)Lisa Schroederhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10677227681455190084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-2893236434637080702009-10-22T11:54:53.445-07:002009-10-22T11:54:53.445-07:00This was beautiful! I don't have much experien...This was beautiful! I don't have much experience with bats, but I always feel very special when I catch sight of one. The first time I was close to a bat was in Thailand, when I looked out my hotel window and saw two of them hanging upside down on the ledge. :)Davin Malasarnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09385823575081492949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-21898568151989029982009-10-22T11:35:07.589-07:002009-10-22T11:35:07.589-07:00Beth: Thanks! *blush* Oh, yikes and eeew on dead b...Beth: Thanks! *blush* Oh, yikes and eeew on dead bat hood ornaments.<br /><br />Sherrie: Haven't been to Solvang in ages. Now I must come to this outdoor theater. Sounds great.<br /><br />Rick: Ha! Haven't seen Dangerfield do Thomas' poem but I can sure picture it. <br /><br />Elana: I remember that post. It was hilarious, or should I say your husband's handling of his typo and classroom was. For anyone who missed Elana's blog, go rectify.Tricia J. O'Brienhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05993110400088806252noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-30296537016297930512009-10-22T11:08:54.672-07:002009-10-22T11:08:54.672-07:00I did a cool thing with bats on my blog a few week...I did a cool thing with bats on my blog a few weeks ago. My husband's bat summary was hilarious, and somehow got turned into a "but" summary. LOL!Elana Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05877856005992028912noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-86521630243866002202009-10-22T10:25:48.141-07:002009-10-22T10:25:48.141-07:00No batty stories, but from the first line I had Ro...No batty stories, but from the first line I had Rodney Dangerfield running through my head shouting Dylan Thomas...Rage, rage against the dying of the light!Rick Daleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05173516899130463413noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5777245334432005091.post-25378578808652181732009-10-22T10:06:53.057-07:002009-10-22T10:06:53.057-07:00We have an outdoor theater here in Solvang and whe...We have an outdoor theater here in Solvang and whenever we go to plays we see the bats swooping around the stage lights for their evening meal. I think they're such cool animals. <br /><br />Suzanne Collins must like them too. She gave them a great role in the Gregor the Overlander books.Sherrie Petersenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11670339498152684137noreply@blogger.com