Day 140 - 30th June 2018 - Cedar Waxwing, Jellyfish and Porcupine

It's the last day of the month, good bye to June, you sure flew by. Another one of those too early mornings and sleepless nights. Glad I've got a couple days off after today. I'll probably sleep walk through work. We've had a bit of entertainment at work the last few days.  Robins are building a nest in the Lilac Bush next to the staff entrance. At this time of the season, I'm assuming it's a second nest, but it's been fun watching them gather bits of wool, old man's beard and other stuff from the yard and put it together. Not sure how friendly they are going to be once they have young and we are trying to get in and out of the building. Kind of misty/foggy out there this morning and the humidity feels high.

Cedar Waxwing

Jellyfish

Porcupine on an morning stroll.




Enjoy your day!

Day 139 - 29th June 2018 - Grey Catbird, Flowers and Hermit Thrush

The rain is falling, quite hard at times - looks like we got more than a few drops overnight. Maybe we'll be lucky and it will rain most of the day but they say clearing later. Although we need quite a bit to bring the lake and river back up some, this will certainly come in handy especially before a long weekend. Had a good day off yesterday. Got some work done around the house  in the morning, Margie and I went off to lunch. So it was a nice mix of work and fun. One of our Catbirds was out and around the yard quite a bit, not sure what he was up to but didn't stray too far from the Honeysuckle Bush. I'm sure they are nesting in there somewhere and am waiting patiently for young to come out. It's such a mass of branches and leaves would be a perfect hiding spot. Back to work today and tomorrow then off again for a couple of days.

Grey Catbird

 I'm not sure what this is














Hermit Thrush




Enjoy your day!

Day 138 - 28th June 2018 - Dock Street, Cormorant and Roses

My day off and I'm up at 4:30 am...what's with that! Oh well, will get lots of stuff done early and then it's on to our Thelma and Louise outing.  I still prefer Friday's but in the summer time it's whatever works.  Looks like another nice day on the horizon or at least morning, chance of showers this afternoon. Rain forecast for tonight - we can still use some. A few birds are singing softly in the trees this morning. Dawn is beginning to make it's lazy way here. Lots to get done around here - housework, laundry etc. Never ending business but will buzz through it quickly. Good day at work on Wednesday, a few visitors around which makes the days pass quickly.

Morning on Dock Street, the flower baskets are all up now.

 Cormorant with breakfast.

And off he went.

Roses are in bloom all along the waterfront.






Enjoy your day!

Day 137 - 27th June 2018- Cedar Waxwing, Northern Parula and Hermit Thrush

Daylight is slowly coming, I can just see a sliver through the base of tree line along the lake. Looks like another nice day in the making. Some will complain it's too cool this morning, but it will warm up. Birds are singing in the trees and bushes along the yard, Robins have appeared to search the yard for breakfast. Going to be a good day. I always feel lucky to wake up and enjoy these early morning rituals all summer. Winter of course is quieter. Spied a few birds along my walk, yesterday - the Northern Parula and Hermit Thursh came out to see me. When I got to town, I checked out the garden and Maiden Lane, both had Cedar Waxwings and Song Sparrows, Nuthatches were nearby. Good day at work, nice breeze on the waterfront.

Cedar Waxwing

Northern Parula

Hermit Thrush had a mouth full.










Enjoy your day!

Day 136 - 26th June 2018 - Rabbit, Piping Plover and Twin Flowers

It's a cool morning out there, but going to turn into a nice day. Rain yesterday but stopped later in the morning remaining overcast most of the day. Not a lot of visitors around right now, it's the transition week. The early - single/retired ones come on the shoulder season, then usually the last week of June is quieter before families beginning traveling after July 1st/4th depending on where they are from. Lots to do anyway. The garden and back street at work are busy with birds, we had Cedar Waxwings, Red Eyed Vireos and Song Sparrows in the Lilac Bushes along with Nuthatches and Redstarts in the trees along Maiden Lane. I'm still seeing a few Terns fishing in the harbour along Dock Street and there are always Tree Swallows dipping and diving for insects. Time to refill the java and get the day moving.

Wild Bunnies every where.

 MO the Piping Plover from Sandhills Beach

So many Twin Flowers in one spot.





Enjoy your day!

Day 135 - 25th June 2018 - Swallowtail Butterfly, Northern Flicker and Wild Roses

Two great days off, caught up on my rest and I'm up this morning before 4:30 - going to be a long day! Mostly quiet outside, a Song Sparrow is softly singing in the trees along with the hum of insects. No stars in the sky. It's warm and humid. Sunday was pretty low keyed, did some household chores in the morning, Larry puttered around outside. After lunch we went to town, a quick trip to the Industrial Park didn't yield a lot but it was hot and the wrong time of the days. Birds rest mostly in the afternoon. There were a few Yellow Warblers, Chickadees and Song Sparrows. Lots of Butterflies around now. Stopped at Moe's Shake Shack for ice cream and then homeward bound again. A lazy evening finished off a lovely day. Rain on the way for today?  Seeing is believing I think.

Swallowtail Butterfly

Northern Flicker (male)

Wild Roses are blooming everywhere now.






Enjoy your day!

Day 134 - 24th June 2018 - Snowy Egret, Yellow Warbler and Water Lilies

Foggy overcast morning. Showers overnight with more to come ...I think, then it's suppose to clear later this afternoon. Sounds like just enough to make the grass grow. We started off Saturday morning with a trip to Sandhills Beach. I was in search of shorebirds, but didn't find much. A pair of Piping Plovers, a Willet and some Gulls. Pretty quiet overall but we did get in a good walk, some sun, sand and sea. We headed for Yarmouth after that, out to Cape Forchu and then lunch and some shopping. So it was a mixed day. As much as I dislike shopping the car was full when we finished, the freezer and pantry are well stocked again. I try to shop locally most of the time but when I can save at least $125. that's money in my pocket and more than paid for our lunch out and gas. Too bad our Sobeys can't do better with prices. We got home around supper time and Cathy arrived with my all time favourite birthday cake. She makes the best chocolate cake with some kind of  fabulous icing. I see a few more pounds gained in my future!

Snowy Egret - love those yellow feet!

Wish this shot had been sharper as you can really see his toes.

Yellow Warbler

Pink Water Lilies - they are beautiful



Enjoy your day!

Day 133 - 23rd June 2018 - Chipmunk and Hairy Woodpecker

The sun is up, air is cool and crisp but it's going to be another beautiful day. I love when the day starts out like this, a little chilly but moves on to warm. No humidity- it's great. I've got today and tomorrow off. Having the weekend free means I want to go in 100 different directions at once but need to narrow it down some especially since the weather is good but tomorrow the forecast is for rain. I think we'll hit Sandhills Beach first thing and then see where the rest of the day takes us. Love beaches - hate beaches crowded with people so always try to get to them early. Good day at work on Friday - I could have worked harder but some days are like that and next week I'll make up for it. Finally got to marbles last night - Larry lost, Alice won!! Of course that meant that Mary, Margie and I also lost but that's the way it goes. Time for breakfast and get on the road.

Chipmunk

Hairy Woodpecker in the morning shadows.





Enjoy your day!

Day 132 - 22nd June 2018 - Lupins, Chickadee and Lady Slipper

Beautiful morning out there folks! Going to be another nice day. Work today then I'm off on the weekend - Yahoo! It's marble night at Margie's -wonder if we will beat Larry. Fingers crossed.  Ravens are loud and noisy this morning, could hear a Loon in the lake calling earlier and of course the song birds are singing sweetly along the tree line of the yard. So it's going to be a good day. Lois and I welcomed the first day of spring in with a cold Corona and a beautiful double rainbow over the lake last evening. Running late this morning, so time to get moving and have breakfast.

Lupins in the wind

Chickadee

Lady Slipper - pretty well done for this year.





Enjoy your day!

Day 131 - 21st June 2018 - Poppies, Great Blue Heron and the Harbour

Good Morning Summer - yup it's the first day of summer. A little foggy and overcast out there and they are giving a chance of showers later this morning. Rain would be welcome, but I'm afraid we are down to the weather forecasters give it every day and we only get a few drops if any. It was windy on the waterfront yesterday - almost lost my bonnet a couple of times. Visitors around in the morning, but a quiet afternoon. I roamed Dock Street first thing with Big B. as I was there earlier than usual. An American Redstart sang to me from one of the trees on Maiden Lane. Time to think about breakfast and get this day rolling along.

Poppies in bloom

The Great Blue Heron was fishing on the reef

Perfect morning on the harbour.




Enjoy your day!

Day 130 - 20th June 2018 - Yellow Iris, Hummingbird and Red Eyed Vireo

Dawn is breaking, looks like a nice day on the horizon. Back to work today. Cleared yesterday morning and turned into a sunny, breezy day. Didn't get much rain, just enough to make the weeds and grass grow and didn't have to water the garden last evening. Birds are singing this morning. We have a Red Eyed Vireo and an American Redstart around the yard who sing all day. Nice to hear them. I've been catching glimpses of the Catbird, but he's pretty quiet so assume they are nesting somewhere very handy. I'm guessing the Lilac, Honeysuckle or Wisteria. He dashes back and forth and in the grass looking for food, never staying anywhere for very long. It's fun to just sit on the deck and watch all the activity.  Lots of Robins and a few Grackles and Starlings. I'm in early with Larry this morning so I'll see what's around the waterfront, then it's time for a hair cut after work.

Yellow Iris

Red Eyed Vireo in a Willow Tree

Hummingbird, perched and watching the feeder like he owns it.





Enjoy your day!

Day 129 - 19th June 2018 - Goldfinch, Sheep Laurel and Common Yellowthroat

The rain arrived some time during the night - after 2am (I was up roaming at that time), hopefully we get more than just a shower. Yesterday was about 3 drops - not much good for anything.  Larry's rain barrels will get filled if we are lucky. It's suppose to clear later today, I'm off so will take the opportunity to get lots done around the house this morning. Hopefully later I'll get out for a roam in the hood. Yesterday was a good day at work, had the last (I think) of our school groups through - the primary classes are so cute and attentive. Willing to listen and excited about what they see.

Male Goldfinch - so bright you could never miss them

Sheep Laurel

The Common Yellowthroat likes to lurk between the branches but sings loudly.




Enjoy your day!

Day 128 - 18th June 2018 - Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat and Scotch Broom

Another beautiful day, with a nice breeze on Dock Street. Rain for today - much needed and will be greatly appreciated. Already misty out there but maybe it will hang on a bit until I get my walk in to meet Nancy.  It's been a noisy morning out there, the Crows/Raven were in a right upset, ducks quacking, Song Sparrows and a Redstart singing in the yard. But it's all the noises I love to hear this time of year. We've been eating lobster all weekend - I know it's hard to understand, I won 10 lbs so Larry picked them up Saturday morning and it's been lobster sandwich for lunch and lovely cold lobster for supper. Guess the end of it will be tonight. It's been good! Make a trip to the Industrial Park yesterday morning before work - a few birds around. It would be nice if they could take a portion of that area and turn it into something like Miner's Marsh. Great spot for walking and enjoying wildlife.

Yellow Warbler

Common Yellowthroat

Scotch broom and Cat Tails




Enjoy your day!

Day 127 - 17th June 2018 - Yellow Warbler, American Redstart and Goldfinch

Going to be a long day, I'm up at 3:45 am. All I can hear are the night noises - insects humming, coyotes in the distance yelping.  Suppose to be another hot one and another day at work.  I suffered all day yesterday with a ranging headache, not sure what that was all about, maybe a shift in the atmospheric pressure. It's been a long time for one that bad, hoping today is not a repeat. We did make a little time at the Industrial Park before  I headed off for work. Lots of birds down in the bushes and trees but not many that wanted to come up close to me. They were just starting to move in some when we got ready to leave. Still a good outing. Lots of American Redstarts, Goldfinches, Yellow Warblers, Song Sparrows, a Common Yellowthroat. I did spy the Catbird in the yard yesterday morning so I know they are still around and a female Redstart last night.

Yellow Warbler getting breakfast

American Redstart - looks like he's waving but maybe just scratching his head.

He was a curious fellow

Goldfinch





Enjoy your day!

Day 126 - 16th June 2018 - Iris, American Redstart and Azalea

Looks like a sunny day on the horizon. Birds are all singing and chirping out there. The forecast is promising +25 inland, +18 along the coast.... and I'm working. Oh well, it's my turn so I'll suck it up and hope for a fine weekend next week. The fog rolled in a few minutes ago, but it won't take long to lift and disappear again. Sometime yesterday my sciatica decided to flare up - it's going to be a painful weekend. Been a long time since I've had issues with it and hopefully, some stretching and walking will set it right again. No time for this! On an up note - I won 10 lbs of lobster through tickets sold for the Lobster Festival so guess what we are having for supper. Larry's going to pick them up after he drops me off to work this morning and hopefully have them all cooked for supper when I get done work. Now that's something to look forward too. Think we'll head off a bit early this morning and hit the Industrial Park for birds before I go to work. Maybe that Flycatcher will be in a friendly mood today.

Yellow Iris

American Redstart (immature male or female)

One of Lois' beautiful Azaleas.




Enjoy your day!

Day 125 - 15th June 2018 - Twin Flowers, Robin and Roses

Overcast and cool this morning. The forecast says it's going to clear. The rain was welcomed - hopefully it will do some good but some more would be greatly appreciated. It has started to clear while I was waiting for my pics to load and of course the wind has picked up - nothing new there. Working today - big school group for this morning's entertainment. Perhaps it will dry off quickly and we can set some 18th c toys out in the yard for them. They are always a big hit after they've looked around the museum. Yesterday was a good day, visitors are arriving daily now. I got the paperwork caught up - that's usually my thing.

The tiny Twin Flowers

 A Robin hides in the shadows

One of my rose bushes are starting to bloom - think it's an Explorer rambler.


Enjoy your day!