Day 262 - 18th September 2013 - Woodpecker, Song Sparrow, Ducks and the Lake

Brrr, is it ever chilly this morning, temperature is +4.1, soon time for a frost. And it will soon be time to build a fire in the furnace, but am hoping we can put that off for another few weeks. Not much point on days that we are both working. The sun is suppose to shine and it will warm up after awhile. My day off, so will roam around the hood a little later this morning to see if there are any warblers left, haven't found any the last few mornings but I've been early and it's probably been too cool for them. Guess I better do some housework this morning, since I didn't get too much done on the weekend.
Tuesday certainly perked up. Got in to see my favourite Doctor, meds refilled for another year. Must be doing something right as this was the first time I've been to see a doctor since last October. RAH! Work went well, got another research report finished off and in the mail before  I left. Now I've got another one I'd like to get done by Friday. Still lots of other things on the go but those are my priorities for this week.

 The ducks seem to be gathering up more these days. They'll spend most of the winter in the river once the lake ices over, but that's not for a while.

 A female Hairy Woodpecker having breakfast.

 Song Sparrow.

 I liked to looks of the few leaves that have changed mixed with the others. If you look hard just above them you'll find a spider web among the branches.

 Fall brings bright berries.

The soft color of evenings light.

Reflecting in the lake.













Enjoy your day!

Day 261 - 17th September 2013 - Morning on the Lake, Max and a Grasshopper

Stars are all still out, but it's definitely nippy - temperature is +5.8. That's a big change from the last few mornings. The harvest moon is this week (Thursday), you could see it last night above the trees - shining bright. The whole idea of a harvest moon was to add more light for the farmers to harvest by. It also means we could have a chance of frost and we are nearing the end of summer. Sad to say but it's true. Fall is my favourite season so lets hope it longs. I enjoy those crisp mornings and warm days. The only thing I don't like are the shorter days. I'm not thinking about the time change yet, still 1 1/2 months away from that. Work today, hoping for a better day and can cross another thing off my list as done.
Glad to have Monday over, it was kind of weird - like I thought I made it through Friday 13th  and then it reappeared. So long as it doesn't run into Tuesday I can handle it. Haven't seen any Hummingbirds for 2 days, still have the feeder out with a little bit in it for any strays that come through. Quiet on my morning walk, all I could call out was a squirrel and Max the cat. Guess that kind of put the end to birds looking my way. Exercise class last night - pyramids and they are just nasty and a very hard workout. Gets the old heart just a pumping that's for sure!

 I never get tired of looking at the lake in the morning.

 Of course my travelling companion Max.

He's a little dusty - thought he would get me to rub his belly while he rolled around on the ground.

These guys are pretty big this year.












Enjoy your day!

Day 260 - 16th September 2013 - Palm Warbler, Green Wing Teals, Partridge and Lighthouse.

Here rolls in Monday once again, the weekends are way too short.  Temperature is +11, air is cooling some. Chance of rain showers this afternoon, then the rest of the week looks fine. It's only Monday so that's not something they can predict this early, but will take one day of sunshine at a time. Off to work, hoping for another good week of crossing things off the list.
We didn't play quite so long on Sunday and actually did a few things around home (and I mean just a few). Another beautiful day for sure, love still be able to wear shorts, thought last week I would have to pack them up but glad I didn't.  We went off for a little adventure before noon, down to the Sandy Point Lighthouse, then on to Locke's Island and McLean's Island. Spooked a  flock of Green Wing Teal ducks in a pond which were truly impressive, saw about 14 but not great photos. A Bald Eagle flew above us in one spot, I really need to save my nickels for a bigger lens. There are times that I just can't quite get close enough with the one I've got. Met a fabulous person last evening, Sandy, felt like I've known and liked her for years.

 Palm Warbler.

 Juvenile Black Throated Green Warbler.

Sandy Point Lighthouse.

 It was kind of neat to look from the lighthouse back at the town.

 Saw lots of Great Blue Herons.

 We call them partridges but the proper name is Ruffed Grouse.

 The Green Wing Teals.

 Dragon-flies are still around, they migrate as well.

And an ending to the day on the lake.



















Enjoy your day!

Day 259 - 15th September 2013 - Shorebirds, Great Blue Heron, House Sparrows and Gulls

Looks like another sunny day on the horizon, temperature is +14.6. Wonder where we might head today. No point in staying home and working, there's lot of time for that when the weather turns and the birds all leave. Larry can get his wood piled in the basement and I'll get the laundry caught up, then maybe we will take off again.
Had a fabulous Saturday, did not do one bit of housework and may not do any today! Larry did get some wood put in the basement before we took off in the morning. So all was not lost. We left home around 9:30 am, I really couldn't make up my mind where I wanted to go but when we hit the intersection we decided to head to Cape Sable Island. Off we went, first stop the Hawk Beach - not a lot there - a few shore birds but not many. It was still a bit foggy. Headed over to Daniel's Head and it was very quiet there. Of course at every pond and marshy area along our route we slowed down scanned the area. Got out at a few of these and crawled around, didn't see anything new, even though Larry was sure of new and exotic birds. We roamed around the Island for a while then headed off to Barrington to do groceries. Multi-tasking bird watching. Took the long way home through Villagedale, stopped at Sandhills and found the Red Knots. Did see a Marsh hawk, more Great Blue Herons and a King Fisher on our way home. So it was a fabulous day birding, then we headed down to the Park for supper with the Bestie and the gang. I was ready for bed early, so much fresh air and then good food made me very sleepy.

Semipalmated Sandpipers feeding.

 Can't go to the beach without some wave photos.

 House Sparrows - new to my list.

 A bunny, we also saw two deer but not great shots. Larry needs to wash the inside and outside of the truck windshield.

 Gulls enjoying a bit of a rest.

 Red - knots.  New ones to me.

 Semi-palmated Sandpipers.

 Some are big and some are small!

 Semi-palmated Plover. He got soo close to me.

 Semi-palmated Sandpiper.

 Great Blue Heron.

Finally getting closer to these guys!













Enjoy your day!

Day 258 - 14th September 2013 - Puffballs, Rain drops and the Lake

Nice little sleep in this morning. Temperature is +17.2 and it's suppose to clear later this morning. I still miss the sun rise early but not much I can do about that except wait for it again next year.  I guess we are in for a few sunny days. Planning on some beach time this weekend, see Sandy who is here from Scotland and a visit to the Park with the campers later today. Sounds like a full weekend and somewhere in there I need to do groceries, laundry and a tad bit of housework.
So Friday the 13th passed without any terrible things happening. I kind of forgot about it most of the day. Sure wasn't a day for photos though, heavy rain at times - I got caught in it twice. It did look to be clearing after supper so I took a chance and went for my walk. Didn't go too far as the sky was dark in places.

 Puff balls on the side of the road.

 One side looks like it will clear, the other side still looks stormy, but the lake was really calm.

 Water droplets....

 And more.

Just a hint of blue sky.













Enjoy your day!

Day 257 - 13th September 2013 - Raindrops, Sun over the lake and Humming Bird.

Friday here we are, temperature is +20.1. Looks like we had a bit of rain during the night, lots more to come today. Then we are on to sunshine for the next few days. I like the sounds of that. Welcome back to the lake Sandy am sure you will enjoy your visit. Last day of the work week, I'm looking forward to finishing it off. Nothing really planned for the weekend, sometimes that's the best way to go. Brunch with some of the exercise girls tomorrow I think to plan out what new equipment we will order. Or at least I think that's what I heard (the disadvantage of not hearing well and being at the back of the room).
Thursday was a warm day - well mostly humid, but sunny too. Quite a difference from the first of the week, you can feel the storm coming. The birds were all silent in the morning, couldn't coax one out, no matter how hard I tried. The day went well at work, couple more things off my list a few more added on. That's how it goes. Exercise class last night - grueling steps is all I've got to say!
Grandmother's Journal:
13th September 1974 - Bob & Mike here tonight, good fishing. Wish I had worked this week. Fran up tonite for weekend. Miserable weather - foggy and quite humid. No frost yet. No birds around. 
14th September 1974 - Up early to Yarmouth with Reg & Gertrude, Fran also. Home early around 4:30. Some rain showers. Bob, Bettie & boys here, Mike stayed. 

Kind of a strange looking sky yesterday morning. Sun was breaking through.

 No birds so I went with some rain drops, I do like how they hang off the trees.

 Gulls on the reef in the harbour.

 And there were a couple of Hummingbirds back at supper time. I'm assuming they are passing through, know they aren't my regular ones as they were more skittish about me being on the deck.

Leaves are falling.












Enjoy your day!