Day 196 - 14th July 2016 - Robin, Harbour and Song Sparrow

So after bragging about sleeping in the last few days, this morning I'm up before day break - I think it was the heat. Founders Day festivities are rolling around - will be busy right through to Sunday now at the Museum Complex. It's the weekend that reunions are held, families from away come home, etc.  This morning I'm back with my regular ride - Nancy, meaning I get to stalk the hood. Hoping a few different birds will appear.
A real warm Wednesday. Busy, busy day at work, lots of visitors through and we dipped candles in the afternoon - it was a little hot with several layers of clothes on but that's what we do! Greta's husband provided some 18th Century musical entertainment and appeared to draw some groupies. Watched the Eagle fly over at lunch time - such a majestic bird and no Crows or Gulls chasing and aggravating him this time.  I used some of my extra morning time in town to roam along Dock St and a few of the connected Lanes. Lovely quiet morning - always a good way to start a day but I enjoy my time in the hood more.  Thank goodness for the slow cooker - roast cooked for supper with no hot kitchen. I spent a lazy evening reading a manuscript I'm helping a friend with.

I found this in a friend's yard but I'm not sure what it is and she wasn't home.

He got the big prize in the street - looks like a June bug.

A lovely calm morning on the harbour.

And one of our resident Song Sparrows in the gardens of the Ross Thomson House.






Enjoy your day!

Day 195 - 13th July 2016 - Black & White Warbler, Loyalist Rose and Ducks

Seems my internal clock knows when it's a work day - up earlier this morning. I hate to say this but I think daylight comes a few minutes later now than it did. The birds are singing their morning songs and looks like another nice day in the making. Going to toss a roast in the slower cooker before heading in with Larry this morning, will give us meals for a couple of days. Will roam around Dock Street and some of the side lanes, maybe I'll find a Cardinal or two - who knows!
Summer has returned, temperature went way up yesterday! Good day home, finished off a few things, did some cooking, roamed the hood, chatted with neighbours and had company in the afternoon. Seeing more young birds around - getting harder to identify some of them. No one looks like their parents at this stage. There are still a number of Warblers I've not seen this year in the hood yet, species number are definitely down.

Black and White Warbler - one of my favs.















My Loyalist Rose is in bloom.

 Song Sparrow..... I think although it might be a Swamp Sparrow. I'm pretty up and down on birds these days, nothing looks like it should since the young ones started fluttering around.

The babies are nearly as big as their Mom now.








Enjoy your day!

Day 194 - 12th July 2016 - Belted Kingfisher, Ovenbird and Yellow-Rumped Warbler

I've slept in - or at least for me. Woke around 3 am but did eventually get back to sleep then it was almost 6 am - guess I must have been tired. At least I'm sleeping better than I have in a very long time. The bad nights are fewer and further between. Off again today then I've got a longer stretch of days on. This weekend is Founders Days and everyone is on deck. Should be fun. Might make some cookies today, Cathy's coming for coffee this afternoon and I'll take the rest to work with me maybe. Best not to keep those around the house. Must get another coffee and head out to the hood early this morning.
Well the weather finally turned in the afternoon and the sun came out. Had a good day at home - finished off some sewing, laundry and some "light" housework done.  Enjoyed the birds in the backyard and got a few jaunts around the hood. Also did the last week of my online course - came away with some new knowledge and ideas regarding Museums in the 21st Century. Some things were just way out there though.

Finally - my nemesis, the Belted Kingfisher. I was stunned when he flew to a branch not far from me.













Ovenbird



















Northern Parula hiding in the Lilac Bush.















Never did get a good shot of this youngster one hiding in the leaves, but I'm quite sure by what I can see he's a Yellow-Rumped Warbler.







Enjoy your day!

Day 193 - 11th July 2016 - Magnolia Warbler, Black & White Warbler and Purple Finch

Overcast this morning, but the birds are singing. Hopefully it will clear and the sun shines. I'm off today, lots to do around here between today and tomorrow. Have a five day stretch of work after this time off so need to have meals prepped/ready, etc. Of course some time around the hood is essential and maybe a little deck time if I can swing it. 
Sunday was a wet and miserable day but mighty busy at the museum - lots of tourists and a few locals. I managed time for a quick roam in the hood before the rain arrived. Saw a few birds around, babies are beginning to come out of nests and sit on limbs flapping their wings and crying for food. Not quite ready to search on their own.

Magnolia Warbler

 Black & White Warbler.

 I think this is a young Purple Finch. There were two and their mother and she was busy feeding them.






Enjoy your day!

Day 192 - 11th July 2016 - Palm Warbler, Yarrow and a Robin

Looks like some showers in the forecast. Working again today, but maybe the rain will hold off so I can get a quick jaunt around the hood before I go. 
Saturday was much cooler than it has been - kind of felt good, although it remained rather overcast most of the day. Good day at work, some tourists around, got some sewing done - all good. Stopped on the way home to Cathy's to see how they all did at Mud Heroes. Lots of laughs in those tales. Got home to no power - yup another suicidal squirrel. Called NS Power, more laughs - you know you live in a small town when they get the call out and it's the same guy who's been here the last couple of times and knows exactly what the problem is when he sees the house #.  We all had a good chuckle.

 Lots of youngsters are beginning to appear around the yard now. This one's a Palm Warbler.
















A little preening.

 Yarrow...I think. Mostly found as white but we have a pink patch close to the road.

A Robin catches the prize.








Enjoy your day!

Day 191 - 9th July 2016 - Hermit Thrush, Northern Parula and Ovenbird

Back to work today. Think I'll take the plunge and pick up groceries before work instead of after. It increases the chance of getting half of what I want. Although if it doesn't rain, might be a chance to go birding for an hour - guess I'll wait and see what the weather does in a few hours.
A good day home - some more housework, double batch of muffins made, internet fixed and I've got a new shift almost done - only the hand stitching for that to finish it off. Lexi and I roamed a bit but there is more action in my yard than anywhere else - or so it seems. Sitting on the deck is almost dangerous - I believe it's right in the middle of a flight path - almost got a Woodpecker in the face.

Juvenile Hermit Thrush.

Northern Parula

Downy Woodpecker

Ovenbird










Enjoy your day!

Day 190 - 8th July 2016 - Ruby Throated Hummingbirds and a Common Yellowthroat

More rain overnight - well needed. Might clear later today so will get what I need done this morning. Still have some inside work to do. Have talked Larry into picking up supper on the way home so won't have to worry about that tonight, but will do a little more lunch box prep today as I'm working the weekend. Getting a little more used to the change of routine.
Big B. and I went out for our morning walk yesterday, but of course got caught in a shower or two. Good thing I had taken her rain jacket although I came home a little damp. No sign of bears on my jaunts even with Lexi. Seems to be lots of birds around the yard including Red-Eyed Vireos, Yellow Rumped Warblers, Woodpeckers, Black & white Warblers, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Goldfinches and Purple Finches. I don't bother putting feed out in the summer as there is lots around for them to find. In the past I've discovered that the ones who win the most when I feed in warmer months are squirrels!
I realized that here it is July and I've not taken any photos of the Hummingbirds this year and what would summer be without Hummingbirds!

One will often sit on on the Bean netting watching the feeders - ready to drive another one away.

Cheeky fellow - sticking his tongue out!















Their wings move so fast.

Common Yellowthroat.








Enjoy your day!