Day 79 - 19th March 2016 - Crocuses, Chipmunk and Daphne

Woke to a thin layer of snow on things this morning. It won't last long once daylight and the sun appears, however, we may be in for more Sunday night/Monday depending on what direction the next system takes. At least we know the sun is stronger and these little upsets down last. I guess it's a day for groceries and maybe a short jaunt near town in search of a few birds. I'm tied up all day Sunday with volunteer work so will need to do my regular lunchbox prep sometime today. 
The sun did come out yesterday, but there were also dark clouds and rain showers, with a few snow flurries tossed in after supper. Well as they say wait 5 minutes and the weather will change. It was fairly mild and I didn't need to build a fire til late afternoon. The wood is holding well this winter and we'll have some left I think to start next year off. We did buy enough last year for 2 years and soon Larry will begin the process of cutting and splitting once again. Lots of Blue Jays, Mourning Doves and Grackles around the yard, way too many Squirrels and the Chipmunk has reappeared the last few days.  Not as many Goldfinches, Juncos and Purple Finches. The Chipping Sparrow and White Throated Sparrow come and go.

A showing of Spring as the Crocuses are blooming. 

They were all dipped in rain drops from the night before.















The Daphne has begun to bloom as well.

My favourite rodent - the Chipmunk. I never mind if he fills his chubby cheeks at the feeder. Unlike the Squirrels he never seems greedy.






Enjoy your day!

Day 78- 18th March 2016 - Pileated Woodpecker, Grackle and Chipping Sparrow

Starless again this morning, could really go for a nice day - with some sun, maybe just a gentle breeze. Just a little spring. And it's Friday - the end of another workweek for many. I am hearing more birds singing - the Song Sparrow is becoming more vocal. I thought I heard a Hermit Thrush yesterday morning  but the Crows and Blue Jays were hollering. Maybe I'm just wishing for Spring overly hard as it's too early for them. If I get a clear patch of weather today I'll go in search.
Another wet day in the hood. Well it gave me a chance to do some computer work, did the first week of the on-line course I'm taking and some housework. Making a path through another room. Exercise class last night - a fun filled evening.

I'm still chasing the Pileated Woodpecker - but he keeps hiding behind the power poles!

What a scowl on the Grackles face - I think he's tired of rain too!

Bad shot - but the Chipping Sparrow is still hanging around the yard.









Enjoy your day!

Day 77 - 17th March 2016 - Canada Geese, the Lake and Mallards

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! I'm pleased to say I have some Irish roots in my family tree. Although I won't likely do any big celebrating - going to be a day of computer work and I should return to the house wrecking - or at least try to swamp out one of the rooms that now has extra stuff piled up in it. All fun and games!
As predicted Wednesday was a day of rain and me being wet. Although on the up note it tapered off by late afternoon so I didn't have to stand in the rain waiting for Larry to pick me up to go home. Not a day of great accomplishments but a few things done.

I enjoying watching the interactions of the Geese.

From a windy day - but blue skies over the lake.

The Mallards have all paired up, nesting season will soon commence.

I played around a bit with this one - if I was a painter I'd do it in water colors - soft dreamy background with the harder lines of the flower and stems.







Enjoy your day!

Day 76 - 16th March 2016 - Evening Grosbeak, Grackles and Cookies

A wet morning, guess it's probably a good day to go to town, although I'll spend most of it wet I'm sure. Errands and volunteer work to accomplish, the time will fly by. Lunch at the Beandock - a good time to catch up.
A grey, overcast day but it didn't start raining until supper time. Lexi and I got a couple of walks in and then it was mostly a kitchen day with a little housework and computer work thrown in. Made up a batch of sugar cookies for the girls, lunches for Larry the next couple of days and a " cabbage roll casserole" for suppers the next few nights.  Tuesday is the afternoon Cathy stops for coffee on her way home and I enjoy our chats and feeding her whatever I've created. She's a good taste tester.  The feeders were busy with bigger birds - the Grackles are growing in numbers as are the Blue Jays. I heard a voice I didn't recognize but only for a few seconds and no sign of it.

Finally a Male Evening Grosbeak arrived, it's been several months since I've seen one.

I still think they are stunning with their colors, even though most of the time they just look black.

Big stretch!

And some Saint Paddy's day cookies.







Enjoy your day!

Day 75 - 15th March 2016 - Ice, White-breasted Nuthatch and Crocuses

Looks like if I want to get a walk in today, I better go this morning. Rain on the way - the rest of the week looks mostly wet. Oh well I've got lots of inside work to keep me entertained whether or not I want to it - need to get it done. Rain is encouraging for that kind of stuff. 
Another fine day with chilly winds. Buzzed around getting some things done in the morning, even managed a quick walk in the hood.  Keeping my eyes open for the Wood Ducks to return in a cove but nothing yet. Could hear a number of Woodpeckers around. The Grackles along with a Starling were in and out of yard. They appear to be hungry - gives the Blue Jay some competition. The little birds don't seem to mind and will gather below or at a feeder closer to the house. Cleaned a little debris from a flower bed while I was waiting for my meeting ride.

A little shell ice on the cranberry ditch - love the patterns.
















Ran into a small flock of White-breasted Nuthatches in the woods.

By lunch time the Crocus' blooms  were all open.

One Hydrangea flower - soon they will be in bloom again too.











Enjoy your day!

Day 74 - 14th March 2016 - Kate & William, Leaves and A Grackle

 A good night sleep to start off the week, hoping the time change is going to work for me. Now if the sun would just come up a bit earlier -  soon enough and it should be. It's nice to have the daylight time after supper but being a morning person..well you know. Need to buzz around and get some work done this morning, have a meeting this afternoon then exercise class this evening.
A beautiful day with strong March winds. Guess those on dirt roads will have them dried out soon. It was a good day to putter inside and out. Larry cleaned the furnace pipe and chimney, put a little wood in the basement. I got lunch boxes under the way for the week, cooked a chicken, laundry etc. Got a couple of jaunts around the hood but with the wind, less to see then I normally do lately. A few Mallards, Black Ducks and Kate & William in the coves.

They are such a handsome couple.

 Kate bathes ...

while William watches over her. Ever alert.

Leaves were blowing across the lake.

 Whirligigs were whirling in the hood.

And Harriett the Grackle has returned...with 7-8 of her nearest and dearest friends and family. She's pretty stunning with her iridescent colors.









Enjoy your day!

Day 73 - 13th March 2016 - Buffleheads, Gull, Northern Harrier and Deer

Hoping you all remembered to Spring ahead with the time this morning.  Stars are out, Owls are way up at the head of the lake this morning, I can just barely hear them. Since we spent little time home Saturday, today will be a work around day. Weather looks good, I'd rather spend some of it outside, but will have to do the weekly lunchbox prep and Larry will probably want to do some more on the house wrecking, oops I mean....renovation prep.
We had  good day out, even though there weren't a lot of birds around. Drove the long way to Cape Sable Island, via Gunning Cove to Port Saxon then Port Clyde to Baccaro, up through Villagedale to Barrington. Some of the ponds along the way had a light layer of ice, which I'm sure was gone by noon, but they didn't yield any ducks. We did see some Loons and Gulls at wharves,  Red Breasted Mergansers, Hooded Mergansers, Mallards, Black Ducks, Buffleheads, Common Eiders, a few Song Sparrows, Pigeons, Chickadees, Starlings, Northern Harrier, Canada Geese and Brant Geese.

There were about a dozen Buffleheads at Port LaTour.

In for a landing.

Northern Harrier was hunting at Daniel's Head.

And the surf was up at Baccaro.

One of three deer in a yard on the way home.









Enjoy your day!