Day 152 - 31st May 2016 - Song Sparrow, Magnolia Warbler and Lupin

Here we are at the end of another month - hard to believe they way the are flying by. Foggy morning but I can still hear the Song Sparrows singing up a storm and Mourning Doves cooing. Looking forward to day two of my new adventure. Looks like the fog may lift and we will actually see some sun later today.
Had a great first day at the new job! So many new things to learn - although I surprised myself a little bit by knowledge I knew and had retained. New people to work with, which is exciting. It's going to be a fun job too, think it's time for me to come up with a couple of 18th century personas to entertain the visitors with.  Since it rained most of the day I left Big B. at home, still went on my walk to catch my ride - a few Yellow Rumped Warblers, Oven Birds and Hermit Thrushes in the woods. 15 Mallard males were hanging out at Myrna's waiting for breakfast.

Song Sparrow

Magnolia Warbler. Everyone seemed to be high in a tree!















The larger ferns are really spreading out now.

And in just a few days the Lupins were beginning to bloom.













Enjoy your day!

Day 151 - 30th May 2016 - Ovenbird, Cedar Waxwing, Wisteria and Lilac

It's Monday and the first day at my new job! Little nervous - that's only natural when starting a new adventure but slept well last night for a change, so that's good.  Raining this morning and looks like it will keep up all day. The lake and river are going down so  little rain will certainly help.
Had a good Sunday, I roamed the hood while the washing machine was doing it's job. Am hearing a few more birds but they are in a couple of rows of growth further in from where I walk. Some are obviously nesting now - haven't seen a Palm Warbler or Northern Parula in a couple of days. Spent an hour or so doing lunch box entrees for Larry - this week done and enough for next week in the freezer. I like to have a few extra on hand in case I'm extra busy. Did some of the other mundane things like laundry etc. Larry finished planting the garden, mowed the lawn and worked in the woodpile. Things are moving along.

Ovenbird - I hear them every day but yesterday I saw two near the head of the road and two further in.

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

The Cedar Waxwings were back in the Apple trees, I assumed they had moved on as I saw them along the road on my walk earlier.

I think it's going to be a bumper year for the Wisteria.

Lilacs are in full bloom and you can smell them all over the yard, such a strong scent.





Enjoy your day!

Day 150 - 29th May 2016 - Gray Catbirds, Snowy Egret, Black-Throated Green Warbler and Blue Headed Vireo

I'm late this morning, but tried loading too many photos at once which rarely works so had to begin again. Looks like a good day coming on. Lots to do but first on the list in some breakfast and a lurk around the hood to see what's out there. Then some lunch box cooking to get ahead of the busy week. 
Had a great trip to Yarmouth Saturday, a little later than planned leaving home but with thunder and torrential rain the diva dog refused to leave the house to do what needed to be done. So we had to wait a little. It didn't last long so we were off!  A few warblers at Bear Brook as well as lots of Barn Swallows and a Hawk hanging out somewhere near by, we could hear him but not see him. The Rhodora there is beautiful. Once we hit Yarmouth we headed out toward Overton and Cape Forchu, although we didn't go all the way to the light. Stayed around Thomas Rd hunting for Warblers.  I think they should re-name it Catbird alley - wow every where we looked there were Catbirds, singing their crazy songs. Did find some Warblers but nothing new. Then it was off to do some shopping and lunch at the Red Shed down on the waterfront. With a full day of shopping and some birding under our belts we managed to get home by supper time. It turned into a beautiful day and still +26 when we got back.

A couple of the many Catbirds who sang to us.

Willet at Overton

Blue Headed Vireo

Female Black -Throated Green Warbler.

Snowy Egret - love the yellows shoes.







Enjoy your day!

Day 149 - 28th May 2016 - Cedar Waxwing, Palm Warbler, Swallows and Trillium

The sun seems to be sluggish this morning but the the Song Sparrows are at full volume with a few Finches singing back up. Somewhere in the mix I hear a Northern Parula. So it's a day to do a little shopping and some birding. A much needed trip to Yarmouth. I dislike shopping these days to the list has to become sizable for me to venture in stores besides the quick round of groceries. Mixing it with bird watching makes it seem ok though.
Good day in the hood. Saw lots of Yellow-rumped Warblers, Palm Warblers, Hermit Thrushes and Song Sparrow. Heard a number of Ovenbirds. The Cedar Waxwings arrived in the apple trees in the morning to feast on the apple blossoms. Many farmers wouldn't be happy but we have old trees without great apples so I'm fine with them. It was a day to enjoy life and putter around, got a few things done that needed to be finished off.

Cedar Waxwing
















The Palm Warbler has found himself a nice little juicy worm.

Guess they've got their nest finished and it's time for baby making















The handsome Red-Wing Blackbird

The end of the tulip blooms

Trillium are in bloom now. Everything is moving right along in the forest.








Enjoy your day!

Day 148 - 27th May 2016 - Red-Wing Blackbird, Bird Bath and Squirrel

The birds are welcoming the day - an Owl is hooting on one of the Islands in the lake, Song Sparrow around the property and a Hermit Thrush near by. Love the sounds of morning. Looks like we are going to have a sunny day with a few clouds. I'll get around the hood for a good morning jaunt and hopefully spy something new. I noticed the Trillium was in bloom  the other day so will snag a few shots.
Had a great last day at my job, flowers from my colleagues in the Town Office and from my board.  Monday I start at the Ross Thompson House as a Heritage Interpreter. I'm looking forward to a new adventure in the Heritage Sector. Finished of the day getting my hair done and exercise class last night. Good workout and I've been missing too many lately.

Female Red-Wing Blackbird, not a great shot from the kitchen window. She may not be quite as stunning as her mate but still attractive.

I bought this bird bath a few weeks ago - love the looks of it, but I've not seen anyone bathing in it yet.

 Another beautiful day on the lake.

Napping Squirrel - but I think I woke him up.




Enjoy your day!

Day 147 - 26th May 2016 - Cobwebs, Swallow, Reflections and Ferns

Lots to be done today, then hair cut before heading home for supper and if I'm lucky and time allows, exercise class tonight. I should sleep good after today.
The fog burned off in the morning and the sun came out, although a little cloudy in the afternoon. Overall a darn good day! I'm still concerned over the lack of Warblers in the hood, but I could hear a few more voices in the middle and/or back of the swamp. One of those days when I want to jump in with both feet but remembered that I had my good sneakers on. Nah I really wouldn't do that, some have begun the nesting process so best to stand on the edge, wait and listen with hopes they come out to feed. Had a pair of Red-Wing Blackbirds hanging out in the yard all day,  I wish they would get their act together - I seriously think she's waiting for a better choice as she's not showing alot of interest in him no matter how much he sings.

 I knew the sun would come out after I saw all the cobwebs in the morning.

Just hanging out on the deck - great morning for reflections.














A lot of the smaller ferns are already out but this big ones that sit along the edge of the swamp are still unfurling.

I guess the Swallows are still bringing in nesting supplies. He seemed a little frustrated when it would go in the door.





Enjoy your day!

Day 146 - 25th May 2016 - Canada Mayflower Star Flower and Purple Finch

A few rain showers in the morning but the sun ventured out later in the afternoon. All in all a good day - lots done and cleaned up for my departure. No on is irreplaceable and I'm sure they will find someone who will do a good job. But for me I'm looking forward to a change, learning some new things and meeting new people.  So it will be good for everyone I'm sure. I headed out for an evening walk after supper, flies were deadly - both the black flies and the mosquitoes are out now and biting. I did manage to find a few Robins, Grackles, Magnolia Warblers and a Purple Finch. What I didn't see but heard were Hermit Thrushes, Song Sparrows and a Loon. Of course I'm enjoying the wildflowers and growth that is now emerging in the forest so maybe I'm looking down too much and missing what's flying over my head. 

Canada Mayflower is coming into bloom.

The woods are coming alive with Wildflowers. Starflowers are coming out.  So many are small and delicate.

 Lady Slipper will soon be in flower.

Female Purple Finch in the woods.








Enjoy your day!

Day 145 - 24th May 2016 - Red-Breasted Grosbeak, Lupins and Buttercups

Back to work today, not many left here and I'll be off to my new adventure soon. Going to be a very busy few days getting things done. Giving a chance of showers today so guess Big B. will stay home. Pretty quiet out there this morning, but it's still a little early, birds will starting singing shortly. 
The weather was pretty dismal Monday - mostly drizzle but the sun made a brief appearance early in the afternoon. It was a good day inside though - really felt great and got lots done. Now if we can get a few more things moved from Larry's room I think we are ready to start the downstairs bathroom. As much as I look forward to it, I detest the thought of DIY construction. It always lasts so much longer than we expect.  Cathy stopped up in the morning for her Jamacia Me Crazy coffee and a chat. It was good to catch up.  I miss our regular Tuesday afternoons that we have all winter. I didn't get out for my regular walk but Lexi and I went a couple of times.

Female Red-Breasted Grosbeak - now where is that handsome male!

The Lupins will soon be in bloom. A nice puddle of water in the centre of the leaf.

A little color coming on this one.

And buttercups adorn the yard.








Enjoy  your day!

Day 144 - 23rd May 2016 - Northern Parula, Common Yellow-Throated Warbler and Lilacs

Monday morning - a holiday for some, others will be off to work as in our household. Suppose to be a few showers this morning, so I guess I'll be housebound for a while. That's ok, I've got plans to continue with some purging - to make room for the downstairs bathroom that's going to get put in this summer. By the time I've finished it should be good for a jaunt around the hood. I guess it might be a good time to put away some of the heavier winter clothes too (I hope). 
Weather wise Sunday was a bit of a bummer but we need the rain so won't complain. I got out for my morning walk and finally found a couple of Common Yellow-throated Warblers in the hood. I've yet to see a Vireo and some others that are normally on my spring list. Almost got ran over by a deer but it's the country so sometimes you have to expect those things to happen and learn to move quickly. Larry got the tiller out and did the garden, puttered around in the greenhouse when the rain started. I did up the regular Sunday chores - lunch box prep, laundry etc. and curled up in the chair for an hour and read. Rainy Sundays make you feel lazy, rather than head to the sofa that was calling out my name I walked over and had tea with Lois. She's was in the same mode.

It was a good morning for Northern Parulas.

The wind had picked up a bit so he had that fluffy look.

 A Cedar Waxwing in the woods, there were 3-4 and will soon be in my yard. I wait for them every spring. They spend a day or two in the apple blossoms.

 Common Yellow-Throat - obviously not showing me his best side!

Another seasonal beauty - Lilacs are beginning to bloom.








Enjoy your day!

Day 143 - 22nd May 2016 - Common Yellowthroat, Yellow Warbler an Black Throated Green Warbler

Rain in the forecast for today so maybe we will stay home and get some things done around here. Larry has some garden work he wants to tackle, I should do some house work but will try to get out for a jaunt around the hood before it rains. Maybe some of those Warblers have arrived!
Can't think that we got anything accomplished Saturday but it was a darn good day! We seemed to miss all the exciting birds on Cape Sable Island, but I managed to find a few of the Warblers I've been pining for at home so all was good. We roamed around, had lunch at West Head Takeout - of course brought a bit of that home as one can never truly eat the whole serving. Chatted with some local birders.  Did some grocery shopping in Barrington and headed home. Then after supper we took off to visit our friends in Upper Clyde. Of course I had to have a quick whip around to see what birds were in the area - Yellow-Rumped Warblers, Yellow Warblers, Chickadees, Tree Swallows (not as many as usual) and I spotted a Flycatcher - no photo of course but my best guess would have been Alder Flycatcher.

Finally found a Common Yellowthroat. I still don't know why they called this guy Common, with that mask I think he definitely has some personality.

And a Black Throated Green Warbler

 She's got quite a mouthful - assume it's for a nest. She kept coming back for more.

 Yellow Warbler.

 This was the biggest bird we saw!

 Apple Blossom time.







Enjoy your day!

Day 142 - 21st May 2016 - Savannah Sparrow, Song Sparrow and Short-Billed Dowitchers

 Looks like a glorious Saturday morning, think it will be a birding day - were there ever any doubts about it! Sandhills beach in Villagedale should be open now and Cape Sable Island has lots of interesting birds around so those will be our two choices. Maybe a little celebratory lunch at West Head Take Out and grocery shopping in Barrington. Life is simple, life is good!
Great end to the week! After 13 years working in the same place, I've taken a position elsewhere - they say a change is a good as a rest and I'm pretty excited to be starting a new adventure in my life. Going to miss some of the people I've worked with and for over the years but I know it's the right decision as the smile is back in my heart again.

Savannah Sparrow

Looks like this Tree Swallow has found a home.















Song Sparrow - lots of them everywhere

Short-Billed Dowitcher coming in for a landing.







Enjoy your day!