Day 91 - 31st March 2017-Goldfinches and Red Breasted Nuthatch

Here we are saying good bye to March - must admit it's been an interesting month. Hard to believe and two more months and I'll be back to work, hopefully Larry hears somethings soon about surgery. I would really like to have that over with before going back. So we had 24 hours without horrible weather - yesterday was fine but the wind was a tad chilly - can live with that. I went AWOL for a few hours - quick trip in town for a couple of things and then lunch at the United Church. The do lunches this time of year on Thursday - Soup, dessert, etc. It was good and they looked to have a good turn out. It's Friday so will be a Thelma and Louise day - town and lunch. I suppose I should do a few things around here before going.

 The Christmas Tree remains a favourite feeder.

 We've had a sizable flock of Goldfinches around lately

Red Breasted Nuthatch








Enjoy your day!

Day 90 - 30th March 2017 - Junco, Goldfinches and Robin

I believe March has come in like and lion and is going out like a lion - the last few days we've had miserable weather. Wednesday was a combination of everything - rain, ice pellets/freezing rain, snow and then after supper it cleared and was nice, but just before dark another flurry of snow. Hoping Mother Nature has it all out of her system and Spring arrives soon. A pair of Crows flew back and forth over the yard - one carrying nesting material, obviously they know something the rest of us don't. I puttered around a bit - it was a day to curl up and read which I did too. Also, pulled up a stool to the kitchen window and Big B and I watched the birds at the feeders.

The birds perched on icy bushes - Junco

 A flock of about 50 Goldfinches were in the yard most of the day

And a couple of Pine Siskins were travelling with them.

A Robin seemed oblivious to the weather - just looking for worms and bugs.










Enjoy your day!

Day 89 - 29th March 2017 - Downy Woodpecker, Mourning Dove and Chickadee

Another freezing rain warning in effect this morning - careful on the drive to work folks. Some snow on the way later this afternoon but no great amount...I hope. Tuesday morning appeared to be one of those days that I'd say the glass was half empty not half full, seemed like everything went wrong. Tea Kettle died -3 months old (Lois saved me by arriving at lunch time with a loaner), Septic system needs to be pumped out (getting done today) and couldn't get on line to the Bank to pay bills (finally did in the afternoon through another browser). So by afternoon things had begun to perk up again. I know mostly little stuff but some days even those little things bring you down! It was a slip sliding walk for Lexi and I in the morning, road was alright but anything dirt was icy. Trees and bushes were all coated in ice. I spent part of the day in the kitchen - meatloaf for Larry's lunch boxes, potato salad and pasta salad to go with the left over ham.

Male Downy Woodpecker lays claim to the suet.

 Mourning Dove

The Chickadees never stay still for long.






Enjoy your day!

Day 88 - 28th March 2017 - Purple Finches, Goldfinches and Crocuses

Monday remained one of those overcast and bleak days, waiting for the storm to arrive. We didn't get snow but by suppertime the rain mixed with ice pellets arrived. No exercise class for me, no darts for Larry. I encouraged him to stay home as he still is getting over the flu but said he made out ok at work. The deck is a skating rink this morning, so assume the road maybe slippery too - travel with care everyone! So I got back to playing catch up - worked on the photos that go with the database, scanned through some of my old newspapers (1898, early 1900's) looking for ads. Good thing the paper was thin (but newsy) back then as I get side tracked very easily. Cooked a ham, some housework and roamed a bit with Lexi. All in all - a fair amount accomplished. Red letter day- the Purple Finches arrived - 2 males and 1 female, sure there will be more.

Male Purple Finch














Male Purple Finch with Goldfinches

The Crocuses keep trying.







Enjoy your day!

Day 87 - 27th March 2017 - Blue Water, Bubbles and a White Breasted Nuthatch

Sunday turned out to be quite a nice day, little breezy in the morning but the sun came out strong and warm. Finally it felt like spring! Once breakfast got out of the way and I had a fire built, packed Larry back off to bed with some cold tablets, Lexi as his nurse and I went for a good roam around the hood with Big B. It was a pretty quiet walk along the private road except for the moaning and cracking of the ice in the lake - surely a sign it's soon going to be clear. Spotted a few White Breasted Nuthatches, heard a Woodpecker and Crows flew back and forth. Did the weekly batch of muffins up and puttered around the house, trying to make as little noise as possible. Owls are vocal this morning. Looks like a mess of weather for today/tonight - snow, ice/rain. Maybe this is the end. Larry's feeling somewhat better this morning and is going to try going to work - not sure but his decision.

It was nice to see a swath of blue water running yesterday.

Bubbles in the ice along the shoreline















 

White Breasted Nuthatch




Enjoy your day!

Day 86 - 26th March 2017 - Evening Grosbeaks, Goldfinches and Mourning Dove

I can hear the Owls hooting across the road this morning near the other lake, stars are all out and no new snowfall. Yesterday's has melted off again, still a little left around the yard, perhaps that will go today. So now that I'm back on my feet, Larry has the flu/cold bug now. Hoping it's short lived with him as well. Did a quick trip for groceries then packed him off to bed with cold tablets. I figure sleep is the best thing. So long as Lexi doesn't catch it again. Guess today will be a slow and lazy day - I'll putter around maybe get a roam in the hood.

It was a day of yellow birds - Goldfinches

 and Evening Grosbeaks were plentiful around the yard.

 Sharing with a Blue Jay

Mourning Dove taking in some sun.








Enjoy your day!

Day 85 - 25th March 2017 - Sunrise, Junco and Evening Grosbeaks

I must be getting back to normal - my terrible sleeping habits have returned and I'm out of bed before 5am! Oh well! Snow on the ground once again this morning - when will we see the end of it. Temperatures look a little warmer for next week, let's hope that's the turning point and we finally see the back of winter. The Crocuses and Tulips continuing to move upward - but don't appear to be very happy with the snow that fight their way through every morning. A couple of days I thought the Song Sparrows and Chickadees was trying to sing their spring songs, but it's only a half hearted attempt. So it's Saturday and I guess some grocery shopping and other fun (not) stuff is on the agenda today. Try to get caught up around the house this weekend so I can tackle the things I didn't get done this last week.

 The sun was brilliant coming through the trees Friday morning.

 One of the early morning visitors - Junco.

Three of the large flock of Evening Grosbeaks who tend the feeders.









Enjoy your day!

Day 84 - 24th March 2017 - Red Breasted Nuthatch, Ice and Fast Water

Beginning to feel human again - started to come around yesterday afternoon and am feeling much better this morning except for my sinuses and ears. That I can deal with. Yesterday was colder than January - blew hard all day until early evening. Stars are all out this morning, but once again it's cold, have to build  a fire again. It's Friday - Thelma and Louise day and Friday night club. Looking forward to getting out for a bit, you begin to feel a little shack wacky after laying on the sofa most of the week. The lake is making it's Woop, woop sounds again - hopefully it will be running free again soon.

Regulars at the feeders - Red Breasted Nuthatch

 The water looks cold

Running fast at Hodginson's bridge.








Enjoy your day!

Day 83 - 23rd March 2017 - White Breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper and Goldfinches

Another morning waking up to snow on the ground - ugh I'm really beginning to dislike winter! Oh there's not enough just a covering on everything...again! And it's cold and windy! According to the weather sites doesn't look like it's going to warm up much today, -8. Brr. At least Wednesday by lunch time it was quite warm outside, however I as shivering in the house so broke down and built a fire. Yesterday was spent mostly lazing and dozing. I'm seriously not impressed with this "bug" I've got. Absolutely no energy what so ever - this is not the way to get things done! Thank goodness I have  good sofa companion in Lexi, but on the other hand, trying hard not to give it to her too. I must be sick since I'm really finding it hard to get out of bed in the morning! Oh well enough complaining - hoping it runs it's course soon. For now I'll catch up on reading and sleep.

 White Breasted Nuthatch

 Bad photo - but if you look closely you'll see the Brown Creeper

Goldfinches









Enjoy your day!

Day 82 - 22nd March 2017 - Evening Grosbeak, Red Tail Hawk and Red Breasted Nuthatch

Mostly good news with Lexi yesterday - her counts have come up a lot, she's doing better but will have to be on meds long term. Now to just get those sorted out. My cold seems to be hanging in my head - stuffed upped, sinuses hurt, ears etc. Guess I'll just weather it through. Plus note - turned out really nice on Tuesday - temperature was +9 when we were on our way back home. Saw a couple of Eagles, Turkey Vultures and a Hawk on our travels, needless to say Big B. was home and it's not always easy to get stopped on the highway with traffic behind you. I did manged to go to Trivia last evening, but was glad to get home, take a couple of cold tablets and get a good night's sleep. Need to get back to the photos that go with the database and sort them out. Maybe a little housework, but overall don't think I'm going to overdo myself.

 Evening Grosbeak checking for seeds in the Christmas Tree.

 I think it's a Red Tail Hawk - Crows were chasing it the other day.

Red Breasted Nuthatch







Enjoy your day!

Day 81 - 21st March 2017 - Mourning Dove, Blue Jay and Chickadee

The snow that arrived on Sunday is disappearing quickly maybe today it will be all gone. I was quite surprised that by suppertime there were a few patches of green in the yard once again. The back deck is like a skating rink, not sure what the road is like so I would be careful on the compute to work this morning. The wind seemed to be drying the road off so it might not be too bad. Well .I'm feeling somewhat better than yesterday, although Lexi and I spent a good portion of the day reclining on the sofa - sleeping off an on, moving from chills to fever. My head feels like it's filled with cotton batten so assume it's a simple head cold and will work it's course. Might as well just suck it up and keep moving. Yarmouth this afternoon for Lexi's appointment - hoping things are better with her. Trivia tonight, I'll see if I'm up to that after supper.

 Mourning Dove, just hanging out on the fence.

When the Blue Jays arrive, there's not much room in a feeder for anyone else.













Chickadee checking out the Christmas tree.






Enjoy your day!

Day 80 - 20th March 2017 - Evening Grosbeaks, Mourning Dove and Downy Woodpecker.

It could be an April Fool's prank if it was April 1st instead of the 1st day of Spring. Lots of snow out there this morning. Well the Irish would call it Sheila's Brush or Sheila's Broom. That's a snow storm which arrives on the heels of St. Patrick's Day. Myth says it's Patrick's wife, mother or sister sweeping the old season away. Rumored to be the last big storm of the year. Seems we had more snow than rain.  Larry has emptied the woodshed out - it's all in the basement now, fingers crossed winter soon comes to an end. Seems we went through a lot. Sunday was a day for working around the house although I didn't out do myself as I wasn't feeling right up to snuff. Cold chills, headache, this morning my stomach is rather wobbly. I might just end up back in bed or on the sofa. Really not feeling very good. Hopefully it's not a "man cold".

The Christmas tree was full of Evening Grosbeaks yesterday before the storm started.















A few were sharing a feeder with a Mourning Dove

Downy Woodpecker - no idea why they are always so interested in the metal feeder post.







Enjoy your day!

Day 79 - 19th March 2017 - Black Guillemont, Cattails and White Breasted Nuthatch

A little chilly out there this morning. The stars are darting behind clouds and the Owls are busy hooting back and forth to one another up at the head of the lake. Think I heard a Coyote too. Storm on the way for today/tomorrow, looks like snow to start with, changing to ice pellets then a fair amount of rain. Sounds like a curl up with a book kind of afternoon. We suffered through groceries in Shelburne yesterday. To make it a bit less painful took a drive down around Dock St. first - a number of ducks in the harbour there - Mallards, Mergansers, Guillemont. Spied three Eagles flying over. Took a drive to the Industrial Park - lots of Gulls of course but some Crows were chasing a Hawk. Then it was back home - Larry brought in more wood from the wood shed (that's getting low - winter needs to end) and I puttered around doing house chores etc. Roamed the hood a bit before supper.

Black Guillemont.

 One up and one down - they were diving for food.

 Cattails are pretty well spent after the winter.

White Breasted Nuthatch








Enjoy your day!

Day 78 - 18th March 2017 - Lichen, Goldfinches and Red Breasted Nuthatch

One thing I miss since we've had the time change is morning coming earlier. Truthfully "lighter" evenings don't mean a thing to me this time of year. Seriously who is going to work out in their yards, etc. these days after supper? Patience is a virtue and if I wait another month daylight will be coming a little earlier. I guess I'm just tired of getting up to dark skies even when they are filled with stars sometimes.  We had a good afternoon out on Friday, not that we do much, it's nice to run a few errands and go  for lunch. I don't mind being home during the winter months but I enjoy escaping for a few hours. It was Friday Night Club last evening and we celebrating a birthday in our bunch with cake.  The diabetics, which number half of us were certainly smiling, although once in a while won't hurt. I'm learning to give once in a while when it comes to Larry's diet. So it's Saturday which means grocery shopping somewhere - Barrington? Shelburne? one store or two? Guess we'll decide when we start down the road. Storm on the way for Sunday into Monday - snow and then rain - perhaps this is Sheila's Brush!

The Lichen on the side of the trees cups the snow.

 Red Breasted Nuthatch, checking for seeds below the feeder

Gold finches with spots of bright yellow.






Enjoy your day!

Day 77 - 17th March 2017 - Tulip Leaves, Crocuses and Goldfinch

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! A few more flurries overnight - please Mother Nature make it stop and bring on Spring.  Friday, once again, the week has flown by. A chance of flurries this morning with some sun. The sun is stronger now and thank goodness melts the snow. Few things to do this morning around here, then it will be off to town for errands and lunch with Margie. A couple hours at the Hall yesterday morning then back home - a little work here, some roaming with Lexi and tea with Lois. Exercise class last night - oh she's pushing us these days, although so far this morning I can still move. Saw another Brown Creeper but once again couldn't get a decent shot of him. Seems to be a few more Goldfinches in the flock - the males are getting their brighter yellow coats on.

So maybe this makes me more hopeful - the Tulips are making their way upward.

 And the Crocuses keep pushing through.

The Goldfinches are getting brighter.





Enjoy your day!

Day 76 - 16th March 2017 - Chickadee, Red Breasted Nuthatch and White Breasted Nuthatch

It's snowing out again... at 4am the stars where in the sky, less than an hour later and it looks like a blizzard! But it was short lived, road is covered though so drive carefully on the way to work this morning.  Dear Spring why are you teasing us?  The ice started to break up again in the lake yesterday, I'm sure that's the 5th time this winter it's come and gone. Birds were busy at the feeders, both of the Nuthatches were around as well as a Brown Creeper (too elusive for shots), I can hear the Pileated Woodpecker as well. Evening Grosbeaks count at 31, a few are missing, with a number of Goldfinches, Blue Jays, Mourning Doves and Chickadees. Got the first of my Whirligigs painted - will be faster to do a batch at a time, but want to run it by the pros first. Brownies made for a funeral reception this afternoon (I'm at the Hall once again this morning, helping get things ready). Our community has been hard hit this winter.

Chickadee















Everyone wanted to hide - Red Breasted Nuthatch.

White Breasted Nuthatch








Enjoy your day!