Day 177- 30th June 2017 - Mist, Mallards and Peonies

Here we are saying good bye to June, so where did the month go. It's flown by so quickly! The bus tour went well, what a great group of people. Love when they actually ask questions and interact rather than just follow along. So much more interesting. No pretty sunrise this morning, just a grey, overcast sky. Rain is on the way. Hoping Saturday or Sunday breaks with a little sunshine since I'm off. The birds are singing softly, last night I sat on the deck before dark and enjoyed the haunting melody of the Hermit Thrush - my favourite song bird. I look forward to their return every year and there are a number of them in the hood.

 Mist rising from the lake.

 Mallards waiting along the shoreline for breakfast.

The Peonies are blooming, such  a vibrant color.



Enjoy your day!

Day 176 - 29th June 2017 - Daisies, Grasses and Black & White Warbler

Daylight seems to be lazy this morning, slowly coming up over the lake. I can hear a few ducks in the lake and a Red Eyed Vireo is beginning his dawn song in the woods near the yard.It's been beautiful weather this week so far, days are warm and nights cool over. Perfect for sleeping. Going to be a busy day at work, I'm doing a walking tour of the waterfront for a tour bus then they will be visiting the museums after they lunch. Hope I can remember the things I want to say. Always a little stage fright at first then I'm ok. We'll be offering the walking tour this summer which is a nice added feature and another way to show off what we have.

 The simple daisy and grasses.

 Black & White Warbler - a few of these are reappearing on my walks.

No idea what this is, first I thought a moth but probably some kind of fly.






Enjoy your day!

Day 175 - 28th June 2017 - Swamp Sparrow, Yellow Rumped Warbler and Black & White Warbler

It's a noisy morning out there - the Crows are yakking up a storm, Red Eyed Vireos and Song Sparrows singing their dawn songs. Good to hear that kind of noise. Had a good day Tuesday, change of pace at the Shelburne County Museum - busy but got lots done just the same.  Did see a few birds on my morning walk to catch my ride, covered up with bug dope before I left, the mosquitoes have been vicious lately. More sailboats in the harbour these days, such a pretty scene to watch them on a quiet morning, gently bobbing back and forth. It was time to pull out the slow cooker yesterday morning, didn't use it much during the winter when I was home, but it's really handy since I'm back to work. Just had to do some pasta and veggies to go with spicy tomato chicken pieces for supper last night.

 Swamp Sparrow

 Black and White Warbler

Yellow Rumped Warbler - young or female, I think.




Enjoy your day!

Day 174 - 27th June 2017 - Honeysuckle, Boats and a Rabbit

Monday was a beautiful day but pretty breezy on the waterfront, almost lost my bonnet a couple of times!  A good day at work, there are a few more visitors starting to roam around and they all seem to be happy visiting the museums. We are so rich in history, not to mention beautiful landscapes to explore. As they say there is no place like home and I enjoy sharing it with others. Today I'm in for a change of pace and get to wear regular clothes as I'm filling in at the Shelburne County Museum.  But first I get to roam the hood before catching my ride with Nancy to town. Yesterday it was pretty quiet except for the buzz of mosquitoes.

 Honeysuckle Bush in bloom

 Love the summer when boats are anchored in the harbour.

Seems to be more rabbits around then birds these days.





Enjoy your day!

Day 173 - 26th June 2017 - Lupins, Dandelions and Daisies

Monday morning and the work week begins once again. Sunday turned out hot, spent most of the day at home, except a run into to town after supper for groceries. Larry split wood and helped out a friend up the road with some carpentry work. I puttered around in the kitchen, roamed the hood and enjoyed a little deck time. Cathy came for coffee - nice to catch up with her since we've not had much of a chance to chat since I returned to work.  Just another over exciting day in the country, but chances are I wouldn't trade it for anything.

 The wild flowers along the road side look like someone's perfect garden bed.

 Lots of nice colors - Lupins, Daisies and Dandelions.

Daisies.




Enjoy your day!

Day 172 - 25th June 2017 - Downy Woodpecker, Rabbit and Mallards

Had a good day at work on Saturday even though the weather was kind of blah - humid and rainy, but this morning the sun is shining! Rah! I'm off again, have to do some meal prep, muffins etc. then maybe after supper we'll take a little run somewhere and see if there are any birds around. Of course there's a good chance I'll take a little jaunt around the hood this morning, probably be eaten up by the flies. No luck with Chase the Ace last night, but it lives so we'll try again in 2 weeks time. If nothing else we have a good time.

This Downy Woodpecker hit the window yesterday morning. I assumed it might be a young one since a female was calling and looking for him. But I'm not sure.

 Hidden behind some ferns, I almost didn't spot this Rabbit.

These youngsters are almost as big as their mom, but she still bosses them around.





Enjoy your day!

Day 171 - 24th June 2017 - Hermit Thrush, Red Eyed Vireo and Chipmunk

After a couple of nice days off, it's back to work today for me and rain. Of course I slept in this morning.  Friday was great, finished off a few things around the house, got out for my walk, lunch with Margie, got our tickets for tonight and we went to Friday night club. A well rounded day! Rain did arrive late in the afternoon and evening. Seems that some of the young birds are leaving the nest now. Overall my patch is still quieter than I would expect, the number of species seems to have taken a downturn over the last few years.

A Hermit Thrush Fledgling. I stayed my distance as I could hear his Mom calling nearby.

 Red Eyed Vireo

Chimpmunk - I have no idea what he was eating in the branches, maybe some berries.







Enjoy your day!

Day 170 - 23rd June 2017 - Wild Strawberries, Cedar Waxwing and Hosta

Had a beautiful day at home on Thursday. I roamed the hood, did some house work, roamed the hood and even spent some time on the deck while supper was cooking with my kobo. Weather was great - sunshine with a bit of a breeze. The lake, ditches and swamps are all up after the rain this week, nice to see it maintaining, fingers crossed we don't suffer a drought like last summer. Even ventured out to exercise class last night, hopefully I don't have too many body parts hurt. Today is my second day off, a few more things to do this morning, then it's a Thelma and Louise lunch date and pick up our Chase the Ace tickets for tomorrow night. A little rain forecast for this afternoon.

Wild Strawberries are ripe, lots of them along the road.

 Rain drops left over on the Hostas soon disappear in the sun.

Cedar Waxwing.




Enjoy your day!

Day 169 - 22nd June 2017 - Mallard, Flower Baskets and Peonies

My day off and I get up at 4 am - dumb! Just when I think I'm sleeping better I do that, oh well those mornings are fewer and farther between lately, so I'll take what I get.  An Owl is hooting up the lake, other than that it's a true morning of silence. I must say I enjoy the solitude of early mornings, time to myself to figure and plan out the day before the rest of the world comes alive. Yesterday was fine and I went in with Larry so roamed the waterfront a little. Looking forward today to checking out the hood and seeing what's been going on around here.

A female Mallard - basically those around the waterfront could care less about people. 

 The flower baskets are all up now, adding a cheerful look.

Peonies will soon be in bloom at the Museum garden.







Enjoy your day!

Day 168 - 21st June 2017 - Cobwebs and Pollen

Finally a day without rain, I hope. Mostly cloudy with some sunshine (hopefully) but the fog should burn off. The Robins and Grackles are out in the lawn pulling up worms and grubs for breakfast. There is a fresher feeling in the air. Ducks are quacking in the field next door with the horses and donkeys. An odd combination, but I suspect the like the leftover grain that the animals miss. So all in all it looks like a nicer day. Work and then I'm off for a few, lots to do.

Cobwebs hanging from branches.

A scum of pollen covered the lake a few days ago.










Enjoy your day!

Day 167 - 20th June 2017 - Grandmother's Journal, Purple Finch and Song Sparrow

Raining again this morning. The rain is one thing, wish the high humidity could be  cut in half. Ugh! Song Sparrow and Red Eyed Vireo are competing near the yard, both voices loud and strong.Tomorrow looks like better weather. Busy day at work, school kids in the morning, visitors most of the afternoon. Another day or two of work then I'm off for a couple of days, sure hope I strike one fine day just to get out and roam.
Grandmother's Journal: 
20 Jun 1977 - Kim & I to town early. Overcast with misty fog. Home early. Bob home alone today. Gertrude over to play crib. Bob's back is acting up tonight. I'm upset as usual. Tom outside tonight, Deer in new apple trees last night.
21 Jun 1977 - On way to town, had to use wipers. Fog and light drizzle. Busy. Had my hair done. Mike came back with me. Tom out again tonight, I hate to have him go out. He goes but doesn't really want to.
22 Jun 1977 - Rain and light drizzle all day and evening. Mike stayed with Bob today. To town as usual. Home early. Started to grade the road today. No game. One owl on way to work.

 Male Purple Finch lurking in the Apple tree.

 There is always a Song Sparrow hanging out on the fences.

Snowball bush.

Enjoy your day!

Day 166 - 19th June 2017 - Lady Slipper, Dragonfly and the Lake

Foggy, windy morning with high humidity.A chance of drizzle or showers today. Long range looks like a mix of sun and rain for this week, although we all know that can change from day to day pretty quickly. A good day at work Sunday, few visitors around. Greta and I  found time to do a repackaging project we had been talking about and came up with a few new ideas for things. We can always keep busy. Another school group this morning, so that will keep us on our toes, wish the weather was going to be better for it. Nancy, my regular morning ride is back from holidays so I'll only be traveling with Larry on Wednesday morning. Means I can get my morning walk in and won't get to town quite so early.

 A couple of Mallards hang out on a rock

 Lady Slippers are blooming

Lots of Dragonflies around.









Enjoy your day!

Day 165 - 18th June 2027 - Lupins and Daisies

Happy Father's Day! I'm fortunate to still have my Dad and to have grown up with two wonderful Grandfathers in my life. Such good male role models, who were all different but special in their own ways. Internet is slow this morning and I didn't have a good night so no patience with loading photos, maybe tomorrow morning will be better. Foggy and  a bit of drizzle today, maybe some showers. Saturday was a much needed rainy day. A few visitors around at work - as one couple said, a good day to check out museums.

                                               Roadside flowers - Lupins and Daises.


                                                    Enjoy your day!

Day 164 - 17th June 2017 - Reflections, Grackle, Dragonfly and Iris

Had a great day off - got some housework done, but didn't work to hard, roamed the hood and took a little time on the deck. Weather was nice until about supper time when showers started. I did go for a short walk in the rain, listening to the sweet song of a Hermit Thrush as I wandered. Most birds seem to be nesting or have young they are tending to. I had several irate mothers chirping at me because they felt I was "too close", although in one case I never did notice a nest or babies. This morning it's groceries then off to work. Suppose to be a wet day, we can use it- the lake is dropping.

 Perfect for reflections

This was certainly a homely youngster - Grackle, I think. He would squawk for food and both parents were across the road screeching at me!

 Iris' from my garden weed beds.

Lots of Dragonflies and Damselflies around.







Enjoy your day!

Day 163 - 16th June 2017 - Wisteria, Hummingbird, Caterpillar Tent

Thick fog this morning and cooler - nice weather for sleeping though. The sun will shine and should be another warm day although there is a chance of showers this afternoon. Finally the exhibit "Underneath it all" opened last night at the museum. It's a great exhibit and showcases Ladies Underwear from 1860 -1960. It's my day off but lots to do. Going to take a little time to roam the hood this morning, been a while since I've been able to check things out and see if there is anything interesting around. Also want to see if there are any Twin Flowers about yet. That will be my excitement as I've got to do some housework, laundry, cooking etc.

 A few of the blooms from my Wisteria - I can never do justice to this plant. Might be because it's flowering in an apple tree, Fir tree and Willow tree. It's almost finished now but at it's peak, it looks like large clusters of grapes hanging through the trees.

 Once again he's guarding the feeder, and probably unhappy as I noticed it needs to be refilled this morning.

Rather large caterpillar tents in a number of trees at the Industrial Park.







Enjoy your day!

Day 162 - 115th June 2017 - Swallow, Song Sparrow and Dragonfly

Wednesday was lovely - just enough sun to be warm and a nice breeze so you weren't overheated. Much better. Busy day at work. The Hermit Thrush was singing nearby as the sun was setting last night and I enjoyed a few minutes on the deck before bed last evening. My favourite summer song. There have been a few Purple Finches back in the yard lately, wondering if they are nesting nearby. I've not been filling the feeders this month, I usually stop for the summer in hopes of reducing the number of squirrels around and deterring the raccoons.

 Swallows like the high wires.

 Song Sparrow

 These ferns are all open now, I took this a few days ago.

Dragonfly - almost invisible tucked in the pine needles.




Enjoy your day!

Day 161 - 14th June 2017 - Roses, Mallards and a Hummingbird

Feels a little cooler this morning, but it's suppose to be a nice day. Another busy one coming up - first of our school groups this morning and I'll get in early to give a hand with the upcoming exhibit.
Tuesday was hotter than Monday! Usually we get a nice breeze (or gale) on the waterfront but the last few days that has even been hot.  Oh well, it's better than the cold of 5 months ago. Big problem is the layers  I wear (dressing like an 18th century person) - another week and I'll be used to it (extra clothes and summer heat) again for the season. Just takes a while to get in to that part of the job. Beautiful sunset last night, then a little rain shower.  Monday night Lois and I saw an Osprey hanging out down by the river - a little surprised to see him this far inland.

Roses along the waterfront are blooming. 

 Mallards - a little unusual looking but probably somewhere in their ancestry is a tame duck.

This Hummingbird has a feisty look about him. He's always guarding the feeder.





Enjoy your day!