Day 239 - 31st Augut 2017 - American Redstart, Yellow-Rumped Warbler and Grackle

Here we are saying goodbye to another month, wow the year is flying by quickly. Days off for this week are over, back to work today. Had a good Wednesday even though it threatened to rain all morning and finally did after lunch. Got some things crossed off the list and a few more added, but overall feeling I accomplished alot. Out for a jaunt - pretty quiet in the hood, more activity in my back yard. Still a few Humming birds around but the last of them will leave soon. A few red leaves are popping out, temperatures aren't quite as high and daylight is slower coming - all signs of the next season.

Female or Juvenile American Redstart hopping around in an Apple Tree.















A number of Yellow Rumped Warblers around.

A Juvenile Grackle.




Enjoy your day!

Day 238 -- 30th August 2017 - Changing Leaves, Magnolia Warbler and Mallard

Chance of showers this afternoon, so  I need to get my roaming done this morning.  I managed to make it through yesterday, got some stuff done around the house, bills paid, phone calls made and a couple of things crossed off the "before surgery" list. Margie and  I had lunch, got a few errands done and I rounded out the day with a staff meeting and potluck/BBQ. It was a nice evening. Kind of sad, our summer students will be wrapping up and leaving this week, off to pursue greater things. Overall we've had a great season with them.

 Don't kill the messenger but I'm seeing a few leaves changing.

Magnolia Warbler

Female Mallard




Enjoy your day!

Day 237- 29th August 2017 - Magnolia Warbler, Painted Lady and the Lake

Well, this is going to be one very long day! Been up since 2am. Maybe sleep is just over rated. Not seeing the possibility of a nap so guess I'll just push on. At least I'm off most of the day, in for a meeting at 5:30, followed by a staff potluck. A little baking for that this morning - Chocolate Trifle to make. At least I should get lots of work done and our Thelma and Louise day is today since we aren't free on Friday.  Will dig out the "list before Larry's surgery" and see what can be crossed off, make some follow up phone calls and take a roam around the hood.  Time for another cup of coffee and start a few things.

 Magnolia Warbler

 Painted Lady

Steamy morning on the lake.




Enjoy your day!

Day 236 - 28th August 2017 - Ovenbird, Red-Eyed Vireo and Northern Parula

We took a little side trip to the Industrial Park Sunday morning before I went to work. Didn't have  lot of time but it was pretty active down there. Lots of Common Yellowthroat Warblers, Northern Parulas, Red Eyed Vireos, Black & White Warbler, Chestnut Sided Warblers, Yellow Warblers, Ovenbird, Chickadees and Song Sparrows. The biggest problem was they were mostly hiding among tree branches or bushes but did get a few shots. And a 1/2 hour of birding puts a person in such a good mood for the day! I had a great weekend at the Dory Shop, back to the Ross Thomson House today. It's fun to switch around every once in a while and learn some new things.

 Ovenbird, love the way he's peeking out.

 Northern Parula

Common Yellowthroat Warbler

You can certainly tell where they get the name Red-Eyed Vireo from.







Enjoy your day!

Day 235 - 27th August 2017 - Bling, Reflections and a Mushroom

Saturday was a beautiful day - nice breeze, warm sun, but you can feel autumn in the air. Now I'm not arguing with that since it's my favourite time of year - the days remain nice and the evenings cool down. Sunset seems to come earlier these days and sunrise later - the days are getting shorter. It kind of creeps up on you and I wonder where the summer has gone. Somehow I need to get a better balance between work and the things I want to do- life is too short not to have some fun. This years been particularly hard waiting for Larry's surgery and trying to resist dragging him around birding in places that are difficult to walk. But hopefully next year we can return to a more active play time. It was a good day at the Dory Shop, back again today. Then we headed to Upper Clyde to help celebrate a dear friend's birthday. We were a little late but still enjoyed some festivities.

 A little morning bling along the lake shore.

 One of my favourite views on the lake.

Mushrooms are popping up everywhere. For some reason this one reminds me of apple pie.

Common Yellowthroat Warbler  - looks like he has a bit of attitude.







Enjoy your day!

Day 234 - 26th August 2017 - Common Yellowthroat Warbler, Blue-headed Vireo and Downy Woodpecker

Lovely and cool out there this morning, stars are all out for a change. Off to work at the Dory Shop today, never know where you will find me. That means painting more Whirligigs  - hopefully I'll finish up those I started earlier in the week. Good day at work yesterday, sun came out and it turned warm but not the humidity. Beautiful morning walk on Friday, actually found a few birds, including the Blue-headed Vireo. Although with the fog it wasn't great photo conditions, but I take what I can get since it's all about seeing them.

 Common Yellowthroat Warbler

Blue-headed Vireo - poor shot but not for lack of trying.

 Ovenbird hiding out.

Downy Woodpecker - too busy with breakfast to worry about me.





Enjoy your day!

Day 233 -25th August 2017 - Cobwebs, Palm Warbler and a Baby Turtle

Seems like August will soon have slipped away. Can't believe how fast this summer is flying by. Had a good couple of days off, got lots done around home. Out for a roam yesterday morning, but the birds are quiet in the hood, I've actually got more activity in the yard. Hopefully I'll get another weekend off before Larry has surgery so we can get out doing some birding and catch some migrating shorebirds. Margie and  I met up with a few other ladies for lunch. I even had time to make it to exercise class last night  - which I'm sure I'll feel in the next day. Lois and I did a turtle rescue on the way home from class. It's never dull! A tiny baby turtle was in the road (see pics below). We knew she (we named her Bella) wouldn't stand a chance where she was so it was off to Beaverfarm Lake for her but not before we snapped a few pics.

 The sun was streaming through the fog.

 Lots of cobwebs

 Yellow Rumped Warbler

Palm Warbler















Bella the turtle!
(No that's not my hand holding her)

 She could sure move fast. Hopefully she will survive and join other turtles in our lakes.




Enjoy your day!

Day 232 - 24th August 2017 - Reflections, Honeysuckle and a Boat

We had lots of rain yesterday, didn't really start until after lunch although the morning remained overcast and drizzly. But it was just the kind of weather I needed to get some things done in the house.  I did  get out for a quick jaunt in the morning but left Big B home - too damp for her.  Got some baking done - although it was really difficult rolling Cherry Balls and Peanut Butter Balls in the high humidity we've had. Some housework done- chased cobwebs all over the house and am sure I didn't get them all! I've just got to add the index  and table of contents to a book I've been laying out and that will be finished. So I feel like I accomplished a lot. Now today hoping for sunshine, since I'm working on Friday today will be Thelma and Louise lunch date.

A great day for reflections on the lake.

 Honeysuckle still blooming

Boat in the harbour.







Enjoy your day!

Day 231 - 23rd August 2017 - Sun, Song Sparrow and Dandelion

Day off and I've slipped back into that non-sleeping mode, that I thought perhaps I had escaped. Guess I'll get lots done this morning (and there is lots to do) and play slug this afternoon. Hot and humid feeling, no cool air - rain on it's way for today.  The yard is still filled with Palm Warblers, dueling Hummingbirds, a few Nuthatches, Robins, a Northern Parula and a couple of Black and White Warblers. Nice to sit on the deck in the evening with a cup of tea and watch them flutter around in the bushes and trees. Larry started putting wood in the basement a few days ago, hopefully that chore can get done before the end of September. Slowly get a few of the "before" surgery things crossed off the list but adding more as I go.

 The sun had an odd glow to it - hazy over the mist covered lake.

 There are probably 6-8 Song Sparrows who hang out in the museum garden.

Dandelion - friend of the Bees.






Enjoy your day!

Day 230 - 22nd August 2017 - Signs, Roses and Palm Warbler

Daylight is slower coming these days, a little fog this morning. Suppose to clear and be another warm day. Yesterday was plenty hot. Monday was the solar eclipse - although it was really dark. I can remember one as a child (sure we've had more since) that it went really dark in the afternoon and of course we were kept inside and watched it on TV. Great day at work. Back to it again this morning, although I'm looking forward to my walk today. Had to go with Larry yesterday so missed out on my roam along the private road. 

 I like the signage that was installed on Dock St. earlier this year.

 Roses are still in bloom on the waterfront.

One of the many Palm Warblers I watch after supper.







Enjoy your day!

Day 229 - 21st August 2017 - Palm Warblers and Northern Parulas

Beautiful cool morning. Am sure it will warm up though and the sun will shine. Sunday the fog finally lifted around noon and it turned out quite hot. Thankfully there is usually a breeze (or a full gale of wind) on the waterfront. Not a really busy day but  I continued with painting Whirligigs, just to keep myself out of trouble.  After supper the yard was full of Palm Warblers and a few Northern Parulas. Both are fairly friendly so I can sit on the deck and watch them without disturbing their routine. Larry and I both went for walks (in opposite directions), too nice of an evening to waste. Stopped for tea at Lois and had a catch up with her. Off to work this morning, wonder what the day will bring!

 Palm Warbler on top of thepole bean posts and netting.

 This looks to be a young one- his coloring is a  little patchy.

Northern Parula



Enjoy your day!

Day 228 - 20th August 2017 - Swamp Sparrow, Red Breasted Nuthatch and Great Blue Heron

Up too early this morning, going to be a long day. The later I go to bed the earlier I wake! I'm sure after the rain yesterday that the water table had to come up. My new jacket sure came in handy.  Suppose to clear today, which will be nice. Fairly busy day at work - museums are good entertainment on a wet day. I did get some more painting done on the Whirligigs. We spent the evening playing Aggravation waiting for Chase the Ace. The Ace lives another week, we didn't win so I'm off to work again today. It sure was a fun evening though - lots of laughs.

 Swamp Sparrow

 Red Breasted Nuthatch

Great Blue Heron looking for breakfast.



Enjoy your day!

Day 227 - 20th August 2017 - Sunflowers,Bees and a Hummingbird

Looks like some rain arrived during the night, overcast and dreary out there this morning. More on the way for today - lots more if the forecast is right. I was looking at the lawn and thinking that Larry really needs to get the lawn mower out - there are so many dandelions. Then I looked closer and they were buzzing with activity - lots of bees, they were  in the phlox too and sunflowers. Nice to see so many. Hummingbirds are still fighting and sparring at the feeder, it gets emptied on a daily basis. Had a good day off, only regret - I didn't find time to roam the hood. Did get a few things crossed off my list and more things added for Larry's upcoming surgery along with a little housework. Margie and I had lunch got our tickets for tonight and did a few errands. All in all a good day. Back to work this morning.

 The birds planted Sunflowers everywhere.

 Bees are busy.

Hummingbird on guard duty








Enjoy your day!

Day 226 - 18th August 2017 - Reflections, the Sun and a Common Yellowthroated Warbler

Thursday was sure a windy day - but felt so good - clear, no humidity. Good day at work, I'm back to painting fish whirligigs again for a bit. Nice to pitch in when needed. Got the grocery shopping done on the way home so that nasty chore is out of the way. Off today and then back to work on the weekend. Great news in the mail last night - Larry has finally got a date for his surgery - 28th September. Oh boy - so much to get done, the list has been started!  Lots to do this morning before our Thelma & Louise lunch and we have to pick up our Chase the Ace tickets. Maybe this will be our lucky week.

The sun reflecting in the lake - it was a very strange looking globe in the sky.

So peaceful

Common Yellowthroat Warbler hiding again.




Enjoy your day!

Day 225 - 17th August 2017 - Mushroom, the Lake and a Sparrow

A lone Owl is hooting up the head of the lake, can see just a sliver of the moon through the tree tops.  It's cool out there this morning. A feeling of fall in the air- my favourite time of year but not quite ready for a change in seasons yet. First morning in almost a month I've been up so early.  After Monday and Tuesday being so busy on the waterfront, yesterday felt rather quiet, or maybe just back to a normal flow of visitors. It was nice to have that extra boost for a couple of days. Noticing a lot of Nova Scotian people exploring their own province this year. Went to see an old friend after work, good to see her again and catch up.

 A spot of bright color emerging through the forest litter.















Beautiful morning on the lake, little mist rising from the water.

A little Sparrow hides beneath grasses.





Enjoy your day!