Day 90 -31st March 2018 - Canada Geese, Lichen and Seed Pods

Here we are saying good bye to another month. March was much colder and winter like than February, so lets hope April is springlike. Up too early this morning - first time in at least 3 weeks. Mostly a wet and somewhat lazy day on Friday. I puttered around, made a carrot cake, did some housework, a bit of sewing. The rain stopped in the afternoon for a bit so I got out for a quick walk. Larry worked with his seedlings, repotting some then spent some time cleaning up in the greenhouse - getting it prepared for another season. Soon he can plant out there. Ours is a lean-to on the side of the shed and not quite warm enough yet. A game of Aggravation last night saw Larry as the winner once again, but we gave him a hard time before he managed to beat us. Off to do some birding today but have no idea where I want to go, guess we'll find out when we get to the intersection whether it will be east or west. And I suppose I've got to fit some grocery shopping in there somewhere too.

Canada Geese and Mallard 

Lichen of some kind, grows on the side of trees.

Seed pods are emptied, but green life will soon be springing from the ground.



Enjoy your day!

Day 89 - 30th March 2018 - Canada Geese, Mallard and Purple Finch

Raining this morning. Thursday was a beautiful day - certainly felt like spring with the birds singing and the sun shining. Got home after lunch and went for a quick jaunt in the hood. The Geese and Ducks were paddling around the lake. There are reports of peepers, which is a sure sign of spring. Larry worked in the wood pile blocking up some more, I expect on the weekend he'll pull out the woodsplitter and do up some more. Can't believe in February we hardly burned any wood, thought we'd have some left over but March quickly went through it.  Looks like some rain for today, not sure if we'll get anywhere, but I'll do up a Carrot Cake to go with Easter Dinner and see what the weather looks like this afternoon. Tomorrow looks like a birding day!

Kate & William

The male Mallard was in a hurry

Female Purple Finch




Enjoy your day!

Day 88- 29th March 2018 - Mallards and Pussy Willows

Wednesday was a pretty nice day even if it was cloud covered and we had a rain shower in the afternoon. Big bonus - no wind!! I'm sure it's the first day in ages. It was a good day, puttered around - laundry, etc. Made a batch of chocolate chip cookies for a friend. Roamed the hood. The sound of spring was in the air - birds were singing, the Geese were honking as they flew up and down the lake, Pileated Woodpecker across the road. The Purple Finches are increasing in numbers - 6 males and 5 females appeared at the feeders. I love watching the Nuthatches and Chickadees in the Christmas tree - it's probably the best feeding station I have. Today is Thursday, but because tomorrow is Good Friday, it's going to be Thelma and Louise Day! Off to town, lunch and errands.

Female Mallard - just floating along

 Male Mallard - kissing his reflection!

And Pussy Willows are making an appearance.


Enjoy your day!

Day 87 - 28th March 2018 - Frozen Foam, Purple Finch and Great Egret

A little rain over night took more of the snow away in the yard, but I still see some patches. Maybe today it will all disappear. Yesterday was windy but once again the sun is stronger and doing it's job of warming things.  The Purple Finches are increasing - 5 males and 2 females now, nice to see them coming back. The feeders are busy - lots of Nuthatches around as well. Did up a batch of brown bread rolls - of course all but a couple were given away. A roam through the hood and some puttering around the house rounded out my day. Not what one would call high excitement! I'm late this morning, but my internet was off which is unusual.  Showers this morning, clearing this afternoon, but tomorrow looks like a nice day as does most of the weekend. I see birding in my future!

Frozen foam along the shoreline

 Female Purple Finch

Great Egret - what a long neck they have.



Enjoy your day!

Day 86 - 27th March 2018 - Great Egret

Beautiful morning out there - cold but every star is  sparkling in the sky! I spent most of yesterday in the kitchen, baking and doing up lunches for Larry. I did get out for a roam in the hood. Even with a NE wind, the sun is stronger and it felt warmer. Hopefully today it will finish melting the snow in the yard. I finally caught up with the Great Egret that was at the Sandy Point causeway. Larry saw him in the little cove on his way home, so after supper we headed back down again. By that time he'd moved over to the harbour side - such a thrill to watch this elegant creature fishing. It's a great rush and now I just want to go birding all the time again.

He was catching lots of little fish or other wiggly things in the water.

Those big feet, went gently in and out of the water as he stalked his prey.



Enjoy your day!

Day 85 - 26th March 2018 - Ice, Chickadee and Canada Geese

Monday once again and the weekend is over ( I need a rest). Today, will be my Sunday, time to do the lunch box prep and make muffins for Larry's lunches. Apparently I've been talked into making cupcakes for the Monday night exercise class crew. Something healthy - yeah - carrot cake with a cheesecake filling and probably cream cheese frosting. These will be my trial run for Easter cupcakes! Looks like this week's weather will be a bit warmer or at least during the daytime, maybe some rain mid to late week but sunshine as well. The feeders were really busy yesterday - large flock of Goldfinches with the few Purple Finches mixed in, the Starlings and Red Winged Blackbirds returned as well. After breakfast at the hall we caught up with Chris and Darolyn over coffee - all the family news, etc. Good to see them again. Afternoon was the birthday party - really 20 rambunctious 7 year olds is way too many for me so we didn't last for the whole thing! But they had fun so that's all that matters.

Only nature can create such a beautiful pattern in ice.

Chickadee hiding out

Canada Geese in flight






Enjoy your day

Day 84 - 25th March 2018 - Purple Finches, Goldfinches and White Throated Sparrow

A little windy this morning, no stars in the sky. Chance of a few flurries but it should warm up some. Yesterday it went to +8, the sun is doing much better.  Saturday was a busy and long day. My event #2 was a DNA talk at the library after lunch - interesting and I can see it being useful, but I still like the old fashion method of genealogy - research! I like to add the "meat on the bones" - occupation, where they lived, etc.  Yup, DNA testing proves it all, but it's only as good as the others who have done it and posted online. My cousin Jim had his done last year, and I thought it would be our brick wall breaker but it wasn't. It did tell us a few new things and confirmed a few things we knew about ethnic background, but I've yet to figure out that elusive ancestor - where he came from and who it really was. Maybe I'll go back and take another look at his results and try again. Event #3 was a going away party for our Curator Allison, I've enjoyed working with her the last few years and I know she'll do well in her future adventures.  Today promises to be busy as well, family coming to go to breakfast with us at the Fire Hall this morning, it's been a year since we've seen them so will be good to catch up. This afternoon we are off to a 7th birthday party for one of my great nephews at the bowling alley. That promises to be noisy!

Purple Finches and Goldfinches

The White Throated Sparrow wants a feeder to himself

And the Christmas tree is still a good feeding post.


Enjoy your day!

Day 83 - 24th March 2018 - Ice, Canada Geese and Chickadee

Didn't take long yesterday for the snow to start melting, the road cleared quickly and by the time I got home in the afternoon it had started to leave the yard. There still is a fair amount but under the trees I can see green grass poking through and my tulips and daffodils in the flower bed. The sun has gained a lot of strength these days. It was a good day out, lunch and a few errands, first time I've been away from the hood in a week.  Mary won at Aggravation last night - every man /woman for themselves although Larry likes to try and talk everyone into an alliance of I won't kill you if you don't kill me. It never works, but we have a good laugh anyway. Busy day ahead, off to Barrington for shopping this morning, then a DNA workshop at the library and a going away party tonight. Thank goodness I'm feel back to rights again. Looks like a good day ahead for weather, small chance of flurries but sun as well.

Ice in the cranberry ditch

Kate & William

Chickadee




Enjoy your day!

Day 82 - 23rd March 2018- Purple Finches, Goldfinches, Junco and Crocuses

The storm arrived yesterday with a vengeance. Started off here with 2-3 hours of ice pellets then it turned to snow before noon which continued until after supper/early evening. It was windy but not near what we've been having, which was a good thing. I watched as the snow came down and the tree branches got heavier, but we were lucky and didn't lose our power (it flickered), although a number of places did. This morning everything is white and it looks more like January, guess this is called Sheila's Brush or Sheila's Broom, the first snow after St. Patrick's Day -  old Irish folklore. Hoping to get out for Thelma and Louise day since it is Friday and I've not been to town since last Saturday. Actually not a bad way to spend the winters.  I did get a little shack wacky yesterday and roamed as far as Lois' for tea in the afternoon. Feeling better this morning, still a bit of the head cold is lingering but not too bad so far.

 Lots of birds during the storm - Goldfinches and Purple Finches in this feeder.

 A Junco seeks shelter and food.

And before the storm I could see Crocuses in bloom, wonder if they are under the snow somewhere.





Enjoy your day!

Day 81 - 22nd March 2018 -Purple Finches, Downy Woodpecker and Red Breasted Nuthatch

The deck seems a bit slippery so I guess we've had a few ice pellets, no snow yet although there were a few flurries last evening.  Of course it's blowing! I feel like I've come down with a head cold or at least it seems to be just in my head today.....but then I've not had a full cup of coffee so my brain is not functioning well. Yesterday I spent most of the day lounging around with a blanket wrapped around me, dozing on the sofa at times.  The cold chills and achy bones seem to have passed. The birds were busy at the feeders Wednesday afternoon, refueling before the storm. Lots of Goldfinches,  the 4 Purple Finches, both kinds of Nuthatches, Mourning Doves, a few Blue Jays, White Throated Sparrows and Chickadees. Hoping today to get back to a few things.

Purple Finches and Goldfinches

Downy Woodpecker

Red Breasted Nuthatch and Goldfinch




Enjoy your day!

Day 80 - 21st March 2018 - Crocuses, Canada Geese and Ice

The sounds of morning - Owls hooting near the lake, the Geese and Ducks honking and quacking as they go down the lake in search of breakfast at a neighbour's dock.  Part of the joys of living in the country.  No wind yet, a few stars still hang in the sky just before daylight comes up over the treeline. Looks like we might get a few hours of sun/clouds before the storm starts. Probably rain this afternoon then turning to snow/freezing rain overnight. I guess it can still wobble around and change some - who know! Best idea - be prepared for power outages at some point. I feel like I'm on the edge of a cold - sneezing, sinus issues, tired, etc. Hope I can battle it before it takes hold. Tuesday's walk was a little more enjoyable - less windy and the sun is getting stronger everyday.

Crocuses add a dash of color in the yard.

 William and Kate were sunning themselves on the edge of ice in the cove.

Ice



Enjoy your day!

Day 79 - 20th March 2018 - Junco, Red Breasted Nuthatch and Ice

No wind this morning and the stars are all out, not as cold as the last few days. Happy First Day of Spring! With another Nor'easter forecast for Wednesday it doesn't feel much like spring. We will trudge along and it will eventually appear and we will forget about the long days of winter for a few months. Feeders are busy, but nothing new to report just all the regulars. Lois has had 2 Chipmunks in her yard since the weekend and one finally appeared here yesterday afternoon. Obviously they know something we don't, but we wonder if we should knit them sweaters! The Squirrels drive me crazy but I love seeing the Chipmunks. Finally I got down to some serious Whirligig painting on Monday and wonder why I said I would! I'd forgotten I'm just not into painting anymore. Back at it again today and I think I'll do a pot of chili - will be good for the storm. Single pot items are always easy to reheat on our butane burner if the power goes out. So lots to do!

Had 4-5 Juncos at the feeders yesterday

 Goldfinch and Red Breasted Nuthatch

Ice along the shoreline.


Enjoy your day!

Day 78 - 19th March 2018 - Ice and a Purple Finch

Stars are all out this morning and of course it's blowing some and cold. Maybe not as cold as the last few mornings. It's Monday morning, the work week begins again and I'm going to tackle Whirligigs, if all goes well I might get them done this week or next. Just checked the weather sites and they are advising of another nor'easter on the way beginning Wednesday afternoon/evening. Sounds like some options - snow/rain/ice pellets - take your pick! Sunday was kind of a lazy day, I whipped around and did some things in the morning, went for a roam,  but wasn't feeling right up to par, so had a long afternoon siesta - not my norm. Since we had missed both Friday and Saturday night, we had a game of Aggravation last evening. Darn that Larry & Margie for beating Alice and I, but it was close and there will no doubt be a rematch.

 Ice has returned to the lake and ditches.

 Not a lot, just mostly some around the coves.

A Purple Finch sits high in a tree.





Enjoy your day!

Day 77 - 18th March 2018 - Purple Finches and Common Mergansers

Cold and windy out there this morning, feels like winter has whipped around and come back. Where are those days of February that we had - spring like. I'm still seeing flurries in the forecast for this week and perhaps another nor'easter - like we've not had enough of those. Since it's Sunday, guess I'll spend an hour or so in the kitchen doing lunch box prep. Maybe catch up on some housework. If we get any sunshine  - perhaps we'll take a quick jaunt somewhere in search of a few birds. It's been a busy week but the Zamboni Fundraiser was awesome last night - $30,000.  raised from our great county! The bleachers were packed, standing room only at the arena. It really goes to show what can be accomplished with people pulling together. Tomorrow I need to get back to Whirligig painting, can't put it off any longer.

 Great Saturday morning surprise - both a male and female Purple Finch at the feeder.

A couple of Common Mergansers in the harbour.




Enjoy your day!

Day 76- 17th March 2018 - Purple Finch, Goldfinches and Downy Woodpecker

Happy St. Patrick's Day for all of those with Irish roots! Windy and a bit chilly out there this morning, but the stars are twinkling in the sky. Flurries in the forecast. Busy day ahead - off for groceries this morning and have to get a few photos printed to finish off my display. The big fundraiser is this evening at the Arena - hopefully there will be a good crowd out. Lots of people have worked hard to put it on, our community always comes together. It's another of the advantages of living in a small town and area.  Larry said someone had seen an Egret down near the causeway (Sandy Point) the other day so maybe a quick run in that direction to see if he could  still be around. Had a good Thelma and Louise lunch on Friday, no Aggravation last night. Too many around the table - lots of laughter and teasing so it's ok to skip an evening and we had a birthday to celebrate.

Purple Finch - had three males appear yesterday.

 Goldfinch still happy in the Christmas Tree.

Male Downy Woodpecker




Enjoy your day!

Day 75- 16th March 2018 - Goldfinches and Downy Woodpecker

I've overslept, although the average person probably wouldn't think so - 6am is late for me. Woke up at 4 and thought it's just too early, this time change suits me so much more. Here it is Friday again - can't believe the way the weeks fly by.   It's been  a busy week and the next few days will continue, then a break on Sunday. Have to work on display items this morning before heading out for Thelma & Louise lunch and a few errands then Aggravation (marbles) tonight. I wonder if we can beat Larry! My feeders are over run with Mourning Doves, sure I had at least 35 of them yesterday.

 The Christmas Tree is still a good feeding station.

Goldfinches

Female Downy Woodpecker





Enjoy your day!

Day 74 - 15th March 2018 - Goldfinches, Purple Finch and Mourning Dove

A light dusting of snow on the ground this morning - hope that's all we get but there are a few flurries in the air. I've officially gone off winter - time for spring. Then I remember it's March Break and think it's always a miserable weather week.  Power is gradually be restored although some people are still out and some didn't lose it during the storm but yesterday afternoon.  Finally the wind has died down. Did up 3 dozen St. Patrick's Day cupcakes  (zucchini chocolate) Tuesday morning, now to get rid of them all. Hopefully we are off to town today, need to finish going through some old newspapers for the display on the weekend. The feeders were busy yesterday - a large flock of Goldfinches with 2 male Purple Finches. No sign of female Purple Finches, sadly they took a real hit last year with a disease - may be a while before they make a come back. Time to get some things done around here.

 Goldfinches

 One of two male Purple Finches hiding out in the Honeysuckle bush

Mourning Dove





Enjoy your day!