Day 120 - 30th April 2018 - Palm Warbler, Canada Geese and Forsythia

Here we are at the last day of April, this year is flying by. Rain again overnight, maybe we'll be lucky and it will clear again like it has been the last few days. Weather sites say clearing around noon. Yesterday's weather was weird, rain stopped turned out sunny but very humid and then dark storm clouds rolled in. We didn't get any rain, but I'm sure it was some where. I worked around the house most of the day - lunch box prep, laundry, etc. Larry spent all day  filling the wood shed. By supper time that job was done. I'm sure that's a new first - usually it isn't done til mid summer. Too early to put the wood in the basement, but he does have the bulk of it blocked up and a lot split. I went for a roam in the morning, heard several Hermit Thrushes but none seem want their picture taken yet, a couple of Palm Warblers and a Yellow Rumped Warbler. The Belted Kingfisher returned a few days ago and caught sight of a Northern Flicker.  So things are slowly drifting into the hood. Today I'm off to town- have to work a couple of days - Cruise ship is coming to town on Wednesday.

Palm Warbler

 Not sure if it was a weird mating ritual but they were flapping and squawking at one another and then 5 minutes later standing on the rock together.

Lois' Forsythia is in bloom.






Enjoy your day!

Day 119 - 29th April 2018 - Great Blue Heron, Song Sparrow and Willets

Raining again this morning, but perhaps it will clear later like it did on Saturday.  Turned out to be quite a nice day yesterday unless you were on Cape Sable Island which was thick fog all afternoon when were there. I notice by the time we got across the causeway it had started to lift. So we didn't see a whole lot of exciting birds but it was still nice to see some Great Blue Herons, Song Sparrows, Willets, Eiders and Gulls. Apparently we missed a Whimbrel that was seen earlier.  The temperature was almost 10 degrees colder than home, but we survived. Had an early supper at West Head Take Out - trying to cram in as much as I can before going back to work, never seems like time to do these things once I'm back.  Picked up groceries in Barrington then headed for home.  Played marbles again last evening where Alice and I beat Larry and Margie twice. They will no doubt have lots of reasons for that (all in fun mind you). This morning is lunch box prep, laundry etc. If the rain lets up I'll go for a roam, perhaps something new has arrived in the hood.

Great Blue Heron taking off.

 Another one was fishing.

 Song Sparrow

Willets at the Guzzle in the fog.







Enjoy your day!

Day 118- 28th April 2018 - Sharp-Shinned Hawk, Fungi and Daffodils

Seems we've had a few showers overnight, but not any amount. More on the way for today, hoping it will clear off. Looks like fog over the lake this morning. After lunch we'll head out to Cape Sable Island to do some birding (not the best time of day but we have obligations this morning). Maybe we'll have an early supper at West Head take out and do the grocery shopping in Barrington. Friday was the warmest day I think we've had yet - just beautiful. I went out roaming early but it was pretty quiet, didn't spot the Palm Warblers I had seen on Thursday but I heard the Hermit Thrush down behind one on of the swamps. Tried again after supper but it was windy and still nothing. We had a good Thelma and Louise lunch out and Larry lost again playing marbles last night to Alice.  We all felt bad........HA!HA!

Sharp-shinned Hawk with a Mourning Dove. I was lucky that he stayed put until I went back in the house to get Big B.  He's gotten a couple of Mourning Doves in the yard lately. The circle of life in Nature.

Fungi on a tree branch - looks almost like Orange Peel.

Daffodils are blooming


Enjoy your day!

Day 117 - 27th April 2018 - Chickadee, Cardinal and Purple Finch

Stars are all out this morning, much nicer than yesterday. Looks like a good day on the horizon. Dawn is breaking through the trees. Only the sounds of nature out there - Owls are down the road hooting back and forth, Loon and Ducks in the lake. Here it is Friday once again, another week has flown by. For the good of the birds, today is the last day for my feeders, will clean them up on the weekend, rake up the seeds and debris on the ground underneath and call it quits for the season. Won't be long and the Hummingbirds will be here and they can be safely fed.  Around lunch time, Thursday we had a bit of break in the rain so I went for a quick walk. Spied a couple of Palm Warblers near Lois', new birds are arriving daily. Will take Big B. out this morning to see if  I can catch them again. It's Thelma & Louise Day and then Friday night club. Will miss our weekly lunches when I head back to work. Time is growing short.

Chickadee
















 Cardinal - high in a tree and singing away. Not in my yard, found him in Freeport last Sunday morning.

Purple Finch.




Enjoy your day!

Day 116 - 26th April 2018 - Mayflowers, Chickadee and Hermit Thrush

Wet out there this morning. Might be a good thing, the lake looks like it has started to drop again and some rain will dampen the woods. I'm sure after this it will be time to get out the lawn mower - the grass will shoot up. My sun burned legs can take a day of rest from the sun and finish up some sewing and catch up on housework. The last three days I've managed to spend most of it outside and it felt good to have the sun beat down on me. I'm not one to sun bath but I usually get well tanned up from just working in the yard or roaming. I've got a lot of what I wanted to get done, although another day wouldn't hurt and probably a couple more days to finish washing the house. I did dig around in some of the raised  vegetable beds - turning the soil, working in the egg shells that Larry has been tossing in over the winter. In the last few days I've seen several "signs of Spring" - Tree Swallow,  Butterfly, Blackfly and my first Hermit Thrush. I've gotten back in to doing a lot of walking the last few days too. Time to get back in shape.

Mayflowers -The Point is always the best spot to see lots and I went in that direction yesterday.

 Not sure what this Chickadee was up to unless he had a secret stash.

First Hermit Thrush of the season hiding among limbs and moss. Soon I'll hear their sweet music - my favourite songster.






Enjoy your day!

Day 115 - 25th April 2018 - Daffodils, Canada Geese and a Chickadee

Chilly this morning, but the stars are all out and I hear a Loon calling on the lake. Looking like it will turn into another nice day and warm up. I did a few things around the house first thing yesterday and then went outside to work. Getting the yard cleaned up- so many little branches, etc. Feels good to be out in the sunshine. Although it was a bit windy, could still manage to wear shorts, guess it's time to pack up the ski pants. Hopefully I won't need those again this season. Think it will be another day in the yard as rain is on the way tomorrow and can do some sewing and other inside things then. Birds are still active at the feeders. Sadly, on the weekend I'm going to clean them up and stop feeding. A few reports of disease birds are starting to appear around the province so it's time to bring in the feeders. It gives us something to look forward to next winter and it won't be long before the Hummingbirds will be here and we can enjoy those feeders.

My miniature Daffodils

 A couple of our Canada Geese

Chickadee






Enjoy your day!

Day 114 - 24th April 2018 - Red Breasted Nuthatch, Rabbit and Ducks

Monday was beautiful- temperatures rose to about +20, sunny and everything you could want in spring. It was a day for shorts and tank tops! Something about weather like this that can make a person feel so much better after the cold of winter.  I got thing done up around the house in the morning, went for a roam in the hood and had lunch on the deck. The hood remains quiet - still no Warblers yet, but I wait patiently (well maybe not) for their arrival. The pair of Mallards were here for lunch and I saw them again in the afternoon paddling in the cranberry ditch. After lunch I dug out the yard tools and started gathering up the branches, etc. that had snapped off over the winter. Cleaned up the Phlox hedge so the new growth could come through and one of my flower beds. Got another 10' or so done on the house except for the high spots which Larry will have to do. I think today will be a repeat of yesterday.Going to take advantage of sunny days from here on out.

Red Breasted Nuthatch

 Rabbit visiting Maureen's place

Bottoms up! Mallards feeding.






Enjoy your day!

Day 113 - 23rd April 2018- Gulls, Dandelions and Frog Eggs

Here we are again - Monday morning! Little cool out there but looks like another find day on the horizon. Had a great weekend away. Back home Sunday, early afternoon and it was time to jump into action and get laundry caught up, ribs in the oven for supper and Larry spent his time putting wood in the wood shed.  Temperatures are suppose to go up to +15 today, so will get the housework, cooking, sewing done this morning then maybe get back to outside work. Might spend an hour washing the house and cleaning the flower beds out. Late this morning - got on the phone catching up with a birding friend and hit cancel instead of add,  deleting the pics - had to start all over again. Hope that's not a sign of the day ahead.

 Hanging out in the sun

 Dandelions are a bright bit of color

Frog eggs in mud puddles







Enjoy your day!

Day 112 - 22nd April 2018 -Tree Swallow, Great Blue Heron and more

Saturday was a great day -  weather was fine (little windy) but other that it was great. The sun is so much stronger now. started out yesterday around 6:30, as soon as I could see with Big B. to check out the hood.  Was rewarded with a Northern Mockingbird and a pair of Great Blue Herons, lots of Song Sparrows, Gulls and Mallards, heard a Red Winged Blackbird. Headed back in and had breakfast then took Larry with me for another round and a little further. The joy of Freeport is that it's totally walkable if you like to go on foot which I do. More rewards - heard 2 Ring Necked Pheasants - they were only interested in calling to one another not us, Gulls, Mallards, the first Tree Swallow of the season, Red Winged Blackbird, more Song Sparrows, Kinglets (Ruby Crowned and Golden Crowned),Chipping Sparrow and Chickadees. Just as we were heading back we ran into Roger so Larry jumped in the car with him and I walked back. Walked to Beauitful Cove - Eiders, Song Sparrows and Gulls. It's a beautiful, peaceful spot and one of my favourites. After lunch Roger took us into the Tiverton to check out the wharves -Turkey Vulture,  Eiders, Gulls, Loons, then a new spot - Bear's Cove and Black's Cove. Quite a hike but a stunning view. Would be a wonderful spot at the end of a trail. Harlequin Ducks, Gulls, Merganser and Song Sparrows.  We walked the rocks between Bear & Black Coves which are fascinating - drawings done by nature - all kinds of shapes. I'll check this out a little more on google. After a good full day of birding and probably 10 miles or more on my legs, it was time to get ready to head over to the school and support the grad fundraising supper.  Here it is Sunday morning- can't believe it's time to get ready to go home, but first we'll catch the breakfast at the Firehall and I think I can sneak out for a run around the hood.

 Tree Swallow.

 Northern Mockingbird

 Great Blue Heron

 Looking at the Light at Westport from Beautiful Cove

 Turkey Vulture

 They should have gotten a room

 Song Sparrow

Rock drawings



Enjoy your day!

Day 111 - 21st April 2018 - Boars Head Lighthouse, Sky and Tiverton

Looks like a nice day in the making, a little cool maybe but fingers crossed Mother Nature is co-operating with me.  Weather sites are giving a chance of rain/flurries later today but we had all that Friday morning so I'm hoping they are wrong. Sunrise is a soft golden glow, always just a little different here than home. We made good time yesterday and caught the 7:30 pm ferry to the Island and then the short drive down to Freeport so by 8pm we were eating Dorothy's wonderful seafood chowder. A later night then I'm used to so I did manage to sleep in a little this morning. It's great to be here, love the area and visiting with Dorothy & Roger.  Soon heading out to see if there are any birds around the village. I have a regular route I like to check out - kind of like the "hood" when I'm home. But another cup of coffee is needed to wake me up fully and get me going.

 Took a few pictures while we were waiting for the Ferry.  This is Boars Head Lighthouse

 The sky was pretty - fluffy clouds hanging over the water with some dark ones above

Tiverton and the ferry dock.









Enjoy your day!

Day 110 - 20th April 2018 - Mallard, Grackle and Purple Finch

Overcast this morning, but no wind and quite mild. More ran on the way but not a lot, hopefully it will clear off.  And I'm looking for some sun on the weekend, whether or not Mother Nature is obliging is another question. The Owls are nearby again this morning, hooting, if only I could find them during the daylight hours. The yard was busy with birds yesterday - lots of Goldfinches, Purple Finches, Grackles, Mourning Doves and few Red-Winged Blackbirds, Blue Jays, Nuthatches, Chickadees, Woodpeckers , along with a couple of Song Sparrows and one White Throated Sparrow who has been here all winter. And of course the pair of Mallards visit 2-3 times a day. He's very attentive and takes a guard pose while she eats. I was enjoying some time on the deck before the rain came and they almost landed on me as the flew in.  Off for Thelma and Louise Lunch, then when Larry gets home we will head to Long Island. Hoping to catch the 7:30pm ferry.

Female Mallard - she's quite friendly. 

Grackle - not just another black bird - when the light hits their head that beautiful blue stands out.

The Purple Finches seem to be getting brighter.






Enjoy your day!

Day 109 - 19th April 2018 - Canada Geese, White Breasted Nuthatch and Mallard

Overcast but no wind this morning.  Mostly quiet except for a few Owls that are close hooting. It was nice to hear the peepers last night - another sign that spring is here. Rain on the way for this afternoon, so looks like I need to get out for a jaunt in the hood this morning.  Every day that I get out I hope for some new birds but nothing here yet. Although around the province Indigo Bunting and others are popping up. The migration has begun and it will soon be our turn. My favourite songster the Hermit Thrush will soon be here - love the haunting melody he sings. Yesterday was a town day - finished off some genealogy research in the morning, then a staff meeting in the afternoon.  Lots of new things happening for the upcoming season - should be a good one.  Today, I'll get packed up as we are off to Freeport (Digby County) on the weekend- stuff to do before we go tomorrow evening - clean up, house sitter, etc.

Four of our local Canada Geese.

 White Breasted Nuthatch

Male Mallard - colorful fellow.





Enjoy your day!

Day 108 - 18th April 2018 - Pussy Willows and Ducks

A quiet morning. Can hear the soft quacking of ducks and a Song Sparrow begins to sing, the sky has bits of pink through the clouds as day light comes. A little more rain this morning, then clearing this afternoon. Tuesday it rained hard then stopped for a few hours in the afternoon, few showers at supper time then cleared in the evening. Yesterday was a day of mixed chores - did up some lunches for Larry, casserole for supper, sewing, research and when the day cleared I tackled the outside of the house. With siding the North and East sides tend to get yucky looking. So with a sponge mop and my scrub bucket filled with hot water and javex I started. Hopefully it will be one of those things I get done before returning to work. Today I'm off to town - research this morning and a meeting this afternoon. For some reason my photo upload is sluggish which I have no patience with today.

 Pussy Willows are at their peak.

Ducks fly by









Enjoy your day!

Day 107 - 17th April 2018 - Wood Duck, Evening Grosbeak and Red-Winged Blackbird

It's raining this morning, started last evening and looks like it will continue most of the day. Guess it will bring our water level up. With an "open" winter we didn't have the ice in the lake or any amount of snow for run off. So even though the swamps, etc have water it won't last long. Especially since we seem to have so much wind -it dries things up quickly. Yesterday was a computer/paperwork/research day. I had to dig all the income tax stuff out and get that ready - tis the season! Then I spent a good portion of the day delving into genealogy research for someone. Exercise class last night.  Today I'm in the kitchen and sewing room.  Doesn't look like it will be fit to roam the hood so I might as well make the best of it! I suspect the Hawk must have come for a visit Monday afternoon - I looked out at the feeders and there wasn't a bird in sight! He makes them scatter quickly.

 Too busy looking at the Geese to notice the Wood Duck in the background.

 Evening Grosbeak - few and far between this year.

Red-Winged Blackbird.





Enjoy your day!

Day 106 - 16th April 2018 - Mallards, Song Sparrow and Red-Winged Blackbird

Cool and overcast on this Monday morning. Wind is picking up. Suppose to be some ice pellets changing to rain. Sounds like a good day to stay in. The work week begins once again. Won't be long and I'll be back to work - not sure where the winter has gone - time goes by so quickly. The new woodsplitter is great - looks like Larry got enough split on the weekend to fill the woodshed for next winter.  We had breakfast at the Ingomar Firehall Sunday morning - messy weather out there - freezing rain/ice pellets, a pair of Buffleheads at Round Bay but not much else on our travels. Our yard on the other hand was busy with birds including a Male Evening Grosbeak and Red Winged Blackbird. Must do some lunch box prep today since I didn't get any done Sunday, am getting bored with the same old thing - although Larry isn't fussy. Must see if I can come up with something new.

 Mallards in the Cranberry ditch - this is the pair that regularly visits the feeders.

 Song Sparrow

Red Winged Blackbird hanging out in the Lilac Bush.




Enjoy your day!