Day 356-358 - 28th December 2017 - Woodpeckers and Bird Nests

I'm back! I'd like to say we had a fun couple of days but being without power in the winter time isn't really all that entertaining. It gets old really fast, especially since it's been so cold. Although one thing I noticed was with the dark sky (no street lights, etc) the stars were so bright those few mornings.  Now we have a "cold artic airmass" over the province - brrr for the next few days - windchill of -20 to -30. I'm not right thrilled with that forecast. Anyway we continue on.  A few years ago (maybe longer) we had a power outage for several days before Christmas and the power returned Christmas Eve. I don't remember it being so miserable. This time the temperatures were probably lower. Even though we have a wood furnace we get a minimum amount of heat - the blower of course is electric. So the basement is warm, the upstairs is warm but the main floor remains cool. It keeps the pipes from freezing. We have a butane burner that serves as a cook surface so that's good. Larry got our generator going - it's small but will charge up a few things as well as keep the fridge going or the freezer (we alternate between the two). We checked on some of the neighbours in the hood, making sure they had what the needed, delivering water to one. Played crib by candle light in the evening and I caught up on my reading.  Next trip to town I'll need to stock back up on paper plates, butane and batteries.

Male Downy Woodpecker

 Female Woodpecker

I can always find the bird nests after the leaves are gone!





Enjoy your day!

Day 355 - 25th December 2017 - Fox Sparrow, Junco and Grandmother's Journal

Merry Christmas Everyone! So finally the day has arrived. Quiet in this house, as usual I'm up too early. Wind is blowing, the stars that twinkled in the sky last night have disappeared. We had a good day yesterday, delivered our gifts to family (I'm lost one but the recipient knows I'm searching), took a run to the Industrial Park looking for birds, dropped off my cakes, picked up milk and then headed home. Larry took the opportunity to put some more wood in the basement as it was fine. I puttered around and then curled up and read for a bit. Larry did up creamed lobster for our anniversary supper - so very good. Usually we go out to visit on Christmas Eve but decided to stay in last night. Hopefully the weather will hold up and we will join our family at Mom & Dad's later today. One weather site says snow turning to freezing rain to rain, the other just says rain. So guess the easiest way to figure this all out is to look out the window when the daylight comes.
Grandmother's Journal: 
24th December 1977 - Very mild. I drove to town. Stopped for tea with the girls. Bob, Bobbie and Mike came down later.  Had a nice Xmas Eve with our family.
25th December 1977 - Lots of nice Xmas presents. Spent the night Xmas Eve at Bobbie & Betties. Bob, Mike and Bobbie went to MC for most of the day. When they came home we had Xmas Dinner. After dinner Bob & I came home. Stopped at Barb & Judy's, got home about 10:30. Real nasty storm - high winds, heavy rain and lightening. Very mild and warm. I am very tired tonight. Very high winds and rain overnight. Had a real nice Xmas.

Fox Sparrow at the Industrial Park. Lots of Robins, a Northern Flicker, Juncos, Chickadees, Goldfinches.

Bird nest

Junco




Enjoy your day!

Day 354 - 24th December 2017 - Downy Woodpecker, White Throated Sparrow and Blue Jay

Here we are at Christmas Eve. It's mild out, rain seems to have stopped and the snow is all gone again.  Should be a good day for those that have  travel, although the temperature will drop later. Watch the roads tonight.  And it appears we'll get some ice pellets Christmas morning and then straight rain. Sounds like they've changed their mind about the storm but high winds are expected. Maybe we will get to Christmas Dinner after all. It is my favourite thing - I know I'm all about the food! This is truly the most relaxed I've been before the holidays in years, I'm just chilling about the whole thing. Normally it's a time of year where I nearly kill myself to get ready but not now. Today we'll deliver gifts to family, drop off the little cakes I made at the Church Hall in Town for the Dinner tomorrow, maybe take Big B. for a short run and home to relax. Thankful to our neighbour who gave us lobsters, they'll be on the menu for supper tonight.

Female Downy Woodpecker - we have about 6 Woodpeckers in the yard - both Downy and Hairy.

White Throated Sparrow is still a bit shy but is coming around.

Blue Jays are fun to watch and listen to.






Enjoy your day!

Day 353 - 23rd December 2017 - Goldfinch, Grackle and Mourning Dove

Snowing again this morning, had started early last evening so there is a little bit down.  Looking at the forecast seems like today is going to be messy - snow, then freezing rain and then lots of rain. The feeders will be busy this morning, snow always brings the birds. Still have the White Throated Sparrow around, a number of Woodpeckers both Downy and Hairy stop in to the suet. Goldfinches are getting more settled. Maybe today will bring something new. They still haven't made a decision on Christmas Day's weather. Hopefully by tomorrow we know more about that. Right now - there is a warning up - snow or rain....... ummm. Got lots done yesterday - groceries, few deliveries made, gas. Put away the wrapping paper, bags etc.Amazing how that stuff came out of the closet easier than it went back in. I've got a couple hours of baking to do this morning- those little cakes for the Annual Christmas Dinner. It's free and open to anyone. My favourite part of the day is Dinner at my parents with all the family.

Goldfinch and Chickadee sharing

The Grackle is here everyday.

And there are lots of Mourning Doves.




Enjoy your day!

Day 352 - 22nd December 2017 - Downy Woodpecker, Robin and Ice

Just when I thought I was beginning to sleep, I get up at 3am - going to be a very long day. Hopefully after going to town this morning for a few groceries, errands and deliveries I'll snag a little nap. It's cold and windy out there this morning,but the stars are shining brightly in the sky. Think I've got everything wrapped so I can put the paper and bags back in the closet for another year. Larry put some more wood in the basement, doing it much slower than he normally would  but it's getting done and helping to build up his strength too. I can't seem to stop baking-did a trial run on a cranberry gingerbread cake yesterday. Have a pan that does little individual cakes so thought I would try it out. Have volunteered to do a cake for the  Dinner that is put on in town on Christmas Day. Think they'll work out fine and if I double the recipe will get 4 to 5 dozen.  Maybe a lemon or caramel sauce would go nicely . 

Downy Woodpecker - there is something in that hole in the tree

 Robin hiding among branches

Ice in the lake from a few days ago.






Enjoy your day!

Day 351- 21st December 2017 - Berries, Goldfinch and Song Sparrow

Brrr...the temperatures have dipped down again and it's windy, but apparently they are going back up tomorrow. Wednesday was a freaky weather day. Sun came out, got dark, hail, rain then snow flurries most of the afternoon. There is still one lone Grackle that hangs around the yard most of the day. The large flock of Mourning Doves try hogging the feeders, making it difficult for the smaller birds to eat. I'm sure 6 Mourning Doves can cram themselves into a feeder that 4 Chickadees couldn't. Don't get me wrong - they all have to eat but some are greedier than others. Larry put a little more wood in the basement but then found the deck was getting greasy so gave it up. Have to send him into town later this morning to pick up some things which will give me a chance to whip around getting things done.

Not many berries left in our area.

Goldfinch settled in for breakfast

Our resident Song Sparrow.








Enjoy your day!

Day 350 - 20th December 2017 - Downy Woodpecker, Chickadee and White Breasted Nuthatch

Stars are out this morning, must be a little cooler (but not cold) as I can see frost sparkling on the deck. For those travelling you might what to be careful this morning, roads could be a bit slippery. It rained most of Tuesday, but we headed off to Cape Sable Island to visit and catch up with friends and then Barrington for a little shopping. Not much as I was more or less finished - just needed a few things. For some reason I never feel my shopping is complete with out a trip to Barrington. We were home by mid afternoon. Cathy stopped in for coffee on her way from work, nice to have a chat. Larry went to work making one last gift I need, today that will be done and I'll give it a coat of paint. Seems that a few weeks ago I had nothing done, now I am pretty well finished and am looking forward to a few days of reading and  some birding over the holidays.

 Male Downy Woodpecker

 Chickadee

White Breasted Nuthatch







Enjoy your day!