May 14th.

My brother who has lived in the U.S. this past four years came home for a visit last week. I was hoping to see him as he only usually comes back once a year and for only about ten days. I was talking to him on the phone when he arrived in the city and he said he would try to get out to see me. He had some work to do on his summer cottage on Random Island, about an hour and a half from me and would be spending this past weekend there. Well, I had just about given up hope of seeing him as it was now around seven o'clock on Sunday night. I was watching something on tv when I heard a knock on the door and the door open. This was him. He had been busy all weekend and came for a short visit. I can tell you, I was just delighted to see him. We spent an hour chatting then he had to leave again. As I say, a short visit, but it was great.

It rained most of the day on Saturday and while yesterday and today the sun did shine it was chilly. There have been so many smaller birds at the feeders lately. I think they must be nesting in the woods on the property. Lots of Pine siskins, Purple Finches, Fox Sparrows, some birds I don't recognize and of course all the regulars. In fact, I saw a Robin pecking around the ground under some tall Spruce trees.

Next week is Clean Up Week. Everyone puts stuff they want to get rid of at the side of the road and a truck goes back and forth all week taking the stuff away. We will be spending the weekend bringing things out to the road. Every year we have a load of stuff. I don't understand where it all comes from. Every May when we finish I say "well that's it, won't have anything next year". Ha, ha, ha. I'm hoping the squirrels aren't nesting in the small cabin we have behind the house as a lot of the things to be thrown out are stored up there.

Some pictures I've taken this past few days. Don't know what bird this is:


Purple Finch, I think.




Woodie



Jay