Sunny Thursday

I couldn't figure how I could take a picture of the Grey Jay eating from my hand and as Roger doesn't know how to use my camera I had given up on the idea. I mentioned this to a friend who came up with the brilliant idea of me taking a picture of the Jay eating out of Rogers hand...duh! I think I'm losing it!! I can't believe that I didn't think of this myself. So, taking this advice I took these pictures yesterday.



I remember when they use to come around a few years ago, they would bring their babies. The babies are all black and the first time I saw them, not knowing much about birds, still don't, I was telling everyone about the baby crows coming around, lol. Of course it didn't take me long to figure out what they really were. I figure if they're coming around again now, they will bring their young once again.

It was a lovely day yesterday. We spent most of the afternoon sitting outside watching the activity at the feeders.

Sunday was a lovely sunny day, or maybe it was Monday, so spent the whole day in the garden at one thing or another. I put new plastic on the smaller greenhouse, which meant up on the ladder for the roof part. A wind came up so had a bit of trouble holding the plastic down while nailing slates on. Anyway, I finally finished it. Just have to re-do the door of the larger greenhouse. Walking up the property, the Black and White Warbler flew by in front of me...no picture. Then I took a break and sat on the deck watching a male and female Woodpecker at one of the feeders by the deck. The female flew to a branch on a tree about 25 ft. away. The male looked over at her and also flew to the branch. Then he got sort of over her and made out, lol. I couldn't believe it, first time I've seen that. When finished, he flew back to the feeder and started eating again. His job done. Then after a couple of minutes she flew off and he followed.

Yesterday, although we did get a bit of drizzle off and on, I finished off the fence that I had started repairing and hauled off the wood from the archway that was knocked down. Himself keeps bringing back stuff from other peoples junk that they have by the side of the road for clean up. I don't know what I'm going to do with him. He keeps saying, "But this is good, we may be able to use it some time." lol

Parents are coming tomorrow. It's also my mothers birthday and my daughter phoned this morning and guilted me into making a birthday cake. Will have to do that sometime today. Raining at the moment but suppose to clear up.

This is what happens to the mess bags of food I put out. Such clever birds. Can't help but love em!

Grey Jays

This afternoon marks the arrival of a pair of Grey Jays. I hadn't seen one in so long, that I didn't think there were any left around any more. I got some bread and put it on the deck railing, took these pictures.

This past week...Daughter left for home on Wednesday. After the few late nights I was in bed at 7:30 Wednesday night. Read for a while then bang...I was gone! Just can't handle it anymore, lol. A new bird was sighted in the garden, a Black and White Warbler. I couldn't believe it, small bird covered in black and white stripes. Couldn't get a picture as it was moving around the trees to fast. I haven't seen it since although been keeping an eye out.

Thursday I went rooting around for some poles and sticks to re-build a part of the fence that broke down with the winters snow. Off I went with hammer, nails, saw, wire and wire cutters. I have it just about finished, just needs a few added touches. The next fine day will finish it off.

Also on Thursday, went over to the greenhouses. I've been putting off buying the annuals this year until later. I always get them too early and end up putting them outside in the morning and bringing them in overnight. A bit of a nuisance really. However, as I've been chomping at the bit to get some, I went over and bought a few flats of Pansies and Lobelia. I expect this coming week, I'll be there again.

That evening around supper time I happened to look out and the archway with the platform feeder was beat up and about half of it was on the ground. I know it was getting old, but what would have made it come down like that?? So, yesterday I took the rest apart as it was so smashed up there wasn't any point in trying to fix it up again. Then I had to bang together another platform feeder and this time have it attached high up on a tree trunk. I figured it would take the birds a while to get use to the new one, but in seconds they were there eating from it.

Last night, just before supper a neighbour phoned informing us that there was a big bear coming up the road near where the mail boxes are. I kept looking out around but no sign of it. I expect it went off into the woods. However, camera is by the door....waiting! Now, I'm wondering if it wasn't a bear that hauled the archway down trying to get at the bird food. It's that time of year when we usually see one or two or three. I have had suet feeders hauled down by them, hens greenhouse area torn up and clothes hanging on the line hauled off and balled up.

I've taken no pictures to speak of lately so that's about it for now.

Sunny, sunny day!

Woke up to sunshine just coming up and hitting the top of the tall trees. Couldn't believe my eyes really. Funny how quickly we forget all the miserable days when the sun shines. Had a busy day yesterday, my daughter arrived just after lunch, a big surprise as she hadn't told me she was coming. Then not long after that a friend came with two of her friends who were here for the weekend, then after supper two more friends came for a short visit.

It appears that the problem I was having with the computer is fixed. Daughter opened it up and loosened a couple of screws and it's been fine every since. To think that I could have brought it to a computer store to have it fixed and paid a lot of money for the job.

Saturday I wandered around the garden taking a few pictures. It was a gloomy day so not much else to do.

A couple of things in bloom, all is not lost, lol.




Head down looking for bugs


Bunny in the garden, love this guy, a gift from friends.


Finch


Raindrops on green.




No leaves on trees or bushes yet. Buds are looking good though.

Not much happening lately. Weather has been miserable, wet, foggy, chilly. This says it all...


I believe the Blue Jays have built a nest high up in the spruce trees behind the bedroom window. Seems to be a lot of activity there. Took a few pictures this morning. The only bright thing in the day so far.




And to top it all off, I'm having a problem with my computer. A grinding noise after it's been on for a while. I think it might be the fan but guess I'll probably have to get it looked at. Just heard a funny noise and thought, damn it, I won't get this blog finished now as the pc is giving me grief again. No worries though at this point, was just one of the cats snoring in the chair besides me. lol.

I AND THE BIRDS

The #75 I and the Birds is being hosted by Gallicissa. It's certainly worth a look.
I And The Bird #75 is hosted at Gallicissa now! Enjoy it

Chilly Day!

Yesterday morning we woke up to snow...yes, SNOW! After it was all over there was about an inch or so on the ground then it changed to rain. It's suppose to be miserable all week and chilly temperatures as well. The perennials are all coming up like mad though.

Then, Roger steps out on the front deck and goes down through it...loose board. I was in the kitchen and heard my name being called, went to see what was going on and saw an arm half way in the door flaying around near the floor. Luckily he didn't break his leg or tear it open as there were nails on the underside of the board. After I help him drag himself up out of it he says "Why doesn't anything like this ever happen to you?" lol.

So this morning we are hoping to haul all the unwanted stuff down to the road for pick up next week. Although I expect there will be more grumbling about what I've put in the pile. ie: this morning he sees an old window I have in the pile and asks why this is going. I say that the glass is all broken out. Well, he says, maybe we will need it sometime. Argh!!!

Yesterday, two new birds in the garden.

A white throated sparrow.


A very poor picture of this little one but the only one I managed to get. I do believe it's a Kinglet, though not sure. Hopefully he will hang around so I can get a better shot.

Weather has been miserable, damp and cold. It was suppose to be sunny today...just can't believe the weather reports. Overcast and chilly! I've not been doing much at all, just fed up. I have hauled some things out of the cabin to get rid of during clean up week. It's been going something like this:

Him: You're not throwing that chest of drawers out are you?
Me: Yep, it's going.
Him: But, but, we may use it sometime.
Me: It's been here for years and there's been no use for it, besides it has a hole in the back.
Him: If it's against a wall you won't see the hole.
Me: I don't want it...it's going.

Him: What are you doing throwing out those lamps.
Me: They're junk, they're not fit to keep and the wires are all broken.
Him: But I can fix them.
Me: Why don't you go for a walk.

Him: Surely you're not getting rid of that bed spring.
Me: I think you'd better go somewhere and leave me to it.
Him: But we might use it sometime for a guest to sleep on.
Me: Who in the name of heavens would we put on this piece of crap.
Him: Well...someone maybe.

So he goes to a yard sale this morning and comes back with two pots that he bought. I asked where am I going to put these. But he says they're lovely....sigh! Think I'll go and beat my head against a brick wall.

We went to a nearby community yesterday as I was in bad need of wild bird seed. On the way back we saw two Loons sitting on the water. So lovely. No, didn't have the camera. I usually say to myself that there's no point in taking the camera as there's rarely anything to see. Will have to take it with me next time.

Other than that there's nothing new. Finches are still around along with the regulars. Perennials are coming up. I've planted bunching onions, spinach and chard in the new raised bed I made and planted sugar snap peas in another bed. Some warm weather should show some action there.

I know I've put on a lot of pictures of the Finches but thought this little guy looked so cute.

Tuesday

Yesterday we had beautiful weather, sunny and warm. While working in the garden, I couldn't believe my eyes, I saw three Butterflies. Two, I think, were Fritillaries. The other one was a brownish colour but only half the size of the other two. No pictures unfortunately. By the time I got the camera they had gone.

Another surprise. I saw a lot of tiny birds at the feeders with the Finches. Couldn't figure what they were until I saw a female Finch feed one. Babies! They are only about half the size of the females and so adorable. They are flying and eating well.

Then a crowd of Evening Grosbeaks came by. I took a short video and tried to upload it twice, each time it was taking over two hours and still not done so got fed up and canceled it. I don't know where the problem lies.

Started to go through the boxes and bags stored in the cabin but soon got fed up with that. I was simply bewildered with it all. Hopefully my daughter will be coming for a visit soon and she can give me some guidance. This morning it's 0 C so don't expect I will be outside for a while.

As there are no pictures to put on, here are some of the paintings I've done. I can see where I can improve a couple of them for sure.






Unfortunately I've had no art training but I suppose a lot of it is trial and error. Maybe I should try some birds.

Sunday...

There's not been much to blog about lately. Last week the weather was dismal and finally, yesterday was sunny although the wind was chilly. I went to the green houses yesterday as they usually have a wonderful display of plants for Mothers Day. Bought a few Geraniums for one of the window boxes but will have to keep them inside until it warms up a bit then harden them off outside. Then in the afternoon we went to the library and took out a few books.

Clean up week starts on the 20th. of May so hopefully we'll get a couple of nice days this week and we can clean out the small "cabin" up the bank behind the house that is full of stored boxes and bags. Will have to sort it all out, one lot to go out to the garbage, one lot for the Goodwill and hopefully a very small lot to keep. Not only boxes and bags there but bikes, skis, carpeting, etc.....all going! Every spring I say that we have to get rid of this stuff but we never seem to get around to it.

I don't know what's happened to all the Blue Jays. I saw two at one of the feeders a few days ago and thought I'd get a short video as BR mentioned that he would like to see this. I started taking the video and noticed that the Jays weren't moving, in fact they were as still as statues. Strange I thought, so turned off camera and looked up in the trees. A larger bird was very high up on one of the branches. Got the bins but still couldn't make out what it was. It must have been a hawk or the Jays wouldn't have froze on the feeder for so long. The larger bird finally flew off and the Jays did as well. Sorry BR, will keep trying.

There have been loads of male and female Purple Finches here each day but not a lot of bird activity otherwise. A pair of Evening Grosbeaks arrived yesterday. Again not the usual big crowd.




And who's this peeking through the branches.

Ice and small Bergs

Went off looking for the part for the washing machine yesterday. Luckily we found a place that still sells parts as they apparently stopped making these machines 30 or 40 years ago. First thing we did on getting up this morning was to put the piece on and now she's humming beautifully. I was given some money for my birthday so bought a fountain. It's a lions head, the water pours out of it's mouth down into a bowl below his face. The water pump came with it with a few other pieces. Took it out of the box first thing fully intending to put it together. Ha, ha, ha. The instructions were like those manuals that most people can't figure out. I couldn't either. Disgusted, I shoved it all back in the box for another time. I bought two Emerald Cedars as well. Haven't a clue where I'm going to put them but the price was so good I couldn't resist.

Cold, overcast and damp here today. For all of you who are enjoying balmy weather, here are some pictures of small icebergs down off the beach. I nearly froze my hands off taking the pictures this morning.



Some of the ice that's come in.

Rainy days and Mondays

I decided on the weekend that I would start spring cleaning today as the weather is suppose to be overcast, cool and rainy most of the week. Not much point in being in the garden. I figured that I would haul the washing machine out first thing and get the clothes done and out of the way. Got half way through all the washing when a small belt snapped inside the machine and it was done for. After bailing out all the water we proceeded to take the back part off and have a look. Found the broken belt under the machine but couldn't figure where it came off. Decided to lay the machine down on the floor and I think we have it figured out. Only problem....the washer is very old and they don't make them anymore so the people at the hardware store told us where to check in Gander to see if we could find the piece we need. Off to Gander tomorrow. That was the end of the thoughts of spring cleaning. Couldn't be bother after this incident.

There were reports of two Polar Bears not that far from where we live. Roger has been going on about his morning walks and how can he do this when he might be attacked. After all, he says, they are meat eaters. I can't convince him as to how crazy he sounds. Apparently they managed to move one of them. It weighs about 600 lbs. A big creature, no doubt.

This is just about the time of year when the chance of seeing a black bear in the garden is quite possible. I have to keep a sharp eye out now a days when outside. Not that I think I'm going to be harmed but if either me or a bear is startled for some reason I guess anything is possible. So, two nights ago, I had a dream that I was being attacked by one of these creatures. I was yelling out to Roger, "Get the camera, get the camera". I mean...really...there's no hope for me, lol.

Looked outside a few minutes ago and saw three Finches on a feeder. They are so pretty.



And, at the end of the yard on top of a telephone pole...Mr. Gull.

Frost on the ground this morning when I got up. Sunny but quite chilly at the moment. Yesterday I banged together another raised bed. I figured the one I made a few days ago wouldn't be quite big enough and put this one in a different part of the garden. Spent the morning filling the wheelbarrow from the compost heap and wheeling it down to the raised bed. The chickens were at my heels all the way. I don't expect there's a worm left. I only have it half filled as by now my back was starting to ache so figured I'd better give it up for a while. Roger came back from his walk with a beautiful piece of driftwood. He figures it would be best if he stained and varnished it but I like it in it's natural state.

I placed some of the garden ornaments around where I thought they would look best, then thought I'd do a bit of raking up before lunch. I heard a squirrel chatter quite near me. I've been hearing them in the woods around but haven't seen any at the feeders which is strange as they have always come to get food. Anyway, I followed the sound with my eyes and there he was. High up in a tree, kicking up the biggest racket.

Then while getting lunch I saw that the Finch was back.



So, now it's time for a rest before I get at it again.

Now it starts!

Up bright and early, got housework done, then out in the garden. I hauled all the pots and garden statues out of the larger greenhouse and added manure and new soil to the existing soil. Then put a raised bed in the front where there's lots of sun, filled that with soil for spinach, lettuce, chard, etc. I think I'm going to have to add an extension as it doesn't look like it will be big enough. So, then I put up some trellis's on the side of the house and dug up a climbing plant from another part of the garden, put that beneath the trellis's and tied on the branches. Cut back some of the plants in other beds and raked up a wheelbarrow full of bits and pieces. Came in and got lunch so I'm taking a bit of a break at the moment.

I took these pictures of a bird this morning. I think it's a male Purple Finch. So pretty.



The stream if free of ice and snow and running again, although there is still snow in the woods. I was so lovely standing besides it and listening to the water running.