Bits and Pieces

It Has been a slow couple of weeks with temperatures in the 30C range. Too hot to do much outside other than watering the garden and taking drives. This is our new flower garden/ pumpkin patch  somewhere in there ,there are pumpkins growing.

We also had a good crop of sunflowers. If you look close, you will see a bee sleeping through the +6C night. The sun warmed him up and he continued on with his pollinating.

There was a cocky Magpie in our neighbour's Mountain Ash tree watching me very closely.

Elaine finally finished her most elaborate crochet project to date...a baby blanket.

I may have posted this Kingfisher with crayfish before, but I like the shot.

More and more mule deer are coming out to feed, and likely to get away from the mosquitos.

The old crow found something tasty, at least for him

The doe Mule Deer look healthy

This family of ducks is also looking good

The Great Blue Heron thought I couldn't see him!  just couldn't get closer.

October Birds

The Red Tailed Hawks are still hanging around the fields even though the crops are off.

They are vary patient waiting for mice, but also very spooky. At times I could use a longer lens  

Here is a Magpie in the process of putting the run on the Red Tail.

Fly past!

The crows are starting to flock up getting ready to move south. Lucky birds!

the next two photos are of a Hairy Woodpecker that landed on a tree beside the truck.

Magpie Friday

There were about 30 of these guys hanging around

This one kept his beady eye on me the whole time.

When the sun is just right the colours start to come out. This was a young of the year, not filled out yet.

They did not co-operate with flying. When they flew they went away low and fast.

It was kind of noisy when I entered their domain!

Cold Wednesday

It was a blowing and blustery day, but I decided to go for a walk anyways. In a sheltered area I walked up on a few White Breasted Nuthatches. They were gathering stuff for nesting.

I don't know why, but they spend most of their time on the tree trunks.

A few Blue Winged Teal have arrived!

Then of course, there always a few Magpies around.

For a miserable day, it wasn't a bad walk!

Quiet Days

It's been a quiet few days with a fair bit of snow. Even the birds have been hunkered down somewhere else. I have been searching the books trying to figure out what this bird is. Can anybody help out?

 The Blue Jays are still around, all six of them. It looks like I will be feeding them all winter.

 Every body seems to disappear when the Magpies show up, even the Blue Jays. It seems that there is a distinct pecking order.

 Well, off to other places.

Waxwings, Finches and Magpies

This was the first day without rain in the last four. I sat outside on the deck, with camera and book and kept an eye on the choke cherry tree. It was a busy place. The three days at near freezing must have ripened up the cherries.

 There were quite a few Cedar Waxwings feeding away.

 Some were just content to sit and rest.

 The Magpie kept an eye on "his" tree, and let his displeasure of sharing known!

 Best of all was the House Finch. This looks like the young of the year. he was fairly tame.

 I would also call him a right proper pig when it comes to downing sunflowers!

 He also has quite the feather pattern!

All in all, a pretty scruffy looking character!

Welcome to Winter

Normally, we have had snow long before this! About 4 inches came down and the forecast says "Snow for the next two days". Guess it's probably here to say.

 Some of the feathered friends had to dig deep for breakfast.

 No, it's not a ring billed Magpie!

 My feelings are expressed here. Ba Humbug!

Pond Life

I decided to take both dogs for a walk to the pond today. Yesterday, I only took Brooklyn and Boots howled his head off in protest! They were both very well behaved, but I don't know how many more walks Boots has in him. He was shaking in the hind end pretty bad by the time we got home. 

 The lonely little muskrat was still swimming around.

 A Magpie was squawking in the tree at my presence.

The pond water is getting pretty cold . Brooklyn did one retrieve and then lost interest. Boots dropped the pond level a lot having a very long drink.No ducks or geese around and none flying.