Down by the River

Yesterday, we broke a 59 year old record at 19.3 C! Today is much the same! The woodland paths are flooded, muddy and slippery where there is still ice. No trails, off to the River I go.

 The first of the critters today was this squirrel. The warm weather has brought them out, and they are very hungry!

 There are lots of Canada Geese arriving from the south. Front side of a bathing pose

 Back side of the bathing pose.

 Drying off

 Looking regal!

The old pick -the -feathers -while- standing- on- one -leg pose

Its good to see them back! They kind of are replacing the Red Polls, Sparrows and others that are off nesting up.

Why I Always Bring My Camera!

On my daily walk with Daphnie, I couldn't take my normal route due to a flooded creek. I thought I would go to the Athabasca to see if there were any migratory birds back. On the way we came across 2 moose, a cow and a calf. Last years calf was almost as big as mama, running about 1000 pounds.

Well, Daphnie was off leash, saw the moose and took off after them. They moved off the trail a bit, and stopped. After a couple more yelps, Daphnie stopped too. Both looked at each other and allowed me a few photos, not as good as if they were on the trail, but still interesting (at least to me). I attempted to move closer, but got the old "stink eye". They slowly moved off. My closest was about 25 feet.

I couldn't get both Daphnie and the Moose in the same picture due to the height of the moose, the shortness of Daphnie and the depth of the snow.
Caution: Potential Multiple Photos!

Solid Comfort

Some people think my dog, Daphne is spoiled. I don't think she is, but what do you say?

I was shocked!

Yesterday and today was clean up the garage day and put the snow blower away for the year. Elaine said it was way too early. We woke up to snow flakes today with about 2-3 cm forecast. I have been doing it by hand all year so that little amount is really nothing.

I also look forward to the spring seed catalogue coming in. I enjoy looking at all the exotics (Zone 7-8) that we can't plant. We are Zone 2-3.

Well, a seed catalogue did come in and it said "The time to plant is now"

Tough Getting Out

After having 2 1/2 weeks of frigid cold, like daytime highs of -30C, it has been difficult to get any photography done. The area has also seen the coldest February in 40 years according to the weatherman. I just love Global Warming! It makes me feel warm and fuzzy. No, that's ice crystals forming under my skin.

 Photography has consisted of watching the birds through the kitchen window . The Red polls are all fluffed up and are eating me out of sunflower seeds.

I get 5 or 6 Pine Grosbeaks at least twice a day at the feeder

 The Red Polls don't seem to mind the cold. How they don't freeze solid I cant quite figure out

I did find this Whitetail while out on a drive. She seems to be doing well and looking as if she might be slightly pregnant  Think warm, folks!

Gone but recovered

I gave this carving to my oldest son a few years ago. Quite a few years ago. This was one of the few that I never photographed when completed. How time flies! 15 Years Ago!

Those Texans are Tough!

While in Texas, I had the opportunity to take photos of Texan grown toilet paper. No doubt about it, Texans are in a class by themselves when it comes to the necessities of life.

The Box

This is not just an ordinary box! It belonged to Elaine's Grandfather and was passed down from his ancestors . It is a plain box, with handmade dove tailed joints and a sliding lid. Apparently, way back in time, it was a common thing for sailors to make these while at sea. I don't know what type of wood.

 Inside the box, things get interesting There is a clove box, also made by a sailor. These are individual cloves, sewn together. Whatever was used for thread is so fine, I can`t make it out. The odour of cloves is still very strong.

 Inside the inside box are several very interesting items. Below is a sock that was maybe stolen from King George iv. It is made of very fine silk. If so, this could be from the mid 1800`s 

Also there is a chain and a piece of coral indicating that the sailor may have been to the tropics. I wish I had the name of the ship, or the sailor.

Most interesting is the pigtail of a Chinaman. Apparently, theft aboard ship was not a thing to allow. The crew apparently found him out and cut off his pigtail before they murdered him so that he could not move on to the promised land. Interesting, but gross! The letter states there was a medal from the time of George iv, but, unfortunately it is missing.

Here is a close up of a section of the lid. This would take a lot of time to do. I would assume that the ship was on a spice run to the orient.

Here is a copy of the document found in the box. Hard to read!

What does a Canadian Do in Texas?

Why, go on an African Safari, of Course!

The above picture is that of my eldest son and 2 of the grandkids

This one is that of the grandkids out of the Monkey Cage. (They appear to have escaped!)

 I have no idea what this is!

 Horney in more than one way

 Lots of cute deer

 Feeding the EMUs and Ostriches is risky. They look like they can be mean and also peck hard 

 A baby calf being  (spoiled) cuddled in the petting zoo

Mean looking!

 Can you guess what this is?

Here is a clue

They had lots and lots of Giraffes

All in all, it was a very good trip and a lot easier than going to Africa!

Back from the Warm South (Texas)

Our winter vacation took place in Houston Texas this year when we went to visit our oldest son and family. We missed out on a week of -35C weather and enjoyed shorts and sandals time.

The highlights were family visitations, both on the way down with our youngest son and family and with our oldest and his.

In Texas we drove over to an African safari Place and enjoyed watching wildlife uncaged. We were the ones in the cage, our car, for our own protection!

The trip had a lot of high lights such as some very good dining and watching Andrew, Ta`Lana, and Graeme train for their roller blade completions, and also hearing about Camryn`s acceptance into the University of Ottawa on a Rugby scholarship.

There is too much for one post, so I will keep this short, and will swamp everybody with details in the future ones.

Stay warm, everybody. It was -31C with a windchill of -41C this morning!

Cold Day on the River!

A few ducks over winter on the River. I haven't come across many this year. Here is a female  Common Goldeneye that decided to be a northerner. She was staying in the current and letting the new formed ice flow around her. There is enough current here that the river stays open.

A Warm Day and a Chance to Get Out

The temperature went all the way up to +5c or  about 40F. I grabbed the dog and camera and took a long walk, It was very nice not to have 3 layer on, a toque, hoody and two pair of gloves!

Even the Athabasca River looked warm, but not quite ready for swimming.

 The Mule Deer were enjoying some sunshine along the park boundaries

Just a Mulie Mamma and this years fawn

Finally they eased off into the woods