Athabasca Freeze Up

 In November the slush ice started forming and moving downstream.

The ice would start to hang up on rocks and shallow places

 More and more ice would form and pile up.

 Eventually, the channels would get narrower.

 A snowfall made for a bleary and dull day

 A Bald Eagle was still hunting the open water.

 The open water is now almost gone.

 A little hoar frost made for pretty scenes.

A Slight Delay in Posting!

Its been over a month since I have blogged here, mainly due to sickness with my wife. My son showed up with Mad Max, the Labrador Retriever. Although Daphne and Max hadn't seen each other for many months, they immediately started playing as if no time had passed! It was a zoo for a while.

However, after a bunch of playing, a long walk, they were content to lay about. Daphne took over Max's bed, and then they shared.

An Immature Red Tailed Hawk?

.I was out for a short trip with my dog and came across this Hawk. I think it is an immature Red-Tailed Hawk, but am not 100% sure. 

He was definitely a good hunter and I missed the stoop and attack 😒

It's hard on the mice, but hey, Hawks have to eat too.

 Now, what's for dessert?

Still here!

As I was taking my daily stroll around Rotary Park, I could here a baby bird crying. It was like "Feed me, Feed me". by the time I got to the Osprey nest, the deed was done and this not-so-little guy was noshing down on a fish! He was very hungry!

I t looks like somebody delivered a Rainbow Trout from the pond.

Osprey Profiles

I figure the Ospreys will be leaving for southern climates before too long. I was surprised to see this one still here and even more surprised to see him sitting and posing.

 He was quite the ham

 There was another one circling over the pond in Rotary Park probably looking for fish. It was not cooperative and stayed too high and didn't even stoop for fish.

 I am going to miss these guys. Its hard to believe that two days ago last year we had a snowstorm in Whitecourt!

 Stretching is probably good before a long flight.

 Hopefully, I will be able to get some action shots before they depart.

Mule Deer and Ospreys

 Going into Rotary Park today, this family of Mule Deer were at the entrance

 They are used to people and didn't mind resting a bit

 Then again. there is always one exhibitionist!

This is the only Osprey still around. I guess he is just reluctant to get into the world. I don't blame him!

The Choke Cherries are Ripe

I was hoping for Robins, but ended up with these crows.  The berries must be getting ripe.

 They nested in a spruce tree two houses down and are very tame. 

 I cant say I am overly fond of crows, but they are  better than nothing!

Updates

The Bear that I found in Rotary Park

has been live trapped and relocated by Fish and Wildlife. Apparently, the apple tree was  cut down. A second bear was also trapped. There are still a female with two cubs hanging around. I am happy that I got the photos when I did.

 I am now up to 16 apple pies and 16 apple crumbles that are sitting in the freezer waiting.

I am getting very tired of apples! There are still about 50 pounds on the last tree and I plan to pick them this evening and give them away!

Bear in the Park!

I thought I would take my dog for a walk in Rotary Park in Whitecourt today, Sept 7,2019. There was a lot of discussion on bears being seen . I hardly ever go anywhere without my camera and caught this guy chowing down on crabapples. You can see what he thought about having an audience!

These are nature's pruners.

He is hiding, but still wants those apples!

 Yum!

Unfortunately for him Natural Resources arrived to put a live trap in place. He will be soon relocated.

There were a fair number of kids, dogs and parents using the trail beside the apple trees.

Mule Deer and Triplets

They are triplets, but I couldn't get them all in the same picture. 

Apple Pie, Crisps, and a Full Belly

Our apple trees are ready for doing something with. The apples are a little smaller than last year, but much more plentiful. Therefore I started working with the corer, peeler and put 72 cups of apples into 6 of these bad boys and 8 Crumbles. 

 5 pies and 8 crumbles made it to the freezer! One got sacrificed in the quality control exercise. It passed with flying colours.

This is God's gift to apple peelers. I don't know how I ever got along with out it. It peels and cores and slices with just a crank of a handle. Well worth the cost in time saved!

Now, I have half of one tree picked with another 2 1/2 to go! I think I will be giving apples away, after 6 more pies!