The big day has arrived and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I hope Santa has stopped by and delivered lots of love and special family time to all of you.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Monday, December 23, 2013
Ice Looks Nice, But........
After Fridays & Saturdays rain and above freezing temperatures it all changed Saturday evening and the ice started to gather on everything. When we awoke on Sunday it was a beautiful winter wonderland. Everything was coated in a heavy layer of ice and the large trees on the street were starting to succumb to the weight. One by one they started to droop and come crashing down. The noise and destruction lasted for several hours until almost all the trees on our side of the street were either totally down or had major damage. There were a couple of vehicles that sustained damage but for the most part people were able to move their cars before the trees came down. This will be a week-end that will last in our memories for a long time.. The street will look much different this summer without all those large trees shading us. Even the birds were being a little more social with each other as they got some nourishment to keep them warm through this very wet and icy time.
Memories of the December Ice Storm
Memories of the December Ice Storm
Sunday, December 22, 2013
First Snow Storm This Season
On Saturday December 14th we received the the first measurable amount of snow from the storm that was going to effect us this week-end. By the time it was over we had about 15cm of light fluffy snow. The squirrels were wondering how far they were going to have to dig to get the sunflower seeds that the birds drop for them.
This tail comes in handy for keeping the snow off my back
I know there's food under here somewhere.....
Looking for some food to keep me warm
Burr..... it's windy & snowy out here
A sunny morning after the storm
There's nothing like some fresh flakes for breakfast!
Morning Exercising
I was able to watch this Mourning Dove go through it's morning ritual of exercising. This was a wonderful sunny day in late November and I am hoping we are going to be able to enjoy another day like that real soon again.
Wing Stretches
Tail feather stretches
Enjoying some snow after all that work
Thursday, November 21, 2013
MacGregor Point, Nov. 16-17 2013
Sadly this will be our last adventure for the 2013th season. We have got to put Georgie to rest for the winter. Don't want to end up with frozen water lines!! We were able to prove cousin John wrong though as we had two more adventures after he said we wouldn't be going out any more.
Our final weekend was like an early fall trip as the temperatures were so nice. We had a high of 16c on Sunday and the sun was quite warm. We did however have to deal with very strong winds for most of Saturday and Sunday. Made for a two handed drive all the way home for Duncan. We enjoyed two wonderful long evenings at the campfire since it gets dark so early now.
Saturday we toured around and made a stop at the Southampton Bakery so we could bring John and Joanne a treat. Oh.....I forgot to mention we picked up a few things for ourselves as well. On our return to the park we went over by the Visitors Center and the pond area. I was lucky enough to get some pictures of the Spruce Grouse that was hanging around under the spruce trees. That was my first up close encounter with a Grouse. I was able to get within about 5 feet of her. We met up with John and Joanne to tour the reno work on the house and to enjoy dinner at the Fusion Restaurant. I must admit we ate too much but it was sooo good we just couldn't help ourselves. If your talking to John be sure to ask him how he says black pepper beef.......lol
Sunday we slept in and enjoyed our last morning of the camping season having our usual Sunday breakfast. I spent time with some of natures friends while Duncan gave Georgie a quick bath before we put it in storage for the winter. Sunday there were wind warnings out and we sure experienced them. Our drive home was very windy and wet at times. Duncan did an amazing job of fighting the gusts that were rocking us at times as we hit cross winds or when we were driving right into them. After arriving home we winterized all the lines so we don't have to worry about any of them freezing now. I have been busy taking things out so we can store it for the winter.
We certainly had another year of amazing fun and firsts. We have really enjoyed our new cottage and I will miss our weekends out on the road exploring the beautiful parks and wild life this province has to offer. Just think in just over one month we will start to book next years adventures. If you would like to have some fun be sure to get out and enjoy nature and all it has to offer.
Main floor bathroom with tall cupboards
Our final weekend was like an early fall trip as the temperatures were so nice. We had a high of 16c on Sunday and the sun was quite warm. We did however have to deal with very strong winds for most of Saturday and Sunday. Made for a two handed drive all the way home for Duncan. We enjoyed two wonderful long evenings at the campfire since it gets dark so early now.
Saturday we toured around and made a stop at the Southampton Bakery so we could bring John and Joanne a treat. Oh.....I forgot to mention we picked up a few things for ourselves as well. On our return to the park we went over by the Visitors Center and the pond area. I was lucky enough to get some pictures of the Spruce Grouse that was hanging around under the spruce trees. That was my first up close encounter with a Grouse. I was able to get within about 5 feet of her. We met up with John and Joanne to tour the reno work on the house and to enjoy dinner at the Fusion Restaurant. I must admit we ate too much but it was sooo good we just couldn't help ourselves. If your talking to John be sure to ask him how he says black pepper beef.......lol
Sunday we slept in and enjoyed our last morning of the camping season having our usual Sunday breakfast. I spent time with some of natures friends while Duncan gave Georgie a quick bath before we put it in storage for the winter. Sunday there were wind warnings out and we sure experienced them. Our drive home was very windy and wet at times. Duncan did an amazing job of fighting the gusts that were rocking us at times as we hit cross winds or when we were driving right into them. After arriving home we winterized all the lines so we don't have to worry about any of them freezing now. I have been busy taking things out so we can store it for the winter.
We certainly had another year of amazing fun and firsts. We have really enjoyed our new cottage and I will miss our weekends out on the road exploring the beautiful parks and wild life this province has to offer. Just think in just over one month we will start to book next years adventures. If you would like to have some fun be sure to get out and enjoy nature and all it has to offer.
MacGregor's Natural Beauty
Mrs. Dear and her two young ones
A rare sight of a six hitch horse team north of Wroxeter
Snow drifts north of Hwy # 9
View from our campsite
Fridays sunset from the back of our site
Blue Jay waiting for the right time to get its peanut
Mr. Cardinal came to check things out. Mrs was to shy for a photo
A great Christmas card photo of the Chickadee
Dark-eyed Junco near dusk at the boardwalk
Chickadee enjoying a sunflower seed
Mr Red Squirrel looking for a snack
Fall reeds at the pond
Mrs. Red-breasted Nuthatch was quite vocal at times
The Mr. wondering what all the noise was about
My first photo of a female Spruce Grouse
She has amazing feather patterns
A sunny warm day on Sunday
There were lots of lady bugs enjoying the warmth
Mennonite traffic on the way home
Reno Update
The cupboards are in the kitchen now
Lots more storage space with this addition
Is Joanne going to be able to fill them?
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
Pinery, Nov. 8-10 2013
It was nice to get back to the Pinery as it has been a while since our last visit. I often think of our week-end get together with Janet, Joe and there families when ever we are there. We had a relaxing Friday and enjoyed dinner out at Aunt Gussies in Grand Bend.
Saturday morning I spent time with some of the feathered friends at the Pinery. I was lucky enough to spend some time with a Pileated Woodpecker. I knew it was a big bird by the sound of its pecking in the woods by our campsite. I was also looking forward to seeing the Tufted Titmouse as they do not spend any time in our area. I was not disappointed. I actually had two of them eating from my hand. What a thrill that was!! After a very late breakfast we headed into town to do a bit of shopping as it was "Christmas in Grand Bend". On our return we toured around the park and did a bit of exploring before heading back to our cottage for an evening in front of the fire. By late in the evening the winds really picked up and we were in for a very windy Sunday.
We had a bit of very light rain and some hail around noon on Sunday and it was a very windy drive home. I was amazed to see that some people are still camping in tents at this time of year. That is by no means anything you would catch us doing. How do you keep warm when it is around freezing outside? After we arrived home we saw that they had snow squall warnings out for Grand Bend. We left just in time I guess. I am hoping to get one more trip to MacGregor in but we will have to wait till later in the week to make that decision. They are calling for warmer weather on the weekend so I can hope. If not, our time at the Pinery will be our final memory for our 2013 camping season.
Saturday morning I spent time with some of the feathered friends at the Pinery. I was lucky enough to spend some time with a Pileated Woodpecker. I knew it was a big bird by the sound of its pecking in the woods by our campsite. I was also looking forward to seeing the Tufted Titmouse as they do not spend any time in our area. I was not disappointed. I actually had two of them eating from my hand. What a thrill that was!! After a very late breakfast we headed into town to do a bit of shopping as it was "Christmas in Grand Bend". On our return we toured around the park and did a bit of exploring before heading back to our cottage for an evening in front of the fire. By late in the evening the winds really picked up and we were in for a very windy Sunday.
We had a bit of very light rain and some hail around noon on Sunday and it was a very windy drive home. I was amazed to see that some people are still camping in tents at this time of year. That is by no means anything you would catch us doing. How do you keep warm when it is around freezing outside? After we arrived home we saw that they had snow squall warnings out for Grand Bend. We left just in time I guess. I am hoping to get one more trip to MacGregor in but we will have to wait till later in the week to make that decision. They are calling for warmer weather on the weekend so I can hope. If not, our time at the Pinery will be our final memory for our 2013 camping season.
Pretty in shades of pink
One of many vacated wasp nests in the park
This one was only about three feet off the ground
Pileated Woodpecker working his craft....
I enjoyed my time with this large beauty
Wild Turkeys out for a walk
Fresh beaver work near the Ausable Channel
A female Hairy Woodpecker in search of food
A fine coat of feathers on this Chickadee
This raccoon had traffic stopped on Hwy 21 in Grand Bend.
People had to go out with sticks and brooms to chase it off the road
Time spent enjoying the Tuffted Titmouse
I was able to capture a front and back view together
Reflections of fall oak trees still with their leaves
Juniper berries for winter feeding
Female White-breasted Nuthatch in the wind
Common pose of the male White-breasted Nuthatch
Golden beauty along the channel
Enjoying a roaring fire on Saturday evening
She's posing nice in hopes of getting a treat
Female Downy Woodpecker was a frequent flyer to our site
Hand feeding a Tufted Titmouse, What a thrill!!!
Late afternoon at the beach on a fall day
How do you like this pose?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)