Family Reunion July 28-30 2017

 It was another great weekend at the Bruder campground. We couldn't have asked for better weather and our hosts were as gracious as always. Those of us who could attend for all or just part of the weekend had an awesome time and enjoyed many laughs and good food together. Our good times around the campfire were enjoyed by all. We missed those of you who couldn't attend but you were mentioned in our many conversations about the family. We hope that you will join us next year as we would love to catch up with all the siblings and cousins. An e-mail was sent out to all on the mailing list with all the fun details so I will keep this brief and just add more photos for your enjoyment. Would love to see everyone next year.

Friday evening sunset

Group photo of some of the clan that were still present

Our Canada celebration cake decorated by Liz

Kyla, the youngest clan member in attendance

Song sparrows sang to us all weekend

Three generations, Dianna, Jeff and Kyla

Fred making friends with a dragonfly 

Nice to see the monarch numbers increasing

Scenery along the trail

Busy bees pollinating the pumpkins 

A baby jack-o-lantern

Fun, food and laughter were enjoyed by all

Downy woodpecker has his seed

YUM... John cooking our Sunday morning bacon

 

New resident in the hummingbird house

Ms. House Wren working on her nest

Mr. Wren strutting his feathers at the the door

Next years theme will be "Christmas in July". 

Mother nature has a head start on our theme

Todays Funny

I laughed when I saw this so I had to share it so you could enjoy as well

Merry Christmas

Wishing you and your  Family

a Healthy, Happy and Merry Christmas 

Braving The Blizzard

 The bird feeders were a busy place during our first blizzard of the season on December 15th. The competition was fierce as they were all wanting to fill up so they had energy to keep warm from the biting winds and blowing snow. It was quite interesting to watch them appear about every two hours fill up on sunflowers and disappear into the  cover of the evergreens. There were a few times during the later part of the day when the sun would try and break through the clouds and it gave me an opportunity to get a few photos with good lighting on the American Goldfinch.

Keeping its feet warm

Even the European Starlings were visiting

A male Dark-eyed Junco

House Finch with its back to the wind

The only squirrel to brave the weather and visit

A little more sheltered on the porch

Coming in for a landing

Its a little windy out here

A piece of peanut on the end of his tongue

My Thought For The Winter.......

Up In Flames

 This is a photo of Brittany's mom's car. She was awakened in the middle of the night to find out that the car parked beside hers in the condo parking lot had caught fire and it ended up burning and destroying her car as well. What a sad story and what a shock it must have been. This was the comfy ride that Beth and Brittany traveled across the U.S.A in when she moved to Virginia in May. Wishing her good luck in her search for her new wheels.

Christmas Coke Little St. Nick

Pinery, Nov. 4-6 2016

 Our weekend at the Pinery was one of the best since we had a variety of weather conditions. The weather all weekend was beautiful with daytime temperatures in the mid teens and the nights were above freezing with calm winds on our protected sight. We enjoyed time taking in the sights along the channel and at the beach. I went for long walks each morning and really enjoyed Sundays hike as it was quite foggy and it gave me a chance to get some interesting photos. I came across a buck on Saturday morning and he snorted at me to let me know I was not welcome and then he quickly disappeared into the woods before I could capture a good photo. Better luck next time I hope. Duncan and I were both shocked at the size of the squirrels at the park. They were huge and I hope that is not an indication of the winter ahead. One of the park workers said they have had lots of problems with the squirrels getting into the campers food and tents this past year. They had lots more complaints about them than they had of raccoons. I was able to spend some time with the Tufted Titmouse birds and was thrilled to be able to hand feed some of them. This is the only park that I see them at so it is always fun to spend time with them in the fall while we are there. We enjoyed 2 long evening by the campfire since it is dark so early now. Nothing better than enjoying my delicious hot chocolate with a bit of fluff on top beside a crackling hot campfire. This may have been our last weekend away unless we happen to get a nice weekend forecast before the freezing temperatures set in for good.

Friday evening sunset over the channel

One of a pair of does we saw at the park

Always brings joy to hand feed the tufted titmouse

Our view from our weekend campsite

Morning dew on the milkweed seed

Red railed hawk flying overhead Saturday

Very chubby grey squirrel

Reflections and calm waters

Golden reflections on the channel

Lovely day for a walk along the beach

Downy woodpecker came for a visit

A face looking at us from in the fire

This one thought it was self serve

I had to help it get out of the jar

Foggy morning along the channel

Reflections and fog

Fall colours in the fog

This squirrel lost most of it tail

Nuthatch and chickadee squabble for the nuts

Guess who won?

Fog and sun rays in the campground

Fog at the end of the golden road

Rays shining down on me

All puffed up after a shake