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| We decided to eat lunch down by Chautauqua Lake, and a few Ring-billed gulls still were hanging around even though the water is beginning to freeze. Click on http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com to see what James has done with this cool meme. HAPPY NEW YEAR. I wish all my blogger friends lots of love, peace, and good health for the new year. |
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| This is the strangest December, although not unusual. Warmer temperatures, and as seen in this picture lots of blue sky. This shot was taken last week on Lake Erie. Today we do have 4" of snow, but with warmer temps tomorrow some will melt, then onto the next round about Tuesday. Lake effect snows predicted, and we're right in the path! To see lots more sky shots, click on over to http://skyley.blogspot.com and you'll see what a great job the guys do with this meme. |
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| Three nights ago we had some clear skies, and I tried my hand at a waxing crescent moon. |
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| Well, it's here! We did get some snow last night. Not as much as the weather guys predicted, but at least the heavy rain is over for now. |
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| It's actually pretty, and my winter birds are beginning to show up. Have a great rest of the week. |
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| With some yucky weather this week, no birds at home to speak of. We headed off to Lake Erie, and I did manage to see the Bonaparte's gulls and the red-breasted Merganser ducks still there after several weeks. |
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| They were so active, and what a sight to see them diving and flying everywhere. |
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| Some were just resting too. |
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| Then we went to the opposite side of the harbor to see more of them there. In the background you will notice a stone break wall. The next day we went back, and noticed 3 duck hunters out on this break wall with their decoys floating in the harbor. Not a duck or gull in sight! I was so disappointed! |
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| This waterfall always makes for some great pictures, and the Canada geese were ready to pose. Happy World Bird Wednesday, and to see what Springman has done, plus his awesome pictures, click on over to http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com to see lots more birds. |
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| Yesterday afternoon we went to the lake looking for ducks, and also saw this good looking Canadian Pacific locomotive sitting idle on the siding over the Christmas holiday. The engine was running and was coupled to a very long string of tank cars. Most likely the engineer and conductor were home with their families and would be taking the train on it's way Monday morning. Happy Ruby Tuesday and do click on over to http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com to see lots more RED. |
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| Still taking pictures of some of my favorite Christmas decorations. I just love this Santa. I hope everyone had a wonderful and blessed Christmas. |
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| Click on over to http://lisaschaos.com to see what Lisa has done with this cool meme. |
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| You have to see this! My sister Judy, gave this hand made knit hat to Tauqua for Christmas. Tauqua is our rescue dog, and we have so much fun with him. We had our Christmas with my sister today since she has to work tomorrow. She spent the day, and brought presents for all of us. I have such a wonderful family. Tomorrow we'll have another Christmas with our son, DIL and 2 granddaughters. |
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| Friday morning we went to the Peninsula on Lake Erie in hopes of photographing some Snowy Owls that were reportably seen there. We drove the entire route, but with lots of duck hunters out there, it could be the reason no Owls were seen. I did spot these Black- backed gulls, a new lifer for me. |
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| Lots of Coots everywhere, and I mean 100's of them! |
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| A lone Tundra swan was swimming with the Coots. Well, here it is Christmas Eve, and NO snow. We did have a light coating last night, but that's all. Merry Christmas all. Have a wonderful day. |
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| It's still gloomy and wet but if you find some still water, it's time for a reflection. Click on over to http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com to see lots more reflections. |
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| This was the sunrise last Sunday, and before long the sky was completely cloudy, and before long it began to rain, and we've had the same weather ALL week! This certainly has been a weird December. I keep a record of the temperatures and snowfall totals, and last year by this time ( on Wednesday Dec. 22nd ) we had already had 115". This year so far to date 13.5"of snow and it all has melted.. Hard to believe isn't it? To see lots more weather shots, click on over to http://skyley.blogspot.com |
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| Frosty wanted me to be sure to wish all her cat friends, and their Mom's and Dad's a very Merry Christmas. Of course she fell asleep while I was posting this which is what she does all day! |
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| Taking a ride to the lake a few days ago, we came across this massive flock of mostly Starlings. They would fly one direction then back another. I always wonder which one gives the signal and how they know to all fly the same direction at the same time. Here they seem scattered because of the semi trucks on the thruway.. |
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| This is the area where we sometimes gather beach glass, but on this day the beaches were all under water and the waves were crashing against the cliffs on a very windy and wet day. Speaking of windy days, we had one of those today with some torrential downpours. The creek is quite high, and the ground is really getting muddy. A white Christmas is only a dream at this point. |
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| I got a call from my neighbor Carol early this morning telling me that about a mile from the house in a farmers corn field was a dead deer, and there were 3 Bald Eagles feeding on it. We jumped in the van and headed that way. I could see even before we got there the adult Eagle had moved away from the deer, and the siblings were fighting. |
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| When I drove closer, the adult flew away back to the woods and up into a tree. |
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| One of the juveniles kept watch over the deer, and constantly looked over it's shoulder just in case the other eagle came closer. |
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| At one point the two flew at each other, and then both left. We'll go back tomorrow, and hope to see them again. This time I'll take my newer camera, and maybe I can get closer. Be sure to click on over to http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com to see lots more birds, and to see what Springman has done with this cool meme. |
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| I painted this picture many years ago, and still bring it out each Christmas. Merry Christmas to all my blogger friends on Ruby Tuesday. Click on over to http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com to see lots more RED. PS We lost all the snow we had! |
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| This is one one of my favorite ornaments, and I never realized the texture was so cool till I did this Macro. It looks like salt crystals. Click on over to http://lisaschaos.com to see what Lisa had done with this neat meme. |
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| Back at Lake Erie this week, the huge group of Bonaparte's gulls, and Red-breasted Mergansers are still there where the fishing must be abundant yet. Here is a juvenile Red-breasted Merganser drake. I really like his colors. |
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| A shot from farther away shows just how many can fit in this frame. There must be over 1000 birds in this small harbor. |
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| Back at home, we have as of 11:00 this morning 4" of snow and mounting. Some of the winter birds have arrived like this Slate-colored Junco aka Snowbirds. |
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| Also showing up is this cute little Carolina Wren. I'm so glad to have more birds. |
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| These Goldfinches were here yesterday too. Gone is their beautiful golden color, but they are still most welcome. I hadn't seen them for a couple months, but probably they'll remain for the winter now. |
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| Last but not least one of my favorites and loyal "patrons", the Downey woodpecker. I have several pair, and they bring the kids during the summer too. OK, that's all for today. The hawk must be around someplace. All the birds except 2 have left the scene, and the remaining ones have frozen in time. |
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| On a recent trip to Chautauqua Lake I noticed that the water near the shore was beginning to freeze. Here we see a flock of Ring-billed gulls resting on the ice and giving us some reflections. Click on over to http://weekendreflection.blogspot.com to see lots more reflections. |
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| With the roller coaster weather we've had lately one never knows what the weather might be, so just look out the window and take a guess. Here the geese are moving with a cloudy sky in the background. We've had 2 days of unsettled weather again with high winds and torrential rain most of the day. The local ski resort has been busy making snow, but I'm afraid with 50 deg. temps it won't be long till it melts. Tomorrow cold temps again for a couple days. Click on over to http://skyley.blogspot.com to see lots more sky shots. |
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| On a recent trip to Chautauqua Lake we saw a large flock of Redhead ducks. They were way out in the middle of the lake, and swimming pretty fast. There is always something different to see in the harbor at Barcelona on Lake Erie too. The water there is quiet and apparently good for fishing as seen by the next photo showing that the Bonaparte's gulls are still hanging around.. |
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| Back at Findley Lake near home I happen to see some Tundra Swans. This must be a family with two youngsters, . |
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| While we were there a few more Tundras flew up the lake with their recognizable whoo whoo calls. |
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| As winter approaches Mr. Cooper's hawk is here again. Yesterday he just sat in the tree soaking up the sun, but today he took a Mourning dove by chasing it into my bay window. I ran outside but the only remains were some feathers laying on the grass . I suppose the dove might have escaped, as I saw the hawk high up in a tree with no kill. |
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| Those beady little eyes are hard to mistake. Click on over to http://pineriverreview.blogspot.com to see what Springman has to offer. |
