It's Sunday

Take a look at the moon tonight. It's so clear. We're in another hot streak, and all the plants are getting dry again. The creek behind our home is so dry, and I haven't seen it this bad in many years.

On a ride today I saw this small flock of turkey poults. They went in single file across the road and disappeared in the grape vineyards..

On Lake Erie I spotted these two Cormorants sitting on a half buried log.

One decided to take a swim.
Another hot day for us tomorrow. Scattered t-storms hopefully will reach us.
I need to make some zucchini crisp, and freeze some carrots.
We're giving our chickens extra light in the mornings now since the days have been getting shorter. This extra light keeps them laying much better through the winter months.
Have a good rest of the weekend.

Soggy Sunday

On a recent nice day we took a ride to Lake Erie, and for a while I fed the gulls and one lone Canada goose. These gulls are really spooky and won't come close.

This particular one trying to beat the goose to the bread.

And as always I'm taking shots of the flying gulls.
It's a yucky day, and has been raining/ drizzling all day since yesterday morning. Not too cold though, and that's a plus.
The "peeps" have moved out to the garage now into a bigger brooder box, and have gotten lots of their feathers. Steve will be starting to build their new home this week, and then they will need to be moved again. This time to their permanent home at his house where they will have a large "pasture" to roam. The survivor chick " Crush" is doing just fine, and I will be posting some pictures maybe tomorrow. Do come back..

Skywatch Friday

We have had more sunny days this winter than a very long time. Believe me we appreciate every one of them. This was taken on Lake Erie last week on just one of those sunny days. The lake hasn't frozen yet either.
Click on over to http://skyley.blogspot.com to see lots more sky shots.

Gloomy Thursday

Back on Lake Erie, there continues to be plenty of water birds to photograph. Here we see a Herring gull. Below is another one and a Coot just taking off.

Along this portion of the beach you can always find so many Canada geese.

I'm not sure why these birds don't mix, but it looks so funny with the gulls on one side, and the geese on the other. They probably don't speak the same language. LOL

This is an area where we always used to see deer and turkeys. Not so this year. I'm not sure where they all went, but this group was the first we saw in a long time, and then they decided to leave.

Another gloomy and really cold day. The weather forecast for tomorrow is sunny and warmer. I'll take it.

Merry Christmas

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.

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.

Lots of Coots everywhere, and I mean 100's of them!

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.

Thursday

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!

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..

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.

Weeks End

These shots are just more of the pictures I posted last week when we went to Lake Erie and saw all the Red-breasted Mergansers, plus all the 1000's of Bonaparte's gulls all in a feeding frenzy.

More of the Mergansers headed toward the fish.

Below a look at the cliffs and the waves crashing into the rocks.
There was a gusty North wind.

Before we left I threw some popcorn out for the Ring-billed gulls just to practice my in-flight shots.

Our family had Thanksgiving with my sister today and what a wonderful time we had to say nothing of the awesome food! Thanks Jude!

A day with the Sea gulls

Taking a ride back to Lake Erie today, I brought some popcorn for the gulls just to practice in flight shots.

It's amazing that when we first got there, I only saw a couple Ring-billed gulls, but as soon as the first handful of popcorn left my hand, they flew in by the 100"s.

Patiently waiting.

A beautiful day and the snow is almost gone.

Ruby Tuesday

It's Tuesday, and we have had some really nice days the past week. Even folks got out in their kayaks possibly for a last time before bad weather set in.
Happy Ruby Tuesday. Click on http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com to see more REDS.

A Beautiful Fall Day

Taking a ride today on such a beautiful day, we ended up on Lake Erie, where I saw this Great Blue Heron. I haven't seen many this summer, and none at all around home.

I also spotted these Common Mergansers.

I was able to walk on our creek trail yesterday for the first time in a long time, and these grape vines are nearly as big as my arm.

After all the recent rain we still have lots of mushrooms.
I hope everyone had a safe Halloween, and have a great rest of the week.

Ruby Tuesday

This was a picture of our leaves last week, but now we have had several days of hard rain, and they are fading fast!

The last time we took a ride to the harbor on Lake Erie hopefully to photograph migrating birds, we were surprised by this Sheriff's boat pulling ashore. We hung around for a few minutes and never did find out why they were there.
It's Ruby Tuesday and if you will click on http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com you'll see what Mary has done with this meme.

Thursday

I seem to have so many Sunflowers growing in my yard this summer thanks to all the birds. They really brighten up the area.

Our neighboring farmers have so much corn planted, and despite the lack of rain this particular field seems to be doing well.

On Lake Erie last week, I really like this peaceful scene.

In the same area, I came upon this flock of young Mallards. They were super friendly and of course as soon as they saw me, began to beg for food. I always carry a bag of bread in the van just for these occasions.

I took lots of pictures, and will post more in the coming days.

Back at home I have frozen up 13 quarts of Blueberries so far. I'm hoping to get more too.

Can you believe it the temps were cooler today, and the Dew pt. much lower. There is possibly rain coming tonight! :~)

The Heat Continues

These shots are so out of order. Don't know what happened. The heat continues, and it is no fun to be out taking pictures. This shot on Lake Erie shows some folks enjoying the water and trying to stay cool.

Lots of Ring-billed Gulls this day too.

Back at home I have 2 solar lights in my flower pots.

I haven't seen ANY Butterflies since this heat wave. All the beautiful Milkweed flowers have died too. I did find this female Ebony Jewelwing Damselfly.

And here is the male.

I don't like this new format I'm offered, and I can't get this picture to move over, but more of the same Lake Erie swimmers. Even the dog is having a good time, although I think the waves are a bit much for that small child.

At home this nest of House Wren eggs has lots of different nesting materials inside.

Finally some calming surf.

Stay cool everybody.