Saturday was a gorgeous day, and when you don't get that many you take in every minute. We took a ride to Lake Erie and watched the kite flyers. They were in the same area as those huge bubbles on my post Saturday,
When they feel a vibration on their web they hurry out to bite the prey. I was able to gently tap on the web, so you can see what the spider looks like.
Yesterday we spent a few hours on Presque Isle. While near the Coast Guard residence, we heard a siren and saw the Coast Guard boat speeding out the channel. We heard later that there was a large fishing boat out on the lake that was sinking. It did sink, but all on board were rescued.
Lots of family fishing fun.
A tall ship sailing toward us with the North Pier lighthouse in view.
The Denis Sullivan from Milwaukee, Wisconsin sails toward the city of Erie, Pennsylvania.
Driving around the Peninsula, we see this lady sitting out back of her camper enjoying the sun.
We signed up for a 1 hour ride on this pontoon boat ride. It takes you on a really peaceful
These ground flowers were everywhere, but I don't know what they are.
Lots of wild Strawberries.
One part of the trail with so much wild honeysuckle shrubs. They are everywhere.
I have lots of more pictures, but this site is really acting up tonight, so I'm going to quit here.
I did manage to get some shots of the female Great Horned Owl sitting on the nest. See my header.. I wasn't able to see the mate anywhere.
These shots aren't in order, but we took a ride to the Peninsula in Erie, Pa. and these snow covered bushes look like cotton plants.
The Erie skyline as seen from the Peninsula across the Bay.
This is the road leading out to the Peninsula. Lake Erie, the shallowest of the Great Lakes, is now completely frozen in the first time in many years.
Lots of Horses Tails line the road.
I got a better shot of the Cooper's hawk out through the open bathroom window. This most likely is a juvenile.
This is what the front of our property looks like from the road.
Mrs. Cardinal having some lunch.
We're still getting snow every day, but very light, and cloudy skies. Our total for this season to date is 175". Anybody want some? We probably should send some to Vancouver.
Outside is the parking lot and the plants there are native to the Peninsula. I can't tell you how many Monarch Butterflies we saw. Most of them probably were migrating and looked in fairly good condition.
This is the tower that you can ride to the top for a wide look out onto Lake Erie.
A large flock of Canada Geese flew by while we were up there.
A look down at the parking lot.
You can also see the huge roller coaster at Waldameer Park which is next door. This coaster is new, and travels out over the road.
Later we took a drive around the Peninsula. I didn't see it till I uploaded this image, but there is a Monarch under the picnic table. That is Erie in the background. I'll have more shots in a later post.
I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday. It rained here Saturday morning, but the rest of the day was sun and clouds. More sun for today, but much cooler temps, and maybe a freeze Sunday night. Oh how I don't like to hear this yet!
On Friday we took a drive to the Erie Peninsula again. It was such a nice day, and we all know they are few and far between in our area. These Gulls were standing on very thin icy water, and hopefully they keep moving lest they freeze in place.
At the Marina the boats are all sleeping some place safe for the winter. The Lake has open water yet so the chance of lake effect snow storms is still present.
Last week we had hoped to see 2 huge ore freighters come into the harbor, but they had gotten stuck in the ice before they reached Erie. A few days later a Coast Guard ice breaker came to their rescue, and now they are safe and sound till the spring shipping season. I took a few shots of these behemoths. You can't imaging the size.
I liked this ice on the stern. This ship must have seen some rough waters on it's way to Erie.
A shot of the full length of one of these ships. I couldn't get a clear view of it for all the trees, but it still gives you an idea of the mammoth size..
This is Misery Bay, and a favorite of the ice fishermen.
