Merry Christmas

Debby got a few photography books - amazing enough, no duplicates

Way to go, Mark

We only had this little bit of snow overnight Thursday. The last snowfall we had, Mark was out there shovelling the deck more than 1/2 dozen times.

Should I try?

Every time I pass this sign I have to smile. (Click on the picture to make the picture bigger and the sign clearer).

Buck

Three bucks came through the yard a couple evenings ago. Hunting season lasts until the 15th so I hope nobody shoots these beautiful animals.

Pileated Woodpecker

This is the best picture I could get. The Pileated Woodpecker is the biggest woodpecker in this area. My bird book says it is 16.1/2". This is only the second time I've seen one.

This morning's sunrise

It is nice to see sunrises over trees and mountains, and not buildings

Moving that white stuff

This picture mysteriously appeared on my camera. I wonder how that happened? Debby?

First big storm of the season

This was taken from my kitchen window.

Another nice sunset this evening

Alyssa & Auntie Debby

This was taken in June when the Brewsters were visiting Thunder Bay.

Red clouds

I was trying to get a good sunset picture, but I especially like the tree.

Flying north

We see a lot of Canada Geese this time of year. They seem to fly in circles and in all directions.
If I tried to get more geese in the picture you wouldn't be able to tell they are geese.

The Doe, again

This is another shot of the Doe that visited me on September 30.
I think she is beautiful. I guess it is true when they say the grass is always greener over the septic field.

Blue Jay

He's enjoying some peanuts and our first snowfall from yesterday. At least it is the first snow that is actually sticking around.

Again, more colourful leaves

How could something so beautiful be so near to the municipal dump?

Doe

I had a visitor this morning. The grass over the septic field must taste mighty fine.

We haven't seen deer around for quite awhile until about a week ago. That might mean that the wolves have moved on.

Pansy

What can I say - it's nice to see bright colours after all the frost we've had

more colourful leaves

I am resigned to the fact that fall is here and winter is inevitable. As you can see, I am running out of ideas for pictures for this blog.

Last Saturday two wolves went through our yard but the pictures I took were very bad - out of focus & the wrong camera settings. The wolves were trotting along and I was moving the camera. But, then again, I never said I was a photographer.

Damn

Looks like summer is coming to a close. I'm not looking forward to ice, snow and slippery roads

Happy birthday

I know why she is smiling. We didn't have a number "5" candle so we had to use a number "4". Guess which number is wrong

Happy birthday Debby

Mark spent a lot of time making this poster for his mom. We celebrated today even though her birthday is tomorrow because they'll be at camp tomorrow.

Skunk

This was my morning visitor. I took this photo from my kitchen window.

Halloween at camp

This is Kevin and Mark. We had a Halloween night at camp on labour day weekend at Thousand Lakes Resort.

Chickadee

Another snapshot taken at camp - it looks like he was posing for me

Bird feeder wannabe

This is after a bear broke the piece of plywood off the post which was being held there by two long screws.

Goldfinches

This photo was taken before a bear broke the platform off the feeder

Moose

We saw this gal on our way to camp this weekend

On the rock cut

Deb taking a picture of me taking a picture of them

On the rock cut, again

They climbed up there to take pictures of the scenery. Check Deb's blog to actually see the pictures she took

Sunflower

I can't take credit for planting the seed for this flower, BUT I did provide the seeds so that a squirrel could plant it.

Black bear

This was taken on one of our weekly trips to the dump. He's not a full grown bear - probably born the winter of '04/'05

Hummingbird

This picture was taken at camp.

Building the railing

Once we got rid of the hornet's nest we concentrated on building the railing for the deck out at camp

Spray those damn hornets

Mark really wanted to spray the hornets nest - between him & Debby, they got the job done and noone was stung

Hornet's nest

As soon as we arrived at camp a neighbour came over & told us about the hornet's nest we have under the edge of the deck. I had previously seen hornets buzzing around at that end of the deck but didn't think anything of it. (the white on the lower part of the nest is "Raid" - we later got some spray foam made specifically for nests like these). This nest is no more.

Amazing light show

This was taken from my living room window last night. You have to be patient with your finger on the trigger. No trick photography here, no time elapsed, just patiencce.

Just Chillin'

This guy is hanging around my front yard a lot & spends a lot of time sitting on my car tire. I guess I'll have to disturb him when I want to go out

Baby groundhog

We have a flat tire on the lawn mower so we are using this guy - he has a big job ahead of him

The thief

At camp we watched him climb up & down the metal post - it is not a smooth metal so I guess he can get a grip on it

The thief has escaped

He scampered down the post

Dairy farmer making bales of hay

This is the field in front of our houses. Looks like hot dusty work.

Monsters in the field

Now we have many bales like these in the field (Max counted 36)

Arizona Sun

These are the perennials I planted this year. I like them enough I think I'll plant some more - if not this year then next year for sure. They are just getting established & should fill out a lot more.

Hairy Woodpecker

This guy was at my bird feeder

Dave feeding Bob

Dave has made friends with Bob - but of course he had to bribe him with peanuts. I don't know which of these guys is cuter.

Female Mallard

This duck was just off the beach at camp

Mark pumping up the air mattress

At camp on Thursday night Ryan, Kevin & Mark wanted to sleep in the tent on the deck. We tried to tell them it would get cold. It got down to 10C. Brrrrrrr

City Slickers now Country Bumpkins

Only took 3 days to convert them

Weekend visitors-Angie, Dave & Alyssa

We had beautiful weather for the 3 day visit

White-throated Sparrow

This bird crashed into my window & was laying on the ground on his back - Dave picked him up & held him until he was able to fly away