Nestled In

Wee nest spotted in the shrubbery off the front porch. It doesn't seem to have been occupied at all. Perhaps they found a better place to build.

May 12th, Snow

                                                                         Snow!

                                  I guess it was too soon to take out the BBQ.

                            This granular pellet type of snow is called graupel. It looks pretty hanging onto a spider web. I would think that the spiders weren't too impressed.  While out taking pictures I saw a pilated woodpecker in the front yard too. It didn't seem bothered by the snow.

Very Chilly Morning, With Sunshine

                                    It snowed yesterday. And it was still here this morning.

 It was the bright warm sun coming through the windows that told me it would be a great idea to hang some hand washables out on the line.

                               They froze right away.  In the back field I could hear the wild turkeys whooping it up and some other unfamiliar animal sounds.  You've got to love springtime!

Crisp and Sunny Mornings

                     In the low and shady spots outside the snow pellets lay about like sugar candy.

                                  Inside, the joyful surprise of a double yolk egg!

Is This the Last Hurrah?

There were a couple of lovely days this week. Spring was in the air.  Everyone was in a good mood. The sun was shining and the sky was blue.

 I saw six robins while driving down a country road and then this wee sparrow. Still puffed up as the weather was a little chilly still. 

 Overhead you could hear the Canada geese flying over, while the snow came down.

Hopefully this is the last of winter before spring moves in for keeps.

Frosty Morning

 If you are up and outside early enough you may be surprised to find delicate frost covering everything, especially those things closest to some water.

                                                 The hoar frost was beautiful.

                                                  Quite pronounced in some spots.

                                                    Magical, sparkling in the sunlight.

Changing Seasons

                                    The last flowers of the season, from a friend's garden.

 The colour this year was wonderful and there were many happy days to enjoy the changing leaves.

                                Until the first snowfall of the season. Time to find my gloves.

First Snow of 2017

                                            We woke to a winter wonderland this morning.

Random Busyness

 Well, that went by quickly! It didn't seem like much of a summer really. The garden went in late so the produce is late too.

 When I stopped by Homestead Organics in Morrisburg this week I was greeted by a flock of geese crossing the road.  They were on a mission.

 From inside you can see the geese enjoying all the apples that have fallen to the ground.

                              There have been visits with friends, and long chats by the water.

                                                               A "stylish molt."

                                              Finding a quiet and sunny spot to nestle in.

                        The end of a long day. Never enough hours to get it all done.

Morning Visitor

                               I spotted this lovely swallowtail in my front garden this morning.

                         It never really stopped flitting about so getting a good picture was hard.

                                                                          Enjoy!  

                                               I hope you are enjoying a lovely weekend.

Blueberry Picking @ Rubicon Farm

                          It was our annual trip to Rubicon Farm to pick organic blueberries.

 I spotted this neat looking fungus growing on a stump. Can you see the tiny tree frog in the lower part of the picture?

 It was a warm day. Very sunny. Marty and Joshua filling baskets with great big juicy blueberries.

                                                          Aaron working away.

                                                       Emma gathering berries too.

                                       It was a good haul. Thirty-two quarts of blueberries.

I picked 8 quarts of red currants. Removing the tiny stems takes a lot of time however they make the loveliest jelly! I had help from Jacob this year and that made quick work of it.  Rubicon Farm is currently for sale so if you would love to run an organic blueberry farm check it out HERE.
It is a beautiful spot.

Rainy Season

                                                   It has certainly been a wet summer.

                                                      Most of the flowers are enjoying it.

        Our wee orchard is starting to produce some fruit.  Black raspberries are a real treat.  I have witnessed more wild turkey interest out there. My little blueberry bush offered up just two lovely berries. Well, I saw a lot of flowers on it earlier, however, something else ate them all.  I am sure that critters out on the land behind us are thrilled with these sweet additions to their regular diet.  We may need to work on that for next year.  I hope you are enjoying your own summer.

The Fledgling

 A robin found our front porch roof a good place to build a nest this year. It was a treat this morning to notice one of that nest's occupants was ready to "fly the coop."  Just sitting there, surveying his options.

 The mother flew back at one point, poked him on the back twice and left.  Perhaps she was saying "Get moving!"

                                                     Still thinking about it.

                                                Perhaps a different angle will help.

                                                    And jump! Fly!

                                Can you see his little tail, near the lower left corner.

 From his perch, he flew down to the propane stove.    "Stop watching me! You are making me nervous!"

                           And off he went into a nearby shrub.  Mother was nearby, watching.