A bunch of friendly people who share a love of nature
Owl And The Ravens — in Real Time !–
Feb 20- March 2nd- 2021- Champlain Rd- Tiny Township
—–A few years ago I heard from the neighbors that there is a Barred Owl in the area .
Every one saw it .
“I saw it here- when I was walking the dog . “
“ I saw it on a tree on my way to work “.
“ It is in my back yard, watching the bird feeder “
And so it went on like this for a few years, and I kept the searching .
I NEVER saw it – that’s the main thing !!
Years go by – now it is 2021 .
Sat – 20th Feb .
My lovely neighbors ( lets call them D and T ) pass my way , and they were excited by an Owl they saw —“ Mary – the Owl is here – go see it –“ and proceed to give me the house number “ go now it is there now “ , and they continue their winter walk along Sunset Trail of Sawlog Bay .
I was getting ready to go some where and was cleaning the car. So, I drive looking for this ‘Owl House ‘ – and I drive, and I drive and I drive –
Like the popular song by Elvis The Pelvis “ Return to Sender- No such Number, No such Name … “ .
I had no time to turn back , and continue on my business for the day in Midland .
Upon my return – I drive straight to D / T place.
D knew ‘ this is bad business ‘ when she saw my face !
“ Ok folks – one of you, take me to the Owl House ‘—
And D just about passed out— “ OMG Mary – I am sooooo sorry – I gave you the wrong house number – -it should be — “ – such and such .. and gushing out sincere apologies!
T—very kindly and apologetically , takes me to the Owl House —they were a thousand numbers off the mark!
Oh well- I should have known better – I am a Doubting Thomas you see!
But I had no time to spend that time, driving around too much .
Oh Well- Too Bad –Next Time!
Sunday 21st Feb.
MPFN Outing – St Marie Park .
Turned out to be a great day – my special treat was seeing the Red Cardinal against the clear blue sky—and I always wanted such a photo , and now I have one – Thanks to Ken who saw the female and ‘called’ to the male, who flew in presto – pronto .
I was one happy gal .
Then I think of the Barred owl and recall Susan and Ken Mac Donald and Bob and Sue Codd seeing one at Tiny Marsh .
Then, I ask Susan Mac Donald “ where did you see the barred owl at Tiny Marsh “ who gives me directions “ park at the main parking lot go left, and follow on to the Beaver Trail , keep walking along the edge of the fields that takes you to the Mole Hill “…. And so on .
Sue Codd –“ I have seen it along the Townline Road . Just drive up and down, REAL Slow- and you will see it on the trees in front of the farm fields .”
Good birders, Good Directions – and I head out to Tiny Marsh with Great Expectations , on a full stomach and full tank of gas –
So, I drive SLOWLY- Up and Down and Down and Up along Townlie Road as instructed .
NO luck .
Ok – next step – head out to Beaver Trail – Open fields area and so on .
I Walk, and I Walk and I Walk –
Three and a half hours of this – I am tired, and #@%@^@-off !
So I decide to head out to Crossland Rd and try my luck on Snowies – great stand by good cheer !
On the way- -I still have not given up- Drive REAL Slow on Tiny Towline Rd
NO Luck .
Crossland – see the most gorgeous male snowy on a road side telephone pole, with a few photo catchers with BIG gizmos .
Must be nice to be on Top of The World !
Make friends with the two ladies, “ Covid New Comers “to the area , seeing their first snowies ever , on their first winter here .
I advertise the MPFN- hand out two business cards, which they are happy to have .
Then I see this lovely female snowy not on top of a telephone pole for once , but on top of a spruce tree-
I am not on top of the world right now as I swallow my rejection with the Barred Owl – at least I saw this gorgeous male snowy – that I had seen about a month ago , when I took D on an Owl prowl !
I tell my self – Just be grateful for what you saw- The Red Cardinal and two lovely Snowies – Cheer Up !
Monday 22nd Feb .
I meet up with the nice owners of the Owl House – who are most kind , to allow me to come into their back yard , and watch for the Owl , when ever I want to .
He even sent me pic of the owl in their back yard, taken in the fall .
“ I have not seen it since the snow came , but you might get lucky ,as it sometimes sits on that birch tree, along the driveway , and you may see it even from Champlain Rd “.
I am now very hopeful , and I go the next day, and the day after .
Wednesday Feb 24th .
I am in the garden path leading up to the back yard of the Owl House – when the lady comes out “ Oh Mary I am soo, soo sorry, try to see the owl from the street – as our house motion detector alarm goes beep- beep and it drives out pet dog nuts ‘ !
So we head out to the driveway and ” shoot the breeze “ —to find out we both lived in Mississauga, and she recall seeing me at a certain office .
I say — “ OMG this was back in 2001 “
“ Oh Ya I remember you well as you said you have a cottage on Sawlog Bay “.
Lesson to Learn – Some people have VERY short Memory and Attention Spans – less than 5 secs, while, others have LONG memories of 20 yrs ago, and a great Attention Span !!
Takes All Sorts to Make A World for sure !
I thank her and go on my way – walk right to the end of Champlain Rd- Awenda Park Rd . Meet a few more neighbors- meet and greet from across Champlain Rd , maintaining Covid Social Distancing Protocol.
Now I am walking back home – ever sooo hopeful of seeing the Barred Owl as now it is about 1 pm- the same time that D/ T saw the Owl a few days ago .
I am now right in front of the Owl House – and I hear Ravens screaming and flying in my direction, chasing something .
You guessed it – The BARRED OWL ‘’!!!!
Barred Owl
It comes flying in, and perches on a tree, directly across from me – just Champlain Rd between me and the Owl, and Ravens still hollering away .
I freaked out – Could not get over my Luck – -after all these years !
I hold on to my camera and put it on Over Drive !
Take 50 photos of the Owl — looking at me, turning this way and that, cleaning its eyes, with its third eye lid rolling down ( this is the ‘blue ‘ in the eyes ) and one nice long 20 sec video.
Barred Owl
I had the most awesome time ( and the view ) with this lovely bird that I was just dying to see .
Barred Owl
Nothing between Me and The Owl !
I ‘talked to the owl ‘ -…. Hoping to get some wisdom from it – and it said “ Good things come to Those who Wait ‘ !!
Barred Owl
We must have been together for less than 10 mins and it flew away .
It seemed like For Ever !
Yes- Patience is THE Key Word !
The Ravens—- sent Me The Good things .
Raven
In most Indigenous Tales of Nature – Raven is The Trickster – it even cheated and gave a good fight to the Bald Eagle to give Mother Earth and her Creatures of Nature , The Light of The Sun .
Raven is The Creator – The Raven And Her Children , The Haida Creation Story — got the people from out under the Clam Shell . ( Bill Reid- and friends carving at Museum of Anthropology UBC )
Raven and the First Men- Bill Reid.Raven and the First Men- Bill Reid.
The West Coast Tribes- particularly the Haida Nation- has the most beautiful Legend- Raven Steals The Sun , and it is a MUST read .
Here for me, The Raven Gave Me The Sun this day … !!
The Ravens – they are still here . In fact they nested on one of my maple trees a few years back .
Monday 1st March
Howling Blinding Blizzard – Georgian Bay , Giants Tomb- a sheet of white . Picture window glass- splattered with snow and ice .
I see something flying, landed on the ice , and was pecking at something – The Ravens !!- They are still here !!!
Tuesday – 2nd March ( ie today ) .
Return of The Raven – looking for Real Estate ? –
Anytime my friend- you are most welcome . I have no Motion Detector and no pets that go wonky when the motion detector beeps !
The Barred Owl – I hope I see it again – some day, some time , may not be soon-but I am grateful to what The Raven Gave me – The Barred Owl!
Snowy Says- Hind Sight Vision is 2020 — Peek A Boo @ 2021!
I think we are all glad to see the Back Side of 2020– like the Snowy up there !
Snowy – Hind Sight Vision is 2020 !!
Covid 19 — seems to be a Part of Life for us .
This is the first winter I am spending out at my home in Tiny Township in
Thirteen Years — Like the Thirteen Moons, that I will be spending here in
2021 .
Moon- Jan -Manidoo Ghizis- Spirit Moon
The First Moon – of January — “Gitchie Manidoo Giziis ” ( Great Spirit
Moon ) or ” Manidou Giizis ” (Spirit Moon), brought out New Visions of
Mother Nature , for us to Live and Enjoy these hard times .
Get Out and Enjoy My Gifts — Mother Nature says , and this is exactly
what I am doing right now .
2021 started off with Covid Birding with my ‘birdie pals ” — Bob and Sue
Codd, Heather Toner, and of course Piper out at Wye River, St Marie Park
in Midland – right on Jan 1st .
Muskrat TrioMuskrat Trio Selfie -MPFN Hike
I got hooked on the Three Muskrats – two legged and four legged + Piper
and off we went ‘birding ‘.
Muskrat Trio -Wye River
My addiction was the Trumpeter Swans , that I could not get enough of – so
Bob got the corn to feed – at various places we visited , and I had my
fill and thrills on Swan Feeding !
Trumpeter Swans Ste. Marie Park
Trumpeter Swans St Marie Pk- – H17 Family with six cygnets – from Sturgeon Bay
Trumpeter Swans – Port Severn
Of course , some people don’t like ‘Dirt Cars ” — but what the heck- for me
it shows the driver had a good time !–
Snowy Dirt Show !
Sure I had a Good Time- Snowy Owling out at Minesing Dirt Roads when ever
I got a chance and Mother Nature washed my car – Rain or Shine or Snow !
Oh by the way – -I bought my self a neat 4WD Ford Eco Sport to take me on
my Snowy Owl Prowls with great success .
So much so, I became the Local Snowy Owl Prowl Guide !
It is such a joy for me to see THE Joy on the faces of the folks I took out, even an Awenda Park Summer Student, who had his term extended till just
last week on the Snowy Owl Prowl — All Covid Protocols maintained .
Snowy Guiding !Snowy Guiding !Snowy Guiding !
Others were my neighbors , Seasonal home owners , that ran away from the
teeming masses of urban sprawl , to get some peace and sanity , ‘ working
from home ‘ so to speak, from Tiny Township .
They were not disappointed . The Snowy Photos tell the story — from tree
tops, to laundry poles, to telephone poles to magnificent sunsets snowy
prowls.
Snowy- Top of The World
Snowy- Top of The WorldSnowy Stare!Snowy Sunset -#1
These Snowies seem to tell a story, each time I see them .– the way they
look, the way they fly around, the way they turn their heads, — each is a
Moment In Time ..
I in fact bought a ” Snowy ” from a road side stand in Penetanguishene the
other day , and says ” HI Owl Eagle Deepthie ” every day , first thing in
the morning as I look out of my room window .
Garden Snowy !
Had good luck — my snowy owl prowl guiding travel companions brought the
good luck one day, when we saw 2 male snowies in a span of 30 mins in one
area — now, this I call A Bonus ! Never had this luck after that .
Snowy Male #1Snowy Male #2
I never thought the mighty Georgian Bay would ever freeze— we all waited
and waited , and saw how the mighty water struggled to freeze . The Penetang
Bay froze mid Jan, Ice Huts already in place, but not Georgian Bay in front
of Giants Tomb Island .Then one night, the temp dipped , wind stopped and it happened — strangely
enough, on the Night of the Manidoo Giizis — Spirit Moon of January 27th !
It was a wonder to wake up in the morning- and NOT hear the sound of the
water — The Silence WAS LOUD !!
Winter Sunrise
Then we got a few mighty good snow dumps- and it just about lit up the
trails and boy oh boy- -did we ever hit the trails – seeing ‘people, and
designs in the snow ” like snow bears, and stars !
Winter Designs
One day — me and my good friend Dorothy Whelan, one street over- hiding
out in Tiny ‘ working from home ‘ , saw it — the most gorgeous Coywolf .
I had been seeing tracks in the snow at my place by the water , but one
day- I saw it at dusk trotting along the frozen water .
Dorothy got lucky- Very Lucky — took this most gorgeous photo of this most
Spiritual of Beings ” Ma -en -‘gun ” ( Wolf in Ojibway ) at sunrise
y’day , and again today in the afternoon in the mid day sunlight trotting
along , out on the frozen lake .The Creator ” .sent Ma- en’-gun to The Original Man to walk, to talk,
and play with you ”
Gitchie Manito told The Original Man and Ma- en’-gun ” Each of you are to
be a Brother to Each Other, and both of you are to walk the Earth and Visit
all its places ” — and So the Original Man and Ma-en’-gun walked The
Earth and came to know All of Mother Earth , and became Brothers to all of
The Creation, and each of you will be Feared, Respected and Misunderstood
by the People that will later join you on this Earth …… “
Coywolf- Sunrise – Dorothy and Tony – Jan 31-morning
Ref- The Mishoomis Book – The Voice of The Ojibway – by Edward Benton-
Banai – -pg 7-9.
Among other interesting beings — there was the pair of Bald Eagles and the juvenile Great Blue Heron out at Minesing .
Bald Eagle- MinesingRed Tails in The Sunset
One of my friends my Heron Go To Lady ‘ of Nanaimo BC, who cares for a
Heronry out in one of the islands out there had this to say ‘ your heron
sighting is interesting in an Ontario winter . This seems to be a young
heron, from last last year’s brood , judging by the googley yellow eyes . It
is too early for heron nesting ( one of my friends out at Minesings saw this
heron with a bunch of twigs in the mouth ) . The adults could hardly catch
enough food to feed them selves . However, Climate Change does make odd and
unusual things happen ” .
Now I have never really looked into the googley eyes of a mature heron, nor
have I see a juvenile heron at close up either .– home work for me to
ponder over !
Heron – Brentwood- Minesing Wetlands
Then finally, today, Feb 1st , Dorothy and I did our final Winter
Wonderland Walk though the trails, as she will leave tomorrow and will
return likely during March Break .
Then we came upon this old big, big root stump in the woods along the
the trail, with a peep hole and we took pics of each other .
Winter Peek-a-Boo
I gave Dorothy a new name ” Ma-en’-gun Kwe ” — Wolf Woman in Ojibway , and
wrote it out for her on the snow , on the Fun in The Fen beach, where we saw
Coywolf prints criss-crossing on the snow .
Coy-wolf Tracks _ Fun in the Fen Beach
Ba Ma Pii ( See you Sometime ) my Friend ,
Peek A Boo @ 2021– the photos screamed out at us– Have Fun !!!
A Snowy Blast !!! from 2015- 2020
I really don’t recall how it all first started, but I do recall that Wendy Maurice – a former member of the MPFN and my self got good directions / advice from Brian Gibbons of the Barrie Club on how to get to Strongville Rd, and he very specifically mentioned —‘ Take extreme care when you make that L turn at the sharp bend , from Hwy 26 to Strongville Rd ‘ .
Good Advice !
So, off we went- dressed in many layers , into the unknown , armed with Google maps, Road Maps, Directions from Brian, on a very cold day – 2015- 20th Jan at Minus 20 degrees, with a brilliantly blue sky and a terrific snow glare in search of the Snowy Owl .
We also had hot chocolate and other goodies to last us the whole day, for we were not going to waste the day light looking for a place to eat .
Birders- learn to eat on the run !
I was the Pilot and Wendy was the Flight Controller – actually, Wendy is a fully licensed Air Pilot- but, has let her license lapse during the past 20 yrs or so .
We reached Strongville Rd around Noon – and just past the ‘big bend farm ‘ on Strongville- we saw the very first Snowy !
I will never forget that sight of the White against the clear blue sky – Magical .
I died and went to Snowy Heaven in an instant- that scared Wendy —- “Please don’t die – you have to take me back home ‘ !
This was a fully matured Male Snowy – who I named ‘ Dawa’ – Sun/ Light in Hopi language . ‘ Deepthie ‘ being Sun/ Light in most Indian Languages –
This was also the day we first saw Snow Angel, another fully matured Male Snowy , on top of the tallest spruce tree in the area . A young Owl prowler from Barrie alerted us to this spot .
Snow Angel
And there it was – a White Snow Ball on top of the spruce tree- sharply contrasting against the clear blue sky .
Wendy called it “ Snow Angel “ and Snow Angel it is to this day .
Just as we were leaving, Wendy says – “ there another one on top of the barn” – it was a large Female with nice brown speckled feathers .
So I walk into the driveway of this rambling old farm house – as I heard someone cleaning the driveway .
Nice lady – she gave us permission to come in , take photos, etc and thanked both of us (!!! ) for showing her the two owls on her property .– “ oh my goodness, I did not even know I had two of them . I usually see only the white one on the top of the spruce tree , year after year “ .
We educate her on the differences between the male and female Snowies and a lasting friendship was born, and Wendy and my self we visit these wonderful folks year after year, many times a year, when we go to see the Sandhill Cranes and Snowies and again for a Christmas visit .
This year- Covid hit the Town – so we had a Early Outdoor Christmas Visit in November, when we had such good weather .
Then, we discovered Snow Buntings – by the hundreds !- totally mesmerised by these busy little sparkles that seem to fall from the clear blue sky !
Other birds – Sandhill Cranes till late Nov , Red Tailed Hawks +++, Kestrels, Ravens.
Sandhill Cranes
Never had the luck to see a Bald Eagle, until 2 days ago – that is for Another Day for Another Blog !
Year after year we go on the Snowy Owl Prowl—the past two years, I went alone, as Wendy became busy with other things .
No map, no guide, I can get to Strongville and back in my sleep !
Birding – Owl Prowling – makes great friends along the way – and quite the Conversation – “ did you see any snowies “ –
Any slow moving car – Snowy Prowlers for sure- with BIG Long Lens gizmos sticking out of the car window !
I take “ pictures, “ these guys take Real Photos – that’s the difference !!
Sometimes a traffic jam – “ Ah – that must be a Snowy- lets get there “
Easy does it – as Snowies tend to be curious about us too, so they seem to stick around for a bit . – A photographers Dream Bird .
We all take care not to be pesky two legs – though I must say, there have been instances of folks not doing the right thing .
Lesson to Learn- Keep your mouth shut and drive away … avoid birding confrontations !
The wide open farm country, as far as the eye could see – covered in snow, sunsets, low light lighting up the sky in shades of pink , the land, the trees, and everything in between – seems like Magic in The Air . – Right out of a Christmas Card Picture .
The Snowies are there –
on top of telephone poles,
TV antennasfarm silosfireplace chimneysbarn roofson brush piles covered in snowfence poststall tree topson the ground blending with the snow,
or sometimes hidden in the trees, on the ground blending with the snow, sometimes smack in the middle , sometimes near a grassy hummock , – -they are everywhere .
But, the Trick is to spot them and not mistake it for a Blob of Snow !
TV Dishes – white as they are- we call them ‘ Dish Birds ‘—real Snowy Cheats they are !
Then when the winter light fades, it plays tricks on your eyes and mind and brain- -one seems to see the Snowies every where – -YES—they do get active at Sunset- and it is a big rush to see them , or even worse attempt a photo in the fading light .
Sometimes I did get lucky to see the full moon rising as the sun is setting , and by the light of the moon- I would see the Snowies – but not to take photos – –
A beautiful end to a perfect day!
Just to Enjoy The Moment of Magic …
Sept 22- 2020
Rock Star On The Rocks!
This is how it all started — I had enough of Rock Jobs – so much so that the Web Master gave me a New Name – Eagle Rock Star !!
I was at this Rock Job most of the summer – as seen in the previous blogs from July – “ Mid Summer Dreams “ .
First Shoreline Restoration– Aug 31 – I had already had a contractor place a dozen new huge boulders and re arrange ( via a barge ) boulders I already had in my property .
I thought I had the Great Barrier Reef all set up to beat the Georgian Bay Storms.– Well – Mother Nature had other ideas !
We had this howling battering storm on the last day of the Labor Day Weekend – a REAL “ Stormy Weather Georgian Bay “ that would have made Fred Varley paint a New Improved Storm, a hundred years later !
My brain started to work presto pronto – and called up a few contractors to help me to keep the Georgian Bay Waters out from getting under my bed , so to speak .
Second Shoreline Restoration- Sept 14th —was to be done by land and it was done and completed sept 21st , after a Third Shoreline Restoration job done on Sept 18th and completed on Sept 21st .
I had enough of this Rock Stuff – so on Sept 22nd, put in a SOS Call to the trusty Web Master- “ Get me outa here- I ain’t touching another rock- Get me to The Bird Game ‘ !!
So , off we go – Bob/ Sue/ Piper, my self and met up with Heather at the Big Rock Landing !- OMG- Not Another Rock !!
That was the joke – to take me to A Big Rock – as if I had not had enough !
But – This was just pure Magic – Mother Nature’s Glacial Erratic Gift to us = A Big Grandfather Rock – standing alone, by the Coldwater North River , keeping watch over His Domain .
We climbed on to The Rock – at least Bob did, and Heather and Piper , and Sue- -I was the last one to get to the top , with some help from Heather .
WOW—is the Word … OMG—What a View !
The View was out of this world – Ducks ( Unlimited +++ ) mostly mallards , about 50 of them, and a few other waterfowl . I was too distracted by the over all view to take in anything !
Gallinules – this was what I really wanted to see, as Peter Hough, who was with us at the previous outing told me about the “ North River Bridge is the place to see water birds – lots of Gallinules “ – of course I had no idea where this was, but, did not waste time in getting there !
As we watched everything below us , and around us , and in front of us, on that glorious First Day of Fall, we see a Harrier come gliding / land / take off / fly/ glide/ land / take off in perfect harmony .
No wonder the aeroplane industry named one of its creations ‘ The Harrier “ .
We did not see the Harrier catch its dinner .
Then, we walk down, to the bridge for a closer look – Herons, Gallinules –
And then , we hear it —– “ Kiddik- Kiddik- Kiddik’ !
There was the Rail – almost at our feet- so close it was , that I did not see it !!!!
But, Rob got a great shot of it , and I did manage to get a fleeing glance .
Then, another familiar call- I will never forget from my spring adventures at Hoggs Bay Bridge area , on the Tay Trail —
My hearts desire — Sora Princess !!- my heart missed a beat , and I was all out to see one, and there it was – near a small log – perfect for a photo – and gone in a flash .
It was Heather who alerted me to the location . And from then on I was seeing nothing , my eyes searching for my heart’s desire !
A dog walker came by- a local lady, who told us, about Trumpeter Swans – but, we did not see any .
Then we drove to the town of Coldwater and to the Uhthoff Trail – What a lovely trail it was – quiet, no ATV’s no bikers, just us – -we had the trail to our selves .
The light was just right –late afternoon low light of the First Day of Fall , not a leaf moving . NO bugs, but we were enthralled by a few birds .
I spot movement ‘ Beak – Beak ‘ I stammer and stutter loudly to Bob- as in my excitement, I could not get the right name out !—Rose Breasted Grosbeak – -what a gorgeous sight it was .
Lots of sparrows of all kinds .
I was too busy just enjoying The Moment – the Early Fall Colors- of the flowers- Asters of white, yellow, blue and purple, Golden Rod, Virginia Creeper loaded with berries , attracting the birds , so was the wild grape vines loaded with berries , Sumac, just turning color , field of seed heads of Milkweed- that must have been a haven for Monarchs .
By now, I was tired out and wanted to turn back ‘ No Deepthie – just a bit more, and you will see a very lovely place “ – I fell for this !—so , on I trudge .
And, – -there it was a lovely open space, blue sky, cumulous clouds, marsh and stream quietly moving and then- Up in the Sky—Four and Twenty Black Birds Flying in The Sky !!– perhaps a Thousand of them – coming in, coming in, like so many dark clouds , and me looking up, till I thought my neck would fall off !
We stop by the stream, take in the peace, serenity and quietness of the First Day of Fall , in the late afternoon light , take a nice Groupie photo- with my ‘cute little camera ‘ perched on a concrete block for a Self Timer Photo .
Sadly, the day ended – and we had to walk back , as it was getting a bit cool, and I was ready to drop by now !
But, this was a glorious day – well worth my efforts to spend the First Day of Fall – with like minded souls , just enjoying the Gifts of Mother Nature .
As if this day was not enough, I go again, alone, via hwy 12- Coldwater- River Road- Upper Big Chute Rd- Lawson Line – the next day – 23rd Sept — To the Big Rock Landing – to see my Heart’s Desire- and was not disappointed at all !!-
Just me and my Sora Princess- spent a good 40 mins , watching My Princess- putter around among the Water Smartweed in the marsh.
After a while, it seemed to feel that I was not a threat, and came closer to the road ditch – but, the light was awful at that spot- for a good photo – but, A photo is not everything – I just enjoyed The Moment with my Sora Princess, virtually not even 10 ft from me, in the ditch, and me crouching on the roadside.
More Gallinules , Heron, lots of frogs , but strangely, I did not see a turtle .
The Trumpeter Swans – mom, dad and cygnet – -were there, but a very noisy gizmo sea doo startled them , and disturbed their solitude and commune with nature .
But, there were people fishing, two elder ladies on two canoes, — a picture perfect scene, from the top of the Big Rock .
After 2 hrs , I left, feeling totally energised and thinking “ I must come here again “ – as I drove home .
And then – I am sure Ken heard me !!!
Here comes the note from MPFN Ken Mac D— “ Next Outing – Oct 3rd Uhthoff Trail and Big Rock Landing ‘ “
I will be there for sure .
Love to do this U Trail in the morning light , and see different birds, and go off in the afternoon , to that Place of Magic – The Big Rock Landing —– see the Sora, Rail , Gallinules, and if we get lucky- The Harrier and Heron , and even a Bittern – that is supposed to be there .
What about a Snipe ? – Lets go and see !!
August 24 2020
Fun In The Fen
Fun In The Fen !– Aug 24th – 2020 .
Another Covid Outing for the Midland Penetanguishene Field Naturalist Club! Ken carries the Club on his broad shoulders, and Rob gets all of us tangled up in the (Spider) Web !
Someone had a bright idea that ‘ we should all go to Mary’s place to see the garden and the birds ” — and the ‘Rest is History ‘ !
So, Bob / Sue / Piper and Ken show up one day ‘check things out ‘ —
And got the show on the road , and they all came on the 24th Aug.– 14 of us – with 10 cars crammed into 2 driveways , so as not to clutter up the Tiny tiny rural roads .
There was a couple who came here from Barrie Nat Club– now that is great, that our little MPFN is doing something right !
We had a mini garden tour – at my place, and headed out on the Nature Walk along Sunset Trail – a nice trail, kind of maintained by Township of Tiny .
Tim Tully of Awenda Park used to take us on the Sunset Trail , on regular Guided Nature Walks – organised by the Sunset Bay Association about 25 yrs ago. This association folded up a few years ago , as we all got too old , and got busy with Life Issues .
Then , Covid came to town, and End of Story .
First Stop– My trusty neighbor on the next street — The Go To Muscle Man Guy- Solid, dependable , ready, willing and able to help me out of any thing that needs moving, like stones, trimming tall over grown bushes , fix the Weed Wacker and so on .
Quite the Arty/ Crafty guy he is , with very good social skills. He is seen, on the photo, short socks on, feet firmly planted on the ground , hands on the waist , head full of hair that needs a barber somewhere, looking at someone taking a photo of his Arty Vegetable Garden Plot Creation , to protect it from critters that abound the area .
” What you see, is what you think it is ” — was the answer to ‘ What is that Carving ? “ I thought it was a West Coast / Haida Native Carving of a Bear . So did Ken . Rob had other ideas – ” I think it is an Alligator ‘ . Ok– See You Later Alligator !
Mark’s Creations
That Crest- – Cross– ?
Latvian Cross
A Lativan Cross– as his wife is from Latvia , and this is the Traditional Symbol of Latvia — something new we learned — Live and Learn , and Never Too Old To Learn !
The Historical Plaque — does that shape look like a uniform badge of an important civic official, like a park ranger, opp guy, security staff, even a By Law guy ? One of The Above is the Correct Answer .
And- we saw two Pileated Woodpeckers
Pileated Woodpecker
the Oriole,
Baltimore Oriole
and that scary looking Nursery Web Spider on the Hydrangea flower
Nursery Web Spider
right at the entrance to his driveway — good place to be !
Now we move on to the real Woodland- Mixed Conifer and Hardwood Forest , owned by Tiny Township, -with the creek running through .
This creek is the run off from Kettles Lake in Awenda park , that runs through the wetlands , marshes, fens, before it drains into the Georgian Bay . This is also a Trout Spawning Cold Water Creek , and come Fall – Trout will be seen here jumping over the rocks to spawning grounds .
The Bridge– Built by Tiny Township , is my Self Timer Group Photo spot- placing the camera on the bridge railing . I cant believe I got all of us into that one photo with Social Distancing in place , and I made it in within 10 secs to my spot . I have done it before you see !!
This is also My Learning Curve Place — where I slipped on the ice and fell, one cold January afternoon, fractured my wrist , the day before I left for Arizona ! I cried all the way home, not from the pain of a broken bone, but from the pain of a broken heart … No AZ that year … Another kind and trusty neighbor and his dear wife, took me to hospital and had the fracture attended to, and I spent the winter in Mississauga/ Toronto, left hand in a cast for 10 wks, Learning Lessons of Life ..
Another little ways along the trail– my special Peek A Boo Photo Op Stop ! – an old Grandfather Eastern Hemlock that fell down perhaps 30 yrs ago — as I have seen it here, in all the 30 years I have walked this trail . Many people did the Peek A Boo Photo Op here – This time, I had the Web Master tangled in the roots of this grandfather Eastern Hemlock tree .
So, we move on – and there is the patch of Sweetgrass ( Hierochloe odorata) on the sandy beach — the most Sacred Grass for all Indigenous People of Canada and USA.
Sweetgrass PatchSweetgrass Patch
It has the most fragrant odor, hence the name ‘ odorata “.
It is used for Smudging , as a herb medicine, handy crafts — hair barrettes like the ones I wear, basket making, photo frames, place mats, you name it , into what ever that can be braided and woven .
Sweetgrass Girl
The most important function being its use a Sweetgrass Braid ,at Ceremonies for Smudging, its fragrant smoke , to warding off evil and bringing in Good Energy , before any Ceremony commences . I accidentally ‘discovered ‘ patch, a few years ago, when I got the sweet fragrance , after some Grass Cutter mowed this beach grass patch down . One of these days, it is going to die out, as it is been mowed often . I am surprised it is still there . It is recognised by its broad shiny leaf blade, red base of the stem, just above the soil level , and of course its sweet fragrance when the leaves are crushed.
Sweetgrass
Before picking it, one should sprinkle Sacred Semma ( Tobacco ) to ask permission from The Creator/ Mother Nature ‘s permission pick it . I did return on the 24th evening to spread Semma and offer prayers for having picked a few clumps , earlier in the day, to demonstrate its features to a club member .
Finally- we get to The Fen !
Seneca Beach Fen
Photos illustrate the story . We scattered in different directions, just totally awed by what we saw – field full of flowers , yellows, whites with a splash of red here and there , , the watery ground, on either side of us, stretching all the way into the Georgian Bay.
Seneca Beach FenFen FriendsFun in the Fen!Fun in the Fen
There was just too much for the senses … I must have come here at least 300 times in the past 30 years, but, never did I get this’ feeling ‘ like I did on the day I came here with Rob/ Sue and Ken on our initial ‘checking out ‘ day .
Grass of Parnassus & Fringed Gentian
The wild flowers blooming around us, looking so unimportant, still with its magic in the air , mixed in with the breeze from Georgian Bay with Giants Tomb in the distance , and the sound of the water all around us . It is hard to fully comprehend this magic — no photo fully captures the moment. One has to Be There …
The Flowers of The Fen — A sea of white Grass of Parnassus- ( Parnassia palustris )with its green veins on the white petals leading the insect right down to where it should be for pollination ,
Grass of Parnassus
Blue Fringed Gentian — clusters among the white grass of parnassus,
Fringed Gentian– It is everywhere!
Yellow cinquefoil, on the limy, wet soil, forming short clumps – Shrubby Cinquefoil –
Plus a myriad of Horsetails as far as the eye can see, in the very , very wet areas .
Viceroy- Seneca Beach
However, there was only One Butterfly we saw and that too- Viceroy Butterfly – that looks like a Monarch, but not a Monarch .
Today – Aug 27th –
“ Stormy Weather Georgian Bay “ – just like Fred Varley of Group of Seven painted it a hundred years ago, almost to the day , in the Autumn of 1920, that I have hanging on the mantle piece of my home , with Giants Tomb in the painting in the distance .
It is good to sit back , during these hard Covid Times, in the comfort of a warm home , looking out into a blistering , blustery Stormy Weather Georgian Bay, and Re Visit and Meditate….
The Gifts of Mother Nature, for We Are ALL In It Together …
The difference is as Night and Day— Fun in The Fen !.— Dream Time —-
Miigwetch – Miigwetch – Miigwetch to MPFN Club— Mitakuye Oyesin ( We Are All Relatives- Lakota )
August 3 2020
Mid Summer Dreams- Nature in the Garden — Series Part Four
Eagledeepthie – Rock Star !!
Well, here is how I spent Covid Time during the month of July . I did not
even venture out to see birds . Just stayed around the yard playing withrocks and kind of beautifying the garden, that had now over grown during the past 20 yrs .
Back in 2000, when I was landscaping the garden, the lake water level was way down, down, and so we all went to the dried up lake bed and got rocks for landscaping . Don’t ask me how I did it – hauling in a thousand rocks by wheel barrow, down from the lake bed and up the hill to the garden ! Remember I was 20 yrs younger then !!
This is how I edged the flower beds, that defines the garden, and add form and contrast to the garden landscape, that adds to the visual appeal . The garden did go on the Garden Tour- back in 2003 and again in 2009 – “Penetnaguishene Library Garden Tour ” as it was known back then . Now, I am too old for this game, but do donate my time, energy and knowledge and of course plants to other gardeners , and to the Penetanguishene Garden Club ., formerly Penetanguishene Horticultural Club .
This ‘rock job’ as I say, has to be done every 10 years or so, as the rocks sink, weeds etc grow over, under and in between, and every where else.
I did this in 2000, 2008 and now in 2020 . Next job should be 2030- and I hope to be with Ketchikawana in Giants Tomb Island by then !
For now- -here is how I did The Rock Job . Before and After photos are all self explanatory . It is not a tough back breaking job – just very time consuming and labor intensive , specially I was at this job, during the heat wave !- I must have a masochistic personality to want to suffer like this !!
The small rocks- gravel was a gift to me by Mother Nature – during the whipping Georgian Bay Storms we had last year – when I had piles of pebbles washed ashore.
I lost 100 % of the beach, my deck ended up as a tree house , and finally as a Covid Beach Bon Fire ( not a Covid Beach Party for sure ! ) I raked all of them, and used them to fill up the small trench left by the areas where the stones were lined up.
Now, the yard looks real nice and trim, though I still have a few beds to complete .
Finally , after all this was done, I was duly rewarded by the most spectacular sunset on Aug 1st — when the sky was on fire as if it were, after the sun went down . It is rarely that one sees these colors light up the sky . I last saw this kind of lighting about 10 yrs ago .
I missed the Northern Lights on Sat July 25th – -where Nick of Awenda saw them at 1 am from First Beach , with lights from boats parked out for the night at Giants Tomb island , and took the most spectacular photos – -might see them one of these days on Awenda Park photos on google .
However, I did see Comet Neowise a few good times, from my beach and from the public beach next door- around 10.30- 11 pm . It was quite the sight . Wait six thousand years to see the next Comet Show !
Today– Aug 3rd — I have completed the 4th and Final Part of the ” Mid Summer Dream- Nature in the Garden ” Mini Series , and all the birds came out to greet me. I rewarded them for their undying loyalty by hand feeding the chickadees
and leaving some sunflower seeds for the
Blue Jay,
Song Sparrow,
White-Breasted Nuthatch – -that live in my garden .
Now, I go back to the garden and finish the Rock Star Job !! and check on the Free Loading Noisy Covid Wrenters . There are babies in them nest, for I saw mom and dad flying in and out with food early this morning .
Time for Summer Doodle Time on the Verendah Bench with Cannon ready to Shoot !
Hope you all enjoyed the Mini Series Blog by Eagledeepthie Rock Star “ Mid Summer Dreams Nature in the Garden ” Mini Series !
Bye for now- eagledeepthierockstar !
August 2 2020
Mid Summer Nature in The Garden – Noisy Covid House Party Wrenters !
Part One
The Noisy Covid House Party Wrenters started to move in to the two houses attached to the garage as early as May 13th !
Into to the little brown house first
and then the white house in late June.
Mom and Dad were busy and noisy and raised two equally noisy brats , that chatter, chatter all day long, with mom and dad adding to the racket .
They would peek out of the hole, checking out the Big Wide Covid World , looking sooo adorable .
However, noisy as they were , no Tiny Township By Law people were called in to check the little people !
I enjoyed the Party Songs from Sunrise to Sunset- along with the Red Eyed Vireo , chickadees, blue jays, Red Cardinals and of course the robins and ravens .
Well- after 6 weeks – June 28th — they decided to vacate the house , and one by one, they left, coaxed by mom and dad, who told them to hurry up and get going , and get going they did…
and all was quiet for a few days, and I almost wept … !!
I missed them …
However- I soon noticed , another change- the second house was being slowly getting ready for occupancy – June 25th , and no sooner the chicks left, mom and dad got busy with the second Wrental !
They keep me company as I putter around the yard – staying away from The Two Legged .
Even as of today 2nd Aug- in the pouring rain, mom and dad were busy perhaps taking food in to the nest- , though I have yet to hear any chatter coming out of there .
Noisy they are- ie mom and dad , talking to each other in a language I do not understand, flying around , and around from branch to branch from tree to tree . But I do know, that by certain calls, one of them will get into the nest, I have to be ready with the camera , take my seat on the verandah bench and patiently wait !. and wait I did, for many hours , day after day , when I get tired of my garden puttering .
I have very lovley videos of chicks getting out of the nest, mom and dad fixing up the house etc .
Today- August 2- mom and dad are still busy, and I wonder if chicks are already hatched . I am just waiting to see them, poking their little heads out of the nest hole, like the first pair did , back in June , looking just adorable .
Noisy as they may be, Tiny Township By Law will NOT be informed !
Covid ?? it is NOT my problem- I wear a Mask !!!
And Oh ! By the Way — Wrenters Stayed Rent FREE ! and so no need for NO Eviction Notice !
End of Part One.
Mid Summer Nature in The Garden
Part Two
I don’t have to go anywhere to see any one – They are All around me!
The first Garter came around- at least I saw it – on Victoria Weekend , and a few more times after that .
I was getting worried about my frogs in the pond, as I did not see them for a while . Then, one by one, the frogs came along . and one day- BINGO- -I saw Twenty One !!
I suppose the Mr Garter has moved one ? Then there was my friend the Water Snake — who stays around the flower beds , perhaps looking for mice ? and not frogs ?
This Water Snake- has been coming here for a few years and Tim Tully of Awenda park told me how to build a Snake House – and it worked like a charm, and I had sooo much fun with my Water Snakes ,till the big storms came last year, and wrecked the Snake house and my deck, which was my Snake House Viewing Platform .
My deck by the way , ended up as a Tree house that eventually ended up at a Beach Bon Fire Party — Not a Covid House Party !
Then one day, I saw something curious- a Merganser on the maple tree- Tim Tully , my trusty Awenda Park Nature Go To Guy – told me, ” Mergs are tree nesters and soon you will find Mergs falling out of your maple tree ” ! Nothing like this happened, and I could not find a nest cavity either . The Merg came a few more times, and I did see a family of mergs – mom with 6 chicks for a few more times on the water .
Then one day – I was sitting on the veranda, on a very hot and humid afternoon, feeling very nice and lazy, when I noticed something else on another old maple tree . Whip out the Vortex- and voila– a Racoon !!- taking a snooooozzzie , in the middle of the afternoon at 3 pm ! It stayed around till 9 pm- and then it got dark, and I could not take any more photos .
This was the cutest thing I ever saw up on my maple Tree !
Mr R never returned as I never left any food scraps out for a quick meal .
One morning – I was up bright and early , and who do I see — Mamma Bunny with two Baby Bunnies — my Free Lawn Care Service !- they were nibbling at the clover and other greens from my so called Wild Lawn ! Oh they were soo, sooo sweet !
They came for a few more days, and now, only one little Bunny comes along and I think it is in a little bunny hole in my neighbors yard .
Now- my real treat – is a simple one – Frogs ! I just cannot have enough of them, or too many of them .
One day, I was in the garden, when Awenda park staff came on their Annual Butterfly Count , as they were sure they will find something new in my garden .
They got one new species to their list- Mourning Cloak Butterfly . But, one guy was more interested in the frogs for a little while and he forgot about Butterflies ! . He recalled jumping into my pond tryring to catch frogs, some 20 yrs ago, when he was a kid !- he lives on the next street and has been there ever since . The Kid in Him- never left him, and he is still chasing frogs !!– and now he photographs frogs and butterflies , instead of jumping into the pond to catch the frogs ! Frogs and Snails and Puppy dog Tails – that’s what Little Boys are Made Of !!- -it seems !
Unfortunately, he saw only 5 frogs, and but a week later, another Awenda Staff guy came along to take photos of butterflies in my garden, and he saw Twenty one frogs !!—the most I have had for this year so far . Must be a good sign as Amphibians are the Canary in the Mine for the environment pollution . Now– where are the Snakes ? they may have gone some where else I presume, but I am not complaining as I LOVE my Frogs . The other day- I almost stepped on one of them right on my door step- it came to say Good Morning !
So – here you are Mid Summer Nature Time In the Garden.
End of Part Two
Mid Summer Dreams – Nature in The Garden “- Summer Doodling !!
Part 3
Lazy Hazy Days of Summer Afternoon is a great time to sit on the verandah bench doodling along, and gaze at the summer colours of the garden, and the birds and butterflies that are attracted to feast on the nectar and insect Food Fest .
Summer colours- Red Monarda, Blue Delphinium, Pink candy tuft like Queen of The Prairie ( Meadowsweet- Filipendula rubra ) — all in one field of view, with the yellow Rudbeckia in the background , seem to dazzle my eyes . At the same time, keeping one eye on my Free Loading Covid Wrenters , and the other eye on the Ruby Throated Humming bird pair that fly around, and come to the feeder and the flowers .
So, one day, Saturday July 25th morning , I was on a “summer doodling mode “, watching over the garden, I see a strange insect– is it ? a big bee, ? a big wasp, or ? a small hummer ? Well, it suddenly clicked in my head — It is A Hummingbird Moth !- I have had these Hummingbird moths in the garden before. I go into — Action !- Camera !- Shoot ! – Mode , and got the most wonderful photos and videos, that would make Awenda park staff green with envy !
This Hummingbird moth came in on two consecutive days – same time, – 10 am and 2 pm, to the same blue Delphinium in full bloom . THIS was my Mid Summer Dreams Highlight for 2020 !!
I did watch out for this beauty in June, when the Siberian Iris were in bloom- when one visited me last year in June .– see photo June 25th -2019- Nessus Sphinx.
Also see photo – Hummingbird Moth – June 9th – 2008 on the Forget Me Not blooms .
Never did I expect one this late in the year- late July . But, Mother Nature– can always change her ingenious ways !
The Hummers did a curious thing yesterday morning about 8.30 am just before the rains came — they were having a sort of a ‘mating dance ‘- the male would fly in an Arc Shaped manner, the female would fly at the male, sometimes, the female and male would just chase each other, and when they make contact, there is a distinct ‘ Tik ‘ sound– their ‘security code !! and Not Tik – Tok !!!
I was able to video tape this sound and it is really neat to hear it .
The other butterflies in my garden includes — Monarch, Eastern Tiger Swallowtails , Pearl Crescents , Silver Spotted Skipper , Spear marked Black Moth , Silver Studded Blue , Mourning Cloak , and White Admiral .
Butterfly –Monarch in the Garden and Bee – on Asclepsia incarnataButterfly –Monarch in the gardenButterfly –Monarch in the gardenButterfly_Eastern Swallowtail- Home gardenButterfly –Eastern Tiger Swallow tail on Cup PlantButterfly —Eastern Tiger Swallow tail – Home -Calla lilyButterfly_Pearl CrescentButterfly_Silver-spotted SkipperButterfly —-Spear- Marked Black Moth-( Rheumapta hastata )Butterfly —Silver -studded BlueButterfly – White AdmiralButterfly – Great Spangled FriterllaryButterfly —-Friterllary with injured wingButterfly —-Friterllary with Injured wing returns next day- almost same time
The variety of species seen in my garden is a lot less than what it was 5 yrs ago . The number of Monarchs- far less that in previous years, where as 5- 6 yrs ago- it was a Monarch Explosion .
There have been a large number of Eastern Tiger Swallow Tails around this year, and there is a NEW Variation of this – “Midsummer Tiger Swallowtail ” – noticed in Ontario . Perhaps this is what is been around our area at Mid Summer this year . Look up Google ” Midsummer Tiger Swallowtails ” . https://www.ontarioinsects.org/tigers.html
It was Awenda Park SummerStaff member Nick , who alerted me to this new species , when he visited my garden on July 31- to photograph butterflies and Hummers feeding on the monarda , and of course, photograph the all time favourite- The Frogs in the pond !
Awenda Photographer !-Nick- of AwendaAwenda- Butterfly Count- Colton and Bill IvyAwenda- Butterfly Count- Colton and Bill IvyAwenda Photographer !-Nick- of AwendaAwenda Photographer !-Nick- of Awenda
End of Part Three.
July 8 – 12 2020
Four Mishoomis and a New Friend
I lost 100% of the beach during some ferocious Georgian Bay Storms- Sept 21 and Oct 31st . My old deck went into a friendly neighbour/ helper’s bonfire ! However, he fixed up an old bench on the edge of the water, so I could at least sit and watch the sunrise while sipping my morning coffee , with the old pocket Cannon by my side .
It is pure ethereal beauty- to sit in the cool of the serenity of the morning silence , under the tamarack tree, with its lovely green leaves, seeing the blue sky through them, and watch the morning sun come through , nice and just right for a bit of free Vit D . I have seen two merganser families glide by, two moms and 10 babies , heard loons calling in the distance , kingfishers rattle around , and sometimes cormorants flying by . One day a merganser flew over to the water, right from the top of my home- perhaps having watched over a cavity nest some where – I could never find where it was , search as I may .
Two days ago — a friendly gull came and perched on top the Big Grandfather Rock as I call it .
We sat in silent meditation– me watching the Four Rocks , as I call the Four Glacial Erratics lined up — Four being the Magic Number for all things in the Indigenous, in the Teachings of The Medicine Wheel. These Four Grandfathers – I communicate with them – -asking them—- ‘ What have you seen during the past 2 billion years, that you have been around ?, and you came down here, from the Arctic , when the glaciers melted , and when they retreated, 15,000 years ago , you decided to stay with me .. ” . They have been my constant, trusty and ever faithful companions, that don’t ever talk back, for the past 31 years .– Not even an inch they moved , even with the most ferocious of Georgian Bay Storms .
Mother Nature’s Gift to me – Four Glacial Erratics – Four Grandfathers Miigwetch Mishoomis ( Thank You Grandfather ) .
Now back to my friend —- It flew from Rock to Rock – pausing to meditate on top of each one .
I ‘moved along ‘ with it – my mind drifting along with it . Perhaps it remembered me feeding it last year , when I had the old deck .
After one hour, we parted company and I started my day – starting with my ‘garden walk ‘ that takes an hour . After that , is way too hot to do any meaningful birding .
Just puttering around the yard – – Weeding and Hand Watering is Meditation. Then , today – ( June 10th ), as I was gazing at ethereal light on the water and on the Four Mishoomis Rocks , around 6 am, my friend flew over and perched on one of the Grandfather Rocks . I ran inside the house, and got a slice of bread, and we both had our brekkie – me , the coffee and my friend, the bread .
This went on for an hour – with my friend flying around, and me flying with it so to speak, picking up the bread crumbs from the water, and my pocket Cannon clicking away .
It was pure joy — just me and my gull – My New Pet !
I hope I see you tomorrow – I will think of a nice name for you in the meantime !!!
It is hot as hell here and I hear Thunderbirds in the distance – see dark clouds over Giants Tomb, and a little drizzle — and now, the sun came out .
Don’t ever believe The Weather Man !!
Rain – it did not come – It just POURED !!, so no hand watering for another 10 days .
The rain time gave me time to think of a new name for my New Pet—
“ TONY ‘—after my friendly neighbour who helped me with the waterfront clean up
and rigged up the old bench – propped up on a big flat rock
July 12th Morning —– They were waiting for me –
Mom Merg with her 8 babies — now all ‘growed up ‘ !
And ” Tony ” who had a quick bite to eat, before his pals came along and they all went away , and I sat around for a while, left the crumbs on the bench and came in as the water was virtually lapping on my feet
June 26 2020
Nature’s Way- Wanted Dead or Alive !
June 26- Matchedash Bay – Birding with MPFN members – Ken and Sue MacDonald, Bob and Sue Codd.
To start with I got lost and ended up in the wrong parking lot – after all the last time I was there was about 4 yrs ago, and since then I have dropped a few grey cells and grown more grey hair instead ! So- I did find the correct spot – Ken says- ” we walk up to the Osprey Nest and turn back ” . Along the way the many sights, bird calls, and the sheer beauty of the warm sunny afternoon ( 4 pm ) , kept me going, as I already had done half a day’s work at home/ garden , since 8 am !
But, I was determined to do the ‘whole thing ‘ – Halfway towards the Osprey nest , I was ready to turn back ! Rob says- – ” you came from a hot country – you should be used to this “ I say ” Oh Ya- I have been here for almost 50 yrs, and feel the heat just like as if I was born here’ ! No- Mind Over Matter kicks in ! Ignoring the itchy skin of my ankles, with bugs / flies having a good go at it . , as I did not wear socks, heat now starting to bother me, fatigue setting in, sips of an old clementine soothing my thirst
So- I plod along , Mind Over Matter the New Mantra !
What we saw — a lovely flotilla of Canada geese- just out for the afternoon – so peaceful it seemed to be .
A distant solitary Trumpeter Swan- we thought that might be guarding a nest – more about this later .
Blanding’s Turtle- resting on a wet mound, with the sun glittering on its almost black very wet carapace – with its lovely yellow neck – the first time I had actually seen the yellow neck .
Later on, there was an equally large Midland Painted Turtle- a nice contrast with its striped red and yellow neck, again, on a wet mound . It was nice to see them virtually side by side, on either side of the trail.
Not far from there- was a dead Carp – floating like a log- which at first I thought it was a log till I took a peek at it with the Vortex . Flies +++ Carp Food Fest !
Kingfisher- marking its territory, both male and female we saw at different times, and we assume it was the same pair that we saw during the entire afternoon .
Female Wood Duck — did a very lovely ‘water dance ‘ to lure us away from her nest and took us on a wild ride.
And Then —
Ken heard the call of the Yellow Billed Cuckoo .!
That was it — We were ambushed right off the bat – and we followed this bird , and I was surprised I managed a few half decent photos . I am sure Ken and Bob took great shots with their fancy gizmos .
My fatigue vanished ! I plod along .
The Mother Osprey at the Nest Stand — she was screaming at us – ” Get Lost ” – as she was feeding the chick with a little fish dinner .
We passed the Osprey Nest stand, and chased the Cuckoo , till it flew way out into the open water and to who knows where . In a way I was glad that the Cuckoo flew off- as I was really now like some one from ” One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’ !!!!
All along the trail – the brilliant yellow Butter and Eggs ( Linaria vulgaris ) was really lovely – the cheery yellow was good for my head !
Then something sad — we saw an old carcass of a Trumpeter Swan … that was food for so many other Nature’s Creatures .
There were Turkey Vultures riding the thermals — obviously had a bit of a Swan Food Fest . Perhaps Ravens, Coyotes, who ever that needed a meal would have been there . Now, it was time for the Mother Earth’s Earth’s other Beings- Flies, Creepy Crawlers, Micro organisms — all part of the Food Chain . This comforted me . Now we seem to figure out why the Trumpeter Swan we saw alone, and if there were cygnets she was caring for .
As we were walking back , we heard the call of the Virginia Rail– but she did not come out . I was able to get a nice video of her call, right close to the edge of the trail , where it meets the cattail rushes .
Then- we saw the Trumpeter Swan — on top of a rock – with three cygnets — sooo lovely it was seeing her with her babies . We climbed on to the Look Out Tower an got a good view of her .
She guided her little ones down to the water, for dinner . So we knew why she was alone …
It was sad for me, to know that she will have to raise the cygnets by her self, as when I was at Tiny Marsh — the Canada geese were really harassing the Trumpeter Swam Family, and Daddy sent the geese on a real good wild goose chase , while Mum stayed with the 5 cygnets .
Well- This is Mother Nature – Her Call , Her Way, and not My Way .
-Wanted Dead Or Alive for the Food Chain .
June 20-22 2020
Spirit of the Wendat and Solstice Time June 20-2020
Seems like Auspicious numbers lined up — New Moon, Eclipse and Solstice 20 -2020.
June 20 -2020, started well- with the Cecropia Moth at a neighbour’s yard, that I visited — the moth came straight at me, and my friend coaxed it on to my hand- Oh my god- what joy ! I have great videos and few great pics – here is one of them . It stayed with me for 5 mins- which to me, seemed like for ever, before it flew off into the Longest Day of The Solstice Sunshine. My friend said it stayed on his home siding the whole night – attracted to it by a night light on the porch .
I was out at Awenda park today ( 22nd ) — I was the ONLY person on the Wendat Trail ,for the 2 hrs or so I was there !
Apparently, the weekend- was very busy it seems, at Awenda , with the parking lot full to over flowing, and people parking along the street, all the way down to Champlain rd it seems . Anyway – -here is my story – a lot of pics- but, it was such an interesting day, just being alone, and I took in what ever Mother Nature threw at me !
I parked at Hemelin Park and walked up- and just as I got down from the car, there was this pair of lovely Eastern Tiger Swallowtails- puddling away – I have not seen a pair doing this in a long while . This year, for some reason, there seems to be a lot of Eastern Tiger Swallow tails around . Continuing my walk up the road, saw these red – orange blooms on the road side- by the ditch — Indian Paint Brush– Castilleja species . I have seen this small clump of flowers year after year .
The Legend that goes with the story is hauntingly lovely and romantic — There was this lovely Indian Maiden, who was loved by a handsome Indian Warrior – but, the two tribes did not agree to the relationship and so this lovely maiden, slashed her wrist- and kept walking, the drops of blood staining the earth as she walked on, till she could not walk any more … Where ever her blood touched Mother Earth and the flowers, they turned red , as if painted by her blood . Truly a Solstice Romance.. Butterflies — the ultimate Spirit of Wendat – – Re Incarnation — New Life coming out of a cocoon — they were everywhere -Big and Small , feasting on what ever , to get the nourishment of salts and minerals and moisture .
The most interesting feature– the White Admirals feasting on horse dung– as I saw evidence of it along Wendat Trail .
On the board walk between the water lily and cattail marsh — there was this cluster of butterflies, seemingly gorging on you know what !- and thoroughly enjoying the Poop Party ! They were lined up the ‘road ‘ to get to the Poop Party ! They were on top of the poop pile like icing on a cake ! and I took a few videos of this too . Not only that- there were gypsy moths- -zillions of them on the hardwood trees – — I could hear their poop falling down like rain drops and you can see them on the board walk — I must have them tangled in my hair too.
Dragon flies- -I have not seen this variety in just one hour !
Birds- The King Bird – just seemed to ‘stay put ‘ for ever it seems.
Trumpeter Swan — on Strict Quarantine, was all alone on Kettle’s Lake.
Tim Tully did mention this lonely Swan– with no ID tag . Perhaps a young one,
not yet tagged . Jim Charlebois might know the story here .
Walking along– Mushrooms – the Good – The Bad- The Ugly . You eat one ( Chicken of the woods ) and enjoy it …
… and then eat the next one ( Amanita ) you will not live to eat your next meal!
Finally– Snapping Turtle Egg Protection At Work — there were many recently covered up holes, that I was able to recognise, that were not protected , perhaps the eggs were laid just y’day evening, or today morning. Hundreds of bees swarming in that area — a scary bzzzzz could be heard, and I have seen and heard this at the Brabant Point — take care walkers and hikers – Keep the Social Distance Please or run the risk of a painful sting- even worse- Bee Sting Anaphylactic . !
The Spirit of The Wendat- seemed to be all around me- just being alone on this trail- is pure magic — the sounds of birds , wind in the trees, frogs, even the nattering of chip munks — all seem to be in Commune with Nature —
This is The Solstice Spirit of Wendat -June 20- 2020 .
June 16,17 2020
Turtle Island – A Creation Story
This was a very interesting afternoon for me, as I was walking along Tay Trail – Hogg’s Bay . I actualy went there to see if I could get a glimpse of the Sora Famlily and to see if the Warbling Vireo nest was still there, hanging from the poplar tree .
There was no sight of the Sora family, but the Warbling Vireo nest was there, with Mom in situ, still making her lovely call . There was some debate as to the ID of this bird- but, the ‘call ‘ was that of a Warbling Vireo, and Rob ID’d it as a Warbling Vireo , and the matter was settled .
Again- Another Come By Chance it was indeed, meeting up with Rob and Sue ( the second time in 48hrs !! ) right by the bird nest site- though they did not know about the actual site of the nest, till I pointed it out to them, heard the call , and that’s how ID was made .
Then– again, Come by Chance — !! — there was this Midland Painted Turtle- laying eggs, right next to the path, by the picnic table- re-cycling- garbage bin area – -an obvious high traffic area .
We three did what we could — Bob got out the orange tape, tied it to a stick and planted it near the turtle, and I got some rocks and made a circle around the area .Sue made sure the dog was out of the turtle’s territory .
We did not want to leave the area, leaving the turtle alone- so we stuck around, hoping the ‘turtle lady ‘ would come by ,and Come By Chance she did, on her bicycle with all the ‘field research tool kit ‘ in tow !
She was thrilled that the three of us ‘saved ‘ the turtle and that we waited in the hope she would turn up – and she did around 5. 30 pm .
She gave us a lesson on the turtle project she is involved in, working alone, at the moment . A very dedicated young lady she is – Susan Hartwell , and gave us her contact info, in case we needed her help .
Susan is a very impressive young woman who single-handedly takes it upon herself to protect turtle’s and their nests. Susan builds the nest cages and the flags used to identify the nest sites. She is a volunteer driver for turtle rescues with the Ontario Turtle Conservation Centre . Susan is also involved with Saving Turtles At Risk (START) and Kids for Turtles
The MPFN Salutes you Susan Hartwell!
Susan was going to return later in the evening, with the protective cage . For now, our makeshift ‘ caution organge tape flag on a stick ‘ and the circle of stones would keep the site safe .
It was a humbling experience to watch this Mother Midland Painted Turtle- patiently laying her eggs, then covering the hole , moving the earth with her hind legs , then cover the dirt with tiny gravel, and move in the direction of the water .
Believe it or not, if we had not seen it, we would never have spotted this site – -it was soooo perfectly camouflaged , blending in with the gravel area around it .
She told us we could use the organge flags any time, from one of the cages, if we felt it was necessary , to ‘flag ‘ a site, and she would attend to the egg laying site later in the day .
The photo with the ‘flag’ + cage was the turtle I brought to her attention a few days ago ( see Power of Birds and Baby Boomer Blog ) .
Once she left, we turned our attention to the Sora, – No luck . We gave up on the Sora sighting , and admired the Swan Family — Creation at its Best – coming on the heels of The Turtle Creation , that we just witnessed .
It was a humbling moment indeed, that we were able to do help Mother Nature
Trumpeter Swans at Hogg Bay
The Trumpeter Swan family- still had all six cygnets alive and well , and growning like weeds, during the past 2 wks .
We also noted the 5 cygnets at Tiny Marsh on Saturday – — so eleven cygnets in all , all alive and well , and well protected by Mom and Dad .
Trumpeter Swans at Tiny Marsh
Along the way- we spotted a late blooming Yellow Ladies Slipper along the path, while walking back to the car . It was hard to miss this, as it was really glowing yellow in the darkness of the edge of the forest .
I saw my first Female Monarch butterfly – looking a bit worse for the wear after a long journey, from wherever she came to life – -4th Generation coming Home to Canada from the wintering grounds of the Oyamil forests of Mexico .
I could not help visualise the images from Kate Harris’s Monarch Journey – and her personal Journey with the Monarchs, when she visited Meixco .
King Bird, Kestrel, Phoebe- were some of our sightings, as they all came to catch the last rays of the sun, and it got rather cool, by 7 pm .
A Great Rewarding Day for Bob, Sue and my self — Turtle Island- A Creation Story .
——————————————————————————————————————————————————– I was at Tiny Marsh today June 17 – in the blistering heat !
I must have been crazy to do this today of all days . I walked back along the shaded trail – that runs parallel to the North Carolina Dyke. I was exhausted and had only a little water + two clementines with me ! —
Walking along in the shade, and came across this gorgeous old, old Snapper – I am not sure if it was just crossing the trail, or getting ready to lay eggs . It was around 6 pm .
I gently touched it, said a prayer and walked on .
I felt energized to keep going and reached the car and drank all the water left in the bottle and gobbled up the two clementines !
I did not want to exhaust all my food- till I reached the car , which I knew was not too far away, and I will make it there soon .
The swan family at Tiny Marsh – doing well – all 5 cygnets are alive and well, and I sent a little note to Jim Charlebois with photos of two sets of families with a total of 11 cygnets.
I think, this may be a fitting end to the Turtle Island- A Creation Story .
June 13 2020
Come By Chance
Come By Chance it was indeed !! For all of us BIG Birds , to meet at Tiny Marsh today–
The day started off for me on a good note- with my resident House Wren greeting me, first thing in the morning today, as I was contemplating how I should spend this gorgeous Saturday .
I was definitely not going to spend it weeding, house cleaning, tied to the stove , head in the oven , doing laundry, grocery shopping – that’s for sure !
I had in mind, to go to Tiny Marsh – pick up Bonnie , on the way , just to wonder around with the sun on my head and wind in my face, and shoot the breeze . Just then — Just by Chance , Bonnie contacts me- and off we go to Tiny Marsh .
A Great Blue Heron flies into the marsh filled with Pond Lillies- we take pictures .
A pair of Sandhill Cranes fly over head – could not take pics – just enjoy the moment ! A Caspian Tern- is with a gull — ? fatal attraction – not likely, as they seem to be quite happy just to be together .
The Canada Geese family- now grown chicks, quite a contrast to the little butterball chicks that they were just 5 wks ago, now almost getting darker like Mom and Dad.
They were not even afraid of us — but we kept the Social Distance !
Check out the Osprey Nest- – Dad on guard duty, and mom in the nest with chicks .
Then we walk towards the seat on the dyke that has the seat- for a good rest- infront of the ‘eagle tree ‘ , and a great place for Bonnie to do some water color painting .
But– Two guys beat us to it – anyway we walk up to them.
” Hi Mary ” – -they greet us — !!
Just by Chance — there is Colton and Nick from Awenda Park- Colton with this BIG camera – both of them, soaking in the later afternoon sun ! I last saw them almost an year ago , when I was quite a bit involved with the Awenda Park Summer Staff . Now with Covid- 19– there is no Summer Staff at Awenda, like they did last year . I had such a good time last year, with these bright eyed, bushy tailed youths, full of enthusiasm, intelligence and above all — Love of Nature .
Bonnie- suddenly became the ‘designated photographer ‘ !- and with proper Social Distance protocol- I post for the birdie , and we talk of the MPFN stuff, web page, ‘deepthies blog’ etc etc , and they want the link to the web page .
Then – another couple appears with a dog . The guy has a BIG camera .
Just by Chance — here appears, none other than The Web Master Rob and Sue, of the MPFN Web page !!!
More photos, Social Distance protocol observed , and we talk of birds, Awenda Park, Environmental stuff , “Gravel Pit Issues “, Clean water as Bonnie was much involved with this issue and well known to MPFN Club Members.
Rob encourages Colton and Nick to become MPFN members for FREE as they are both ‘ Under 30 Free Membership ” category ! Colton and Nick- keen to see the MPFN Web Page and Read All About It !
By now, is almost 5 pm- and we scatter – I walk alone to the parking lot, after walking with Bob and Sue for a while .
On the way to the parking lot- there they are- the lovely Trumpeter Swan Family – X32 Family, with 5 little cygnets .– perhaps about 2 wks old . I am thrilled , as I had just seen another Trumpeter Swam Family , with 6 chicks , at Hoggs Bay- along the Tay Trail , a few days ago .
Kudos to the volunteer members who care for the Swans, including our very own MPFN member- Jim Charlebois – whose very lovely photo story can be viewed in the MPFN Web page ‘gallery ‘
Now, this is what I call Come By Chance — as none of this was planned – Has anyone been to this little town called Come By Chance in Newfoundland I wonder — ?
It All Just happened .– Come By Chance — Big Two Legged Birds mixing and mingling with Feathered Two Legged Birds , enjoying a Covid -19 Social Distancing Outing ! Take Only Photos and Leave Only Foot Prints .
As if all this excitement was not enough, I am driving very slowly over the freshly gravelled Tiny Flos Town Line Rd when I see a bird – on a road side pole, the Snowy Owls use as a perch .
No— this cant be a Snowy- as Rob- Sue and my self, we were just talking about seeing Snowies as late as May – June in the area- ( Stayner ) .
I stop- take a photo through the windshield , slowly get out, after driving a few feet- take a back view photo — A Juvenile Red Tailed Hawk , who seemed to say “ have you not had enough for one day ? now get along home “ and it flew away ! , and I head home feeling very good about the events at Tiny Marsh .
Perhaps this was what the little House Wren was trying to tell me all along, as I was doing my ‘Morning in the Garden Walk with the coffee in one
hand and camera in the other “
Miigwetch – good night- eagleD
June 9 2020
Bird Power and Baby Boomers of Tay Trail !
I headed out to the Tay Trail y’day ( 9th June ) late afternoon, and walked around up to Reeves Rd , not looking at birds, but at the forest floor on either side of the trail — just soaking in the beauty of the white Wood Anemone flowers , ( Anemone quinquefolia) )
Wild Ginger ( Asarum canadensis ) , with its heart shaped leaves .
Then, as I approached the picnic table, just before the bridge, and across from the little gravel path drive in parking spot, I heard bird call which sounded like ‘wichity- wichity ” of the Common Yellowthroat , but with a few added notes . I was able to mimic the call, and get the bird to respond a few times . Search as I may, I did not see anything yellow flying around . Then — I saw the nest- very small cup nest, made out of birch bark and other fibres , virtually hanging from a fork , with the little bird inside – making the call . Took a few good photos and recorded the call . As I was doing this, another young man , with a huge big zoom camera, approached me, after having parked his vehicle at that gravel spot, blocked off with a stone . I indicated to him the nest/ bird and , over a little bird, we became friends , and I told him about the MPFN ! He ( lets call him ‘ CT ‘ ) was quite interested in the MPFN activities , and got interested in photography and birds only recently — Then — he tells me ” I came to see the Sora – on my way to work at the evening shift. “.
Well, well – I found a Soul Mate ! From then on CT and Deepthie stuck together – four eyes and four ears better than two eyes and two ears ! He heard the Oriole and we both saw it and took photos . Sora– left in the back burner for now !
Then , the resident Great Blue Heron came by- and a family of mom, toddler in a stroller and a little girl of about 6 ys . We stuck up a conversation- and we showed ( mom and daughter ) the heron . CT lowered the tripod, mom lifted the little girl, and she was thrilled !
From then on, the little girl was able to spot the heron on her own .
We Have New Birder !!
Then- the Trumpeter Swan Family came floating along — again the New Little Birder was thrilled and we gave brief lesson on Trumpeter Swans . Now, back to the Sora — we both walked up and down, the trail, saw the bird nest with the bird with the ‘wichity wichity ‘ like call, more pics, more videos . No Sora .
CT- says ” I have to get to work ‘ and we walk to the vehicle = and there is this Midland Painted Turtle , right by the vehicle .!! CT- drives off to work, and I carry on . Then- I see something curious — what seemed to me, a pair of little chipmunks , on the edge of the path — I investigate and find the little burrow hole, with a wee cute face, investigating me !! Gotta be the cutest thing I have ever seen in my life !!! By now- it is 6 pm- I sit on the bench by the bridge and much on my granola bar- with the pesky little bug eating phoebe , flittering around . Then — I see movement in the water- -drop the granola, pick up the camera–
NO– Not the Sora- but a family of Wood Ducks- Mom and 4 babes — Oh so Sweet !— on their way home – right in front of me, on the little creek , they pass under the bridge and off to their home . Heron – by now- is being chased from pillar to post by the Red Winged Blackbirds
The Swan Family- moves on, a Kayaker stops to admire them , and I move on with my Sora Project . Then — comes along folks from the Ontario Turtle Conservation – Citizen Science Project- to look for turtle laying eggs and to lay cages over the egg laying site . They told me, the display board is their creation . They investigate the chipmunk burrow- I show them my photos, and tell them about the Midland Painted Turtle near CT’s car- and take them to the site, to find the turtle is getting ready to lay her eggs . I take a photo , the lady takes out her measuring tape, takes photos and does her ‘ on site field research ‘ , and was going to return later with the cages . I take them to the bird nest- my little treat – The bird is still calling, sitting inside the nest, head and tail sticking out – 3 hrs later-
They – the Turtle People – were happy to meet me, and I tell them about the MPFN !!!– and was very interested to look it up – -just like CT ! I move on —
No Sora .
Swallow my rejection, and walk along the forested trail, towards the car parked near Triple Bay Rd spot- hoping to see the Owl– walked up and down a few times making the ‘ hoot hoot who is cooking tonight ‘ — No Owl .
Drive home nice and hot and tired — No Sora, No Owl , but, lots of New Bird Friends and New Life on The Hoggs Bay Marsh – swans, wood ducks, chipmunks, ” mystery bird ” in the nest , Sora family – perhaps looking after few more chicks , and both mom and dad were busy in their nest .
Today– sent in the pics of the Mystery Bird phots to Awenda park- as I had a similar nest last year, in my garden , and Tim Tully said it may be a Blue Green Gnatcatcher . Tay Trail bird- did not seem to be ‘blue green ‘ more olive color .
Plan for today– visit Tay Trail again — if the heat and humidity lets up a bit by 5 pm .
June 5 2020
The Call of The Healing Drum — Feed The Need
The Call of The Healing Drum …To Feed The Need – so to speak, in the light of what is going on in the world today .
The day started off, with me feeding my little spoilt brats- -who I allow to disturb me during my garden duties ! Then, by evening , I was at the Penetanguishene Waterfront Rotary Park for Drumming with Chigamik Community Drum Circle . Since the main building is closed, and I really do not want to drum/ sing in any building wearing a mask, I suggested this location . Jean Dove- who is also a member of the MPFN– sent the word out and a few of us gathered at the main statuette on the water front , around 6 pm , and started to Drum and Sing . We started off with the ‘Water Song ” ( Cherookee ) and proceeded to sing ( in Ojibwa Language ) other songs ‘ Eagle Honor Song ” , Thunderbird Song ” , Spirit Bear Healing Song ” and a few other songs . This was the first time The Chigamik Hand Drum Circle drummed as a group, after Covid 19 hit the town .
There were many park visitors, who enjoyed the evening , along with us, and came and spoke to us, indicating how much they enjoyed The Moment . One of those visitors was a neighbor of mine, to whom I casually mentioned that there will be some drumming at the Rotary park, today in the evening , and I really did not expect him to show up and he did, and I jumped at the chance to hand over my camera to him ! He did a great job on the photos and I have included one of them .
The family of Canada Geese were also a part of our appreciative audience and it was such a serene moment, when I saw this family together — The Family That Prays Together- Stays Together it seemed to say and I took this photo, between songs ! The Moment– is to Feed The Need – what ever The Need may be, that is now gripping the World … that is why I Lead the Spirit Bear Healing Song- a very powerful Healing Song .
Then, when we were walking back to the parking lot , there was this most gorgeous Cedar Waxwing perched right in front of us, soaking up the setting sun .
I got lucky with a few pics, as it seem to pose for us ,to wish us well on our journey home, and to say Miigwetch !
I come home- to a spectacular Georgian Bay Sunset- to end the day .. , and feeling I have achieved something good for the day , for my self and hopefully, ” The Call of The Healing Drum ” – went out into the Wider World Healing is All Around Us. We only have to Look for it , Find it and Use it
June 1 2020
What a wonderful hike it was!
What a wonderful hike it was , on Sunday- May 31 -2020 .– organised by the Midland Hiking Club Chapter of the Ganaraska Hiking Trails . This was the first hike for the season, since Covid- 19 hit the world .
The last day of May, and it was COLD and windy – but the sun came out , and we started off at 10 am from the parking lot of Simcoe County Thompson Forest. We were divided into three groups – in keeping with Social Distancing .
My group had three members, my self, another lady and Frieda Baldwin, who was the was the Lead .– who knows all the twists and turns of the Ganaraska Hiking Trails ! Once I saw the tall Jack pines in the distance and smelt the pine fragrance, I knew I this beauty of an orchid would not be too far away . Within 20 mins of starting the hike, I spotted the Pink Lady’s Slipper- Cypripedium acuale – Native Orchid of North America , in the sunny Jack Pine stand – the main habitat for this species of Cypripedium .
There was this most lovely cluster of about a dozen or so of Pink Lady’s Slipper glowing in the morning sun, just by the side of the main hiking trail .
I stopped dead on my tracks !- called out to Frieda, who called out to the rest of the gp who were near by . One group went ahead of us, and I don’t know if they saw the lovely blooms.
I gave a short Botany lesson of the growth habits of the plant– how the plant uses the fungus ( mycorhiza ) in the soil, for its nourishment . Frieda , very kindly took my photos with her cell phone – Keeping Social Distance , not using my camera for the photo shoot !
Then we carried on – seeing more and more of the lovely Slipper of Venus as the Pink Lady’s Slipper Orchid is sometimes called, ( Moccasin flower is another name ) on either side of the trail, for the next 40 mins or so .
The ‘die hard ‘ hikers even stopped to examine the Pink Lady Slipper Orchid, taking photos, discussing the tricks of the flower to attract insects for pollination etc — such was the ‘pull ‘ of the Beauty of Mother Nature ! They laid down their hiking sticks, got down and dirty on their knees , to examine the lovely Face of Venus !
I know some folks in our area are fortunate enough to have this lovely flower on their properties, specially if you have Pine stands on the property . Indeed I have seen a huge cluster of this on a private land long Conc 17 – Tiny , some years back , when I was an ‘active member ‘ of the Penetanguishene Horticultural Soc
There is another species of Pink Lady’s Slipper species ( C reginae ) that grows in the sun, along wet areas like road side ditches, in Midland – Penetanguishene / Tiny . The Yellow Lady’s Slipper ( C. calciolus ) — seen here and there hidden in hardwood forested areas , in our area, and in great abundance in Bruce Peninsula, and Manitoulin Island, where the soil is most alkaline .
Once we passed the Jack Pine stand, and got into the hardwood forest trail, and the lovely meandering bike trails, the forest floor was full of such beauties as Canada Mayflower ( Maianthemum canadense ) , False Solomon’s Seal ( Maianthemum racemosum ) Hairy Solomon’s Seal- ( Polygonatum pubescens ) , lots of Starflower ( Trientalis borealis ) and of course fading Trilliums turning pink . I did not take photos of these plants but other hikers sure did — Hikers seem to thrive on a diet of Native Plants of the Forest Floor of Georgian Bay !
I must refresh my head on this subject the next time I go on a hike, as I did make some mistakes, as I am losing a few grey cells, and had to correct them via e-mails to Frieda .
Oh – of course- there were the not so lovely Human Foot Prints of such ‘garden escapes ” – Ajuga, Lily of the Valley , very fragrant- and this fragrance followed us along the trails, Periwinkle, Goutweed , even some Hosta clumps ! Some of these, I call them ‘ Plants from Hell ‘ !!!
Then one hiker picked up what seemed to be ‘ a flower ” -that I thought would a ‘flower bud “from a pine . I picked up another, brought it home, and voila– my hands were yellow !!- Then it hit me — This is a Pollen Cone of the Jack Pines that turn our water, cars, driveways, into a yellow jaundice color, come June !
Indeed, the Georgian Bay water behind my home is already jaundiced !– dare not touch it and then touch my face, as I am allergic to pine pollen, and will go into a state of eye tearing and sneezing fit ! My Pollen Cone– stays out side on the verandah – and I washed my hands presto pronto !!
On the way home, did a bit of grocery shopping- that is no longer a fun thing to do ,as I put my groceries in a sink of soap and water ASAP as I get home — a lot of work , to keep The Virus out of my system . I did not mind this today as I had my share of ‘soul food ” along the hiking trails, that I did not seem to mind the hassle of washing down groceries with soap and water !
Will I go again to see the Slipper of Venus ?? – -I doubt it – -as Love At First Sight is always better than the Second Time Around ! as I want to savour The Moment of the Hike with the Midland Hiking Club, in the middle of a Covid 19 Pandemic. These simple pleasures makes Life all the more meaningful and I learn to Appreciate and Respect the more simple things in Life– Aka– Mother Nature.
May 26 2020
My story on the Eagles of Srilanka.
This is by no means a complete account of the variety of raptors seen I SL – but, just what I saw during my travels – 2014, 2018, 2019 . I don’t want to bore any one with 10 photos of the same bird either !
Srilanka being and Island , with many rivers that start in the mountains in the Central Province of the island, and finally draining into the Indian Ocean, in the East, North, West and South . Several small islands are located at the Northern Province , where Jaffna is , it is an ideal location for a variety of birds . A causeway connects the mainland to the islands off Jaffna, and this is one of the main locations for bird watching during the migration season- Dec – Feb .
I usually visit SL in October – Nov , due to family /social reasons . However, I make the best use of my time, to do some bird watching, even if it is from the 4th floor of the condo of my friend- whose balcony is at eye level with the tree tops of the most exotic roof garden, in the heart of the capitol City of Colombo.
These are just a few of the photos were taken during a visit to Trincomalee in 2014 , Wilpattu National Park- 2018, and on a road trip to Jaffna, 2019.
All trips done alone- just me and the driver . I believe in Solo Trips – long drives, from one end of the island to the other, just enjoying the fauna and flora, and stopping many, many times for photos, or to just stop and breathe in the sweet tropical country air . Very few can tolerate these long drives, stopping a hundred times for photos etc !
Habarana Cinnamon Lodge- is where I stayed for 2 days- is located in the North Central Province in the heart of the tropical rainforest, where the chalets are built on the rainforest grounds , that maintain the natural landscape of old growth trees, waterways, ponds , marsh lands, forest edge , that is a feast to the senses . This is where I saw the pair of Brahaminy Kites from the look out stand set up on huge old growth trees , over looking a wet land .
Brahaminy Kite
Elephants do come to this area, but, I did not see any during the two days I was there . But they were there all along the Habarana Rd– more about them in another Blog Post !
Most of my photos were taken ‘ on the run ‘ so to speak, other than the Wild Life Safari at Wilpattu National Park , located in the North Western Province, in 2018 .
This year, I had planned a trip to Kumana Bird Sanctuary located in the South Eastern Province , — but, Covid – 19 came between me and Kumana birds . I guess, I have to thank God for Small Mercies and be content with what I have seen so far .
— 2014- White Bellied Sea Eagle — seen in Trincomalee- on the North Eastern Province , where the might Mahaveli River ( Big Sand River ) drains into the Indian Ocean .
White Bellied Sea Eagle
—– 2018 -The Wilpattu Eagles — They were every where – ! The National Park was closed to the public for 3-4 days due to heavy monsoon rains and flooding .
Changeable Hawk Eagle
Changeable Hawk Eagle
Changeable Hawk Eagle
I was lucky- the rain stopped, the sun came out and the park re- opened that day Oct 11th — I was Jeep #1 at the gate at 9 am, having left Colombo at 5 am . There were very few visitors that day, and I had the park to my self all morning, and most of the afternoon, till the park closed at 6 pm .
Grey-headed Fish Eagle
The birds came out to greet me – the different kinds of eagles were virtually following me, so much so, the national park jeep driver was asking me ‘ what is it that the eagles are all over us today ? ” – -to which my driver said ‘ her e-mail address starts with eagledeepthie ‘ !
Crested Serpent Eagle
Crested Serpent Eagle
—- 2019 – The Jaffna trip was done last year – the drive along the Jaffna – Kayts causeway – was my highlight, where I saw many Brahminy kites and other water birds in the lagoons on either side of the causeway . Just one trip on this Kayts Causeway , really does not do justice for your senses . I gotta go again !!!!
Brahaminy Kite
Brahaminy Kite
Till then– Enjoy and Savour The Moment !
May 21 2020
Catch Your Dreams on a Sora Sunset !
A Spring Day at Matchedash Bay is full of surprises , and so it was for me, when I headed out there with Bob and Sue Codd , for a nice day out and some bird watching – keeping social distancing and NO car pooling ! We were there at Kinnear Rd parking lot , just past 2 pm – not many birds, but it was a great afternoon , with only one other birding couple quite a distance from us .
We heard the Sora – up by the ‘mole hill ‘ – but did not see it . So , I was sure I was going to see it elsewhere !
However, we wondered around, and I got tired, and I sat on a old broken bench by the pond on South Beaver Pond Look Out . Bob and Sue ventured out further, while I was ‘saving my energy for the Sora ” at Tay Trail , that I was so sure of seeing — how so ? don’t ask me !
While sitting there, I saw Canada Goose Mom and Babe – ” you listen to me or else ‘ !– seems familiar !
A single lovely yellow Trout Lily, came through the broken bench railing to keep me company, while I rested ” my back ‘ a bit !
I walked out towards the granite outcropping to take in the beauty of the white Saxifrage ( ‘ Rock Splitter ” ) coming through from every little crevice on the granite slab, creating a carpet of white, amidst the moss and lichen .
Bob and Sue return, and we keep up the walk / birding A lovely Yellow Warbler greets us .
Just as I neared the ‘gate ‘ by Kinnear Rd- -I see something in the distance — I recoginise it at once – Dream Catcher — that I had seen Ken post on the Face book page a few weeks ago .
I walk towards it — the late afternoon sun was getting low, and there was a mild breeze and there was this most beautiful Dream Catcher that was swinging in the wind, as the late afternoon sun gleamed through it , creating Pure Magic …
I give it a gentle touch, as if to ‘ Take in the Magic into My Being .. “
I said a Prayer for the one who made this Magic Dream Catcher and hung it on a tree in the bush , as if to Honor , Protect and Respect Mother Nature and A Prayer to The Creator for ” We are All in It Together …. Covid -19 … “ I have seen many Dream Catchers, in many places in my life time- but THIS was Special – given the Times — We Are ALL In It Together ….
Then, walking back to the car, in a meditative mode , I see the most lovely clumps of Native Wild Columbine – Aquilegia Formosa , in the ditch .
Then Bob, Sue and my self, we hung around the parking lot for a bit , and shoot the breeze for a while , and I drive off on my Sora Quest , and Bob and Sue for more Birding .
Tay Trail – I reach there around 6 p. — within 5 min of reaching the area near the old bridge repair spot– there it was’ right at my feet so to speak, having dinner at the edge of the slope by the path .
I was sooo surprised I could hardly react – but, managed a few pics, as the Sora moved along, enjoying its dinner , totally oblivious of my presence .
I did not want to get distracted by the fisherman fishing in the distance, the Osprey circling over him, Caspian Tern, diving for fish, and Kingfisher rattling and flying around .
Sora– Dream Catcher Prize for the moment – and enjoy I did every second of the ten minutes I had with my prize, before it headed home .
I too reach home perhaps around 7.30 pm, pleasantly tired out — and a little past an hour later I see the most lovely Georgian Bay Sunset —
Catch Your Dreams on a Sora Sunset,…. to end a Very Memorable Matchedash Bay Day .
Che Miigwetch – for the Moment —
May 17 2020
Back Yard Warblers of Sawlog Bay — A Warbler Victory !
Here is my Victory Story , on the Saturday of The Victoria Day Weekend, out here in Sawlog Bay .
Sawlog Bay Fog
Yellow-rumped Warbler
They started to arrive on Friday , perhaps really arrived Thursday evening , ahead of the not so good weather .
Black-throated Green Warbler
Cape May Warbler
Palm Warbler
They came- ahead of the rain that we are supposed to have , starting tomorrow – Sunday , and were here , today , Saturday morning, as soon as the morning fog lifted.
Cape May Warbler
Bay-breasted Warbler
For the past day and a half- the trees were full of little warblers running around in a feeding frenzy, as the bugs were out in their thousends . I had to act real fast, even before I had my first sip of that magic morning drink– aka Coffeeeee !
Nashville Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
The little pocket cannon did not disappoint me, and with the help of Birds of Ontario and Ken’s willingness to help me ID what I was not sure, I think I did quite well !
May 15 2020
Chickadee Diner and Home Depot
Then, just now, today, as I was writing this note, I could see them through the window , the chickadees came ‘ where is breakfast ? ” . So I had to interrupt the writing to go feed my little friends . Spoilt brats they are — all my fault for the past 5 yrs ! They come at me, even if I am in the garden, minding my own business and I had to interrupt my compost spreading y’day too , to feed them !. Today, while the drizzle was mild, it was time to visit ‘home depot ‘ for supplies – being my old cedar chair on the deck — where the bark is peeled off year after year ,for nest building . It was sure a real delight to feed the chickadees, and at the same time see one of them stripping off the bark for the nest .
Perhaps the female was feeding and the male was attending to the ‘ honey to do list of home reno duties !
My chickadee babies are sooo cute, I cant get enough of them ! It was quite the feat- to hold the pocket camera in one hand, bird seed in the other, hand held phone on the neck ( of course the phone had to ring !) ,
and take pics at the same time . — Mothers for Multitasking !
Never a dull moment around Sawlog Bay !
May 14 2020
Covid Dinner Time at Sawlog Bay
After a hard day of spreading compost in the garden, I went for a walk around 5 pm. The wind had died down, and it was a pleasant walk along the trail along the shore line . There is a large beach area- or rather there WAS a large beach area which we call The Big Beach at Sawlog Point . Now the water level is so high, the beach is all a strip of gravel , and no sand at all . From a distance I could see some wee birds pecking around the gravel — Social Distance maintained ! it was a flock of Palm Warblers, eating some thing on the gravel area .
As I walked a bit closer, there was some one else on a rock — a solitary Spotted Sandpiper – with its classic see saw rocking movements . This was real cute . I back tracked slowly without disturbing their evening dinner time at Sawlog Point Covid Café ! Then, something flew past me — followed it slowly- to find a solitary Northern Flicker- feasting on ants on the ground . It did not seem to be bothered by me, but, of course I was very discreet . There was a robin too nearby, but I did not take a photo .
Walking back home, the Loons and Red Breasted Mergansers greeted me .
The Red Breasted Mergs- a flock of about 8 birds- 3 couples and two single males are always around . Even now, in the fog and rain, I could see them in the distance . Loons- three of them always patrol the water, along with a pair of comorants . There was a flock of Common Golden Eyes- way out in the distance – and the photos did not turn out good enough for the blog .
May 13 2020
My Covid Tay Trail Treat !!!
Well , Well — Finally, I got to see my friend – Sora- Sora- Sora!!
To start with, I headed out to Sturgeon Bay around 2 pm– walked around, saw nothing worthwhile . It was very windy .
Then headed towards Tay Trail , parked at Triple Bay Rd – – the idea was to see if I get to see the Osprey, Eagle , and of course, The Sora !
There was NO Sora .
So walked towards the look out seating area , on the way to see the Osprey.
The Eagle came to greet me , as I was sitting on the look out point , eating my mid afternoon snack . It flew in front of me, and over the marsh and over hwy 12 and beyond .
I was happy about this sighting as this I took to be a Good Omen !
Then headed towards the Osprey Nest- on the old telephone pole, and there was no one around . So, this was my first time, getting this close to an Osprey nest- and took this photo from right under it , and was amazed to see how small it was , compared to Eagle nests . I was always under the impression that this was a platform made by the Ontario Osprey Society, but today I realised, that the Osprey perhaps found it them selves.
Walked back towards the bridge area, with the idea of trying my luck on the Sora , a second time .
By now, it was around 4.30 pm, and along the trail, I saw this large bird flying over, towards the woods / Marsh area – By golly it was an owl ! There was NO mistaking – -it WAS an Owl — Great Horned ? perhaps, as it was quite large . The Wise Owl seemed to tell me — ‘just follow me ‘ ! and follow I did, towards the now repaired bridge .
Getting close to the bridge- another large bird landed amongst the marsh reeds- the most lovely Great Blue Heron . I have seen them six at a time in Cottonwood , Page Springs , Arizona – but, this was different , to see it in its most natural surroundings, virtually in my own back yard .
Took a few photos/ videos, and some bikers/ hikers passed by asking me “ who is that ? ” — so, did a bit of a bird ID class, with appropriate Social Distance rules – by the way; a scary looking Tay Township By Law guy was patrolling the trail today .
One of the bikers told me, he saw a beaver , and so I was looking for the beaver– when a Kingfisher came by, and perched close to the heron .– same spot, that we all saw it , when all of you were out there, with me, a few days ago , turning on the “Sora Calls ‘ , so I could see it !
Then , I saw a something move amongst the cattail reeds — A SORA !!!.
You have to believe me when I say- This was my Covid Tay Trail Treat !!!
Took a hundred photos + a few videos . The sora was in no hurry, and did not see me , I think . I had about 20 mins with the bird, and it was really nice to see it move around, feeding , etc,. I think I even saw where it has its nest– for next time !
At one time, I shut the camera off, and just enjoyed the Sora Show .
Then — something moved — The Beaver !- -came out for a cattail dinner . It was just awesome seeing both the Sora and the Beaver, just enjoying a quiet dinner- oblivious of a two legs watching them in awe .
Then the beaver got too close to the Sora, and it flew home .
I continued to watch the beaver, it it too went home, and I returned to the car- at 5.50 pm , and drove home .
So- this is my Covid Tay Trail Treat for the Thirteenth Day of The Month of May !
Good night ‘s rest with Sora Dreams ! Eagledeepthie . Oh by the way- my AZ birdie pal refers to me as Owleagledeepthie !
May 10 2020
Here are my Tay Trail- Hogg Bay Adventures !!
I was out at Hoggs Bay- Vic Harbour and there was the Osprey- getting ready for fish dinner . The sun was just Not in the right place for a decent photo- and I did not want to disturb the bird either . It was on one tree initially, and then moved closer to another perch , right in front of the built up Osprey Nest on the stand . Good photo or not , It was a great moment for me, as I missed seeing the Osprey activity in Arizona, due to the Covid- 19 and had to make a rush trip back home to Ontario .
The bird had its prey in its tallons – a fish I presume . It was on one tree initially, and flew over to the stump of an old tree later .
I spent a lot of time with the Osprey- just admiring its gorgeous beauty . It allowed me to be around it .
So, I got my Fill of Osprey today !
Then I walked back to the bridge- again – NO sora .
I returned to the ‘bridge ‘ around 5 pm , hoping to see the Sora- No luck . But, what I saw was a bald eagle being chased out by a little black bird
(Red Winged I think ) , till the eagle was chased out , over the marsh area, and over hwy 12 and beyond . I have never seen the mighty bald eagle ever losing a battle – with ravens and ospreys, here in Honey Harbour, , BC , and in Arizona . Here it was , right in my back yard virtually – being chased out by a little one — Good Things Come in Small Packages some one said !
Successful mission- and the eagle flew over hwy 12 and vanished ! It was amazing to see this – I have seen this game between eagles and ravens, eagles and osprey, and the eagle winning the chase, but, not eagles and black birds, with the little ones being the winner !
I got ‘the message ‘ and returned to the car, before I got chased out by Tay Township By Law folks !
The trail was quiet – I was the only walker – other than one lady with a dog, and two kids on bikes . Great afternoon outing .
You have to remind me to tell you both a great story about my self and predator birds – as told to me by an Indigenous lady, who used to be a member of the Chigamik Hand Drum Circle, some yrs ago . It still gives me the creepies !!
Many have since told me this- all Indigenous, from Ontario and Arizona- who did not even know my name, – let alone my e- mail add ! The same thing at Wilpattu Nat park – when the different kinds of eagles were being seen, where ever our jeep went , and the Nat Park Jeep driver was a bit surprised !
May 6 2020
Tiny Treats
So- Here are my prizes- -the pair of Bald Eagles on the Eagle Tree at Tiny Marsh , sighting of the Bittern in flight, and finding the lens cap of Heather’s vortex binocs on the ground, when I returned to the trail, in the hope of seeing the Bald Eagle and Bittern !
Jean, my self , Grace, Heather/ Mark — we all actually saw the Bittern ! I could not believe my eyes and our luck !!
Seeing this old Snapping Turtle – -with all the dirt on its back, reminded me of the Turtle Island Creation Story- when after the Great Flood , the wee little muskrat, dove deep, deep, deep down, and got a bit of dirt, and the Turtle offered its back to place the dirt.
That was how Turtle Island , that is Canada- North America – was Created – according to Anishinawbe Creation Story . I guess, with all that is going on in Turtle Island, we may all have to start from A Bit of Mother Nature’s Dirt and start all over again …
Jean, Grace and my self, met up with Heather and Mark , as we were looking at the Bittern flying away , and landing amongst the reeds on the other side of the dike .
Heather and Mark actually saw the Bittern, in the cattail reeds by the trail, it flew away instantly ! Jean, Grace and my self, we may have just passed by it and not seen it, while Heather and Mark- saw it take off from the cattail reeds just near the dike walking trail going E- W towards the osprey nest . Well Heather/ Mark- flushed it out for the three of us to see it !!!!
Lesson Learned – – Next Time, —- Look Down while walking the trail
The hope of seeing the Bittern and the Bald Eagles , led me back on the trail , later in the afternoon and I found Heather’s lens cap, as I was hurrying up the N dike towards the Eagle Tree view area !!– Eagle Tricks I must say !!
I just took one photo of the Eagle Pair, from a distance, and was hurrying up the North Carolina dike, to get a better view of the Eagle Pair, when they decided to fly away, telling me – ” it is time you go away too, as you have been out since 10.30 , and now it is 3. 30 pm ! “
Anyway- I walked up to the bench, directly facing the Eagle Tree, in the hope they may return. I sat for one hour- pondering over my bad luck ! At least, I found Heather’s Vortex lens cap !
Had my snack, looked around for the Bittern- NO luck second time, ! No luck with the Eagle Pair returning either .
At 4 pm, I started the walk back – a very SLOW one, that took me one hour ( ! ) not missing anything hiding in the cattail reed marsh brush , and all the while, looking back at the Eagle Tree- for one more glimpse- – No luck !
This is enough of Tiny Tricks and Treats for today . Tomorrow- will meet Heather at Rotary Pk- Penetang at 11 am – and see what we see !