Chester and the Kestrel

Not that  Chester and the Kestrel ever got together, but I have something to tell you about Chester and I saw the bird that may be a Kestrel again.

Chester woke me up this morning at 5:45 when he had a seizure.  It only lasted a minute or 2, but it has been several years since I have had a dog who had fits and it was very upsetting.  I knew what to do and just kept him from injuring himself and talked to him during it as well as when he was finished.  It was obvious that he had no idea what went on and he seemed surprised to find me petting him when he came out of it.  Luckily he was not on the bed when it started, because he would have fallen off, so it was a simple matter of just staying with him once he ended up against the wall.

He had an incident last week (on Friday) that I now realize (or at least I assume) was a minor mini fit.  He staggered for about the same length of time.  It just reminded of a someone drunk – a step or 2 to the right and then back to the left.  That time I took him outside, helped him down the stairs and just watched him.  After a couple of minutes he was fine.  It wasn’t until he had this fit today that I thought more about it.

Afterward, he wanted to go for our walk right away – so we went out and took our walk along the Red River as usual.  It was a beautiful 16C and the coolness felt wonderful.  Although he was looking for rabbits as usual, he did walk differently than he usually does.  Instead of the usual back and forth walking, he walked straight ahead and kept the leash tight the whole walk.  Pulling him back did not stop that at all and I was not going to use this particular walk to try to enforce any training, so I let him.  Normally when I stop for pictures, he gives a couple of pulls after I stop and then he stops and looks at me and waits for me to move on before moving, but today, he just kept pulling.  He never did stop pulling when I was taking pictures of the Kestrel.

After the walk, he ate his breakfast and is now sleeping beside me.

I phoned the vet, but the one we have been seeing lately is in surgery all day and decided to wait and watch what happens.  I wrote down the details of both incidents and will keep track of any further ones.

I took just one picture along the river.  The beavers have been working on their lodge over night and have cleared the bark off a fallen tree that is on top of it.  Since we were there earlier than normal, I thought I might see them – but no such luck.

Beaver Lodge July 21

The first couple of pictures of the Kestrel were taken somewhat towards the sun, so I had to lighten the bird enough to see more than just a dark shadow.  Then I took one from the other side, which is much clearer.

Kestrel July 21

Kestrel July 21

Kestrel July 21

Its amazing what a change of direction makes in a picture.  I saw 4 of them flying around a couple of minutes earlier and then saw this one as I was almost home.

On Africam today, we have seen Rhino, Elephants, Waterbuck, Zebras, Kudus, Nyala, Warthogs and more including some great pics of the Black Eagle Chick.  Click here to see today’s pictures.

Thunderstorm?

With luck, we will have a thunderstorm this morning or afternoon and the temperature will drop some.  The temperature only dropped to 24C last night and with the high humidity it feels like 34C (93F) at 7am.  Right now, they are only predicting 30C (feels like around 40C, which is 104F),because of the expected rain.

Not much to see out on the river this morning – still lots of ducks, but I only took one picture of a young Mallard and a trio of rowers on the other side of the river.  I did get a better look (but no picture) of the Kestrel from the other day.  There are a few of them several blocks away from home, so I’m assuming that a pair nested and have some young ones out on their own.  I saw one dive towards a squirrel that Chester was actually stalking.  Since the squirrel is about the same size as the bird, that would have been an interesting encounter.

A Kestral is the smallest of the Falcons.  This bird still looks to be bigger than what I remember of them from many years ago.  I used to see them at Grand Marais when my parents had a cottage there, but I was smaller way back then.

young Mallard Duck July 20

Rowers July 20

On Africam today, we have seen Elephants, Warthogs, Zebras, Baboons and more.  Click here to see today’s pictures.

Birds, Birds, Birds

Everywhere I looked on our walk along the Red River and even away from the river, I saw birds.  A lot of ducks, but other birds too.  It was 12C when Chester and I set out on our walk.  We took a little detour along the way – to check out a bird (of course).   

After the walk, I get home to see scaffolding going up at the block across the street again.  I think this block is in its 3rd year of fix-up now.  Wonder if it will ever be finished.  I don’t know if it sold and someone new is now working on it or if the original owners finally got their act together and got things started up again.

3 Mallards and a Wood Duck

I think these are Mallards

I have to see the mom with them when they are young, to know for sure, but I know both the Wood  Duck and the Mallard have similar sized babies now.

Wood Ducks

Mallard

Crow

Mystery Bird

Have to have a mystery bird in the bunch.  I don’t know if s(he) is a Kestrel, Falcon or Hawk of some kind.  I also don’t know if this is a good enough picture to be able to tell for sure.  This bird is the reason for my little detour.  After I took this picture, I walked to the end of the block and then walked back down the lane in the hopes of getting a picture of the front of the bird – but by the time I got back to this house, there was no sign of it.  I did see it flying a few minutes later, but it was very quick and no chance of getting a picture.

Barry from Africam has ID’d this bird as a Kestrel or Sparrow Hawk.  Thanks Barry.

So far today on Africam, we have seen Kudu, Warthog, Waterbuck, Elephants, Nyala and more, and since this is about birds today, I’ll list some of the birds too – Egyptian Geese, Hammerkop, Black Eagle (the chick is getting big) and Osprey.  Click here to see today’s pictures.

Peregrine Falcons and the Lawnmower Story

I guess I was assuming too much when the forecast indicated warm and dry weather for today.  I ran around and did my errands in the morning, expecting that the lawn would be dry in the afternoon, so I could cut it.   I barely got home and dragged out the mower when thunder and raindrops began falling.    More on my day later.

Anyway, I remembered to watch the Peregrine Falcon cam today and was thrilled to see 4 babies that appear to be very healthy and well fed.

Peregrine Falcon Chicks June 2

Peregrine Falcon Chicks June 2

Peregrine Falcon Chicks June 2

Peregrine Falcon Chicks June 2

Back to my day here

When I got home from my errands, I decided I was going to cut the grass in the back yard rain or no rain, since it had really grown compared to the front yard.  I dragged out the mower and after several pulls, it finally started.  The mower normally starts on the first or second pull.  I moved it about 3 feet and it stopped and absolutely would not start again.

The thing is that I bought a new mower while I was out today.  It is battery operated  – so no cords and no gas and no pulling required.  I wanted to mow right away, so decided I would leave the new one in the car and get it out later to get the battery charged so I could maybe do the front lawn with it later.

When the old one refused to go (it must have been very upset with me for bringing a new one home), I dragged that one out of the car, got it out of the box, put together and got it charging.  I brought it onto the back step and covered it with its box so it wouldn’t get wet.  Then I came inside and started watching Africam.

While I was setting up the new mower, a couple of guys who were painting the building next door (not the house, but he small block on the other side), were watching me and they asked how I got that one so fast after deciding to dump the old one.  They thought I sure managed to get this one delivered quickly.

This is turning out to be a long story – but bear with me – LOL

I was watching the cams when I remember that I should be trimming Chester’s nails, so I left to do that.  I decided I should also trim up some of his hair behind the ears.  That went well, but then I had to vacuum up the hair and dust from the nails and while I was doing that decided I might as well cover a little more territory with the vacuum.  When I got to the back porch, I saw the furnace filter and remember that I should have changed that yesterday, so I grabbed that and went downstairs.  I took the dirty one upstairs and out the back door to bang against the steps to get most of the dust out.  That’s when I saw the lawn mower and decided I should get the grass cut, since it was all charged up.  So, I got the back yard cut.

Oh and the block next door is going to look great when its all done!

April 4th

Happy Easter!  

We’re having beautiful weather today.  Of course, after finding snow on the ground yesterday morning, it doesn’t take too much to make me happy, so the shining sun and warmer temperatures are fine.

Last night at Nkorho waterhole on Africam, we had a hippo visit and spend a few hours having a good sleep. The waterhole is very shallow, so most of him (or her) was above water, but he sure looked comfortable.

dozing hippo

hippo getting ready to move on

Zoomie did a great job of getting in nice and close for us to see him.    

After work today, the dogs and I had our usual walk along the Red River.  The water seems to have crested (although I have no idea if it really has not not, since I never listen to the news).  Right now, my pictures are more to look at the trees in the hopes that a tinge of green begins to show indicating that the leaves are ready to open. 

April 4th looking South

April 4th looking West (across the river) at the trees in the water

Looking North along the bank of the Red River

I will soon be watching another cam again.  The Peregrine Falcons have returned to Winnipeg and will hopefully soon be working on their nest in downtown Winnipeg.  They are waiting until they settle on a nest location to get the camera up and going.

July 3rd

Another beautiful day here – I love the mid 20′s C.  

Happy 4th of July weekend to all my American friends.

Nothing exciting on our walk this morning – just a nice walk on a sunny morning.  I got my grocery shopping done, but before leaving to do that, I put my squirrel trap up on the roof of the back porch.   This morning was about the 5th morning in a row that a squirrel work me up around 4:30 am while chewing on something between my walls or in the ceiling.  There are obviously too many of them around if they are coming inside in such nice weather, so its time to take one or more for a ride to the other side of the river, where they can make themselves a new home.

I have been around the house dozens of times, trying to find out where they are getting in and I can not see anything.  Last time I moved a few out, it was a few years before they started to come in again late last fall.  The last time I took about 3 of them to Assiniboine Park, which is kind of a long drive, so I might find a closer park to leave them this time.  As long as the river is between here and where I leave them, they shouldn’t find their way back.  Every hour or so I check the trap because I won’t leave one in it for any longer than necessary.  I may not catch one until tonight when they get more active.

I like the little guys – they are really cute (its the little red squirrels), but I don’t like them living in my walls and ceilings.

I was watching the Peregrine Falcons in Winnipeg this afternoon and those babies have really been growing (which is good because that is what they are supposed to do).  The largest one doesn’t even look like a baby anymore – although he still have some fluffy feathers left.  He was flapping his wings while standing on the edge of the building and I was sure he was going to take off.  He didn’t though.  After lots of flapping, the cam operator zoomed in on the 3 of them.  So, I have a couple of distant flapping pics and a zoomed in one.

baby falcon flapping

baby falcon flapping

2 sleeping baby falcons and the older flapper (not flapping)

all 3 flapping now

They are pretty much a blur, but two are on the ledge and one is on the ‘whatever it is’ on the roof.

Africam is starting to pick up in the sightings department, now that there isn’t much water available except at the waterholes.

Nkorho was the setting for a herd of breeding elephants late in the day yesterday.

Elephants

First, they played hide and seek in the bushes and trees, before finally coming for a drink.

Thirsty elephants

Elephant

Mom and baby

zoomed in on the baby

more elephants and the babies

Then, shortly before dawn a rhino took a drink at the far side and then went in front of the cam for a photo opportunity.  

Rhino

Thats all for today – lots of pictures to look at.

July 1st – Happy Canada Day

So, the day is almost over by the time I got started on today’s entry – but it is still Canada Day and still time to be HAPPY!     

The weather is great – not too hot, just comfortable shirt sleeve weather. It is 21C right now and I am not even sure what it went up to day.

I got the grass cut and the windows washed after walking the dogs this morning. I saw some ducks along the river – but no babies. Speaking of that Red River – it has risen again. It was pretty much down to the normal summer level and now it is up and the bushes are back in the river. I haven’t been over to The Forks, but I suspect that the walkways are under water again too.

Female Mallard Duck

Male Mallard Duck

The Rising Red River (again)

debris floating down the Red River

Whenever the river rises, we get floating debris.

Back in my yard, the peony is now blooming.

Peony

And the Iris is still blooming.

Iris

I hadn’t been back to check on the Winnipeg Falcons for awhile and what a surprise tonight when I did.  They don’t look like babies any more.  The largest one is standing on the edge of the building and you can see the fluffy down flying off his body every time he moves.  Unfortunately, it is not zoomed in, but here are a couple of pictures.

falcons

falcons

June 19th

Today wasn’t a bad day temperature wise.  It was 19C this morning when the dogs and I walked and this afternoon (or I guess its evening now – where did the day go), it is 23C.  It has been threatening to rain all day again, but so far not a drop, although it is still in the forecast.

No sightings on our walk, so the pictures today are all taken in my yard (and my next door vacant yard).  When I mowed my lawn today, the uncut grass and weeds next door looked even worse than they have so far this year.  I have not seen anyone at this house since it was sold last year.

Blvd of house next door

Blvd and lawn of house next door

I emailed a complaint to the City of Winnipeg today.  Maybe they will make the owner demolish the house and clean up the yard.  The bylaw says they will do something if the grass is over 6 inches high and this is about a foot or foot and a half high.

Here is a Lily of the Valley growing in my back yard.

Lily of the Valley

These were growing wild in the back yard many years ago, when I first bought the house, but being trampled by the dogs, they disappeared – only to come back again this year.  It is up against the fence and hopefully will continue to come back each year again.

flowers on the honeysuckle June 19th

Mini Strawberry Plant

I picked up 3 of these Mini Strawberry Plants a few years ago from freecycle and they are doing well.  They have flowers and tiny berries on them all summer long.  So far just flowers this year, but little berries will be coming soon.

I looked out my living room window to see this guy, this afternoon, so I took one picture through the window and then opened the front door to take the second picture.

bunny (picture taken through window)

bunny

The Peregrin Falcon chicks continue to grow (which is good). and they are all now showing some feathers on their wings and tails.

Peregrin Falcon Chicks

wing flapping

Today, I took my passport application to the passport office and paid my money to get a passport.  Now I will be able to go to the U.S. again one day and to African when I can afford it. 

June 17th

Today is cloudy, a little cooler – 18C right now with a forecast high of 20C and rain showers. The rain is supposed to start in the afternoon and then rain all the rest of the day. If is is raining when I am ready to leave for work, I will take the car – otherwise the bicycle is my mode of transportation.

The dogs and I had our morning walk along the Red River this morning without seeing any wildlife. Well, there were blackbirds, sparrows, robins and various other small birds – but no ducks, geese, bunnies, although the dogs did spot one of the large grey squirrels that they wanted to chase.

The only pictures I got were of the flowers on a tree that is in my back yard. I have no idea what kind of tree this is. It was here when I bought the house 25 years ago. Several years ago, I cut it almost to the ground because it was pretty unhealthy looking and it grew back beautifully.

flower

2nd flower

After starting to write this I decided to go outside and take a picture of the tree.

the tree

While I was taking the picture of the tree, a squirrel was chattering at me from another tree – so I took his picture too!

squirrel

I was watching the Peregrin Falcon chicks being fed this morning and was thrilled to see the cam was zoomed in on them.

feeding time

I was wondering why there were only two at the feeding, when number 3 chick wandered over to get some too.

feeding time

hungry chicks