Birds and Trees

Its only 5 months till Christmas – are you ready yet?

It was 14C under a sunny sky with just a light breeze when Chester and I walked along the Red River this morning.  I did enjoy the heat of the last few weeks, but am glad things are back to normal.  It will get to the high 20′s all week, but when it cools down at night like this, it is good.  We really need a good long  soaking rain though.

Chester is still doing fine after his seizure last week and I’m hoping there will never be another one – but am prepared in case there are.

Big Tree across the river July 25

According to the City of Winnipeg, the Red River is now just 14 feet over winter ice level and this tree was not the only one that has been under water for so many months.  There are some just a few feet away, that still have their trunks in water.

trees in water July 25

young Mallard

I didn’t see many ducks this morning, but this young Mallard stood and posed for me.    No sign of the beavers this morning either, but this beautiful little Goldfinch posed for several pictures.  I took the first picture when I first saw him, moved a few feet closer and took another and moved closer again.  When he flew off, he posed for one more.    He has been eluding me all summer, and I’m really happy to get this pictures of him.

Goldfinch July 25

Goldfinch July 25

Goldfinch July 25

Goldfinch July 25

On Africam today we have seen rhinos, waterbucks, nyala, baboons, mongoose, zebras, and more plus a lot of different birds.  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.

A Cool Morning

For the first time in over 2 weeks, I turned the air conditioner off last night.  Since the humidity is so high, there wasn’t any use turning it off even if the temperature was dropping a bit below 20C overnight because it would have to work harder to get rid of the humidity the next day when I would have to turn it back on again.  The temperature took a big drop overnight last night and it was 8C this morning when Chester and I took our walk along the Red River.  Of course the humidity is still at 94% but they are saying it will only go to 24C today, so I won’t have to fire up the air conditioner for a couple of days.  They are predicting temperatures in the 30′s towards the weekend.

The little bunny that I took a picture of yesterday in my yard, is a young one – about 1/2 grown.  About an hour after taking his picture yesterday, I noticed that he was still in the same spot.  I was a little worried that there was a problem, so I went out and walked closer to him – but he then took off and went into the next yard.  This morning though, he was back in the same spot.  So – I took a picture of him from another angle.

Bunny July 12

I found a female (or young) Goldfinch along the river.

Goldfinch

And then I found a bump on a log that turned out to be a Mallard Duck.

Mallard Duck July 12

On Africam today, we have seen rhino, warthogs, elephants, zebras, waterbucks, vervet monkeys, baboons, bushbuck and more.  Click here to see today’s pictures.

This and That

It was 14C this morning when Chester and I went for our walk along the Red River.  The sky to the east was a friendly blue and the sky to the west was threatening.  I didn’t think I saw any birds until I looked at one of the pictures I took and I didn’t see any beavers (even in my pictures).

Sky to the East July 11

Sky to the West July 11

Since the sun is coming up in the East (obviously), the sun shining on the dark clouds to the West brighten it up quite a bit.

A rower was going past my big tree just as I took this picture (the water is still very high) and when I looked at the picture, I saw several Canada Geese along the riverbank too.

Tree, Rower and Geese

July 11 Lilies

Back in the yard, we have the last of the lilies and a bunny in hiding.

July 11 Bunny

On Africam today, we have seen Elephants, Giraffes, Hippo, Baboons, Waterbuck, Nyala, Impala and more  Click here to see today’s pictures.

Back to Normal (whatever that is)

I did not even check the temperature when Chester and I took our walk along the Red River this morning.  Now (around noon) it is 21C with 94% humidity and drizzling.  It was drizzling when we walked too.   It is supposed to get up to 25C by this afternoon.

We couldn’t find any beavers today, but did find one small Wood Duck family.  It was just the mom and 2 almost grown babies.

Wood Ducks

No relaxing for mom as she stands guard.

When heading out for breakfast after my workout at the Y, a large truck in front of me suddenly slammed on the brakes and came to a screeching halt in the middle of the road.  I couldn’t see in front of it, so I slammed on my brakes too.  Just then we could see a Mallard Duck and her tiny babies crossing the road and heading for the river.  That truck would have killed the whole family if the driver hadn’t done that.  The family had to get across the other direction too, but the first car coming towards them also braked quickly and I saw them all scramble up the curb on the river side of the street. 

Yesterday, I was playing with the settings on my camera and found a sketch mode.  Of course I had to try that out and took a couple of pictures of Chester in the yard.

Chester July 8 sketch

Chester July 8 sketch

On Africam today, we have seen Giraffe, Wildebeest, Duiker, Baboons, Zebra, Elephants and much more.  Click here to see today’s pictures.

Hot and Sunny

It was 16C when Chester and I walked along the Red River this morning under a sunny sky – but with the humidity at 88%, we were both hot and sweaty when we got back home again.  Actually, I’m not sure dogs get sweaty – but he was panting heavily and I was hot and sweaty.    It is supposed to get up to 26C this afternoon.  Yesterday we had a huge thunderstorm in the afternoon and the rain was pelting down, but it only lasted about 20 minutes and then the sun came out again.

Although I heard quite a few birds on our walk today, I did not see anything at all – so all we have are my Mock Orange and Lily flowers to see today.

Mock Orange July 5

Lilies July 5

Lilies July 5

On Africam today, we have seen Giraffe,  Bushbuck, Baboons, Impalas, Hadeda Ibis, Hammerkop, Terrapin and more.  Click here to see today’s pictures.

Its Time to Wish the Americans a Happy 4th of July

It is going to be a very hot and humid day here today.  It was 21C for our walk along the Red River this morning and with humidity of 88%, it felt much warmer.  Walking into my air conditioned home after the walk sure felt good.  The thing is that I keep the temperature inside at 22C, but the air conditioner looks after the humidity.  Thunderstorms are forecast for this afternoon and evening.

I was thinking that my beaver would show himself on July 4th instead of July 1st, just to show that he isn’t strictly a Canadian critter – but he was a no show again.  I did find a small family of Wood Ducks with young babies.

Wood Ducks July 4

Wood Ducks July 4

I have a lot of American friends – most of whom I met online over the last several years.

To each and everyone of them (and to all other Americans who may read this), I wish you a very happy 4th of July.  I’ll start my party on your behalf after work today!

On Africam today, we have had some good looks at the Black Eagle chick in the nest, along with warthogs, impalas, hadeda ibis, baboons, white-tailed mongoose and much more.  Click here to see today’s pictures.

Flowers and Ducks

I didn’t check the temperature before Chester and I walked along the Red River this morning – but I do know that it was gorgeous out there.  The sun was shining and there was just a bit of a breeze.   The first critters I saw was the Wood Duck Family with the oldest babies.  Then I took a picture of the Beaver Lodge ruins.

Wood Ducks

Beaver Lodge Ruins

I had sure been looking forward to watching the building in progress.  I wonder if he will come back and resume building.

Then it was time for breakfast.    After breakfast, I decided it was time to tackle the flower bed.  The Forget-me-nots, that had taken over the flower bed had all died out and things were looking pretty sad out there.  So, I pulled almost all of them out – seeds were flying everywhere, so I bet I’ll have even more of them next year.

I went to the neighbourhood garden center and bought a bunch of pansies and planted them.

Pansies

Peony is still blooming

Wild Rose June 25

There used to be more wild roses in my yard, but they’ve all disappeared over the years except this one.

Wild Rose June 25

By the time I finished in the yard it was noon with a temperature of  23C.

On Africam today, we have seen Elephants, Rhino, Bushbuck, Baboons, Giraffe, Waterbuck, Nyala and more.  Click here to see today’s pictures so far.

River Walk June 21

It was 17C under a party sunny sky with a bit of a wind today when Chester and I took our walk.   It seems to have been a birding day – but only 2 different types of birds – and quite a few of one of them. 

First we have one of the little sparrows that makes a buzzing sound – I assume he thinks he’s singing, but it took me awhile to figure out that it was a bird and not a bug making the sound.  I finally found my Manitoba bird books while moving furniture around in my living room – so I now know he is a Clay-Colored Sparrow. 

Clay-Colored Sparrow

Wood Ducks Jun 21

The other birds spotted were Wood Ducks and there were 2 families to watch.

Wood Ducks Jun 21

After I passed the first family, I saw the one all by herself, close to shore.

Wood Duck Jun 21

I think she then called her family to let them know the photographer was there for the family photo, because seconds later, this is what I saw.

Wood Ducks Jun 21

Last picture for today is my first peony to open.

Peony June 21

On Africam today, some of what we have seen are Elephants, Waterbucks, Zebras, Nyalas, Baboons, Jackals, a Civet and we got a good look at the Black Eagle chick as well.  Click here to take a look at these pictures and more.

Happy Father’s Day

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.  Hope you have a great day.

It is Manitoba Marathon Day here today.  Several thousand people run for 26.2 km around the city – some in relay races, some running a 1/2 marathon, some racing in wheelchairs and some just doing little fun runs.  I have never had any interest in doing this, but when not working, I have often walked to the end of my street to cheer the runners on.

Today is the first time I haven’t been working on marathon day in years – but I didn’t go to cheer them on.  Instead, Chester and I went out to Birds Hill Park for our walk in the hopes of seeing deer again.  We drove around twice and did not see a single deer.     There was much more traffic out there than there has been other days though.

Last time we went out there, I noticed a spot called overlook.  I kind of wondered about that and decided that this time we would have our walk there to see whatever we would be able to see at the overlook.  I wasn’t expecting much, because its pretty flat there, but if nothing else, maybe I would see some wildlife.  I didn’t see any wildlife and the view was ok, but nothing to get too excited about. 

View from the Overlook

There is a paved bicycle path that goes right by the overlook though, so we walked along that for awhile.  It was a nice walk – it got us away from the road (where most of the bicyclists ride).  There are a lot of rollerbladers on the road too, but this path would have been much nicer to be on.   Chester and I were the only ones on the path. 

I figured I needed more pictures than just the overlook – so I decided to check out the flowers in my yard.

Impatience

Mystery Flower

No idea what this flower is – something else that just appeared, I guess.  Here are the leaves, in case you can help identify it.

Thanks for a couple of Africam friends (Ceri and Geschu), I now know this is Bittersweet Nightshade: Solanum dulcamara

Mystery Flower Leaves

Peony Bud

When I first bought this house, there were peonies everywhere – must have been about 2 dozen of them.   Peonies are not my favourite plant.  They have beautiful flowers – but they don’t last for long.  I dug up and gave lots of them away.  Then when we were going to dig a basement and add the sunroom, I knew they wouldn’t survive, so I found home for almost all the rest of them.  After the work was all done and the yard leveled out and new grass planted, this one came up in the middle of the lawn.   It survived all the construction and was obviously moved and buried again with the bulldozer.  I left it where it was growing and made a small flower bed around it.

On Africam today, we have seen Baboon, Warthogs,  Elephants, Impalas, Vervet Monkeys, and more.  Click here to see today’s pictures so far.