Variety

What you see today, is what I saw When Chester and I walked today and that was variety!   It was 10C when we walked!  Wow – what a relief and it didn’t feel any cooler than yesterday’s 16C.  I know my friends in Africa would have coats on along with hot water bottles and blankets for their game drives – but I had on my regular t-shirt and bluejeans for the walk.

It is only supposed to go up to 22C today, so I’ll get my grass cut this morning for the first time in 3 weeks.  Most of it really doesn’t need cutting, since it hasn’t had water in ages now and hasn’t grown, but some blades are high and some trees are growing.  Tomorrow there is a possibility of rain and we really need it.

Chester was back to normal on our walk today 

We will start with the beaver lodge.

Beaver Lodge July 22

Then I zoomed in for a closeup of the beaver bite marks where they pealed the bark.

Beaver Bite Marks July 22

Then a Mallard Duck swam by.

Mallard Duck July 22

And a FedEx Plane flew overhead.

Plane

A crow sat on a light pole above us.

Crow July 22

And a hot air balloon drifted over our heads.

Hot Air Balloon July 22

On Africam today, we have seen Rhino African Harrier Hawk, African Fish Eagle, Zebras, Kudu, Side Striped Jackal and more.  Click here to see today’s pictures.

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.

Beaver Day

Its raining and 14C, but Chester and I took our regular walk along the Red River this morning.  We were rewarded by finally finding the beaver!  Of course, he was in the water and swimming away from me, but I saw him coming towards the shore once he got into the trees and managed to get one picture with him a bit closer.

Beaver (1st shot)

Beaver (2nd shot)

Beaver (3rd shot)

Beaver (final shot)

Right after my last shot, he dove under the water and I couldn’t find him again.  But I’m excited that I’ve finally seen him.

Also exciting  lat night was that lions came to Nkorho on Africam.  I haven’t heard yet who they are, but it was 2 lionesses with a cub and zoomie did a wonderful job getting great pictures of them.   Unfortunately, I was not home at the time, so have no pictures of my own.  Just before I went to bed last night though one of them came back for a quick drink.  She didn’t stay long enough for me to get any pictures as I was just about ready to pack it in for the night.  It was a very exciting night, with two Verreaux’s Giant Eagle Owls (ended yesterday’s bird day for me) and a jackal came around them a couple of times and one of them got into a scrap with a white tailed mongoose.

Most of the lion pictures are on yesterday’s pictures here and some of them (including the lion that came to Tembe and the hyaena at Nkorho) are on today’s pictures here .  Take a look in the  recent posts and you will find some videos to watch also.

Now, the reason I wasn’t home to see all the excitement was that I was at Celebrations Dinner Theatre watching the Last Concert:  Buddy Holly & Friends.  It was a great show – the food was wonderful – and the service was excellent!

Happy Birthday Chester

Chester is 8 years old today!  Or he was 8 sometime around now anyway.  When you don’t know the exact date, you do the best you can at estimating, with the information you get.  We had actually decided that May 1st would be his day, but snow and work got in the way – so this year it is on the 2nd. 

Of course there is still  snow and there is still work today – but it will have to do.

So here is a picture of the birthday boy taken this morning.

Chester's Birthday Picture

Next are my poor tulips in the snow.  They have beautiful buds on them, so I hope they will still flower for me.

Tulips in the Snow

And then we still need our big tree across the river to keep track of the Red River rising for this year.  Not that it looks like it has risen any for awhile now.

Big Tree May 2

It was -4C when we started out on our walk and it has now risen to 0C.  It is supposed to get up to 9C by this afternoon, so I sure hope the snow is all gone by then.  I’m not shoveling it so it better go away!

Africam continues to have a wide assortment of critters coming to visit us at their cameras at the three waterholes – Nkorho, Elephant Plains and Tembe Elephant Park.  So far today, we have seen Impalas, Wildebeests, Kudu, Elephants, Waterbucks, Nyalas, Terrapin, Oxpecker, Egyptian Geese, Guineafowl, Jackal and Zebras.  Check out today’s pictures here.  Of course, the day isn’t over yet! 

I’m off to vote now – see you later.

Mystery Critter at Tembe

Yesterday, shortly before I left for work, we witnessed an animal die on Tembe on the Africam camera.  This happened very close to the waterhole, but in a very difficult spot to see what was actually happening.  We could see the animals legs flailing and his mouth opening and then he suddenly stopped moving.  As soon as he stopped moving, the nearby impalas stopped their alarms, which had started before anyone noticed him go down.

Looking at Africam’s facebook page, the guesses range greatly as to what kind of animal this was, but  nyala, wildebeest or wild dog seem to be the most common thoughts.

My thought is the nyala as the colouring and size seem to match a male nyala – the wild dog is much smaller than this animal and the wildebeest does not have white on him.  The nyala does have a tail much like a wild dog.

We also do not know what happened to him – again guesses have ranged between a snake bite or a python wrapped around his neck to injuries sustained from an attack.  To me, the position of the nyala has his head pointing to the right but we were seeing his bottom chin and his horns are under his head on the ground.  This would protrude his neck out and make it look like something was wrapped around his neck, and that would rule out the python.   He was lying in the middle of a dark shadow, which was between two bright sunlight areas.

The things that are keeping the uncertainty going is that no one from Tembe has gone to take a look or to let anyone know what happened and the camera at Tembe went down during the night and Africam has not been able to get it back up again.  It is now nearing night in Africa and we may not know anything until tomorrow (if then).

While watching this happen live, I can tell you that my emotions ranged from fear to sadness, amazement, shock, disbelief and pretty much everything in between.

To add to the confusion, apparently one of the wild dogs was killed by a lion yesterday.  This was a separate incident though.

If you are interested in watching a video – remember that it is not very clear and also that this animal dies – you can see Gerda’s video here.

It was 7C when Chester and I walked this morning – but it was drizzling rain.  The only picture I took was of our big tree and it didn’t focus well because of the rain, so I won’t even show it here.  Instead I’ll give you a Black Backed Jackal that I just saw at Nkorho. 

Black Backed Jackal

Nkorho Sightings

As I expected, it didn’t get as warm as the forecast indicated yesterday  and the wind was so nasty that it was quite unpleasant in the morning and early afternoon.  It did warm up though and this morning we are starting off with -12C and a windchill of only -22C.  Much better.  I was getting a little tired of the -30 and lower stuff.   The temperature is supposed to remain fairly constant during the day today and tonight it is supposed to go down to -19C.

Chester and I got back to a more normal walk today – finally.  It was in the dark though since I start work before it starts getting light out today.  The days are starting to get a bit longer here now but there is still more than enough winter left here too.    It was nice to see some of the other regular walkers out again this morning.

Early morning today at Nkorho (brought to us by Africam) seemed fairly quiet until you take a closer look around water’s edge.

Blacksmith Lapwing

Wood Sandpiper (I think)

Black Backed Jackal

I think we spotted all that remained of the goose egg laid at the water’s edge.

goose egg shell

As I was re-checking what I wrote here, Cyrus landed on the keyboard and decided to do his own proofreading.

Cyrus and the Blog

Time to head out to work.  Have a great day.

July 3rd

Another hot humid day here today.  We had a morning thunderstorm, which really helped with the humidity and I can hear thunder again now, so I guess another one is coming.  There is a humidex warning, which apparently isn’t good.  I am keeping Chester in the house against his will because he is always running around and that wouldn’t be good in these conditions.  Luckily, we have our air conditioner to keep us cool in the house, but I had planned on getting the grass cut again today.  Its too hot and humid now and by tonight the mosquitoes will be really nasty or it will be raining.

I took a couple more pictures of the house next door today.

front of house next door July 3

back roof showing some shingles have been installed

A lone Mallard Duck posed for us as Chester and I walked along the Red River this morning.

Mallard Duck July 3

Then, since I took so many scenery pictures on my vacation, I decided I should take a general picture of the mighty Red River today.

Red River looking north

The view is certainly not like the beautiful mountains – but this is kind of an oasis in the middle of our city here.  I’m really glad this is within walking distance from my home.

It has been busy at the waterholes at Africam again today, with visits from a hippo, a herd of Kudu, Wildebeest, Baboons, Giraffe, Jackal and more.

Our friend Morris has made up a video with the critters visiting in just in a couple of hours at both waterholes this afternoon for us to see. Click here see see it and while there, please give it a thumbs up and maybe a digg. Thanks Morris!

Tomorrow, my vacation is officially over as I go back to work.

February 15th

February is now more than 1/2 over!  Spring is on the way.  Right now it is -13C  here with the sun shining down on us.  The days are getting longer, which means more sunshine.    We could certainly get some of that -30′s type weather, and a blizzard is never out of the question with March on the way – but this has been a great winter.  The wind on our walk this morning kept it pretty chilly – but we can take it.

Are you watching the Olympics?  I don’t have them on all the time, but have really been enjoying it.  Its too bad every single athlete could not go home with a medal because they have worked so hard to get to this event and 1/100 of a second could mean the difference between receiving a medal and going home empty handed.  Congratulations to everyone who has won a medal for themselves and for their country so far.  Everyone has a heartwarming story to tell.  That being said – of course, I am Canadian and I cheer mostly for the Canadian team 

Go Canada Go ! ! !

My friend Connie and I have started to make reservations for our summer vacation this year.  We are going to Banff and Jasper in Alberta.  I haven’t taken this trip in years and am really looking forward to it.  We plan on going horseback riding and whitewater rafting.  We have our rooms booked at the Y Hotel in Banff (I didn’t even know there was a Y Hotel there) and at a motel in Jasper.  We will be taking the #1 Highway to Banff then going to Jasper and then to Edmonton for 1 night  while visiting the West Edmonton Mall, before heading back home along the Yellowhead Highway.

My trip to Africa is still in the plans, but I have given up hope of ever saving the amount of money I will need for it.  I do have equity in my house though, so when the time is right, I will re-mortgage and use the money for my dream trip.   I would love to have this trip include Australia and New Zealand as well, since I would be in the neighbourhood.

I haven’t put a picture up here for ages, so this morning I took a picture of the snow on my fence in the back yard.

Snow on the Fence

Its strange how it took shape like this.  

I thought I would also add a couple of pictures that I snapped at  Africam in the last few days – one from Nkorho and one from Elephant Plains.

Blacked Backed Jackals with Old Faithful (the buffalo skull)

Elephant Herd Early Morning Visit

Have a great day!

December 11th

Winter is easier to take when it comes on us slowly – but that sure did not happen this year.  We coasted along with the nicest November weather we’ve had and then suddenly December arrived and the temperatures dropped.  It has been staying at about -25C for a few days now.  If you expect your car to start after being parked for several hours, hopefully you remembered to plug the block heater in.

The dogs and I are walking shorter distances these days.  Partly because I freeze up and partly because Dakota is pretty stiff in the cold.  I did get a fairly good shot of the sunrise on December 8th though.  If you are on facebook, you’ve already seen it, but if not I am posting it here.

December 8th Sunrise

You can see the mist rising off the open part of the river – the part in front is ice and snow covered.

If you have been reading regularly, you may remember my posts on the mystery block across the street from my house.    You can read more about the mystery block from my April 15th and on posts at April 15, 2009, but basically, everyone moved out of this block without me seeing anything and they started gutting the inside and re-insulating the outside. All work suddenly stopped a several weeks ago, when the job was obviously not finished. The scaffolding was left up, but the lovely orange tarp had been removed. In the late fall while I was out in the yard raking the leaves, I noticed that some of the students from the nearby school were climbing up on the scaffolding.

A couple of weeks ago, I stopped one of the city councilors who I knew, and asked him about the block.   He is not the councilor for my area, but he said he would look into it if I would send him an email. I sent the email to him and very shortly afterwords, I started to get replies from various city departments.

I now know that the building had been sold and that is why the makeover began. The building permit is currently on hold for the Electrical Plan Examination to complete its review process.   No estimate was given as to when that would happen.  Then this morning I received another email from the building inspector, letting me know that the scaffolding was now being removed.  I looked out the window and saw that it was.

I certainly know who to contact when I have a question again!

On my Africam addiction     it is sure great to see the green grass and trees back again, now that the rainy season has begun. I get to see daylight during my twitter shift now – even though I am not seeing many critters myself. The animals are coming to visit during the late morning and afternoon though, as the pictures taken by others show.

Click here to see today’s pictures, which includes zebras, impalas, wildebeests, and jackal visitors to the waterhole at Nkorho.

July 30th

It was a cool, cloudy morning here and then the rain came.  The clouds would get really dark and the rain poured down for a few minutes.  Then the clouds cleared for a short time, only to come back and repeat the dark clouds and pouring rain.  This happened several times yesterday and it is continuing all day today by the looks of things.  It did get up to 18C this afternoon, but tomorrow and Saturday are looking very similar according to the forecast 

It wasn’t raining when the dogs and I took our morning walk – but we did not see anything of interest either.

Africam was pretty busy at Nkorho this morning. I opened the cam to find a Slender Mongoose hunting in the rocks that protect the water pipe from the elephants (sometimes).

Slender Mongoose

Slender Mongoose

He caught a couple of  somethings and had a nice feast while we were watching him.

The mongoose was barely out of sight when a Jackal entered our view.

Black Backed Jackal

He was followed by a herd of Impalas.

Impalas

and them some Zebras, including a sweet baby.

Zebra with Impala in background

thirsty Zebras

Zebra Mom with Baby

It is obvious there is a baby Zebra on the other side of mom, and then she moved out of the way to show us her baby.

Baby Zebra

Then I heard that Wild Earth had found Induna the Leopard, so I loaded up that cam too. Did I really expect to get my chores done today??

Induna

I did manage to get my grocery shopping done between rain showers.  Weeding the flower bed was scratched off the list due to the wet conditions.  The worst part of the dining room floor got washed and I’ll work on more of that later.  I took pictures of Jewel, because it is her 13th hatch date tomorrow. 

Jewel

Jewel's Tail