Maya's first solo visit

 Maya flew back from Edmonton with her other grandmother and they quarantined for a couple of weeks. I picked her up for a short visit and we drove first to Chris and Jason's so she could be the first member of her family to see "Charlie Golf"

CG is still quite little but looks much bigger in Maya's arms. She also got to bottle feed her. She was very gentle and seemed thrilled by the experience. Photo by Chris.

Maya slept on the couch in the little front room and when looking for bedding we found some old stuffed toys. George's teddy bear and sock monkey, my koala bear and pony and this dog puppet that was Chris and Mike's. It was probably the cleanest of the lot (and also the most washable) so became her constant companion. Neither Mike or Chris could remember its name so Maya named her "Lily" and made up a whole back story (her mother was bitten by a coyote so Maya had to look after her, until she got better)

We had to go shopping for kid friendly food. I don't usually stock hot dogs, carrot sticks, crescent rolls, grapes and instant porridge

I had asked Brit if she had a few age appropriate books she could lend me and she provided a bag of books along with crayons, a colouring book and this wooden doll and cut out clothes to be decorated and attached with magnets. The Winnie the Pooh books were her favorite so far.

The weather was horrible; grey, windy and rainy, for the 2 days she was with me, so the planned walks did not happen, but we did drive to the beach so she could see it in the winter. Not impressed!

Down time with the ipad.

After 2 days I drove her back to her other grandmother's and will arrange for her to come and stay again before she returns out west later in March. I did learn some interesting things from Maya; beets give her chicken pox and her teeth are too small for celery.

The last camera I bought was a hurried purchase with no choice but the one I got. I had dropped my camera on a walk in Mallorca and bought another in a small camera store in Palma. That was 3 years ago. It's been OK but lately I have been wanting it to do things that it can't. So I splurged and bought a new camera. A Panasonic Lumix ZS60. It arrived yesterday and now I have to learn how to make it do those fancier things. The pictures below are just taken with the Auromatic Mode.

A laker in the evening sun. My last camera had a 20X digital zoom, this one has a 30X

Arriving home from dropping Maya off today there was some drama on the lake. A small animal (I think it was a Racoon) was being harassed by a juvenile Bald Eagle.

The bird would swoop down at it but never seemed to actually touch it.

The animal just kept wandering along on the ice (in the wrong direction!)

ignoring the bird.

Another Eagle joined the fun and eventually there were 3 juveniles out there.

I lost sight of the animal and assume that it made its way back to shore. I think it was just too large for the birds to deal with but they certainly were very curious about it. Although these pictures aren't great they are much better than I would have been able to get with the old camera so, so far, I am quite happy with it.

Shooting into the sun.

Delhi outing.

 Out of lockdown and Rick and I were invited to go for a walk with friends who live in Delhi. After weeks of not seeing anyone, except Rick and family, this was very exciting.

We drove to Delhi and then followed Mark and Angie to Tillsonburg, where we walked part of the Trans Canada Trail.

Unfortunately there had been a snow storm the previous day and the trail was rough going through the deep snow.

But still lovely, through a golf course,

beside and over a river (Big Creek)

and we turned around at the (no longer used) rail trestle.

Like a huge metal sculpture.

There was evidence of people skiing, tobogganing, snow shoeing and a guy with a snow blower was clearing a couple of ice rinks. Covid is certainly making us appreciate the Canadian outdoors.

Then it was back to Mark and Angie's to sit around the fire drinking hot apple cider with spiced rum, and red wine and eat chilli, rolls and squares for dessert.

Angie's chilli was particularly delicious (though I have never met a chilli that I didn't like). Here's the link to the recipe she used.

 /www.thewholesomedish.com/maple-bourbon-chili/

Mean while, back at the ranch:

On again, off again ice is restricting the areas that the ducks can feed.

The bluff continues to be a prime hunting ground and my pine tree a prime vantage point. I think this is a Kestrel.

Taking a picture from inside the sunroom wasn't working well so I stepped out of the door and he gave me a look that said "Don't disturb me, I'm cold and hungry"

and then he flew off.

A few time there have been large birds standing out on the ice. They look big enough to be Eagles but I'm not sure.

Now that Nicola has finished, and shown Christine, CiGi's quilt,

I can post the pictures of Rasta "helping" her by holding onto the box of pins.

Lots of colour in the house as the Geraniums are flowering,

as are the Daffodils I bought in from the garage on Feb 1st,

and the Orchid, Rick gave to me.

Last, but not least, baby pictures:

She has a diaper rash so spends some time, naked, airing out. So many toys already.

Sometimes she just goes back to sleep. 7.5lbs now, getting chubbier.

In a group chat, Daniele said how much she liked baby toes, so Chris created a collage just for her.

Port Dover walks and updates.

 When I don't feel like doing much, but know I need to get outside, I either walk along the road by the house or the Lynn Valley Trail.

Near here Rick and I spotted a pair of mink. They were too fast, no pictures, but an exciting sighting.

The ice comes in many formations, this looks like shards of broken glass.

On the Lynn Valley trail with Nicola, Daniele and Ruby, we spotted this very cold looking Blue Heron. Should have flown south!!

I took pictures of these skulls around Halloween, now they have scarves and hats.

After that walk, Nic and I picked up coffee at Trish's bakery and then sat at the pier. The ducks thought we might want to feed them.

Playing with that photo.

Nic observed that the female Mallards

have a small flash of purple.

Now some updates:

Regular readers may recall that I visited my friend Christine, in Wales, a couple of years ago and she and her husband had bought an old mill to renovate. After years of dealing with the heritage committees and bat society they have moved into a "shed" on the property and have been working on it:

The outside walls are now complete and pointed

and the roof finished, with Welsh slate and skylights.

 

I am also regularly getting photo updates of Cassandra George:

I love it when I get a video call and she is awake (though I am getting a reputation for putting her to sleep that way)

So relaxed.

Those baths are absolutely exhausting.

More winter walks

 Not much to do but take walks this winter but the ice sculptures have been wonderful and we continue to try and identify ducks.

On a walk in the Turkey Point Provincial Park, evidence of snowmobiles, big tire bikes and cross country skis.

I am always happy to get out

on a sunny day.

A bit further afield, Port Maitland.

There was plenty of evidence of high waves and winds, (this is a lamp post and a garbage can, on the pier)

but I can't believe that this fish got tossed up on the wall by waves.

My favorite ice sculpture so far, a bike rack at Port Maitland.

We walked in the Long Beach Conservation Area but walking on the beach itself was rough going.

Amazing that the trees and shrubs

survive

this winter onslaught.

At one of the beaches we saw this lighthouse out in the lake. With all his sailing on Lake Erie and driving and living along the shore, Rick had never seen it before and swore it was a mirage.

So Chris created this "mirage" for him.

Heritage Value

The Mohawk Island Lighthouse is a heritage lighthouse because of its historical, architectural, and community values.

Historical values
The Mohawk Island Lighthouse is an excellent example of the development of navigational aids on Lake Erie and is closely associated with the early history of Welland Canal. The lighthouse was specifically erected to warn of the dangers of an offshore shoal and to direct traffic to and from the southern end of the canal. The Mohawk Island Lighthouse is one of the few surviving lighthouses of its era on the Great Lakes. Its combined tower and keeper’s dwelling speak to the lightkeeping tradition at remote locations in the nineteenth century. The Mohawk Island Lighthouse is an excellent example of the socio-economic development of the region. The construction of the Welland Canal in 1829 and its subsequent improvements through to the 1840s was the most important factor in the
development of the area. The lighthouse supported the industries that flourished with the opening of the canal by ensuring the safety of passing ships.

Architectural values
The Mohawk Island Lighthouse is a spectacular maritime ruin that still evokes its Neoclassical style, as evidenced by its hammer-dressed stonework, its symmetrical massing and the placement of its openings. Although it is now only a shell in ruins, the lighthouse still exhibits the pleasing proportions of a tall tower with an integrated keeper’s dwelling.
Despite a half-century of abandonment, the tapered stone tower remains solid and upright, a testimony to the excellent materials used and also to the craftsmanship of John Brown, the Scottish stonemason who built the structure. From Parks Canada website.

Bald Eagle at Port Maitland.