Lockdown catch up.

I realized that I hadn't written a blog post in a couple of weeks. When I looked at the photos that I had taken in that period I recognized that it was because I had been busy and my photos were pretty boring. Not much to do in lockdown but walk, garden and bird watch. So that will pretty well sum up this post.

I used deliverying a book to Heather as an excuse to drive up to Paris with Rick. We had a lovely deck visit with Heather and Don and Kathy and Bruce and it felt almost normal

Then we walked the trails beside the Nith. These had not yet been developed when we lived in Paris. They are close to downtown, with a footbridge over the river at the point where there used to be a dam for the Penman's mill.

Well worn, well used paths

but still very pleasant.

Then through Lions Park, with way more equipment than when Chris and Mike used to play here. Back through downtown Paris

Past the Penman's Factory, now apartments, and back to the car.

My vegetable bed has been built, with ridiculously expensive lumber. Lettuces, Kale and Peas all planted. Last week I also planted Tomatoes, Green Peppers and Green Beans.

The Costco bulbs that I planted last fall were predominately double blooms

and the cool weather extended the show for weeks.

The apple tree, planted last year

is in bloom. I am excited to see if I actually get apples this year.

I am told that it is a bad year for ticks and I managed to pick one up after a day of gardening. Therefore; Antibiotics and bloodwork.

Brown Headed Cowbird.

White Crowned Sparrow

Chipping Sparrow

House Wren

In residence.

Carolina Wren, nesting in a tree in the back yard.

Baltimore Oriole, eating locally

and tropically.

Young female Baltimore Oriole

I think. Maybe one of my birding readers can confirm that.

Rose Breasted Grosbeak.

Goldfinch, eating Dandelion seeds in the Forget-me-nots next door.

I found him one morning, must have banged into the laundry room window overnight. Maybe an Ovenbird.

A less than welcome visitor. He opens the compost bin but at least he doesn't spread its contents around.

Nicola and I spent some time sitting on the front porch watching the comings and goings of my little bird community and sparrow parents feeding their two fledglings on the fence.

Chris, Jason and Cigi visited so we could do some more work on the cafe finances.

Cigi looks like she might be a redhead. Needs lots of sun protection. Photo by Chris.

Maya up a tree. Photo sent by Mike, I don't know who took it.

My newest acquisition - a kayak. Simon, Dan and Fiona have one and kayak on Black Creek and in the Lake on calm days. I asked Simon to show me the ropes and he demonstrated getting in and out and gave me a guided tour of Black Creek; where to see turtles, various boats etc. We did see turtles, a Blue Heron, Canada Geese and goslings and a Bald Eagle circled overhead for a while. I will need to figure out how to safely take my camera. It was a beautiful way to spend a morning.

Long Point and Lynn Valley walks

 First, on the home front:

I think this is an apple tree, next door, each branch is a mass of blossoms. It looks like it is covered in cotton wool.

At least one of my 6 birdhouses has a resident. The more swallows the better, they eat bugs and I have had clouds of them this spring.

I usually have lakers anchored out in the bay but this came in one afternoon, and stayed overnight. It is a tug pushing a barge and according to my Marine Traffic App it came from Cleveland, but I have no idea what it is carrying and could think of no way to find out.

The beach at Long Point looks pretty good in this photo but there was plenty of evidence of more erosion.

I think these are Morels. Some are edible but we just left these growing in the Long Point Provincial Park.

Some rustling in a bush and I took a quick shot. It wasn't until I put the photos on the computer that I realized that there were 2 birds. I have hunted through my bird book and cannot identify them. I will put them on the Nature of Norfolk facebook page and ask for help with the identification.

A walk on the Lynn Valley Trail found flowers

and a Green Heron. Simon had told me that he was back and that the goose nesting there had goslings now (but we didn't see them)

We walked a short way down Prospect St to see the Lynn River Falls (Ivey's Falls) as I had only caught a glimpse of it when driving by.

I took the opportunity to play with the shutter speed on my camera . Slowest shutter speed.

Fastest shutter speed. Unfortunately it was a very gloomy day and I think the effects would have been better with more light.

There were indications that there had been buildings right next to the falls and I wondered it there had been a mill. An internet search resulted in nothing on that topic.

Finally, baby and birds (and a couple of animals)

Cat in the bag. He really can't resist a good bag.

Gymnastic squirrel.

Goldfinch - front

and back.

and a happy soul. Photo by Chris.