Dec.28/09 Kempenfelt Bay. Barrie

Mallards,black ducks and a kingfisher in flight.
Mallards were eating something. l couldn't make it out. But it must of been good. they were really on a feeding frenzy in these next few shots.

Barrie's Waterfront,Dec.27/09

Latest l have ever seen a Kingfisher this date. Here it is at a distance in flight.
Kingfisher in a tree over the water.
Just felt like taking this one. Just a nice shot of a nice quiet place close to the lake.
Running water icy with the cold.
Reflections of the water front.

Swan verses mallard. Dec.28/09

Every now and again an adult swan would go after a mallard. The mallard was okay in the end. But they sure did get dunked. No worse for wear. Here is a constant shoot of one of the chases.

Trumpeter swans,Barrie's waterfront. Dec.28/09

Were very lucky today to have seen these beautiful swans. 5 adults and 3 cygnets. No tags seen on any of them. They were in right off the shore. We were there about 20 min. when a snow storm started up.

Dec.19,2009 Ice Crystals.

My son Jeff took this of me "unknowingly". My friend Ann came up from Toronto and we were birding Minesing. Was very cold and not to much was flying at this point. We could not refuse the opportunity to get out and photograph the beauty that mother nature had given us this morning. l put on my macro lens and got right into the ditch. The photos were awesome. These few shots are of frost gathered on little plants in the ditch. l was right on them as you can see. Could not believe the patterns the ice had formed here. Mother nature can be very magical. Everything glistened. It was a winter wonderland.

Snowy owl Dec.21/09

Same owl. What a beauty. Was so bright he was squinting. Couldn't see those amazing yellow eyes.

December 21/09

Out for a visit today and on route were lucky to come across a couple snowies,northern shrike and kestrel.
A few snow buntings flew by and right past this snowy owl. Did not seem at all interested in them though.
Northern shrike in flight.
This beautiful male kestrel was sitting on a wire. Was not camera shy at all. My son Jeff took this hot for me out of the car window.
A female snowy owl.

Backyard Birds Dec.15/09

l am lucky to have 6 cardinals in my yard and the color. Well it is amazing.

A mourning dove watches a cardinal,waiting for it's turn.
Mourning dove taking a quick nap.
Female cardinal blowing in the wind.

Dec,14th,2009.

My red bellied woodpecker sitting in the tree's while the winter breeze is blowing.

Female red bellied at the feeder.
Male red bellied at the feeder with a starling looking on. Was a bit of an aggression but the red bellied stood his ground.
My first snowy of the year. She was hunkered down in the field way out there the day before a good snow storm.

Vindy,Our last days with her. Our precious baby,November,2009

Vindy came to us 8 years ago as a rescue dog. She was found in the middle of the road wet and starving all curled up in a thunder storm. She was thought to be about 3 years old but we didn't really know. Vindy became part of the Howard clan. After a few medical issues throughout the years. Vindy was always a joy,never asking for more than love and food. Loved her treats. And just loved life. Never to far away from any of us. Vindy developed heart issues last year and over time got worse. She was such a sweetheart. We knew it wouldn' t be long. And l think she did too. We did everything we could do. But then decided that medication was just hiding what was there and her quality of life would not be. She was clearly having problems. Then started having seizures too. It was time. It just got worse and she was telling me with her big beautiful eyes it was time. Nov. 17th at 11:20 am. Our vet came to the house and sat with us and her and we made the decision. She was ready. We could tell. We think she was about 10-11 years old. These next few photos are of Vindy and my son & husband and myself. And Max our husky. Who misses her dearly. His best bud. She is missed so very much by all of us. God bless her.!

Vindy,2009

My son Jeff & Vindy,Jeff is at college now and home on weekends. He spends a lot of time with his dogs when he is home. When he comes home this weekend it will be hard for him.
Vindy and her best bud Max.
A gentle breeze was blowing and caught her ears. The weather this month has been amazing and she was able to enjoy it as best she could.
Here she is perking up as the crows are calling. That always means that something is a miss. Vindy always knows there is a cat or a fox or something close by and always loved to call back if you will and go check out the yard . It was so cute.
My husband and l spending some precious moments with her on her last day with us.

Horses Nov.14/09

Don't ask. Not sure what these 2 are doing. But it looks like a duet to me!!!
Rolling in the dirt seemed to be the number one pass time at the stables this morning. And they had fun doing it. Oh to be dirty.!!

This beauty was just curious and had to come a visit me. Beautiful.