Jen & Fran

While in Bala Fran & I were looking at the falls. Maddly the water was rushing through. But this blossum tree was so fragrant we got carried away. Decided that a photo shoot was in order. It smelled wonderful. The bumble bees were enjoying the nectar. I thought what a great place for pictures. Then Fran got creative and put us in the midst of the blossums. Thankfully the bumble bees behaved. It was so lovely. You could smell it all around the area. You just didn't want to leave. Here are just a couple shots I took with my little lumix and I did a bit of playing with.

Muskoka

During our run up to Muskoka we saw a few wood carving places along the highway. This place was amazing. Just past Camp Hillbilly on the right hand side of the highway. A must see if your up that way. Look at the life like bears. Down to detail,the nails,teeth. Amazing. Then at Gravenhurst were the Seguin and Wenonah II are sitting. What beautiful scenery there. Oh by the way I love the cherokee weather station. Read it. Works just like ours!!!! LOL.

Wood duck pair on box

As Fran & I were driving out of Port Carling we came across this nice little wetland on the side of the road. I noticed movement on one of the duck boxes so we pulled over. Sure enough a nice female wood duck was sitting on a box. She kept looking inside as if something was going on in there. Maybe the young had hatched an not come out yet. Or maybe they were starting to hatch. She was quite concerned at any rate. Then the male flew up and sat there as well. He stayed for a bit and flew back to the water. Then the female went inside. The first photo was along the road on the other side of the wetland and showed a lovely reflection on the water with another duck box on a tree.

Beaver

Between Port Carling and Bracebride we spotted a nice wetland area and stopped. This beaver was just swimming to his house and disappeared inside.

Torrance Barron's road trip, Muskoka, 5/25/11

Fran a friend of mine decided we needed a road trip. She picked Muskoka as there were a few places she wanted to take me. Plus a few we found along the way. The weather was dull ( as usual it seems these days). But not to bad temp wise. Although once in Torrance Barron's the black flies almost carrried us away. Didn't seem that bad until we got out there on the trails. And of coarse our bug jackets and hats were in the car. We had some stuff on were we needed it. But Fran's head got it and my neck. You could play join the dots on the back of my neck today and along the back hairline. Just a word to the wise. (were your bug stuff) You may not see the little critters but they'll find you. Here we have a yellow warbler,some scenery shots and I think a chipping sparrow. We also saw bobolinks as we were leaving. Heard more birds that we didn't see but saw a lot. The following few sections are some of the shots from Torrance Barrons.

Torrance Barron's,Muskoka 5/25/11

The rock formations here were awesome. Birds were plenty and there was a few painted turtles out as well. The big highlight. While I was photographing the brown thrashers. Fran yelled (quietly). What's that?? A beautiful sandhill crane silently flew over right behind the thrasher. Never saw him I was so focused. He or she flew behind the trees. But I managed to get a few so so shots off. We saw a few of them flying back and forth. Was a very nice surprise.

Torrance Barron's,Muskoka 5/25/11

Brown thrasher,chestnut sided warbler,pretty flowers and dragon flies kept us company along our lovely walk.

Torrance Barron's,Muskoka 5/25/11

On the walk through Torrance Barron's here are a few more things Fran & I saw. An American Towhee who was really singing up a storm and teasing us along the way. Staying mostly,just out of sight. A pair of brown thrashers feeding and flitting about not far from us. This rock looked like an animal in my eye's. What do you see? A wonderful place to do a walk for sure. Lots to see. Beautiful scenery.

Indigo Bunting May,19-20

My beautiful male indigo bunting was here to visit again this spring. He stayed for 2 wonderful days. The splash of color was amazing. He didn't stay long but oh how it made my days.

Like mother like daughter.

My daughter Karen went with me yesterday to Algonquin with Murray and his authentic canadian tours group. Karen has recently gotten into photography but had not gone on a wildlife road trip yet. We had a great time. Of coarse it rained. It seems to rain every time I go to Algonquin. But that doesn't stop us from getting out there and having fun. The wildlife are used to it and we humans won't melt. Ya just go out there ready for anything. Rain gear is a must to take with you and your good to go. Murray's group like Beryl's group the last trip in April were great. We got out there and walked in the rain,saw black throated blue warblers,yellow warblers, a beautiful male pileated woodpecker and more. I decided to fool around a bit with this photo of us all walking in the rain. More Algonquin shots coming up after a few backyard birds. Enjoy.