Red Breasted Nuthatch

Last week or so this red breasted nuthatch has been the busiest little thing in my yard. I have sunflower seeds hiding in every trees nook and cranny. He did take time out for a quick bath in the pond.

Garden Life

Bees,spiders and catepillars joined me today in the garden.

Garden Life

This garden spider and most I saw today had quite the meal awaiting them. I am assuming these are bees that have met their fate. They seem to be quite docile and easily caught. Then we have a yellow jacket that took a nice drink from a small water feeder I have hanging in the garden. Quite popular with the small birds and apparently bees.All living things need water.

Pollinators

Pollinaters are very important to have around. As I stood there by these very fragrant flowers the bees of 3 different kinds kept very busy. Oblivious to my presence. One was very heavy with pollin on its legs and was very busy. The yellow faced horned of a sort. I cant find it to identify it, was incredible to watch. It knew I was there,but it was so very into that flower. Literally burrying its face,it almost looked as if it just could not pull itself away. It really was enjoying that nectar. It had incredible eyes. Were as the others were busy from one to another to another,flitting all over the place. But I must say they all did keep going to that one flower the yellow faced bee was on. Would touch each other and back off and continue on. Everybody got along.

Pollinators

On a walk today I came across some amazingly beautiful smelling flowers. The bees were very busy at them. They never even bothered with taking macro shots of them. Just went about their business. This one with the yellow face was quite incredible. It kept looking up at me with the face. Then kinda like oh its just you,burried its face back into the flower. Check the eyes on this one bee,pretty incredible. Bald face hornets joined in,everyone getting along. Once in a while they would meet,and just part ways and continue on. Good stuff.

Orchard orb weaver spider

This summer has brought in some different spiders in our area. In my yard I saw this guy. An Orchard Orb Weaver. I walked by it a few times before realizing this was very unique looking. Got my camera and took some shots. Just a couple weeks ago I found a smaller one. This is not a harmful spider and it somewhat reminds me of a watermelon. The big ones we used to get. Very cool. And I must say it does a fantastic job of catching things.

The Circle is Complete

Around the same time we lost our dog I recently found out we also lost our mothers kitty of about 17 years of age. She had gotten very sick. A very kind PSW were my mother was took Toffee in as none of us could. The last 6 months of her life were surrounded by a new loving family and lots of good care. As my daughter put it and it is beautiful. The circle is now complete. Toffee is back with my mother. When I loose someone in my life I work with my photos,somehow it just helps me get through. Remembering the good times and the sad ones. We are left behind to come to terms with the loss and we all have our own way and take how ever long to get on with our lives. For some it is tougher than others. One loss is bad enough,here we have had 5 plus a raccoon that lay for over 30 hours in my yard dying and I could get no help for it. Making it 6 deaths in 6 months. Another horrible story I wont get into. My mother was very proud of my son Jeff,he is pictured here with her and Toffee showing Grandma his first conservation award of 4. My kids and grandchildren make me proud,and that is what I must focus on now. Life goes on.Who knows I may even stay up to see 2013 come in this year. I am usually passed out by then. But this year has not been good and I am looking forward to a new and better year ahead.

Loosing mans best friend

I can tell you that 2012 will not be missed by me. In the last 6 months I have lost so much out of my life, my mother,one of my lovebirds my oldest cat, it has been very tough. On Sept 4th,our precious Max had to be put down,he got very sick very quickly with cancer on his liver plus more. Here are a few shots I have merged together of our best friend. He is greatly missed. The house is so empty without his pitter patter following us around. And his funny antics like the day I went into the kitchen and there was Max,head stuck in a box of cookies. He loved his treats. We had a good laugh out of that one. We got him at 8 months of age,he had a real personality and was apeople dog from the get go to the end. He adored little kids. He was 11 and was a real treasure.

Algonquin Beauties

This spruce grouse was one of 3 and was ever so co-operative. I think he was going for a walk with us down the path. So cute. Then up into a tree. The perfect natural shot. Turtles were basking later in the day in the nice warm sun as we drove out to go home The perfect end to a perfect weekend in the wild. The reflection of color in the water along the trail was beautiful reminding us fall is hear. Stopped by the Oxtounge Rapids along the way and was beautiful. Continue on to see my wonderful weekend in Algonquin's wilderness, the perfect place to get some R&R.

Algonquin'beauty

At this hour of the morning while the sun is slowly coming up. The fog was just a perfect picture and the wildlife were just getting up. Everything was covered in dew from the fog/mist that was rising off the water. No words can really describe the beauty. The silence was broken briefly by 2 little red squirrels that apparently got up on the wrong side of the bed. They were chattering and chasing each other through the tall grasses by the ditch full of water. Kur-plunk,ker-plunk again. Bicker bicker bicker. In they went and out they went just about as fast. A quick wake up that would be. Silence. Then at it again. You could just see the grass moving hither and dither. And of coarse hear the little things chattering back and forth at each other. Somebody did something. Then one went up into a lovely little tamrac tree and sat for a few in the morning sun as it rose. It was ticked off big time. It sat there just a hollering and then closed its little eyes. Then. Back at it. The chase was on again. Well at least they wont get cold after their morning dunk!!!All you could see was the grasses falling over side to side as they ran through it bickering the whole time at each other. I guess they didnt know there was a hawk sitting in a nearby tree,I hope they settled down and got over it soon.

Coopers hawk on Algonquin's Mizzy Trail

Had some american pipets by the camp. ANd a beautiful coopers hawk on our Sunday morning outing on Mizzy trail. She hung around for some time and was still there when we moved on from that spot. A beautiful bird. Was very early,sun had just risen. We were up and out before the birds. It was beautiful and fresh. You can see the mist around the hawk as she sat in the tree by the pond.