Happy Anniversary!

 Sept. 15th marks our 16th year here in Lanark County. We awoke to sirens our first morning. Someone drinking, with a G2 licence, driving with two passengers, flipped their car on the curve at 7 a.m. Kinda weird waking to sirens. 

We put the cats into crates early in the morning. The movers underestimated time and space. It was very difficult leaving it behind. 

This is the lake we left behind in Bala!

We drove late in the day to our new home. Cats were happy after I set up litter boxes. Sadie, Felix and Mitzie. 

Fall, 2010

The trees on the left and right are now dead and gone due to Dutch Elm disease.

We put in a fence, thanks to Scott Dobson.

These elm trees died of Dutch Elm disease.

We put fencing across the front.

Our 2012 gate - strangers kept driving in!
Scott Dobson create old-style fences!

2014 

Former owners had cut the 'lawn' here. I've let it fill in and rewild. The sumacs are dying, maybe from drought. 

Fall 2026

Tons of milkweed plants now!

2010 vs. 2026

2026:

2010 compared to 2026

The well had to go, as we needed to replace the well pump pipe. The Catalpa tree died, and we took it down this year.

2026

The space really opens up.

Our white pine tree, 2011:

This pine tree has grown!

Later on, in 2011, I built the goldfish pond. 

Mushrooms and Barry Beaver

 Let's begin with the fun stuff: fungi!

This one is lovely! I am sure someone knows what it is. 

Cool nights and humid days, it create ideal conditions... the colours are so striking.

Barry Beaver

This is a screen shot from a video earlier in the summer. He does exist! 

I have evidence of Barry Beaver. I don't know how, but he wasn't on the trailcam right in front of these branches. He chewed them, obviously, but just no Barry. 

The duckweed and frog bit is disturbed. The wetland is lush and green. It is a beautiful place to be. Not exactly Forest Bathing (it's a thing) and I shall have to think of another phrase for it! Wetland Wanders?

I thought the new school year would bring some peace and quiet! Not so. Gun fire.

 

 Then, we had a Sikorsky helicopter go over. You can lease them, apparently. Who knew? It was at 400.9m (1325'), and too low for my peace of mind. 

 

Have a great week. 

Cool Crumbly Acres

Confession: My new header is from last year. I want to celebrate Autumn! We all need something bright in our lives.

 There are still delights in the garden, despite overnight temperatures! My orchid is losing flowers, I'll keep sharp looking for new buds. Funny thing, this morning it is 20 at 7 a.m.

A new baby wood frog. 

A new baby tree frog, the size of my thumb nail. 

The milkweed is done here ↓. I've more further away from the house, and on our third lot. 

I found several Tufted Milkweed caterpillars wandering around looking for fresh milkweed. To be kind, I moved them out to a fresh group of plants. 

Funny story: knowing the milkweed is fading, I moved about nine wee caterpillars out to a better host plot of milkweed. It took me several tries. On the 2nd try I accidentally stepped on the tilted milkweed stem. I sent the tree frog flying, and the caterpillars all fell off the leaves. Not only that, but I did the same thing on my 3rd time moving some caterpillars! 

I laughed so hard.

The little plot of milkweed is here, in the middle ground beside the horse chestnut tree.

The garden is hanging in. The trick is to have plants that flower during three seasons. For me it is a challenge. I don't really plan the garden. That isn't my style.

The hibiscus are reaching their peak. I kept for an artsy photo, with the rainbow. 

My next fall chore is to fill the fish tank and move the goldfish indoors for winter. It's not just the night time low temperatures, but the daytime ones.  Who wants to work in the cold and rain? It has happened!

Next, I'll have to drain the pond somewhat, in order to capture them. It looks like Sunday, the 20th is a good day. That's three days for the well water to get up to the right temperature, and sunny days to work outside at the pond. 

Our SIL, Jean-Luc, has traveled with two old friends to Cairo, Egypt. It is very hot! I can say 'old' because they are in their 40's and they've known one another in their 20's.

Air Traffic

We get a lot of air traffic 📹. Not as much as some, but I watch while outdoors. I can hear them coming.

Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk Saturday, September 12th, 9:00 a.m.

Helicopter Transport Service Canada (HTSC)

You can lease them! We know the RCMP has been doing this on the border out west. Little did I know that they were here! Yes, 9 a.m. on a Saturday morning. 

Right over our house, just west of Smiths Falls. 
Flying at 403.9 m (1325')

we had a Sikorsky helicopter go over. You can lease them, apparently. Who knew?

  

Here's one of the local Black Hawks flying around Ottawa earlier this year:  

   

🚁 🚁 🚁 🚁 🚁 🚁 🚁 🚁 🚁 

I was sitting on the back deck (those days are numbered), and spotted this:

Some research led to an ID: 🇨🇦 RCAF TIGR613.