Tuesday 31 July 2012

Beach time at Murphys Point Park


Another wonderful day on the beach!

I am so tired! Sun and fun, water games and water babies.
My tendonitis didn't bother me a bit!
It is fabulous having grandkids!
From Beach Time
More pizza, Gramma!
From Beach Time
Happy water baby!
Picnic time!

Time to go home! 
For all of our photos!

Monday 30 July 2012

Praying Mantis in close-up!

I forgot about this video until someone recently commented on it! I haven't seen any this year.

HerbFest in Almonte 2012


A grand day for all. Lots of fun, food, and festival.
Good to see some signage regarding dogs. Can't stand them at these Festivals!
I had a Reflexology treatment for my tendonitis.  What a relief!

From HerbFest 2012
From HerbFest 2012
Fancy wool and head wear!
From HerbFest 2012
Louise, of Gilligallou Bird, Inc!

One sari isn't a trend!

But two, no, three!

Tattoos!
Teacups!
and clowns!

Tine Rufaro Marimba Band

Tine Rufaro Marimba Band at HerbFest in Almonte

What a grand band! Everyone was shaking their booty and dancing along with the rhythm.

"Playing traditional and contemporary Zimbabwean music in an upbeat, danceable way that will get your toes tapping and your hands clapping! A longer YouTube video.

Videos of tine rufaro marimba band




A brief clip. They were wonderful at Herbfest in Almonte, 2012

Sunday 29 July 2012

Parks Canada raises a schooner

I desperately looked for schooner photos and I have lost them. *sigh*
I love taking photos of boats. We love doing Daycation harbour visits. This sounds like a great idea!

Parks Canada raises a schooner to celebrate 200 years of peace with USA!

Ottawa, Ontario, July 31, 2012 – At 8:30am on Tuesday July 31, 2012, the schooner Lois McClure will begin her 90 minute assent of the Ottawa Locks as she enters the Rideau Canal waterway on a voyage that commemorates the War of 1812 and celebrates 200 years of peace between Canada and the United States. In a gesture of welcome and friendship, you are invited to step aboard and step back in time.


Saturday 28 July 2012

Like moths to the flame


Cabbage Moth
I have done quite a few photos up of my butterflies, with moths taking a lesser role. But living where we are in rural S.E. Ontario, I am finding some larger moths that have caught my camera's eye.

There are many Identification Tools on the web. I prefer to use BAMONA, with the pros telling me for sure what I have found!
We know that the Internet is more of a cybergarage sale, rather than an encyclopedia of trusted sources with gems here and there, but also lots of junk. I hesitate to name new species to me. I loathe leading people astray, as some are wont to do.

Did you know? National Moth Week July 23-29, 2012
Why moths? With more than 10,000 species in North America alone, moths offer endless options for study, education, photography, and fun. Moths can be found everywhere from inner cities and suburban backyards, to the most wild and remote places. The diversity of moths is simply astounding. 

Visit the National Moth Week website for more information, or read the press release (pdf).

This was out in the day - just lovely!




They inspired me:

Nighthawks
The cats want out in the dark to play
Coyote howls keeping them at bay
Jenny sits on the porch with the bugs
Mosquitoes try to give more than hugs
Moths they flitter: fragrant bloom to bloom
Tree Frogs eyes glitter for prey they swoon

The Tree Frogs love the dark. I have one that lived in our mailbox last year, but this year is hanging out in a plant our aunt gave us!
They must get their fair share of moths, drawn to our lights at night. They leave their tell-tale poo on railings for me to clean up in the morning.

First are the smaller moths I've spotted. I apologize, but Moths are not my speciality, I'm not sure if I want to purchase another moth book, although there are several available.

For moth identification assistance, try the North American Moth Photographers Group, the Cirrus Digital Imaging site, or John Snyder's Web Images of North American Moth Species
I can name some, not others! There are so many out there, and very hard to photograph in the night. There are a couple of diurnal moths, still hard to photograph for this amateur!



Synanthedon acerni – Maple Callus Borer Moth From moths



For all of my photos: From moths
Imperial Moth 4", it was!
Then the larger ones: an Imperial Moth.  It was the size of my hand! It was IDd for me by a pro. I didn't have a clue! More photos are here.
From moths
This is the latest, I spotted it during Moth Week, in the evening.
A bit blurry, as it was in the dark, with the floodlights on!
Can you see its proboscus?


Here is a better view - flighty thing!
CC #225

Friday 27 July 2012

We have a new gate from old cedar!


Many recognize this as Mohawk for No Trespassing,
but not all! We've had a couple of visitors a day on Sundays.
Thanks to entrepreneur, fence expert, Scott Dobson. He is creative and brilliant at what he does. He cleaned up, replaced or moved all dirt and leftover rocks, and ensured the site was beautiful. He built us our fence in October, 2010.

Scot only uses heritage cedar rails. He harvests it from near-by folks who are glad to have it reduced, reused and recycled!
I have done posts on the different styles of fencing (excuse the pun!) and a recent post on gates, as we debated styles, esthetics, and where to spend our pension dollars!


We have several different styles of fencing on our property. Only 30 years old, our home was inhabited by at least four excellent woodworking enthusiasts. I first became interested in fences during G8, when we travelled up to Huntsville to photograph the laughable fencing. At the time I thought it laudable, but then we realized that only the big guns would be coming up to Huntsville, no press. 

Bless his little heart, Tony Clement ensured that signage was clear in Muskoka for all the tourism and tourist dollars they would create.
This was before! Remote towns, where no one would visit, all had brilliant signage.
Afraid of protesters, they put up these monstrosities, which slowed down regular business in town, including healthcare workers, as well as all those who depend upon the shoulder seasons for income.
I had several press interviews, and journalists phoning for interviews on the impact of the G8 fences. My blog post hits soared to a 150 a day!

But, back to the present.
As my regular readers know, we've had people trespassing, driving up our 100m driveway for no apparent reason. It creeps me out!



These old rails have lichen and a weathered look

It is all a puzzle




Assistant Al, and Scott pose with the finished gate!