Tuesday 12 March 2013

Off we went to Merrickville!

 It's been a busy time for me with clients at end-of-life. Hubby knew I needed a bit of shopping therapy.

We did some 'close eyes' shopping, as well shopping for a couple of on-sale floor mats. It's a great time for bargains. And the girls are visiting this week.

We stopped for lunch at the Baldachin Inn, to re-energize! He sure treats me like a queen! It was a yummy lunch, no photos. I was too hungry to think of it!



On the way home, through Smiths Falls, I spotted birds on the ice. Lots of seagulls.

I saw some Canada Geese on the river, nearer Merrickville.
I thought it might be worth it to stop.
RVCA Lower Reach Park

The swans kept taking a nap. Jonathan Seagull was flying low!

Swan Identification
There are three species of swans in North America. The Trumpeter Swan (Cygnus buccinator) and Tundra Swan (C. columbianus) are indigenous, while the (Cygnus olor) is a Eurasian species that has been introduced and now breeds in the wild in some areas.
The male swan is called the Cob. He weighs more and looks larger than the female (the Pen). First year swans are called Cygnets.
Printable Swan and Goose Identification Brochure.

As I walked along the dock to get a closer look, I spotted a large mammal. At first I thought it was a muskrat, but it is too big for that! A small beaver.

8 comments:

Crafty Green Poet said...

how lovely to see the beaver!

Interesting to read about your swans too

Kay L. Davies said...

Oh, Jenn. This has decided me. I'm coming to vist. I've never seen a wild beaver up close.
Sigh.
So glad your husband treats you like a queen!
K

TheChieftess said...

Looks wet and cold where you are!!! Thanks for visiting MammothLakesDP!!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The beaver is wonderful! they're hard to spot and even harder to get a picture of. (I have several that show a circle in the water where one splatted his tail as he dove).

Your husband is definitely a good guy to recognize when you need a getaway! But what the heck is 'close-eye' shopping?

Red said...

You deserve some shopping time and a good lunch. Good to see that spring is on it's way in your area.

eileeninmd said...

Sounds like a great day, lunch out and the birds and beaver are wonderful. Love the swans.

Jenn Jilks said...

Sallie,
'Close eyes' is a ritual with the grandkids. Every time they visit we have a little something for them. When we first started doing Christmas presents one year, we didn't do fancy wrapping. One person acted as Elf and would tell the gift recipient to 'close your eyes'. Josephine was young and not able to recite a full sentence. It has evolved into close eyes as a gift.

Judy said...

I have never seen a wild swan, and I would so love to!!!
The cardinals have been singing for a couple of weeks now, and I think I heard a robin yesterday, although I wasn't sure..
And there are pussywillows on some of the trees!!!