Sunday 31 July 2016

July Precipitation 2016


Pretty sad... about 1/3 of what we need to maintain our fields and gardens. Not enough to replenish lowered water tables.

July 28

RVCA
Issued June 30, 2016: Watershed Conditions Statement — Drought Conditions Continues at 'Moderate'

It's been so promising, but the promises keep getting broken...

Storm clouds from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.
I could hear the thunder, but no rain here.

July 27

Still nothing in terms of rain. I can see the storm clouds, there are storms on the radar, but that cloud just keeps breaking up!

July 25 Actual 1.2 mm of RAIN!!!!



July 24

Still no rain, despite the clouds, but we are hopeful...

July 23 Another warning! Let us hope...rain!


July 21 warning...

Nope...

July 19


Sadly, our local beach is closed.  The small amount of rain we have has closed it due to e.coli.

HEALTH ADVISORY - CAUTION: Rideau Ferry Yacht Club beach is not recommended for swimming. The latest bacterial tests of the water indicated unacceptable levels of bacteria. Contact the Lanark, Leeds and Grenville Health Unit for more: 1-800-660-5853.

This is a map of southeastern Ontario's watersheds.
Watersheds in S.E. Ontario

July 18

July 16

It's been another overnighter of rain, just a tad. Everything is dewy and it is wonderful seeing precipitation on the deck in the morning.

July 15

This didn't happen!

Smiths Falls - Perth - Eastern Lanark County

Issued at 14:44 Friday 15 July 2016
### Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.

Another bit of rain overnight after the big fire. It helps, but it won't fill the aquifer.

July 14th Happy Dance

July 13th

A strange band of clouds! I sit with my aging client today and she is afraid of storms. No storms, Wed., the clouds dissipated.

July 9th

It's raining some more today, even as I write, but overnight a wonderful 11.172 mm (0.44") of rain. Happy Dance! It is a start.
Sadly, there was quite a windstorm and some microbursts east of Georgian Bay. There are many without power!

July 8th

We are hopeful of rain, perhaps tomorrow. Happily, instead of 30 C., it is just 20 this morning. Only 6 deerfly bites on the driveway, getting the paper. They are merciless.

July 7

Just missed some rain. 

July 3

Another little drop of rain! Nothing to be sneezed at... 0.76mm

July 2nd

A titch of rain this morning, some yesterday as well. So happy to see it.

July 1st

Happy Canada Day! A Cold morning, beginning with 10 C., at 6:00 a.m., and lots of dew. Hopefully, in an official Mild Drought, we can anticipate some good rains this month.

I am able to say I had a canoodle in July!

I was afraid I was going to miss the whole month. I was out in the canoe in June, then things got hectic. This retirement stuff isn't for chumps, plus we've had clouds, winds and one needs a calm day.
The best time of day is from 6 - 9 a.m., and I like to ease myself into the day!

My neighbours allow me to leave my canoe in their isolated little bay. It is so kind of them.


It wasn't a long canoe ride, but there was quite a wind. You can see where I went over the land. Actually, the GPS pooched out on me. I went across to the west shore, then crossed with the wind. My arms were sore a couple of days later. At my age, I really have to do these things on a regular basis.
Amazing trip!

Not bad for an old fart!

Saturday 30 July 2016

What goes there in the night: sphinx moths



More critters hosted by Eileen
#137
I guess I grossed out a few people with my snake tale. As several blog buddies said, it is gruesome, in an eerie sort of fascination. Death is inevitable for all of us.
I've had a discussion on Facebook, whether we need to show abused humans and animals when we make a point, or ask for money for fundraisers.  I think not. Anyone I know, even in cyberspace, have good hearts and donate as much as they can to good causes.

Here are some pretty photos. I love the giant sphinx moths!  They love my phlox in the night. There are many different sphinx species...
Blinded sphinx underwing
Sphinx chersis
Great ash sphinx

Bipectinate antenna;
fuzzy wuzzy basal area!
White-lined sphinx on phlox
Paonias excaecata
Blinded sphinx
Xylophanes tersa Tersa Sphinx




They flit, buzz, hover, like hummingbirds. In the video, the noise is the goldfish pond pump! I took Jos out, my eldest granddaughter, to watch them in the dark.
Spinx Moth from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Friday 29 July 2016

Did I tell you the one about the snake and the frog?

My goldfish opnd
I spotted some action in the goldfish pond. I knew it was a snake. Not good news for the froggies. Sure enough, play the Jaws theme...
The snake grabbed the frog by the toe, and backed itself up the pond liner, dragging the frog backwards. My Ontario Reptile and Amphibians FB group tells me it is a Northern watersnake.

We have very little water in the wetland, it's terribly dry, so this little snake is taking advantage of the little frogs seeking refuge. We had 14 frogs in the pond last week, I guess we're down to 13!



The good news is that the goldfish have reproduced and I've seen some little ones, very briefly!

goldfish from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

It just kept on eating! I was fascinated. It happens every day or the cycle of life breaks down.

Milks snake & frog from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

It appears to come back every 2 days. At this rate...


Another two days later, it is back! We are now down three little froggies, 14, 13, 12...! But this is nature! This time it ate the frog right in the water.
Watersnake from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.