The critters are amazing!

We love visiting CC's restaurant in Rideau Ferry. They were quite busy Wednesday, June 29th! It seems everyone wanted to have dinner on the patio. We had a friend visit. He had business in Ottawa, and was on his way home to Port Hope. This was the place we took hime for dinner!

The Canada Geese have had a very good year.



Back at home, the hops vine is growing madly. It loves the climb, and the critters love it. Poor photo, but you can see the little tree frog hiding in the corner.


Then there is the Catalpa tree, in full bloom.
The morning cloak butterfly has been a regular visitor, but to the hummingbird feeder! Funnily enough, Mr. Rose-breasted grosbeak thought he'd check out the feeder, as well.


We have been serenaded by the Baltimore oriole in the backyard trees.


The dead elm trees gets many visitors, what with the bugs, where they sing lustily! Cedar waxwings and nuthatches.


July 1st, I woke early. Annie was playing with a mouse on the bed. I picked it up, to put it outside, and spotted a skunk. Sitting outside, playing on my computer, I spotted a buck.

 Finally, let me vent. This man drove up behind me as I parked and got out of the car. He was talking on his cell phone (illegal), then left his van running (never heard of climate change) while he ran into the general store.

Saturday's Critters #133

Lunch out at The Cove

Into Westport

Hubby's been going out of his way to look after ME! Sunday, he offered to take me out to lunch. The Cove Inn is terrific, what with the birds, the water, and the fun people. Some are very dour, but you tend to find funny characters from all sorts of places. Many people come from around the world to cottage in the area.

There are those who moan when charged an extra $3 for Sweet potatoes fries (they are better but more expensive to buy), but, as I told our server, Ray, "I'm worth it!" She said a group of older ladies complained and she is careful to re-iterate the added cost to customers. People like this give all of us middle-aged women a bad name. The added cost for such sides are printed on the menu.

This area is full of well-to-do customers. Some at the table near us were claiming that they knew the people who loaned their old cars for the period Murdoch Mystery series, filmed in Toronto. I usually feel like poor cousins. Overheard conversations are a hoot!

Customers are guaranteed an in-house created meal. It takes a little longer, but how can you rush, gazing across the lake at crows harassing a red-tailed hawk, a Canada Goose taking flight? Then there is the odd muskrat swimming by, the live performers, and cheery staff. This isn't an ad, it is a celebration of local people, running a small business rather than a restaurant chain. We've spent many an hour here.

The characters are ubiquitous and from near and far, as I mentioned. The server offered to take a photo of a group of four. I looked at hubby, he doesn't like public displays of anything. However, I slipped off my chair and photo bombed the group of four. Everyone had a laugh, including hubby.

The fun thing was that one of the gentlemen, with an Austrian or Swiss accent, asked to take a selfie with me! Then he kissed me cheek. His partner told me he has a hot tub and he calls it his bird bath!

Happy birthday!

Selfie!

This pair was elusive! Finally, they landed on the branch at the same time. I think the Oriole have a nest in the tree. Someone looked over and sniggered at my 400mm zoom lens, but it makes me happy!

Baltimore Oriole - a new visitor

I've seen them in the wetland. Many of my blog buddies have great photos of marvellous feeders. They eat fruit. I decided to make a feeder for them.

jelly and orange sections

a suet feeder
–with oranges!

high and dry

She feeds on the orange, beside the mourning dove