Daffodils and Osprey

 Despite it being 'Spring' we had a cold spell. That said, the Forsythia is in bloom. It is in front of an evergreen, which helps one see it.

My daffodils are thriving. 

The daffodil garden out back:

This patch has had a shock, as it is 0℃ this morning. They are drooping!

I did some work. Every year I promise myself I will research whether one has to remove last year's growth on the ornamental grasses. I figured I'd just get rid of them. That way the new growth will get some sun.

They are terribly sharp, the stems, and you can get 'paper cuts' from them. I left them until the next day. Pacing myself. It was colder, and long sleeves and gloves weren't too hot. Soon the mosquitoes and black flies will be out. I preferred getting this done now.

The ospreys migrate from our territory. They eat fish and snakes, so winter isn't a good time for them when the bodies of water freeze over. 

This one visited our front yard one summer for some reason. Maybe trying out its wings. It pooped and flew off.

We've quite a few human-built nests around the area as we reintroduced them. DDT did a number on their populations. Oh, humans, such harm we do. 

This is what precipitated my post, a fly by of one osprey. 

Last Patio Lunch!

We watched the weather forecast, and decided our last patio meal might have to be Wed., Sept. 3! When we arrived we realized we'd be eating with the upper crust!

There was nothing on the car to say what it was, but on the licence plate holder, a Corvette!

Yes, a patio!

It was warm and lovely. I just wish the guy behind me wasn't wearing so much cologne! Whew! 

I went, armed with my camera and my camcorder.

I've never wanted to cottage on an island. It just makes me nervous, especially at our age!

This barge is one of the working boats on the water!

The osprey were busy. Soon they will migrate south. When the river is cold, with ice, it's not good fishing weather!

Spotted at home!

 

 The geese were out and about. The chicks have grown to adult-size! Where did the summer go?

 

It was a good day to go. On Thursday, we had some rain. The leaves are turning, and it's getting chilly!

Swimming!

Sitting on the back deck has been lovely. I heard the black-billed cuckoo cuckooing, along with the mourning dove. 

It's been very hot, though, and I have been moaning about missing my swim buddies. I went to the website, and the beach nearby was good. Although with cutbacks, they only test the water once per week. Usually, after a rain, we get e-coli at the beaches. 

Aster was camping on the St. Lawrence with friends. Jordan is packing and restudying math for Queens University in September. We used to go to the beach often during Gramma Camp. In August, 2020, we were there three times one week. 

There were so many games. We spent hours looking for fish. 

We were last swimming together July 5th, 2023. 

Back to the present. Aug. 13, I decided to cough up the $10 and visit the beach myself. Joe cannot swim, he's got a bad shoulder. We'd just had some rain, and I knew the beach would be quiet. No teens throwing a football at one another, or screaming kids, or smokers, with smoke drifting my way. Yes, I'm an old fart. 

We'd just had a rain storm, thankfully, but I was determined to go for a swim. 

It's about 5 km down the road, and I packed simply. I put on my suit, grab a couple of towels, and Joe's camera and my wallet. My bathing suit dates back some years, but I swim so infrequently, I'm not sure it's worth it. I wore this suit when we 4 went to Dominican Republic in November, 2017, but it is older than that!

Here I am, the only car in the parking lot! It was bliss. 

The skies were lovely. Clouds bouncing on by. I tried to splice these photos, but gave up. You get the picture! 

There's a large dog print, but dogs aren't allowed at the beach. Just sayin'.

I saw a dog walk through the trees on the right, and go down to the beach on the other side of the buoys. I assumed there was a human there with it. Sure enough, I could hear her on her phone while doggie rolled in the sand. It was surreal!

Off in this bay, I spotted about a dozen geese flying in. They are noisy as they land on their feet and waterski into the bay.

This mat is a great instalment, which allows wheelchair users to go into the water. What a great idea.

There is a fire ban, and the little BBQs have been covered up. Isn't it a nice spot, though?! 

The Osprey have a nest, they were flying about. They are beautiful to watch, soaring up and around.

I made it home, and inspected the fishies. They look pretty good, considering the heat. They prefer cooler temperatures than tropical fish. The rain fills the water barrel, which flows into the pond. I counted 8 fish. A good sign.

I arrived home, and somebody in my house tried to hang up my suit on the plant hook. Unfortunately, he tried to stand on the chair. He's pretty sore, with terribly stiff muscles. Dr. Ho's has been beneficial. He's got limited mobility for now. 

Sitting and sitting down is OK. Standing up is bad, as he loses his balance with the pain. I'm going to take over dishes for now. Bending is impossible. He takes his cane into the bathroom, which saved him from a fall. He's in a lot of pain. Such is life.

I toodled into town and bought us pizzas for dinner. That'll last several meals. Meantime, I woke to a chilly 9 ℃, I'm glad I went swimming when I did. 

Crumbly Acres is in bloom

Fires are increasing in Canada. This is early, and too soon for it to be so dry. So sad for so many.

Snapshot May 13th

Sunset was interesting. I don't know is I prefer the first or second photo!

I have hummingbird feeders up. Just until the plants are in flower. 

 We took off to find some plants. 

My assistant pushed the cart, I loaded it up!

I've some work to do. I usually leave this too late, and don't find what I'm looking for. We hit two garden centres, and I am a happy woman. 

On the way there, I spotted the Osprey nest, with momma's head poking out. 

There are several Osprey nests along this traffic corridor. It borders on bodies of water where they can fish. They are busy rebuilding nests damaged by winds and storms. Here is another nest building beside highway #43.

On the way back home, you can sort of see the male in the tree:

Of course, I've lots of photos of these birds. It's fun seeing them in the Spring season. After they are nesting, it's most fun watching them glare at me.

Here, hon! I brought you a treat!

I caught Winnifred eating Emily's pansies in 2023. I couldn't figure it out!

I heard something in the garage on Thursday. (Joe was out fetching some dinner.) It was Winnifred. IN THE GARAGE! I've spread my plants around the back, she has a reputation. I went out and lifted them all up onto the railing! The feeders are down, and I have to wash everything off. 

Thing is, Winnifred can climb a fence, I've seen that, but maybe this will dissuade her till they get into pots.  

We continue to watch #75. He is eating the seed Joe puts out. I don't think he has ventured too far. We'll sit out on the back deck and watch him. He doesn't come out too much. It'll take time. That we have!

We've a long weekend. Things get busy around here with people coming to the cottage. We'll hunker down, and I'll finish planting my flowers.