Robins and snowbirds

Bad news in our neck of the woods. I used to volunteer at PCC: COVID-19 outbreak declared at Perth Community Care. Also, a day care centre in Carleton Place, which is in our health unit. We had another 19 reported Saturday, but they don't update our health unit's COVID site on the weekend.

Renfrew has has a major outbreak. It is northwest of Ottawa, north of us.  As of March 5, there are 30 active cases in Renfrew County.  

We went for a drive. Somebody needed to get out and about. And it wasn't me! His arm and neck continue to give him some pain. I'm doing all his chores. Off we went. I suggested we go look at Narrows Locks. It was pretty much frozen solid in most places. We didn't stop for photos, but this is what it looked like! It should begin thawing this month, and the birds will return on their way north.

 

Our first excitement was seeing a flock of robins! I think our dashcam needs replacing. The images aren't great. It does give you an idea about how our winter is faring! Still lots of snow. I suspected robins, and one landed on a tree as we zoomed by.

We've had robins overwinter in the past. A baker's dozen, one year. Another year we had just one. None this year. 

That said, they are moving up the continent right now, according to Journey North. These are flocks of birds, which differs from individual sightings. It's a good sign of migration.

 We kept on driving, and flew back into the blue skies. I spotted some snowbirds at the side of the highway. We drove by, turned around, and came back to the same spot. I grabbed my camera, and shot this through the window. You'll just have to trust me, really! 

Sadly, by the time I got into the back of the car, grabbed my zoom lens, the snowbirds were gone again. They kept coming to the side of the road. I guess for grit. A human trio came walking along from down their driveway, and the birds didn't come back.  The birds had been there awhile, the guest visiting them said she saw them on her way in. This is the best I could do from the dashcam.

 We had one snowbird visit us just once!

Off we went home. I decided to take a detour. Nothing like a muddy sideroad!

There are some streams around, and I wanted to see how open they were. I stopped on the bridge for photos. These I took through the car windows. It was durn cold!

From there, I took us to Tayside Estates, on Ernest Way. The backyards on the one side of the development look down into a gully, which leads to the Tay River.

They've been working on this development for awhile, an article about sulphates in the water dates it to 2010. They needed some help with water quality.

“(The) raw ground water does not meet provincial standards for hardness, sulphate, colour,” said Noelle Reeve, the township’s planner, who pointed out that Renfrew County and the City of Ottawa do not allow in-home water treatment, but Lanark County has allowed it in the past.

 They are sold out, but for three properties. I presume you have to go with the Mackie Homes developer. They are listing them for $779,900, with your choice of style of home. A tad above our budget! I wouldn't want to clean all that, either. 

I noticed a wee park there, too. John Miller Park. I needed taller boots to go out in the deep snow, so I stayed in the car.

"John Herbert Miller (1950-2014), was a fifth-generation farmer who lived on the land that is now home to Tayside Estates outside of Glen Tay."

From the article by Desmond about the ribbon cutting ceremony, I learned that Miller was a pioneer in more modern farming methods, such as 'no till' conservation movement, and had free range cattle on 300 acres. He attended the Kemptville College, which inspired him. What a nice legacy!

♩♪♫♬ Oh, the cat came back, the very next day...

 Here is the front deck. The heated cat house is in the foreground. On the chair, the trailcam.

Oregano Feb 5 came by for a midnight snack. You can hear him meowing. Now, I've read that cats only meow at humans. I don't know if he wants in, or what. He's not fixed, so that could be a problem. 

 

The cats were cold outside. Apparently a snuggle was called for. I was out a couple of times, and the wind is bitter, despite the sunshine. I went snowshoeing, using JB's shoes, and it was great exercise. The wetland is quite frozen. I got a chill, though, and had a hot bath.

  

COVID–19

We're managing with COVID–19. We've few cases (only 6 – Lanark West), relatively speaking.

We're waiting to hear if our health unit is opening up. Many of us are losing faith with our provincial government. We've low numbers, but we aren't opening up. Also, the powers-that-be aren't following the advice of the scientists. One has been fired after he spoke out. 

We're also waiting to hear about March, as there are rumours they will cancel March Break. Our grandies have been doing Virtual School since September and they are fried. So are we! We have the girls this week. Fortunately, Friday is a PD day. 

That said, there are way too many rich white Snowbirds in Florida, and AZ. We've new laws that enforce a 3-day quarantine in a hotel, at the person's expense. Many are complaining. Many are getting press coverage. They are paying to fly south, some in helicopters over the border, then trucking their cars across the border, too. 

Some snowbirds still flying south despite new travel rules — because they can

Peeved Canadian snowbirds devising plans to avoid hotel-quarantine 'jail'

The 'Peeved Canadians' are claiming a fixed income, and they cannot afford to pay the $2000. Sigh. White people... JUST STAY HOME!

Snowbirds!

I told you about the snowbirds. It happened before we knew it. They posted a video. You can see the Perth water tower.



You can see the yellow busses on Rideau Ferry Rd.



They swooped just to the north of us, behind the clouds! Thankfully, there are videos! This is the video that shows them flying from Gatineau to Perth to Smiths Falls.

Operation Inspiration

Our snowbirds flew by. It's "Operation Inspiration."

They were flying from Ottawa to Perth, Smiths Falls and then on to Belleville. We were pumped. On their Twitter feed they said they were 10 minutes late leaving. So, 10:40 they were leaving. It was so cold!

I could hear people on Otty Lake cheering. They saw them in Perth, I read online. It was too cloudy for us! Such a disappointment.

Lots of people captured them, though.

The @CFSnowbirds fly over the former Kingston Penitentiary site and Portsmouth Olympic Harbour in #ygk during their cross-country tour pic.twitter.com/19ZX13xosQ

— Elliot Ferguson (@Elliotatthewhig) May 8, 2020

It's quite cold these days. This is not normal May weather. We average around 16 C., as I recall.

The daffodils are still fine.

The rose-breasted grosbeaks are back! It's amazing how different they are, males and females.

COVID–19 continues to shape our lives. The LCBO, where JB went to get me some wine.

Apparently, Cinnamon went down to the dock. This is the first time. They ducks were wary, and hopeful he'd feed them, too! I put cracked corn in the pot.

Cinnamon & ducks from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

Butch raccoon made a visit, as well.

Frog pond from Jennifer Jilks on Vimeo.

For more critters...

Temperatures and population drops

As the temperatures fall, so does the seasonal tourist population!
Mind you, the indoor population of fruit flies has increased exponentially.

The water is low. The marshes are slowly hatching their critters, set to face a long winter in the mud!
The smaller maples are turning a bright red. Ready for their winter slumber, too. But the temperatures are ameliorated by those living by the lakes. This morning we awoke to 7 degrees C., (0= 32 F.!) and each morning the thermometer rises less and less. The water is slowly cooling, but it keeps its daytime temperature longer than the land. We were able to sit and read by the lake yesterday.

The towns are quiet, too. You could see forever down the main street.

But then, a few minutes later, Hunt is on for armed man, it seemed that the hunt is not over.
I spotted 6 motorcycle OPP, one car, and three officers with a sniffer dog. I don't know. But something was up.


Something is going on! It is hard to tell if this is practice or the real thing. I know I have seen OPP doing lots on the highways in preparation for the G8 in Huntsville in 2010.

In Muskoka the more, shall we say senior, population stick around for another month or so. Our snowbirds must spend a certain amount of time in Canada to keep their health care.
"Snowbirds are also spending more time outside Canada and need to know the rules and regulations for extended stays when it comes to health insurance needs and ensuring their finances and estate planning are in proper order."
See The Canadian Snowbird Guide!

Mind you, some seem to be lost, between two 'No Parking' signs. I love this shot! They were examining a map, not paying attention to the signs around them!
I was shopping across the street, finding great bargains at the nursery, when those poor plants who have been left and neglected by gardeners, and go on sale. I scoop them up at half price and pop them into my garden. That is My Muskoka! Lots of excitement!!!!