Friday, 13 December 2024

Preparing for the Big Count

 I try to find where the birds are hiding - so I can find them when I need to, for example for the Big Count in the winter.


One spot I like is around the  Leacock property, around the museum and boathouse:







What has been missing in recent years has been the woodpeckers. I hope this means that the trees are healthy and not that the birds have gone.


We shall see.


WOB

Wednesday, 11 December 2024

Justin and Bob said I was "gullible" - and I believed them!

 When one starts to "see", then gulls are really incredible. How many species of gull can you spot? And how many different ages among them?





And one says that birds of a feather flock together - what does that make me?


W O B

Tuesday, 10 December 2024

Marking Time

 The tides?

Sea Geese?

Mergansers:






And I saw what appeared to be a spider! 6°C and then the fog settled.


And I was buzzed by a drone, too. Great day.


WOB

Thursday, 5 December 2024

Which way is the wind blowing?

 Just a thought before I put my beard outside the bed covers.




So which way is the wind blowing?



Easy if you think about it - WOB

Sunday, 1 December 2024

Snow Squalls Woebegone

 Peter and I paddled near this island in October. I believe it is called Thistle Island, near Heron Is. which we did paddle around:



This island is only 3Km away from me. And yet in a matter of minutes it could vanish from sight when it was obscured by a snow squall. And 12Km further north at Washago Highway #11 was closed yesterday and as of this writing was still closed.


Click on the blue links to get photos and news links to the events of yesterday:

Snow transforms Orillia into a winter wonderland (16 photos) >40CM in Orillia

The next article was written a little later:

Stranded Hwy. 11 motorists taken to town hall in Gravenhurst for night

Now that island shown above is not visible today at all as the snow continues to reach our more southerly position, Don't you appreciate generosity!

Snow squall heading toward Orillia; Highway 11 remains shut down 130cm!

And yet I still like "Come from away".

The power went off in Bracebridge while Vicki was talking to her sister. And it was off here for several hours, too.


We have food and water to last us . We actually have food for the food bank as well.


WOB

A Walk in the Park Saturday afternoon 3PM to 4PM

 We got dumped on! All morning. And last night. So when it looked bright after lunch I went for a stroll not really knowing what to expect. Our condo entrance was full of snow:

Looking north-west -


And right to the entrance - compare that if you will to the scene on April 8 -


However, where I wanted to walk was clear. This is the Trans Canada Trail, the Ganaraska Trail, the Millenia Trail, the Gordon Lightfoot Trails for Life Trail, and umtil 1985 the CP rail line into Orillia:


And here's how  the trails were cleared - at Tudhope:



The trails eastward:



And this is what 40cm might look like if protected from the wind:


Now, just 15 to 20Km north the snowfall was 130Cm and the highway is still closed 24 hours later, but that will be another entry. 


So here is my guiding lights back home:




 Wobbily but still standing!

WOB

Saturday, 23 November 2024

Old Brewery Bay - a reposting of a link to an article in Orillia Matters

 The following is not by me. I just found it interesting after being so connected to the bay for the past 3 blogs.


The article  was posted in Orillia Matters on June 21, 2021 under the headline:

Old Brewery Bay rooted in era when Orillia was 'the hardest drinking village in Ontario'

- the distinction between "village" and "city" is important.

Click on the "blue" text to read the article in another window.

WOB