Ontario Wanderer

Almost Blooming

2012-01-13T12:59:00.001-05:00

In addition to some almost blooming plants, I did find 5 species of plants blooming this morning.

Another Corner

2012-01-08T08:40:00.001-05:00

The daylight hours have been increasing since the solstice in December; however, today is the first day the sun has come up earlier. It has come up at 7:54 for at least the last week but this morning it came up at 7:53 at our latitude and longitude.

Leo

2012-01-06T06:13:00.001-05:00

Leo is coming into the western sky as I get up in the morning.

Weather Change

2011-12-30T07:42:00.000-05:00

Finally, after X-mas we have snow.

Turkeys

2011-12-24T14:42:00.001-05:00

I was bringing wood in from the far west meadow when two turkeys flew into the field just ahead of me. I was too slow with the camera. Hoping for another chance, I got the camera ready & circled ahead. Yes, I got another chance but the camera had automatically shut itself off to save power so I again did not get a photo. Sigh!

Sent from my iPhone

First Fire of the Season

2011-12-18T16:13:00.001-05:00

I'm not sure why it took so long to have our first fire this fall. Perhaps because we have not had snow?

Still Blooming

2011-12-13T16:20:00.001-05:00

Sounds of the Morning

2011-12-08T05:22:00.002-05:00

At 5:15 this morning the coyotes started to yip and howl. The donkey replied with loud braying. The wind whistled through the trees and snow pellets pinged against the windows. So much for quiet country living.

Running

2011-12-04T09:02:00.001-05:00

Running on rail trail. Little rain. No one else out.

Snow

2011-12-03T20:54:00.001-05:00

Snow yesterday morning. Gone by noon. Just felt cold today.

Rooster

2011-12-01T14:38:00.002-05:00

Here is the first photo of our new rooster. Names suggested so far include Rudy, Roary, Ko-ko-dee. Do you have suggestions?

New Post

2011-11-30T07:24:00.002-05:00

In spite of best intensions somehow this blog gets left out of many of my days . . . as is obvious. However, we have a new animal that needs to be celebrated this morning. No photo yet but coming soon. This morning as I went out the door I was greeted by a sound from my very distant past, the crowing of a rooster. I bought a rooster from a farm near Dundas yesterday and brought it home last evening. It should add some neat sounds to our mornings. I have missed that sound for years and years.

New Sculpture

2011-10-27T06:15:00.001-04:00

Part one of a two part sculpture.

Oct. 26

2011-10-26T10:38:00.000-04:00

Gloomy weather
Brightened
Just a bit
By
Maple power.

Butter-and-Eggs

2011-10-24T09:10:00.001-04:00

Butter-and-Eggs
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

24 October

2011-10-24T05:27:00.000-04:00

Traffic noise

Wind in trees

Our water fountain

One spring peeper

5:20 a.m.

Morning

2011-10-23T05:54:00.001-04:00

Greeted by Jupiter
As I go out the door
And the sounds
Of the Great Horned Owl.

Oct. 20

2011-10-20T20:34:00.001-04:00

Lots of rain last night.
Robins still chirping.
White-throated Sparrows
Still learning calls.
Crows just 'caws.

Heal-all

2011-10-17T08:46:00.001-04:00

Heal-all blooming & Red-wing Blackbirds singing in the background make a cool October morning more joyful.

Early

2011-09-18T06:27:00.001-04:00

If I could add sound, it would be one of the local screech owls. It has been calling for at least 10 minutes.

Wales

2011-09-13T14:11:00.000-04:00

Hiking in Wales up into the clouds.

2011-09-02T08:07:00.001-04:00

September 2

2011-09-02T05:38:00.001-04:00

Great Horned Owl calling @ 5
& Spring Peeper, many Crickets, other insects.
Forecast: +30 (+39)

Sent from my iPhone

Storm Work

2011-08-25T10:56:00.001-04:00

Spent over an hour picking up branches, sawing & lopping branches, and cleaning up a small part of the yard. There is still another hour or three of picking up to do & then there is this large limb still high in a tree waiting to fall. Wondering how to safely get it down.

Lots of Rain

2011-08-10T08:52:00.000-04:00

It rained all morning yesterday. It's been a long time since I've seen this much water in the rain gauge.

Another view

2011-08-08T07:30:00.001-04:00

Thunderstorms?

2011-08-08T07:25:00.001-04:00

The forecast calls for thunderstorms all day but the sky looks good from the porch this morning.

Glory in the Morning

2011-07-21T07:36:00.001-04:00

July Garden

2011-07-11T09:04:00.001-04:00

Garden

2011-07-04T10:24:00.001-04:00

First

2011-05-16T08:50:00.001-04:00

First
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Looking forward to fresh eggs. Someone offered us some "free" chickens but as it ended up Fleur-Ange drove 3 hours to collect them so they were not quite free. (I wonder what it costs to buy chickens and have them delivered?)

Ticks Again

2011-05-14T12:23:00.001-04:00

Two ticks found on our dog so far & none on me for a difference.

Sent from my iPhone

Trout Lily

2011-05-06T20:08:00.001-04:00

Trout Lily
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Enjoying lots of trout lilies these days!

West of the Barn

2011-04-28T06:19:00.001-04:00

West of the Barn
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

2011-04-28T06:16:00.002-04:00

and in the morning
robin song
spring peeper peeps
woodcock buzzes
and then
toad trill
for the first time
this rainy spring season

Tree Swallows

2011-04-25T14:30:00.001-04:00

The tree swallows are back & inspecting the bird houses. I just cleaned the houses this morning.

Sent from my iPhone

Often Overlooked

2011-04-24T08:25:00.002-04:00

Often Overlooked
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

The Blue Cohosh is just beginning to bloom. This is from last Friday.

Correction: This is Caulophyllum giganteum or Giant Blue Cohosh. (Thanks to Mike Whittemore for the ID.)

An early "Early Meadow-rue"

2011-04-22T13:19:00.001-04:00

An early "Early Meadow-rue"
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

In spite of snow this morning, I still think spring will come someday.

New

2011-04-15T14:42:00.001-04:00

Enjoying some colour at last.

Another New Migrant

2011-04-06T10:41:00.000-04:00

Picture of new bird for the season seen this morning.

Towee

2011-04-03T09:13:00.000-04:00

I used iBird to double check the id of the first towee that I have seen this season. Its song was not quite right. Maybe it's just learning?

My New Book

2011-04-02T06:20:00.002-04:00

What's That Flower? by Dean Gugler | Make Your Own Book

I made this book to go with the photo show that starts today in the Giants Rib Discovery Centre display area at the Dundas Valley Trail Centre.

Buds

2011-03-30T09:02:00.001-04:00

The Silver Maple flower buds are just starting to open.

Note From Our Art Show

2011-03-29T06:09:00.001-04:00

Note From Our Art Show
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

One of the students in the class made a small book to share our art work. This is one of the pages about me.

Art Show Coming Soon

2011-03-28T20:18:00.001-04:00

Art Show Coming Soon
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

The description says that the opening is from 7 to 11 but if anyone wants to see me it would be best to be there before 8:30. I have to go home to take care of our animals and enjoy my early bedtime.
I have two sculptures and a video in the show.

Lost in the Crowd . . .

2011-03-28T08:02:00.001-04:00

Lost in the Crowd . . .
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

. . . is better than being trampled in the crowd. Given just over 7000 runners were in the Around-the-Bay 30 km race and given that most of them were faster than I am, I chose to be in the back of this crowd. Actually, I am probably not even in this photo yet. Fleur-Ange was on a pedestrian overpass looking for me when she took this photo. She almost missed me but managed to get a photo of my back from the other side of the overpass a bit later.

I finished in 3 hours 47 minutes or 10 minutes faster than three years ago when I was only 65. I felt better than I had in the previous race but was having a bit of vertigo in the morning and during the run so perhaps without that I could have been a bit faster. Not much though.

And Then There Were Three

2011-03-25T17:18:00.002-04:00

Fluffy met a snow plough sometime in the last 24 hours. He is buried under the big willow by the road. Very sorry to see him go! He was the grey cat in the middle of this family group photo taken last Monday.

And Then There Were Three
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Snow Again

2011-03-23T07:39:00.000-04:00

More welcome in December than March.

Photo Art Show

2011-03-21T15:51:00.001-04:00

Photo Art Show
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

From my large collection of wild flower photos, I have picked out about 35, so far, to process and will print 20 for an art photo show. In addition i am making up a photo book which I hope will turn out well enough to offer for sale and I have also made up a collection of some of the same photos in a photo frame that will be identifying all of the flowers. As a last addition, I want to print up some to poster size. Hope I can get all of that done in the next eleven days.

For Art Show

2011-03-17T06:21:00.001-04:00

For Art Show
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

I am working on a flower photo art show that will show in April. I plan to have 20 8x10 framed photos, a slide show on a photo frame, and a book to show. The will be lots of work between now and April to get ready!

Missed

2011-03-14T17:22:00.001-04:00

Missed the photo by a few seconds but I just saw 5 Wild Turkeys about 40 metres behind our barn.

Sent from my iPhone

More Snow

2011-03-13T20:39:00.004-04:00

Snow again this morning. Will it ever stop? Oh well, it was easier to take with the songs of Red-wing Blackbirds, Chickadees, Blue Jays, Cardinals, Crows, Juncos, and even a Robin this morning. It's nice to hear bird songs again as the sun come up.

Sculpture Project

2011-03-09T20:38:00.001-05:00

Sculpture Project
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Using an old spring and scraps of wood I came up with this sculpture and then was offered the challenge of making a video. The first video, or rather the sixth version of the first video, has been chosen to be shown in an April art show. This is not that video but a collection of still photos that I played with to make a different kind of video. I have a long way to go to be able to make a video without much effort.

Dizzy Goat

2011-03-08T20:18:00.002-05:00

OK, now I am over my dizzy spells and Gertrude, our mother goat, is dizzy. Fleur-Ange called the vet and she came over and gave Gertrude several injections today and left more to be given over the next week. Thank goodness for neighbours that can give needles!!!

Dizzy?

2011-03-07T05:49:00.002-05:00

Finally felt dizzy enough and long enough to have Fleur-Ange phone the doctor for me. (I hate phones.) Long story made short. I was told to go to emergency. Then I got to wait for just over 4 hours to see a doctor, have my blood pressure taken over a half dozen times, had an EEG, and finally told that I have a common inner ear problem that is not serious and will go away on its own but possibly return. Nice to know that i am not having a stroke or heart attack but was it really worth over 4 hours of my life? Guess so, I do feel better.

East Pond

2011-03-05T10:17:00.001-05:00

East Pond
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Our east pond is full and way past it's usual banks with all the snow melt being added to by lots of rain falling on frozen ground. It is more pleasant due to the sound of Red-winged Blackbirds and the sight of willows starting to open their buds. Now if it were not for the forecast of snow tonight . . . .

New Early Arrival

2011-03-03T11:10:00.001-05:00

New Early Arrival
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Woke up this morning feeling dizzy. Not sure what that is all about. Better by 10 a.m. but still a bit of a worry. Meanwhile, when I went out to feed the animals this morning there were lots and lots of Red-winged Blackbirds in our trees. They were singing and chirping and hopping about the trees as if spring were really here in spite of the -12 C temperature and the fact that I have never seen the so early in March on our property before.

Willow Buds

2011-03-02T10:12:00.000-05:00

This is not a wonderful photo but it is the first sign of a willow shrub bud starting to open.

Just Visiting

2011-02-27T11:02:00.002-05:00

Just Visiting
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

We are lucky enough to see a fair bit of wildlife out of our kitchen windows. These three White-tailed Deer were the event of the morning. They took our attention away from the bird feeder regulars for a few minutes. The Willow encircled pond is between 150 and 200 metres away from the house to this photo is not as sharp as I would have liked but so it goes.

Trying to add this to the "Scenic Sunday" site. We'll see if this works . . .

Snow

2011-02-27T07:41:00.001-05:00

Attended the movie, "The King's Speech" last night and came out of the theater to falling snow. (Time on this app is still Greenwich time. Can't figure out how to change it.)

Woodpecker Calling

2011-02-26T21:35:00.001-05:00

Heard a red-bellied woodpecker calling just as the sun came up this morning.

Stars!

2011-02-24T06:16:00.001-05:00

Last night the stars were showing! It seems like a long time since I have seen them.

Furnace Problems - Again

2011-02-23T06:02:00.002-05:00

We have had problems with our furnace for a couple of months. The fan is not working properly. We have had three new fan motors. Soon they will figure out that the fan is only the result and not the cause of the problem. Thanks goodness for furnace insurance. So, when I woke up at 5:00 this morning I did not hear the furnace and, yes, it stopped during the night. It is 9 degrees Celsius in the house. Glad it is not as cold as is has been outside. (- 10 with wind chill of -17)

Cold Again

2011-02-21T11:11:00.001-05:00

One cannot expect the weather to stay the same at this time of year. Feels like - 17 this morning.

First

2011-02-18T17:52:00.001-05:00

First
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

One of seven flower species seen today when most of the snow melted.

First Flowers

2011-02-18T12:40:00.001-05:00

This is a cultivated witch hazel that I found in bloom today.

Sunrise

2011-02-16T08:49:00.001-05:00

The sun is starting to come up earlier. It came up this morning 35 minutes earlier than Jan. 1st.
(Time on camera is Greenwich time. Can't seem to change it on the iPhone app.)

Warming

2011-02-12T06:24:00.001-05:00

It's an almost pleasant - 6 (wind chill -13) this morning compared to - 19 (wind chill -26) yesterday morning. Looking forward to a 22 km run in the snow this morning. Hope I survive.

Still Cold

2011-02-10T05:23:00.000-05:00

- 17 (wind chill -27) & coyotes howling this morning. 'nuff said.

Sent from my iPhone

Feeling Cold

2011-02-09T10:19:00.001-05:00

Feeling Cold
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

We Have Snow

2011-02-07T13:24:00.001-05:00

Finally Enough Snow . . .

2011-02-05T11:42:00.001-05:00

Finally Enough Snow . . .
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

I have been waiting for there to be enough snow to make snowshoes worthwhile and useful. I could have gone out with them before but last night was the first time I felt that it would be easier walking with snowshoes than with my boots as the snow is at least knee deep in some places along our trails.

Good News

2011-02-03T13:44:00.001-05:00

After being missing for over 10 hours the kittens appeared as mysteriously as they had disappeared. I have no idea where they were but I sure was glad to see them back in the barn in the evening!

Snow and Missing Kittens

2011-02-02T14:43:00.002-05:00

We had a "blizzard" last night. Actually there was not as much snow as predicted but we did have howling winds. Anyway, when I went to the barn this morning to feed the animals both of our newly vaccinated, spayed, and healed kittens were missing. I had just put Fluffy back into the barn last night when I took Grebouille out for his trip to be neutered today. There was no fur, no blood, no signs of struggle, just nothing! I've no idea how they could have both just disappeared. There were no tracks around the barn and none of the other animals seemed out of sorts in any way. The only way into and out of the barn is through the donkey's stall and I cannot imagine him letting any other animal in other than possibly another cat. My only idea is that the cats may have gone outside and been captured by an owl or some other animal or that they are hiding for some reason. They have always greeted me at the door every morning so I really don't think they are hiding. I've gone out looking for them several times but always there is just a barn empty of kittens. Sigh!

I had to dig a bit to get the cars out this morning as I had to take Grebouille to the vet this morning. I left my car close to the road last night before the storm so I did not have to dig so far to get out this morning. After I got back home I dug out the driveway. It took a bit over 2 1/2 hours including time out to fix the shovel when the handle came off. I was glad that the snow was not too heavy. I decided that I did not have to go to the gym to work out today after all that shovelling.

Cold

2011-01-31T06:07:00.001-05:00

Another morning for my heavy wool sweater. - 25 wind chill !

Wild Flower Stalk & Pods Walk

2011-01-30T15:41:00.002-05:00

About 20 people were out today for the walk with Fleur-Ange and I. We identified as many wild flower stalks and pods as we could as well as shrubs, vines, trees and birds. It was a sunny -5 C with a very light breeze. (I was not the most energetic leader as I ran almost 21 km this morning on a training run for the Bay Race coming up in March. The run was supposed to be yesterday but it got switched at the last minute. So it goes.)

Ant Hill

2011-01-29T18:58:00.000-05:00

We have two of these very large ant hills on our property. I do not know what kind of ants they are. Any ideas?

Another Chilly Morning

2011-01-24T09:25:00.002-05:00

Cold temperatures again this morning did not help my mood when the little red wagon tipped. I was attempting to haul the Blue Box of recycling materials, a garbage bag, and an open garbage can out to the road for pick up. The snow was just deep enough and the slope just steep enough that the wagon tipped and the recycling materials and 1/4 of the garbage got mixed in the snow so I had to pick up and sort in -23 C temperatures. A few steps later, my feet went out from underneath me and I crashed and slid in the snow. Not exactly the most fun start to my day.

Another Frosty Morning

2011-01-20T12:27:00.001-05:00

Frosty Morning

2011-01-17T09:49:00.002-05:00

We had a very chilly morning today. Glad it was not that way for the 18 km run yesterday. Meanwhile, the forecast for tomorrow says up above freezing with freezing rain just before the temperature goes above.

Snow

2011-01-15T17:05:00.001-05:00

Maybe did not need shoveling but I didn't get to shovel last year.

Moon & Jupiter

2011-01-09T18:32:00.001-05:00

Fitness

2011-01-08T06:12:00.002-05:00

If my memory were better I would not be so fit. I have been up & down these steps 4 times this morning and it is just 6:00 a.m.

Deer Bed

2011-01-07T12:36:00.001-05:00

A deer slept or rested here.

Finally

2011-01-05T06:19:00.001-05:00

Finally, a bit of snow - captured with my Hipstamatic iPhone app.

Where Do These Come From?

2011-01-03T14:51:00.002-05:00

Where Do These Come From?
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

This Note also From Flickr:
OK, now I know, or think I know, what this bug is. It is the Western Conifer Seed Bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis) found from the west coast of N.A. all the way east to Maine and a few times each year in our house. Our last find was in March of 2010 and this one was found today, January 3, 2011. I do not see smaller ones and I don't know how they can exist so long without being seen. They apparently are plant eater but we have never found one on a plant. They just appear wandering about the walls or floor.

Sunrise

2011-01-03T08:16:00.001-05:00

Using the iPhone to try to find exact sunrise time - clouds, barn, trees, and brush were in the way and the camera is recording Greenwich time.

Jan. 2 Flower

2011-01-02T14:19:00.001-05:00

I am trying to get my blog going again via iPhone. We'll see how long the practice works. (2nd try already.)

Ran 15 km in light blowing snow this morning and then came home to find blooming pansies.

2011 Starts

2011-01-02T12:56:00.003-05:00

Strange beginnings for 2011
Spring Peepers calling
Temperatures up to + 10
No Snow

And then

Temperatures drop
On the 2nd
Ran 15 km
In -15 C Wind Chills

Make up your mind
Weather!

Half Marathon

2010-11-08T10:06:00.003-05:00

One more half marathon under my feet.
Ran a few seconds faster than
the one in the spring
but
felt good 99% of the time
on this run
still had energy left at the end
and did not feel terribly sore.

A different story
on the morning after
but i think I will recover
fairly quickly.
Just need to move
and not sit too much.

Frosty Sunrise

2010-11-04T16:56:00.001-04:00

Frosty Sunrise
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

We have had a flock of Red-winged Blackbirds calling all fall even though most of the migrating birds were gone weeks ago. Yesterday, along with the heavy frost, there was silence from the Red-wings. I thought they were all gone. There were the sounds of Blue Jays, Starlings, Chickadees, and Nuthatches but no Red-wings. On to winter I thought. No, this morning there was the sound of at least one Red-wing calling as if it were March. Wonder if he plans on staying the winter?

Rubrum

2010-10-20T07:24:00.001-04:00

Rubrum
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Acer rubrum is RED Maple. It really lives up to its name at this time of the year! Most of the walnut leaves have already fallen but the willows are still green. Lots of variety in leaf fall happen in the autumn.

Meanwhile, the Red-winged Blackbirds are singing their spring songs when they are not flocking to fly south. Spring Peepers are calling every night and crickets are still singing too. Southern Ontario is not quite ready to say winter.

Sounds

2010-10-07T06:40:00.002-04:00

From yesterday
Spring songs of Red-winged Blackbirds
Don't know why
Many have left for the south already
One cricket
Or possibly some other chirping insect
Spring Peepers
Calling again and again
After a summer of silence
One hoot
From a far away owl.

Macro & Micro

2010-10-04T19:14:00.001-04:00

Macro & Micro
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Two views of a Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum). The first is a bit more than life size on my computer and the second is through a microscope, so it is much larger than life size. It was one of several late blooming flowers in our area that I saw today.

Meanwhile, overhead, some geese were flying east. They were probably on their way to Lake Ontario.

First Fireplace Fire of the Season

2010-10-03T14:43:00.001-04:00

First Fireplace Fire of the Season
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

It's getting cooler in our house. Down to 16 C (61 F) this morning. Since it was dark and raining most of the morning it felt even cooler so the fireplace seemed to be calling for some fire to help us warm up a bit.

Meanwhile, yesterday, I heard lots of Eastern Meadowlarks in song. I don't know why they were singing unless it was a call to join in for migration time.

On the Roof

2010-09-19T09:14:00.002-04:00

It's been so long since I put anything on the blog that I have kind of forgotten what the process is. Hope this works:

I was climbing around on the barn roof yesterday, putting some calking on the metal seams trying to keep water from coming in during rains, when this little spider suddenly appeared. The camera had been in the way but it was nice to have it when the spider appeared.

On the Roof
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

Moved

2010-07-18T05:38:00.001-04:00

Moved
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

I made this sculpture several years ago and put it in our west meadow. The weather took its toll and not many people saw it so I rescued it, replaced some pieces, repainted it and moved it to the roadside. Several people have stopped to tell me how much they like it but no one has offered to buy it. Ha!

From Our Breakfast Table

2010-07-17T14:07:00.001-04:00

From Our Breakfast Table
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

As I ate my oatmeal I caught a bit of motion from the corner of my eye. My iPhone was used to record the event. The deer stood and watched us eat for a bit and only left after Fleur-Ange went for her camera. It wandered along the edge of the yard and then took one of our trails as it headed toward the willows round the east pond.

Small-Eyed Sphinx Moth

2010-07-14T13:24:00.001-04:00

Small-Eyed Sphinx Moth
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

(Paonias myops) is another of the many moths found in our barn this summer. According to the information I read, the larvae eat leaves of hawthorns and cherries but the adults don't eat at all.

Hot, Hazy, Humid

2010-07-08T07:54:00.001-04:00

Hot, Hazy, Humid
Originally uploaded by Ontario Wanderer

The heat waves continue . . .

What you don't see is all the mosquitoes!