NICE BIG BASS

Got me a nice big bass tonite!!

GEESE ON THE HIGHWAY

I had to slow down to let these guys cross the road safely and get a picture of course.  The father on the right was letting me know to keep my distance from his family.  They can be dangerous and very, very protective of the little ones.  There are a lot of Canada Geese in Thessalon along the river banks and in the farmer fields.  Nice to watch but don't get too close.

THE BEAVER IS BACK

I looked out of the back window this morning and noticed that our swamp was full of water which meant only one thing - the beaver was back!!  Sure enough when we hurried out over the bridge to the stream there was the dam - not a very big one in my opinion but enough to back everything up.  How he managed to get some of those logs in place amazes me.  All that work in one night.  I found out later that the real work was under the bridge which was packed solid with mud and grasses.  If you don't catch it in time it can back up over our septic bed and do a lot of damage.
There has been a lot of rain the past week or two so the stream has been running hard and it is the sound of the rushing water that triggers the beaver's damming instincts so as long as the water is rushing that beaver will be back every nite doing his thing and we will have to break it up each morning until he gives up (which he won't do) or we "gently persuade" him not to come back.  I am betting on the latter.

I will keep you in the loop.

OLA

It was Mexican night at our house the other nite.  I was inspired by my nephew's rehearsal dinner to make chicken enchiladas and Mexican rice for dinner and some Margaritas of course.
The food was delicious and very easy to make - I did forget to put out the chopped up tomatoes and green onions and the sour cream but I think I can blame the Margaritas on that.  I can blame the Margaritas for a lot of things that night - I think.  It was a case of deja vu from the Super Bowl Party a few years ago where extra tequila was added to a drink that already had tequila in it.  Hence the reaction.  I think I will stay away from Margaritas for a few months.  But I will make the enchiladas again - they were a hit!!

ITSY BITSY SPIDER SITTING ON THE DOCK

Not so itsy!!  This is a dock spider that grow so big they have meat on their legs!!!
The scientific name for this spider is Dolomites which translates into Fuc-'n Big Spider!!
They are Canada's largest spider
They don't spin webs -instead they stalk their victims and use two large fangs to inject venom, paralyzing them - just like vodka
They do spin a nursery web to protect their young
Egg sacs can hold up to 1000 baby spiders
The female dock spider will eat her mate within 20 minutes of mating!!!!
They are expert hunters - but they don't hunt humans
They catch and consume everything from insects to tadpoles and minnows - they are carnivores!!!
They dangle their legs in the water to feel vibrations as their prey approaches - the hair on their legs helps to differentiate between a leaf and lunch
Their legs are water resistant and they can walk on water - didn't say anything about running tho
They can scuba dive for up to 1/2 hours so you are not safe in the water

Just some tidbits of information about these creatures

Remember - you are never alone on the dock...

MYRTLE THE TURTLE

Myrtle the Turtle was still hanging around the same area as before so we decided to give her a place to live until she got a bit bigger.  She likes fish as we found out by dangling a piece of bass in front of her face and she grabbed it and ate a bit.  The rocks are sized so that she is able to climb up on them and bask in the sun.  We also placed a chunk of moss in there so if she wants, she can snuggle her way under it to hide.
The kids will be here in less than a month so we may keep her around for that.  But as soon as she is a bit bigger she will be released a little ways away from here.  You don't want her for a neighbour in a couple of years !!!

BIG DECK DONE

Big project at Mitch's place for the past few days - actually the only nice days we had had for a while - but finally done.  And it looks great.
It will be used a lot this summer.