ENHANCED OWL PICTURE

There - you can see him a bit better now.  Nice Owl!!

PROWLING FOR OWLS

Look who we called in.  You can just make the Barred Owl out in profile (it was a tricky shot as I was in the drivers seat leaning over Mary who was playing the owl call in the passenger seat) but it still turned out pretty good.  This was just after the first stop and as we were driving south down 129, Ute or Mary spotted this guy in the tree.  He must have heard the calls and flown in to investigate us.  He stayed for a few minutes and once he realized he couldn't eat us, mate with us or fight with us, he flew silently away.  We heard Woodcocks and geese and Sandhill Cranes but finally at the last stop of the evening, as we were walking back to the car, we heard them.  THEM!!  There had to be at least 3 calling back and forth and I heard them as clear as day.  What an experience for me.  I count it as one of the most exciting things in my life.  It was amazing to actually hear them hooting back and forth at each other and at us.  This must have gone on for about 5-10 minutes.  And they were close.
It was a moment I will never forget, ever.

LUNCH IS SERVED

I was sitting at the table reading and looked up and there was Boots showing off his catch.  We have had a lot of birds and squirrels around feeding off the seeds I provide.  I think we counted 8 squirrels at one time all feeding together.  I think this little one just got too involved in the food and wasn't watching out for Boots and got caught.  Good thing I didn't see it happen like the last time.  He just stood there looking at the door with his lunch.  I didn't tap on the window because I didn't want him to drop it and think he was going to get some hot dogs.  So I just quietly snapped a couple of photos.  Eventually he wandered off.  I swear about 5 minutes later there he was again, minus the squirrel.  He must have buried it and come back for his dogs.  Of course I fed him...he is probably saving the squirrel for desert ;o)
Nice to know that even when I am not around, Boots can fend for himself.

NICE AND CLEAN AND READY (ALMOST) TO GO

Spent all morning cleaning the trailer.  It really didn't need it but I did it anyway.  That way you get to see every little area of the trailer, every nook and crannie.  This trailer is spotless even before I cleaned it.  Only the blinds in the bedroom need replacing but I found another full size blind in the storage area under the kitchen table bench.  So I only need to replace one.  I don't think they ever used the oven - the microwave is spotless.  No scratches anywhere.  The walls are unmarked.  We did good.  Now to stock it.  I figure I have to pay a visit to the Dollar Stores to do that.  And Thessalon doesn't have one anymore.  I'll have to go to Blind River or the Sault with a list...

A SAD NOTE

My sister Susan lost her beloved Disney the other day.  It was quick so she didn't suffer.  Disney was her baby - it was hard to say who loved who more.  When Sue was at home, Disney was always at her side - trying to sit on her lap, touch her leg - just being close brought them both joy. Disney's pup, Poop (yes that is her real name) was also in on the love and affection.  Disney and Poop were always together as well.  Susan says that Poop is wandering around looking for Disney - I think that will go on for a while.
It is so hard to lose a beloved pet, a part of the family.  We are left with a lot of good memories that will eventually instead of bringing a tear to your eye, will bring a smile to your face.

I will remember Disney with love because she brought such joy to my sister, Susan.

FINALLY

We got back from Windsor yesterday with our trailer - finally.  We purchased it back in December but were waiting for the weather to clear so we could get it up our driveway.  We just made it.  Today we got snow as you can see in the pictures.  Not a lot but still.  Enough about the weather.
I am so pleased with the trailer.  It was better than I remembered.  This trailer was well taken care of - probably stored indoors.  There is not a mark on the floors or walls or ceiling.  The shower area appears to never have seen moisture.  Everything works!!  Tomorrow, when the weather is supposedly better, we will get inside to do a little tweaking. I will take some pics of the interior and post them.  The trip up was good.  I drove from West Branch - even over the Mackinac Bridge.  It pulled very good but boy did it use the gas.  I could see the gauge moving!!  Good thing it will be parked for the majority of the time.
See Ya Bye

MORE PROBLEMS = HASSLES FOR YOU

Due to the fact that I am getting at least 2 to 4 a day of these inappropriate robo-comments, I have been forced to implement that dreaded word verification tool on my comment section.  I have always found them to be a hassle and usually just gave up and moved on but I hope it does not dissuade you from leaving your comments.  I do value and enjoy your thoughts and look forward to reading and sharing them.
See Ya Bye

STUCK

This is what happens when these two guys get together - stuff happens.  This time, Rejean got stuck in a ditch on Ron's road.  He was trying to avoid making new ruts in the road and hit some ice and "slid" into the ditch.  They tried for over an hour to get him out with the tractor but to no avail.  When all else fails, call the tow truck.  It got him out after a couple of tries.  We have coverage but since the incident happened on a gravel road, we weren't covered, so we paid $157 for the excellent service provided by Pine Ridge Towing Service.
I told Ron and Rejean that they were not allowed to play together anymore. Things seem to happen whenever they get together.  They just laughed at me.

See Ya Bye

A SAD DAY

When I heard of the bombing at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, I was stunned.  2 people killed - one an 8 year old child.  Over 100 injured.
But not surprised.  I knew it was only a matter of time before something like this happened.  And now that it has, I feel that it is only the beginning.
I hope that I am wrong.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the runners, friends, family and people of Boston.

THE OWL COUNT

Last nite I helped Ute and Ginny count owls.  What we do is play a CD of owl calls then see if any answer back.  I normally can't hear owls but with a device that amplifies sound I would have been able to hear them if they were there.  I heard geese and Sandhill Cranes but no owls.  We started at the site of the big forest fire and then made 10 stops along the highway going south.  We couldn't stop at some of the regular sites due to the snow but we did get in the majority of the spots.  We decided to do it all again when the weather is nicer.  In the count last year, we had an owl fly right at us probably thinking we were another owl invading his space.  Scary but amazing experience.

A SNOWSHOE TOUR

Yes, these pictures were taken today, April 10, 2013.  We decided to head out to check if we could at least take a tree down and to see if the sap is running.  We settled on a small one and Rejean took it down with his chainsaw - the one with the newly sharpened chain.  I could see the sap running out of the tree the moment it was cut and it was still dripping 45 minutes later on our return hike.  We could have let it drip into a pail and boiled down our own maple syrup but we would have needed a ton more.  So that shows we can't take our trees down yet.  The snow is still quite deep in the bush and over at the other garage.  Rejean is standing by our wood pile which is 4 feet high - that gives you an idea of the height and the snow came off the roof in front of the man door at the garage so we have to wait a bit before we can get in there.
The last picture is of my snowshoes.  They are hand made by Jack Carey of Corner Brook, NL.  They are called BeaverTails.  I saw an episode of Land and Sea and they did a show on Jack and how he makes them and how long he has been at it.  This had to be over 8 years ago and at that time, he had made over 12,000 snowshoes.  I must say he has perfected the art.  They are the best - the bindings are made of inner tubes from tractor trailers, the frames are made from Hi Tensile Spring Steel and the twine is tough, durable braided polypropylene twine.  I really think they are indestructible.  And light!!!  You don't even know you are wearing them.  I love mine.  Mine are red and Rejean's are green.
If you want any information on how to contact Jack, let me know.  I have emailed him to see if he is still in business and let him know I would be mentioning him in this blog.
That's it for now.  See Ya Bye.

FOR PIERRE

These pictures are for Pierre  - evidently they didn't go thru in the email I sent him.  So everyone else can just look too.

I had to modify my contents because someone chose to make another inappropriate comment.  Please note that these will never be published and I just laugh at them so give it up.  Don't waste my time and yours.

MORE SNOW AND TUMBLES

Yes, that is snow in the last picture - a good 3 or 4 inches of fluffy stuff.  It was so depressing.  Everything was beginning to melt nicely but at least the temperature is mild today.  The second picture is of my tracks heading down to get the mail.  I was being careful as I knew there was ice on the lane way - the day before I had to walk on the side to avoid the ice.  I have gone all winter not going down as I have in the past but I was in for a surprise.  Rejean had warned me to be careful as I left the garage.   I was gingerly making my way down the hill when my feet just slipped from under me and down I went.  I saw stars!! Rejean also took a fall when he came to see if I was ok.  He has a sore hip and I have a headache - what a pair.  We are actually very lucky - it could have been worse.
And the first picture is of a morning dove.  We don't see them very often around here but this little guy stuck around for about an hour.  And I discovered that the Ravens have been taking the food out of Boot's bowl.  I caught them today.  Don't tell Boots!!

CONFIRMED!!!

We have confirmed that it was yellow food colouring - they were colouring their Easter Eggs.  Thanks for clearing that up for us.
I remember we used to do that when we were young.  Now I just care about the chocolate coloured ones ;o)

Thanks for asking that question, Melina.  Any more?

MELINA WANTS TO KNOW...

...what that yellow was on the snow fort on Axe Lake.  Hmmm It was Easter so I am going to say yellow food coloring that they used on their Easter Eggs.  I am sure it is not what everyone is thinking.  Maybe the fortress makers will let us know in a comment.

ps - Hi Gavin and Melina and Jake!!