Daredevil Turkeys

Back in October we visited relatives in southern Ontario for Thanksgiving. You would think that on Thanksgiving, the wild fowls would be laying low. But no, here goes mama turkey right through the suburbs with her brood of young ones. We stopped to let them cross, as did the truck you see coming towards us. They took so long we had plenty of time for photos. Apparently people around here get their turkeys from the grocery store, and this hen can bring up a whole nest of young!

The Fall of the Merlin Tree

High winds are not kind to tall trees. We came home the other day to find no power to the house, and a man walking on the garage roof. A wind gust (or a series of them) had broken off one of the three tall shoots of spruce. Down it came, and the power line with it. The tip embedded itself in the back yard, and the base leaned gently against the side of the house, missing everything breakable on the way, other than the powerline.

We consulted an arborist, who decided the other two leaders were at risk of coming down soon. A crack had formed between them, opening wider with each gust. So, down it came. The tree people took away most of the rubble, but left us the main trunks for firewood. Not sure if we can bear to burn it!

We lost about half the height of the tree - it is no longer taller than the house. The lower branches still shade the back yard, so we kept it for now. It opens up the yard to more sun. (This is me trying to see the bright side of disaster!)

We will definitely have no more Merlins now.

Wayside flower

A Lady's Slipper I found alongside the highway on my way into the city.

I was heading into the city to make an airport run on a beautiful July afternoon. This patch of pink blooms always catches the corner of my eye, and I just have to pull over to take a closer look. The dog was very patient with me while I burrowed around in the ditch getting a good angle. It was windy so it took a few tries to get the flowers to stand still. I noticed the poison ivy after it was already too late...

I love the delicate shading on the petals - just the merest hint of yellow at the centre and the stronger pink of the lip. A few stands of flowers were nearly past already, but this one was still emerging.

Fall garden

The backyard garden always has a hard time at this season of the year. By late September it has usually been dry for a few weeks, and the sandy soil just bakes. Earlier this week even the raspberry canes were starting to wilt. This is when I realize that I really need to add organic matter to the soil. Lots of fibre to hold on to moisture and give the roots a chance of reaching deep enough to stay alive through the winter. Call me cheap, I just can't bring myself to water it enough to keep it happy!

Camping at Baker's Narrows

We went north for Labour Day Weekend, to Baker's Narrows just east of Flin Flon.  We had reserved our spot back in May, choosing one of the few reservable spots based on its number (we like the number 22).  Turns out it is one of the best spots!  Neighbours not too close and this great view just over a small rock ridge.

Brother Duck

Our campsite attracts an odd assortment of neighbours!  This flock of ducks - I think they are a nestful of juveniles - followed us home from the beach.  

They marched right up the path, along the road and into our campsite.  They looked at us inquiringly: "got anything to eat?" We found a few crackers.  Apparently we are not the first campers at this site to find a few crackers!

They hung out for a while but stayed back a bit once the dog noticed them.  

They were rather like a group of monks going on their daily alms rounds.  They have no begging bowls, just a hopeful look in their eye and a willingness to eat right off the ground.

Do not adjust your set

I was having some technical difficulties adding photos to my posts.  Not so good when they are about a picture!  Seems to be fixed now.  Sorry about the delay!