A Great Resource

A new acquaintance quickly caught on from a visit at our house, that we really enjoy birds and nature. She kindly sent us a link to the Royal Ontario Museum's new biodiversity site. At this link you tap into a region specific field guide ie. Muskoka, and it will list for you the birds (including pictures, descriptions and calls), fish and amphibians in the area. We were thrilled to have seen all of the birds except 5 or 6, which has given us a drive to find the missing ones. We definitely recommend you check it out.

Finally!

The blog finally got to the top of the list! So, I think that I am close to being caught up, it's hard thinking back that far-LOL! You will have to look back to see some of them- I promised I would let you know!

The last day of May

.....and we got snow!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, .....7 in total!!!!!

We headed to Algonquin Park early (quite early) this morning, with breakfast and camera in hand. It was a crazy day in terms of weather; meeting rain, sunshine, hail, blue skies and snow. The weather didn't deter the moose though. We drove through the park, our eyes intently searching the marshy areas we passed. Dadda found the first two young cows, who were munching happily at the side of the road. We stood staring in awe at them for quite awhile.

Elias spotted the next, a big bull moose, whose antlers we could see were very velvety. We watched it until it got out of the marsh, came up to the road (very close to the car) and walk down the road. The kids were just commenting they couldn't get a good idea of how tall it was, being in the water. We were all impressed by its size, measuring about 6 feet to the shoulders.

We saw a total of 7 moose; five cows, 1 buck and 1 bull moose. We are still smiling and nodding, muttering how awesome it was.

Such a poser!

First the left side, then the right, then straight on. He gave us a chance to get a shot from every angle. Quite the photogenic moose!

End of the Season

While I admit to looking forward to having our Friday nights and Saturdays open for something other than ball hockey, we have all enjoyed being a part of it. The kids each enjoyed playing, connected with kids on their teams, built a relationship with their coaches, learned new skills and built confidence trying something new in a new place. The organization encouraged fair play, fun and respect. It was extremely well organized and very reasonably priced. Everyone has already commented about playing next year.

Tonight there was an end of the year celebration with all the bells and whistles. A BBQ dinner for all the families, cotton candy and popcorn machines. Games, tattoos, face painting. A dunk tank, with all the coaches to try and sink. There were lights, music and prizes for everyone. The kids fell in too bed very pleased.

Growing Pains....Mine

His feet are bigger than mine, he is quickly closing the height gap between us. His physical changes often cause me to step back, wondering when his shoulders got so broad. I wish it didn't feel so fast.

I couldn't be more proud of the person he is, or enjoy his company more.

It's his second nature

No fear. The chicks now try to dodge the hand that picks them up. They sometimes flap their wings or peep really loud, causing you to worry. For safety, its important to handle them with care yet firmly. Shai amazes us around the chicks. With complete confidence he picks up the chickens, carries them around, chats with them and jokingly puts them on an unsuspecting shoulder with the hopes they will poop on you!

Pike Dreams

With friends in tow, we headed down to our lake, a five minute walk away. Here we had the first dip (brrr) of the season and some fishing off the dock. We have chatted with lots of local residents, whom have all shared stories about the large pike in this lake. Dreams of reeling in a 25 lb pike are dancing in some peoples head- and I wouldn't be surprised when it happens!

Prized Possessions

We were excited to show off our chickens to friends this weekend. Taking them outside and having them walk all over us apparently hasn't grown old.

Morning

It's early and quiet and just the youngest and the oldest are home. Both set up with their drawing, breaking to trade colours and see what the other is doing.

Dock Side

throwing rocks in....plunk

sitting with friends

watching boats

spotting a loon

splashing in cold water

the first of many

Growing up

Almost three weeks old and their down is being replaced by feathers, and their combs are starting to grow. Their feet are getting big and they are inbetween looking like chicks and mini chickens.

Nature Study is Checked off the List

The pond is the place to be. The kids are there at least two or three times during the average day, sometimes watching and other times catching. A forever changing collection of frogs at different stages has been started on the front porch in an aquarium and some buckets. Tiny tadpoles, eggs, large tadpoles and some whose back legs have grown, small frogs and large frogs. Some algae was added, and the marsh plants we were gifted where added too. A collection of field guides (most recently identifying a giant water beetle) and library books in a box has made its home beside the tank. A basket of rags is at the front door, to wipe up the pond water which drips off the nets as they rush in to show me the latest find. How did we do without a pond before?

Outdoor Time for the Chicks!

The warm weather and beautiful sunshine, just called for us to let the chick explore outside for the first time. They were a little bit unsure, with only one or two brave enough to step onto to the grass on their own. The rest needed a little bit of encouragement. Very soon, they were all climbing around the wood pile, exploring the grass and stretching their legs. A game of pile as many chicks on as you can soon began. As always, we were entertained by their silly ways.

Hunter's Bay Trail

This area definitely doesn't lack natural areas for us to explore. There are a few trails within town that are maintained, which we enjoy visiting in between library programs on our 'town days'. This particular trail isn't new to us, but we did enter from a different entrance and walked a portion we didn't know existed.

The kids were thrilled to find lots of wild raspberry bushes (with plans to return and raid), wild cucumber plants, a birch forest, and some climbing logs.