Rondeau Ric

Silver cheeked hornbill Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . I look down on you. Set me free.

Green Jay Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . At the Niagara Falls Aviary

Now why do they call them Dutchmans Breeches? Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . Wild flowers at Rondeau Provincial Park. One of the many spring ephemerals at the park. They get their blooms before the forest canopy fillsout and blocks the light.

Eastern hognose snake Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . This is a very young captive bred hognose snake. When it feels threatened it flattens its neck out and looks similar to a cobra. It will rear up and strike at the perceived threat. It is non poisonous and basically bumps into what it is "attacking”. If this doesn’t work it flops onto its back and plays dead. If you turn it right side up, it flops over again. This animal will be on display at Rondeau Provincial Park throughout the summer.

Giving your cat a pill By Bob Story 1) Pick cat up and cradle it in the crook of your left arm as though holding a baby. Position right fore-finger and thumb on either side of cats’ mouth and gently apply pressure to his cheeks. Cat will then close mouth and swallow. 2) Retrieve pill from floor and cat from behind sofa. Repeat process. 3) Retrieve cat from bedroom and throw away soggy pill. 4) Remove second pill from foil wrap, cradle cat in left arm holding rear paws tightly in left hand. Force jaws open, and push pill to back of throat with forefinger. Hold mouth shut for a count of 10 if you are able. Hold cat’s mouth closed as well. 5) Retrieve pill from goldfish bowl and the cat form the top of wardrobe. Call for assistance. 6) Knell on floor with cat wedged firmly between knees, immobilizing front and rear paws. Ask assistant to hold cat’s head firmly with one hand while forcing wooden ruler into cat’s throat. Flick pill down ruler with forefinger, and rub cat’s throat vigorously

That sinking feeling Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . The Thorold lift lock on the Welland Canal. The canal by passes Niagara Falls and joins Lakes Ontario and Erie.

Please Sir, do you have any food? Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . Chucker Partridge at Niagara aviary

Through the mist Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . The mist was swirling at the base of the American Bridal Falls partial obscuring this "tooth". At first I thought it was a rock with striations in it. After a moment I realized it was a chunk of ice/snow that had built up over the winter and was now being eroded.

Striated ice, a different view. Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . This gives a sense of scale to the Through the mist photo of yesterday. The pic was taken from the Canadian side, across the Niagara gorge to the American falls.

SNACK TIME Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . A hunting Cissa snacks on a frog(?) at the aviary in Niagara Falls Canada.

The Light Bulb Originally uploaded by annabelletexter . Self explanatory, I hope because I can’t explain it.

On the brink Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . At Niagara Falls Canada. The brink if the Horseshoe Falls. Due to water diversion for hydro-electric generation, the water flow has been reduced by 50%. During the night it is reduced to 25% of the original flow in order to fill the reservoirs.

Through the mist Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . The mist was swirling at the base of the American Bridal Falls partial obscuring this "tooth". At first I thought it was a rock with striations in it. After a moment I realized it was a chunk of ice/snow that had built up over the winter and was now being eroded.

flying squirrell Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . This is a night shot of a southern flying squirrel. It isn't the best quality as I don't have any special equipment for extreme low light levels. It is fun watching these guys gliding in from trees to feeders. They would easily fit in the palm of your hand. Uploaded

A friendly visitor Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . Another regular visitor under our bird feeders. Nothing gets wasted.

She's not supposed to be there Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . This large ship is within 1 mile of shore, which is highly unusual. Rondeau, Point au Pins Light, is a well known ship wreck site. The bottom comes up fast and ships take a course well out into the lake. A big cold front that came through and the winds created waves were over 18 feet high on the lake. The big ships moved into the lee shore for smother and safer passage. For us it was a rare sight.