Rondeau Ric

White eyed vireo , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. This is one bird name that actually makes sense. It has a white eye. Bird names are not always descriptive such as the red bellied woodpecker. It has red on its head but at best just a pinkish blush on the belly. Even then the pinky colour can only be seen in certain light or if you have the bird in the hand. Way back when birds were being named there were no binoculars. They shot the bird then examined it for specific field marks. The red headed name was already used so it became the red bellied. So, be thankful when a descriptive bird name actually makes sense. Have a good weekend.

The creature from the Green Lagoon , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. The environmentally versoin of the Creature from The Black Lagoon. He is covered in duck weed a common water plant in this area.

Immature chestnut sided warbler , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Since putting in a small water feature a year ago we have had over 100 species of bird come in to bath and drink. I can sit about 20 feet away and most of the birds don't mind. This chestnut sided was looking for bugs in the water lettuce we put in the pond.

Science is a lazy man's friend , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Seen on a very dirty SUV. Works for me.

It's not just pigeons anymore. , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Seems if you are a concrete figurine of any shape or size you are fair game. Usually I see pigeons doing most of the work, however, this immature rose breasted gross beak was doing his bit for the cause.

Perhaps it is used for doges to get their P mail. , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. First spotted a sign like this about 5 years ago. This is located in a campground. If it isn't a fire fighting hydrant maybe they put it out there for visiting dogs.

The new, improved lily pad! , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Why bother with those old vegetation based pads? They take forever to grow, wither away in the fall and flip over in the wind. The all new styropad last forever, is available for use year round and being bright white is easy to find even at dusk. Best of all they are free and are delivered by litters every where. Get yours now!! Perhaps if this policy was in effect we would have fewer polluters and litter bugs. Probably not, there would be bodies everywhere.

One eye open , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Even when sleeping Crash seems to keep one eye open for Oz. Crash is at least twice the weight and size of Oz but speed trumps size, at least around here.

Whirling dervish , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Crash is never sure just where Oz is coming from. He isn't there and then,WHAM, he is there.

Red breasted nuthatch , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. We have had a number of red breasted nuthatches migrating through the yard in the past week. We see one or two during the summer so it's nice to have them in the yard on a regular basis.

Say Ahhhhhh , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. How do you cool down your falcon. Spray him down with water of course. At a recent raptor show at Rondeau Provincial Park, sponsored by the Friends of Rondeau, some of the birds were starting to overheat. The presenters son was spraying the birds with water to cool them down. This falcon decided he wanted a drink so the young lad obliged and sprayed water into its mouth.