Rondeau Ric

Twas the night before Halloween, when all through the house Every creature was stirring, especially the mouse. The candy bars were hung by the door way with care, In hopes that the goblins soon would be there. The only trick or treaters we get are racoons and coyotes .

It actually has a red belly Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . Normally you don’t see the red belly on a red bellied woodpecker. Anne took this through the living room window. Got the belly lost the head. I guess you can’t expect both.

No injuries Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . I wouldn't normally post a photo of this nature, however my wife Anne took this on the way into town. What I found interesting is the mechanical nozzle at the top of the ladder. Much safer for the firemen.

The contest was for the best Halloween costume at Pet Smart. There were lots of dogs, a few cats, 2 ferrets and 1 rabbit and a partridge in a pear tree. The spider dog won. Spider Dog Nose to nose We witches a re not amused This is a party? Gargoyle

Dateline Rondeau Provincial Park It appears that a violent act of vandalism was caused by the famous Rondeau Flying Beavers, more widely know as Pileated Woodpeckers. It is only circumstantial evidence, but based on the size of the woodchips, the damage done to the tree and the fact they nest nearby they are the most likely suspect and a warrant is expected to be issued shortly. In other news……….

I don't know why the are squashing the pumpkins. Perhaps they are making soup?

We have a one story cottage and I was up on the ladder cleaning the eaves. Of course I had my camera, who wouldn't, and took this shot through the dunes to the lake. It is about 300 feet(100 meters). Part of the renaturalization garden can be seen near the bird bath.

Captain Duncan took us on a three hour tour on the good ship "One Good Tern".The lake was a little bouncy and he had waves breaking over the bow.Unlike Gilligan we came home safely.

On the Road Again Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . Sometimes the meaning is lost in the execution.

Don't you just love a good back scratch?

Mr. Fox and the fox snake Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . My nephew Mr. Fox Jr. with a fox snake while wearing a snake T shirt. at Rondeau PArk. All three nephews had an opportuntity to "wear" the snake.

beech tree Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . Tree cover in this area is down to about 3% , the majority of the remaining coverage is in Rondeau Provincial Park and The Clear Creek Forest. This beech is apporx 150 years old and was spared because it lives on a steep lope and it wasn't worthwhile to try to cut it.

DUCK ! ! Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . You can always tell a birder, yell “DUCK” and they look up and ask “Where”. Non birders duck or crash their bikes.

Okay, this is the last of the Big Sit. The spotters pulled some great birds out of the air in southern Ohio last weekend. Unfortunately the only Great Blue Heron was the one on top of the garage. While taking a wander around Indigo Hill I came upon a bit of natures recycling. If you leave it, Nature will reclaim it.

The Swinging Orangutangs One of the many great things about this past weekend was hearing The Swinging Orangutangs play. Folks, these guys rock! Julie’s vocals are awesome and Willie is pretty damn good too . BT3, Guitar Willie, gets ready to rock “I Hear You Knockin” was spectacular. I believe I would actually pay money to hear these guys and for a person of Scottish ancestry that says a lot. Fortunately this was a free concert so I wasn’t put to the test. Steve "Turkey Eye" McCarthy Unfortunately I don't have a photo of the entire band close too hand. Add the mini concert to the Big Sit and it was almost heaven, sorry wrong state. How about, it was a cardinal event of the fall for the McArthr Parkers . Of course a visit to Indigo Hill has to mention a wonderful four legged soul, Chet Baker. As near as I could tell that’s Cheyet Baykher. ...

The Big Sit in Whipple Ohio is closer to a Big Stand but either way it is an excellent way to spend 24 hours. The Big Sit is basically an excuse for friends to gather and watch for birds, eat, watch for birds, drink, watch for birds, eat, tell VERY bad jokes, watch for birds. This is repeated hourly as needed. Anne and I had the opportunity to stay with BT3 and JZ, the kids and of course Chet. As Julie and Bill have always suspected Chet is the main attraction, the birds second, the kids third….well you get the idea. Chet even helped scan the far ridge lines in search of birds our poor human eyes couldn’t pick out. He worked hard and was exhausted the following morning. Steve came up with the bird that surpassed last year’s number. How did he pick out 13 turkeys on a ridge line over a mile away? Could it be they share part of a name with Turkey Vultures? And Stevve knows that Turkey Vultures Rock BOTB snaps a few photos for later examination of signs ...

I am content Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . Sunshine and friends. This is the famous Chet Baker of Whipple Ohio. Chet participated in the Big Sit, a birding event where you sit and let the birds come to you. He kept asking where the cat bird was. We didn't hit an all time record however we did get one more than last year.

Is a sign still a sign withour letters? Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur . Wouldn't it just be a board or at best a sign board?

Evidently the mallard didn’t appreciate the taste of this vintage