Rondeau Ric

Why did you wake me up? , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Daytime isn't my thing, your a bird watcher, you should know that. I'm a night owl dude. Go away. This owl chick was sitting beside a tree in the campground at Rondeau last spring. He may have left the nest early or just fallen out. We kept an eye on him for a week and seemed fine so I guess the adults were feeding him/her.

On gossamer wings , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. We have dozens of dragonflies in the front garden right now. I think this is a meadowhawk. Lots of damselflies as well.

98, 99, 100. , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. So how many push ups can you do first thing in the morning?

A mess of masts , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. There were about 40 boats in various stages of disrepair tied up along a dock on the Texas Gulf coast. Most didn't look seaworthy and I wonder if they were damaged in last years hurricanes. I think they are part of the shrimp fleet.

Cold enough for you? , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. In the shade with a cooling breeze coming off Lake Erie. It got hotter later. Tried to go for a swim that day but the water was SO cold it physically hurt our legs. At least our legs weren't hot.

We were out on out pontoon boat last night and cruised along the beach at Rondeau. After anchoring and having a swim we were headed back when Anne yelled "What's that....RACOON!!" I looked down and right beside my leg was a young racoon. According to Anne I levitated off my chair and transported myself to the far side of the boat without touching the deck. A cornered animal will defend itself and I didn't want to be the defendee. It proceded to climb over the control console and make its way to the front of the boat. We were about 400 meters from shore and I was concerned that it would jump overboard and not make it to shore. I headed the boat in and beached it. The young coon looked at me then the beach. For some reason it started to climb bake into the boat but changed its mind and jumped down to the beach and headed for the hills. Actually Rondeau is flat so it really just headed up the beach. I wish it well. Now if I could just figure o...

great tailed grackle , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. The grackle that is common around the great lakes is a medium sizes bird with a good sized tail compared to its body size. The great tailed grackle we saw in Texas is a big bird with a huge tail. Both have this incredible iridescence when the light hits them.

No bull , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Really, that's not a bull. Take a closer look at his ear ring,er, tag. Price tag that is. We saw several amazing sculptures at a closed business near Austin Texas. We couldn't see the prices but I imagine they were high. The work was incredible, the detail outstanding. Full sized eye stoppers. He would look good in my yard. No bull.

Those Aussies are tough on smoking , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. This is Bondi Beach in Australia and is a major surfing area and tourist beach. No smoking is allowed on the beach. Never mind that it is outdoors, you can't smoke here. I guess they don't want it used as a giant ash tray.

Wonder if they have problems with grave robbers? , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Evidently you can take it with you. A quick photo through the windshield, taken by Anne, on out Texas trip.

First rule of canoeing , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Canoes are easier to get out of than in to. The flip side of that is to always wear a life jacket. Swimming sailing and canoe lessons are available near our cottage.

It's elementary my dear Watson. , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Life is a box of crayons. I don't know why they have a box of crayons as their school sign but I think it's great.

One of them there high class RV places , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. and if y'all need some dozer work we can handle that fer ya 2. East Chambers Texas. The term "riviera" is generally applied to any coastal area popular with tourists, particularly in warm areas. There was no water for 30 miles

Canada's only lizard , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. The 5 line skink is the only native lizard in Canada. Thee are lots of imports available at the pet stores but this is the only one you will find in the wild. This one was in our backyard at Rondeau. It is a small, smooth-bodied lizard, with black or grey colouring and five white or yellow stripes along the back. When young it's tail is a bright blue. As it ages the colour fades.

An in house out house , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. Does it still qualify as an outhouse if it is inside another building. Found this on the gulf coast down in Texas, the area is known for high winds. Maybe it kept being blown over,so they put it inside a shed.

Any Jail, Any Time , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. I guess I have lead a sheltered life, I don't think about bail bonds, jail etc except when I'm watching a police show on TV. Everywhere we went we saw numerous signs for bail bonds and I do mean ever where. Even in middle class suburban neighbourhoods. In a way it was a shock to think there was that much need for bail services in the States. I'm not sure how it works in Canada but I haven't seen a single billboard for bail bonds here.

Harp playing dragon , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. To my slightly warped eye it looks like this dragonfly is playing a harp made of spider web.

98 pound weakling , a photo by ricmcarthur on Flickr. So there I was on the beach when this bully comes along and kicks sand into my face. So I decide to take up weight lifting so I can protect myself. That's when I realize I'm a turtle and can't lift my flippers above my head, never mind lifting anything else. And another thing, I like sand. I crawl around in it all the time. * I really dislike how people use "so" to start their sentences. So there!!