Rondeau Ric

Last weekend we took a day trip to Toronto, Ontario to experience a buskerfest. We didn't have an opportunity to see all the acts but the ones we did catch were first class. Several unicycle/acrobat/jugglers, yo-yo people, fire eaters, contortionists and much more. One boothe was doing balloon creatures. $3-5 for smaller ones. I have no idea how much this dragon would cost.

We recently went to the Wins of Paradise, a butterfly conservancy near Guelph, Ontario and we had a great time. Blue Morpho landed on Annes back. There was a good variety, the butterflies were cooperative and the staff were knowledgeable and friendly. Close up of an Owl butterfly. I found this facility to be better than the one at Niagara Falls. It is privately run and it is obvious they try harder. The chrysalis are easy to view and you can see the progress towards hatching out. I don't normally promote any facility, other than Rondeau Provincial Park, but I am making an exception. It is worth the trip. Go enjoy yourself. Take a camera!

We have at lest four, and probably many more, ruby throats that visit the feeders in our yard. This one was doing its best come hither look. Come with me to the casbah Latter it like it had some bad nectar.

Eastern Soft Shell Hatchlings I missed the mass release as they need to do it Friday. Snapping Turtle Hatchling, can you see him? I was able to go out with the researchers on Saturday when three dozen soft shells and snappers were released Pass the bubble bath

One of the researchers at Rondeau Provincial Park is doing work on endangered and threatened turtle species and what intervention could be done to help them. He transplanted about 600 turtle eggs of various species and kept them in a temperature controlled area. last night a large portion of he eggs hatched including map, painted, snapper, blandings and soft shells. The photos don't do the sight justice but the light was bad. Hopefully I can get some good photos when they are released into the wilds.

We converted our front yard into a naturalized wild flower garden about 4 years ago. Bergamont(bee balm) tick trefoil, woodland sunflower, black eyed suzannes, purple cone flower , big blue stem and Canadian rye grasses and more. We have had a good selection of butterflies this summer, also one brown bat likes the bottom edge of the siding on an out building.

The nesting wren has been co-operative as long as I use the car as a blind. I've heard the young begging for food as the parents come in with a nice juicy bug. Hopefully I can get some shots of the young as the leave the confines of the macaw

Two heads are better than one. Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur We knew there was a wren nest in the area of the car port but we weren't sure where. We have a two macaw sculpture at the front of the yard and they are hollow. After watching from the car I saw the wren going in and out of one of the macaws. He/she posed so nicely I couldn't resist. Upload

Least sandpiper Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur We were out on the boat cruising the edge of the marsh when we saw a number of least sandpipers. There were solitary and spotted sand pipers as well as a lesser yellow legs. When we start seeing these shore birds it is an indication that the end of summer isn't to far off.

What pink building? Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur When I was much younger I used to go to Florida with my parents to St' Petersburg Beach in Florida. A standard direction reference was the pink building. The standard response was what pink building? Last I heard it was restored and was a luxury hotel.

You know it's cold when..... Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur There is cold and then there's Canadian cold. We disconected the water falls but left the pump running to keep the water open and attract birds to our yard. The water was running inside the ice cone. We barely made it to spring. This is the pond and water fall we had at our previous house. The winter was some what chilly.

We saw in the paper that there was a white chipmunk in London, Ontario so we went to se if we could find it. He was where he was supposed to be but wouldn't pose for photos. We then went onto Exeter where they have a variety of white squirrel. They posed nicely.

Rose breasted grosbeak Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur Not full breeding colour, but still beautiful. We usually see them in the spring, this is the first summer we recall seeing them.

Whats in a name Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur We were wandering around the Scottish country side when we came upon this hardware store. I think the should franchise it.

One sunny day and one cloudy day, and the birds were enjoying the baths both days. Doing the splits Spish splash I was takin a bath Refreshed Just a sip Okay, what do i do with the seed now?

prickly pear cactus Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur Rondeau Provincial Park is on the northern end of the range for prickly pear cactus. We have several plants on the south side of our cottage. We seldom go along that side and generally neglect any plants along there. Evidentially they thrive on neglect. We have healthy happy blooming cactus all along the flower bed

Sweet tooth Originally uploaded by ricmcarthur This young downy regularly comes to the oriole feeder for a drink. There are lots of peanuts and seeds but it seems to prefer the nectar.

He told me it was the latest thing in camping. Light weight, good cross ventilation.