Belleview Park Goslings and Ducklings

Family of Canada Geese at Belleview Park, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada

The other day my Dad and I had to go do a curbside pickup.  I order almost all of the stuff we need online, and get it delivered or else book a slot for curbside pickup. I have to go with my Dad because he doesn't have a smart phone and I need the phone to show the receipt at most places.

On the way home, I asked if we could stop at the park so I could walk around and get some fresh air, and see the river.

Luckily my Dad agreed and it was a gorgeous day; warm but not hot, with a nice breeze.  Best of all, the ducks and geese had babies!  I love seeing the fuzzy ducklings and goslings so very much!

The geese were way out in the river and I called to them and told them they had a beautiful family, and they swam right over to me.

They even got out of the river.

The babies walked right up to me.  They were so cute and so fluffy!  I wish I would have had some birdseeds with me.

The duckpond was a lovely shade of green, because of the trees reflecting on the water.

I just love the way the water looks.

So pretty!

I was able to walk right up to this seagull!  I was inches away.  I swear he was posing for me, lol.

It was so nice to see blue sky, water, and green grass and trees.  I wished I could have stayed there forever.

On the way back to the truck, I saw a big freighter in the St. Mary's river.

I zoomed in...

And then zoomed in even more, to see the name of the ship.

It was so cool!

I didn't want to leave...

But Dad was waiting in the truck.  He didn't feel like walking and said he had a nice time sitting in the truck, watching the river.

When I got home the sun was setting.

It was a lovely day.

I hope you are all OK and staying safe. Take care.

More Photos of My Dandelion Jelly,

OK, so I am obsessed with my new camera and had to get some pics of my Dandelion Jelly (the other pics were mostly from my phone).

Dandelion Jelly

Homemade Dandelion Jelly

Dandelion Jelly

Dandelion Jelly

Dandelion Jelly

Dandelion Jelly

I already blogged about this earlier so I'm just adding the new photos now.  I ate this jelly on toast for breakfast and dinner and it is so good!  So pretty and light and sunshiny!  I'm going to save some for winter so I can experience the taste of spring in December, lol.

More birds, Goldfinches, Nut Brown Bird (some sort of Thrush), Raven, and Pigeons

Some sort of thrush

 This little brown bird is so cute. I think he's a thrush, possibly a Swainison's Thrush.   I've always just called them "Nut Brown Birds", lol.

I had a lot of Goldfinches in the yard too. They are so beautiful!

Goldfinch

Goldfinch at my feeder

It was so nice to see these brightly colored birds.

Friendly pigeon

I also get visits from this pigeon and it's mate every day.  They love to sit on our chimney and roof, but often come down to the yard to eat sunflower seeds.  I like the purple on this one.

Raven

There are also several Ravens who live in the trees across the street. They talk and call constantly, and like to perch at the very top of the tall tree across the street. 

Crow or Raven?

From this angle, I can't tell if this is a crow or raven, but whatever he is, he caught something.  He's sitting on our garage in this photo.

I really need to learn more about birds as I'm having a hard time identifying many of the ones that I see, lol. I'm learning.

More Bird Photos; Chickadee and Grackle

I am loving my new camera so much!

Chickadees are one of my favorite birds, but they move so quickly I've been having a hard time getting photos. Finally, today, I got some.

Adorable Chickadee

 I often try to imitate the "Chickadee dee dee" call of the Chickadees because they respond and whistle back.  I was outside today, and I could hear a Chickadee so I returned the call. He returned my call and I could hear him getting closer and closer but couldn't see him. We have lots of trees.  But he kept getting louder and louder so finally I turned around and he was directly behind my head, in the hedges.  Isn't he (or she) cute?

Chickadee in my hedges

These photos make it look like he just sat there patiently modeling for me, but the truth is, I have about 100 photos of bare branches because he kept hopping around and I kept missing the shots.  I'm glad I got a few good ones, lol.  

Chickadee playing hide and seek

He was very curious and unafraid and came right up to me, maybe 6 inches from my face.  But he was constantly in motion, lol.  

I love these birds and often feed them from my hand, on a local walking trail called Whitefish Island. I should try to start feeding the ones in my yard too.  

I also managed to get some photos of a Grackle.  He was way up in the maple tree. 

Maple tree with Grackle, way up high, no zoom

Grackle with Zoom

Grackle in my maple tree

Grackle looking angry

I wish he'd come down lower so I could get different angle photo, but I am happy with these.  His iridescent feathers are so pretty.

May 18, 2020, Morning Birds and Bees and Squirrel in my Backyard, with new Camera

More pics of Birds!

I hope everyone is doing well and staying safe. I've been having fun with my new camera.  I was up early and outside, on this gloomy overcast day.  It's supposed to rain but so far has held off.

Huge Bumble Bee on Lungwort Flower

I made a cup of coffee, put it in a thermal cup, and went outside to try get photos before the rain started.  The first thing I saw was this absolutely enormous bumble bee in the Lungwort.

Bumble Bee on Lungwort flower

Lungwort, aka Pulminaria, aka Hansel and Gretel flowers, grows like crazy in our flower bed. I've always loved them because the plants grow purple and pink flowers on the same plant, which is cool.  Recently I learned that they have historically been used as a medicinal plant to treat asthma, bronchitas, coughs, and sore throat.  People made a tea from the leaves, and also dried the leaves for future use. 

I'd like to try it myself but have to be careful as I am allergic to some natural remedies, including echinacea.  

It's a beautiful flower, and the bee seems to agree.

Mama squirrel. 

Next, this mama squirrel entered the yard, looking for food.  I am going to put some peanuts out for her later.  She's a big squirrel, and was very timid. 

White Crowned Sparrow with orange half

White Crowned Sparrow with Orange half.

Next, a flock of White Crowned Sparrows joined me.  I've always called them Skunk Birds because of the striped head and only learned the real name recently, lol.  I put out an orange in hopes of attracting a Baltimore Oriole, but the Sparrows seemed to love it.

White Crowned Sparrow

Here's a better view of the White Crown. Such cute little birds, and super active.  They like to hop all over the garden and lawn, and it was funny to watch them kick at the grass and dirt with their tiny little feet, in order to kick up bugs (I'm guessing).

White Crowned Sparrow eating a seed

They also really love the Black Oil sunflower seeds. 

Next, the Goldfinches came to visit.  They are camera shy birds and I had a hard time getting a good photo of them. 

Goldfinch eating

White Crowned Sparrow and Goldfinch on the feeder

This pretty male (above) kept hiding on the other side of the feeder. 

Underside of Goldfinch, lol

I had fun but it was so cold and damp I needed my winter coat, in late May!  It was supposed to warm up today but it hasn't; maybe tomorrow.

I hope you are all staying safe.