From the Earth to the Sky

 This year it has seemed like winter came early. We have had our share of snow and freezing rain and extreme wind chills!  Today it was -7 with a windchill of -14 with NW winds of 22/31 when my new friend Ronny and I set out for Lambton Shores.  I run into Ronny the Rooster occasionally in the field and I mentioned at one time that I was interested in the Pine Grosbeaks that have been sighted, but that I hadn't been able to get a photo of.  He had never seen one before and he was keen on accompanying me.   I have seen the PIGR twice this year, the conditions were not right and I was not fast enough for a photo.  It is an irruption year for winter finches, Pine Grosbeaks, Red Crossbills, White Winged Crossbills, Pine Siskin, Evening Grosbeak, Bohemian Waxwings and earlier the Red Breasted Nuthatches moved south quite a bit. An irruption is when the cones and seeds in the north are not good and they follow the food south where our cone crop has been exce...

 June 27 to July 4, 2008, I ventured out with ON (Ontario Nature) with one of their Volunteer for Nature trips on a week long trip to Pelee Island and surrounds.  I found these photos in a folder on my phone and thought maybe some of  you out there might enjoy them.  My blog is primarily for my own peace of mind, but I do enjoy knowing that some people appreciate the nature that I have represented here.  It has been fun! Bob showing us a Blue Ash Green Darner Anyways, this was the first time that I have driven so far, and I had a passenger, Mia Miscellaneous! and we actually drove onto the ferry to the Island.  Lots of firsts for me.  The trip was hosted by ON but Bob Bowles joined us and about 10 others for the Pelee Island part.  After staying a few days at Pelee Island, we made a visit to Point Pelee NP and we stayed overnight at a lovely b and b in Leamington.  We also went to Ojibway Prairie in Windsor.  Thank goodness for details i...