Of Ducks and Geese

Why is it that ducks swim 5m in a straight line, turn around and go back, whereas geese swim in circles. I guess they both end up in the same place.

Rain

Monday, 6th February, 2006

It rained all weekend. As a matter of fact we had a weather warning and about 25mm of rain. Sun came out today but they are promising rain for the afternoon. Of course, the ice is all gone and there is very little snow, except in ditches and treed areas.

More Fishermen

Friday, 3rd February, 2006

There were a few more fishermen with their plastic milk crates today. Sunny and the ice even more raw than yesterday. More precarious.

First Fishermen

Thursday, 2nd February, 2006

Because of cooler weather, there is a skim of ice in the cove and bay. The first fishermen were there with their milk crates, either kicking a hole in the ice with their boot heals or putting their lines in fisures in the ice. At high tide at full moon, the tide level is 1.1 metres, so I guess they would not drown.

Sunday, November 20th, 2005

Sunday, November 20th, 2005 - yesterday was a beautiful sunny day, unfortunately the temperature had dipped to -3C and did not recover until later in the day. Another great day, with +3C this morning. The tidal flat is full of birds this morning - probably close to 200.

Friday, November 18th, 2005

Friday, November 18th, 2005 - cold this morning [+1C] but the sun is out! If it stays out, I guess it will be out on tractor to give the grass a cut. A fox out on the tidal flat this morning. Not a noteworthy item in itself, except that it was about 20m out. They usually walk along the shore.

Wednesday, November 16th, 2005

Wednesday, November 16th, 2005 - rain, rain and more rain!  Don't know when I will be able to mow the lawn.  Going up to +12C today.  Good for the newly seeded grass but not much else.  So much for that as this is supposed to be about looking out the window and I have not done anything since April.  The webcam is up and running - when my computer is on only, so as I don't have it on all the time, the picture might not change (well, there is not that much activity that you can see anyway).  Anyway, the webcam URL is:http://www3.pei.sympatico.ca/lomatski/cam.html

We have observed this year that the [Great Blue] herons seem to flock in front of our place, feeding in the tidal pools and the sea ledge in late September and October.  I think we have seen up to 26.  This fall I have noticed more ducks in the cove and probably more than 50 Canada geese.  There were quite a few Canada geese this morning till high tide.  See our tide tables [from DFO] at: http://www.lau.chs-shc.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Sunday, April 17th, 2005

Sunday, April 17th - the first Blue Jays at our feeder. The temperature hit +17C - our warmest day this spring. However, tonite, back down to +3C.

While raking the grass this afternoon, I found a legband from a bird - no bird, just the legband. I reported it to "Bird Band" in Laurel, MD and they will send a certificate of appreciation, with the details as to the bird and where it was banded, etc.

Saturday, April 9th, 2005

Saturday, April 9th, first Mourning Doves have been spotted.

Wednesday, April 6th, 2005

Wednesday, April 5th - morning. Another - different truck showed up this a.m. and the guy disassembled the remaining 3 sides of the hut and hauled it away. About 30% remaining ice coverage in the cove.

Dinner time - the tide has done it's job and the remaining ice has been take out of the cove and the first Great Blue Herron has been spotted feeding as well as a flock of about 200 sea gulls. Quite a sight!