Back to Beaudry

Yesterday, we took the mutts back to Beaudry Provincial Park. As usual, while Marg walked Holly and Mollie, I honed my photo skills.

I got a few images that I was quite happy with. The first few were of tundra swans (the first time that I've seen them fairly close), Canada geese (ho hum), and blue-winged teal (beautiful birds). Some of these images have just been posted to my Flickr photostream.

Here's a sample:

Then, I went on to photograph some commonplace plants, trees, shrubs and berries. Nothing special because I've done them many times before but still satisfying.

Call Before You Dig!

Those words are stated again and again by our provincial hydro people. I'm sure every province says the same thing. You often see this warning in an insert, enclosed with your hydro bill.

Well, this afternoon, a hydro technician is coming to flag the underground hydro and cable lines for us as we (and the company we hired) near the start of replacing our back fence. I'm not expecting any underground lines back there but it pays to be sure.

Peace and Quiet

We rented a fully equipped, modern cabin at Riverview Lodge on Eleanor Lake in Whiteshell Provincial Forest for a few days this past week, hoping for some peace and quiet, away from Winnipeg.

We had Cabin 9. You can take a virtual tour of our cabin by going to http://www.riverviewlodge.ca/home

It was perfect for us and our two mutts. Right on the rocky beach of Eleanor Lake, we sat for hours watching the waves and the wildlife passing by. Lots of gulls, Canada geese, loons, Canada jays, ravens, northern flickers, chipmunks, squirrels, a huge painted turtle, minnows, and even a small sturgeon.

With the cabin facing west, the sunsets were beautiful. Even the morning light on the lake was nice, especially one morning with the mist drifting across the lake.

I've begun posting some of my other photos on my Flickr page if you're interested in seeing them.

Every Day is Special ... Follow-up

I won, I won!

Actually, my suggestion that May 24th be named 'Winnipeg Start Daily Fogging Day' came in third. But I scored tickets to a Celtic Thunder concert that's coming to Winnipeg in September. Thank you, Doug Speirs!

Who's Celtic Thunder? As you might guess, they're an Irish singing group (something like the more flashy Celtic Woman group but mainly men). See: http://www.celticthunder.ie/

Happiness is ...

Interesting Weekend

Saturday, we got up early and drove over to the local farmers market to see what was on offer. There were many vendors selling fresh vegetables and we loaded up. I photographed some of veggies (see my Flickr page ... link upper right of this page). We saw some unusual vegetables like this one:

Some of our purchases were used to prepare a buffet birthday dinner for Margaret's older sister, Cathy. The Holmes' and Aunt Lil came for the buffet. Cathy seemed to enjoy the celebration.

Margaret always enjoys having her family over for dinner.

Aunt Lil, from Carman, seemed to enjoy her visit here.

Everyone enjoys a time on the deck swing.

So, an interesting weekend, all in all.

Happiness is ...

Every Day is Special ...

... to some one. Doug Spears, a Winnipeg Free Press columnist, wrote an especially funny piece today. See http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/a-day-to-celebrate-our-fair-city-217061621.html

He reviews many of the silly days that are celebrated in North America. For example, today is National All or Nothing Day. It is also National Coffee Milkshake Day, National Aunt and Uncle Day and National System Administrator Appreciation Day.

He goes on and on, mentioning other recent wacky days that are celebrated. He even has started a contest to create our very own special Winnipeg-centric day. I just know someone will suggest May 24th be "Winnipeg Start Daily Fogging Day", in answer to our annual plague of mosquitoes.

In fact, I just sent him an email to that effect!

Crazy old entomologist, but happy ...

The early bird gets the worm ...

This morning, I was up at about 4:30. Coffee in hand, I went out into the garage to begin my morning ritual of reviewing the images just posted on Flickriver. Inspired by some of them, I got another coffee, figuring I wouldn't be going back to bed any time soon.

It was getting light out now, so I decided to open the garage door to air out the desk area. When I did, I heard a whooshing noise.  Looking up into the now blue sky, I saw a CTV hot air balloon moving fairly fast. I grabbed my camera and took some shots before it disappeared.

Now that I was really up, I went on to photograph some of flowers in my flowerbeds. Those, I'll soon tweak in Photoshop Elements and post to my Flickr page.

Happiness is ...

Photographing Flowers

I do a lot of this these days. Recognizing that summer is short in our usually frigid country, I try to get out at every opportunity to make some more images of flowers. Its often hard because it has been so hot and muggy lately. We've had extreme humidexes for what seems like weeks.

I've uploaded some of my better shots to my Flickr page (see the link at upper right of this page). This is one I haven't added yet:

I know that, in a few months, I'll be complaining about the cold weather. Hopefully, there will still be photographic opportunities, even if they are not as colourful.

Jillian Day 2013

On July 1st, I used to celebrate the birth of our country. Now, I also celebrate the birth of my grand-daughter, Jillian. Sure, Canada is 146 ears old now. But, Jillian is two!

The party, organized by her parents, grand-mother and aunt was great. The outdoor water slide was the most popular attraction, followed by the kids pools.

Soccer attracted both the kids and adults.

Myself, I enjoyed all the great food, including the birthday cake.

And, in case you're wondering, no, we couldn't stay up for the fireworks!

Goodbye Buddy

Another nice evening out and a great way to start the long weekend. We attended a show at Rainbow Stage, out in Kildonan Park, after supper at Sushi Park. The show was called "Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story".

The show covered the time from his difficult entry into Rock and Roll until his untimely death in a plane crash, as an international star, just 18 months later.

Jeff Giles energetic performance as Buddy Holly (as well as the supporting cast) last night was exceptionally good. It was well worth attending with my good wife, Margaret.

Hecla Island

We spent an enjoyable weekend, complete with our dogs, at the pet-friendly Lakeview Resort on Hecla Island. This island on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg was an Icelandic pioneering site originally. Now, it's a provincial park. But the Icelandic heritage is still present, especially in Hecla Village.

For me, the main attraction was photographing the American White Pelicans that spend the summer there.

This is just one of dozens of images I made. Some I've posted to my Flickr page, if you'd like to see more. Just click on the following link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/papa-ellis/with/9136968298/

Happiness is ...

Singin' in the Rain

Last night, we received over 2 inches of rain in about 4 hours. It seemed to be a torrential downpour at times. Luckily, our basement didn't flood. Those of many people in our area did. The storm sewers just couldn't handle the deluge.

We often get storm warnings during the summer, like this from last year.

Last night, we got a severe thunder storm warning, followed immediately by the storm.

We are supposed to get more thunder showers over the next few days. Hopefully, we won't see as much rain as last night.

Although some of our streets were flooded last night, thank goodness, we didn't get the sort of flooding that's occurring in southern Alberta.

There's always at least one clown ...

Last night, I attended a kids' soccer game in the country. I was the unofficial photographer for the grand-kids' team, LaSalle United. My daughter asked me to take a team shot and then shots of individual team members.

Eventually, I did get one shot of the entire team looking at the camera. The shot above is one of the many out-takes where almost everyone was looking somewhere else or hamming it up.

The individual shots were almost as challenging. At least I only had one person to get looking at the camera.

But, we all had some fun together and that's what was important.

If it's not broke ...

... don't fix it. Applies to many things in life, but not the roof of our house. Today, we're getting ours re-shingled even if it's not leaking. The shingles have grown old, especially on the south side of the roof.

So, I'm house-bound today, along with two frightened mutts. Holly's not too concerned but Mollie is scared stiff.  I think she's hiding in one of the closets right now. Same as when they dropped the packages of shingles on the roof the other day.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy said “the time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining”. Well, the sun is shining here, thank goodness. So, the roofers are happy. Me, too.