Thursday, June 16, 2011

BIRDIE BIRTHDAY

Celebrating my 42nd birthday.


I wasn't sure if I was going to celebrate my birthday this year or not. With my Mother being as sick as she is, it somehow didn't seem right. But the closer it got, the more it seemed it wouldn't be right not too.

Most of you who know me, know I celebrate my birthday as much as I can, sometimes for the whole month of June! My Mother always held great birthday parties for me and made a big deal out of my birthday right up til the time I left home, I've just kept that tradition going. This year I decided to have a birthday of favorites. My birthday fell on a Friday this year, which we both had off, making it a long weekend, a very favorite thing!

I spent my birthday in my favorite place, the backyard!


Meadow and I relaxing in the backyard.


Rob and Meadow enjoying the yard together.


I really didn't want to do much during the day except relax, as we were planning on taking part in a project for Bird Studies Canada that evening, but due to the weather we weren't able too. We did do a little night birding anyway, and I ended up getting a "lifer" for my birthday! (lifer means first time seeing a bird species)


A Common Nighthawk, my birthday lifer!


Rob and I stopped exchanging birthday gifts a couple years ago as we usually go away or do something together. Meadow always gets us a "little something" though.


My cute little apple owl ornament gift from Meadow.


I made myself Lobster Rolls for dinner, they were delicious! Rob had a hot dog, as he's not a fan of lobster.


I had Lobster Rolls for my birthday dinner. Yummy!


I always order my own birthday cake! That way I get exactly what I want and Rob doesn't mind at all.


My beautiful cake. I've been getting them from the same bakery for the past 5 years.


Saturday morning we went to one of our two favorite brunch places, Cora's. When they heard it was my birthday, they treated me to a smoothie. The funny thing was they carved the apple decoration on top into a bird! They had no idea how fitting that was.


My birthday smoothie at Cora's.


My favorite breakfast at Cora's, Brie and Mushroom Eggs Benedict with a side of fried bologna!


After a delicious and filling brunch we headed off to one of our absolutely favorite nature parks, Mountsberg Conservation Area where we had booked the Raptor Encounter.

We've done this in the past, and the handlers kind of know us now and were happy to see us. They know we are members of the park and that we really respect and enjoy the time we get to spend with the birds of prey there.

Teddy and I having a moment.


I love going to visit this beautiful Barred Owl.


I took Echo, an Eastern Screech Owl outside. See how well she blends in with the tree bark behind her? Their feathers are designed to camouflage them, and they do a great job.


Rob took Teddy outside her enclosure for a while. She was quite the draw with people wanting to get a closer look at her.

Spending the day there was an almost magical experience. I love being so close to those beautiful owls, and I know we will be doing the Raptor Encounter again in the fall.

Saturday night we did take part in the Bird Studies Canada project with friends, Jim and Lynda. We were given a route to follow about an hour outside the city, and we had to stop at ten assigned stops and listen for about 6 minutes each.

We were listening for the call of the Whip-poor-will. I was really disappointed that we didn't hear any, but we had a fun evening none the less. We always have a lot of laughs we hang out together.


The Whip-poor-will, I look forward to hearing/seeing one, one day.



Sunday morning we were up earlier then we would of liked as we didn't get to bed until after 2am. It was for a great reason though, brunch at Dr. Generosity's with friends.


Mark, Vitra and Monica joined us for a "birthday brunch" at Dr. G's.


My usual at Dr's G's; Eggs Dostoyefsky (smoked salmon) with fried potatoes and house salad.


After brunch we headed out of the city to see a friend. We really enjoyed her large backyard and were envious of the hummingbird that kept coming to her feeder.


The beautiful Hummingbird that kept visiting Michele's feeder, she calls him "Harry".


Michele and I lounging on the porch with her dog, Eno.


It was a lovely way to finish a birthday long weekend, and the celebrations aren't over yet!



Common Nighthawk and Whip-poor-will picture compliments of "Google Images".

1 comment:

Teena in Toronto said...

Looks like a fabulous birthday celebration! So glad we continued it last night.