Wednesday, April 22, 2015

EASTER OWLS

With Basil, a Burrowing Owl.
One of the highlights from my recent Easter trip to Alberta, besides seeing my nieces, was being able to visit The Alberta Birds of Prey Foundation. I had contacted them in the winter of 2014 about the possibility of being able to visit when I was in the province for Easter, even though they were closed to the public during that time.

They actually contacted me closer to my trip and were most accommodating. After the girls had found the last chocolate egg the Easter Bunny had left Easter morning we got ready and climbed into the SUV for the almost 3 hour drive to the foundation.

The foundation is a combination of the Mountsberg Raptor Centre and The Owl Foundation. They have human imprinted educational birds, like Basil. But they also rehabilitate injured and orphaned raptors to be released back to the wild. The have a variety of raptors and we were all quite thrilled to be given a private tour.

A pair of Great Greys.
Lincoln, an adult Bald Eagle has been on TV shows such as "Heartland".
Samwise, a Male Snowy, his mate is Hedwig, who my nieces chose to sponsor. 
A Short-eared Owl.
 After the tour of the grounds and answering loads of questions we were all able to have our picture taken with Basil, and educational Burrowing Owl, and Gordon, a Great Horned Owl. It was very heart warming for me to be able to share an experience with my brother and his family that I am so passionate about. They had never seen owls before and this was a memorable experience for us all.

I will definitely be returning, and hopefully Rob will be with us next time, he takes better pictures.

Thursday, April 16, 2015

MISSING MEADOW


Meadow 2003 - 2015
It's been almost a week since we had to say goodbye, or as I like to think, until we meet again. It's been rough on us, the sadness is heavy. So many firsts to get through without you, and so many more yet to come. 

I still expect you to come meet me when I get home from work, looking for your supper. I find myself looking on the beds for you. A few times I've caught myself going to give you fresh water or cleaning your litter pan. Your dishes are still out, we find it a comfort to still see them in their usual spot.

Your "daddy" misses you terribly and it makes my heart ache even more. I know you two had a very special bond, the type of bond that can't be broken, not even in death. I was always happy to be your second most favorite human. Oh Meadow, we did have a time, didn't we? I wish it could of been longer, but you were suffering, and we did what was best for you, even though it broke our hearts to do so.

Thank you for all the joy, laughs, and love you gave us. We have a heart full of memories to carry us through, until we meet again.

Having a grand time outside.
I will miss her assistance with the cooking and baking.
She loved this spot in the upstairs window.
Everyone's favorite shot! She loved this flowering bush in the backyard.
Enjoying another sunny afternoon in the backyard.
Even Meadow took time to stop and smell the flowers.
Rob and Meadow on Xmas Eve 2014, she was purring the whole time.
Xmas Eve 2013, I love the peacefulness of this picture.

And lastly, my favorite shot of us. Rob was able to capture this special moment between us during the Christmas season 2010 after we had finished decorating the tree.

 I miss you Fuzzy Butt.


I've done other blogs on Meadow over the years, a few of them are links below. Enjpy.

Princess Meadow - Feb. 2009

Meadow and Me - August 2012

Valentine's Day - Feb. 2013

Stop and Smell the Flowers - June 2013

Happy 10th Birthday Meadow - July 2013

Meadow's Mouser Side - January 2014

Princess Grumpy Wins a Prize! - November 2014



Friday, April 10, 2015

SWANS, LOTS OF SWANS

A few of the thousands of Tundra Swans we saw. 
I have often read birding reports of people seeing thousands of the same species of bird in a single outing, but could never really imagine what that would look like. Now I know, it's amazing!

On Saturday March 21st, Rob and I went on a Toronto Nature Lovers tour (formally, Authentic Canadian Tours) to the Port Rowan/Long Point area to witness the Tundra Swan migration. Wow! To have seen so many of these beautiful swans in one area was truly breathtaking. We also saw lots of Redheads, a couple Sandhill Cranes, loads of blackbirds and a variety of hawks.

We also found a great eating spot for when we are out birding that way, always a bonus! I highly recommend Bella's Bakery and Boutique Restaurant.

Please enjoy a few pictures from the day. Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Coming in for a landing!
A field of Tundra Swans.
There were field after field of them.
A mixture of Red-winged Blackbirds & Grackles arriving for the season.
One of two Sandhill Cranes we saw.
Ended the day with this little guy, an Eastern Screech Owl in Burlington.
It was a great outing!