Today is World Wetlands Day! Wetlands for our Future: Sustainable Livelihoods is the theme for World Wetlands Day in 2016.
ROSEATE SPOONBILLS, FLORIDA EVERGLADES
A group of Roseate Spoonbills and White Ibis feeding in the wetlands of the Florida Everglades. Bonus points for those that can find the immature Little Blue Heron. The prospect of encountering a 16 foot Burmese Python makes outings such as this all the more exciting!
BLUE MOSQUE
According to news reports, a Syrian member of ISIS detonated a bomb killing 10 people in Istanbul’s tourist zone, just steps from the Blue Mosque. The Turkish response to this threat to both security and economy has been swift and deadly with 200 ISIS sympathisers killed in Iraq and Syria.
The Blue Mosque reference brought back memories of a bygone era.
The above image is a quick sketch I made of the Blue Mosque back in the day during a world tour. This launched my career as a “professional” artist. A Coca Cola truck driver examined my meagre effort and awarded me with a free bottle of coke for encouragement!!
“I’d like to buy the world a home
And furnish it with love
Grow apple trees and honey bees
And snow white turtle doves
I’d like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I’d like to buy the world a Coke
And keep it company
That’s the real thing”
Hard to believe a world that naive!!
In celebration of the birthday of Canada’s first Prime Minister, an image of the “Spirit of Sir John A.” , an old steam engine reposing in front of the old train station in Macdonald’s home town of Kingston, Ontario.
Is a Bluebird blue? Those of a certain age will no doubt recall the philosophical question posed by Conway Twitty in his eponymous hit song of that great year of demarcation – 1960. (Actually, it was the first record I ever bought. But that as they say is a whole different story).
Life comes full circle with the rare appearance of a Bluebird of the American West here in the East of Ontario.
FEMALE MOUNTAIN BLUEBIRD
(For Conway Twitty fans or the just historically curious, check out his hit here)
Mild weather in Eastern Ontario, serves up a rare treat of Christmas goose.
SNOW GOOSE
PARTIALLY LEUCISTIC CANADA GOOSE
GREATER WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE WINGSTRETCH
CACKLING GOOSE
(Note the small bill in comparison with the regular Canada Goose in the foreground)
I once tried to cook a goose for Christmas dinner. Filled the kitchen with grease smoke. An experience never to be repeated!!!
Merry Christmas, one and all!!
MOCK-UP, KITTY HAWK, NORTH CAROLINA
Today, Dec. 17 is the anniversary of powered flight inaugurated by the Wright Brothers in 1903.
A Bullock’s Oriole, normally resident in the American SouthWest, has made a rare appearance in Pakenham, Ontario.
FEMALE BULLOCK’S ORIOLE
MALE BULLOCK’S ORIOLE
This image of a male Bullock’s Oriole, was shot in Cave Creek, Arizona several years ago.
Today is the 74th anniversary of the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.
PEARL HARBOR MEMORIAL
Memorial with the USS Missouri in the background.
GUN TURRET, USS ARIZONA
The USS Arizona still spills gallons of diesel fuel per day into the harbor.
USS MISSOURI
The great warship is today a floating museum.
Despite the closure of the Owl Woods for the hunting season, I joined good friend Paul to do a quick trip to Amherst Island in Lake Ontario.
We saw many hawks, mostly Rough-legged and Red-tailed in approximately equal numbers.
ROUGH-LEGGED HAWK
Highlight of the day was the following launch sequence of a Red-tailed in bright sunshine and clear blue skies.
There was no snow on the Island as of yet, however we were hoping that we might spot the early arrival of a Snowy Owl. Right on cue, one made an appearance toward the end of the day.
SNOWY OWL
We continued to push our luck by staying until dusk, hoping to spot some Short-eared Owls which some locals had told us were active in certain areas. Unfortunately none made an appearance at the usual hangouts.
Thanks to Paul for the outing and the company!
End of an era. Maple sugar shack slips into the death grip of the rising waters of a beaver pond.
