A Turkey Vulture and a Hawk

I came home from lunch to find a couple of these guys dining on a dead squirrel in our front yard and literally stopping traffic. This is a new species for our wildlife wonderland. I know that most people hate turkey vultures and think they are ugly but without them who would do carcass cleanup duty? I think they are another one of natures marvels. The one in this photo actually responded to my conversation with him by sitting nicely to have his portrait taken.

I figured the squirrel was killed a hawk and then dropped due to some interruption and later in the week my suspicion was pretty much confirmed when we saw the hawk (pictured below), probably the juvenile I blogged about earlier this summer, hunting in our back yard. This is the first time we have seen him since he about took Andrew's head off while robbing our cardinal nest.

Fall on Drummond Island

A quick trip to Drummond Island, Michigan earlier this month-up on Saturday back on Tuesday.  We had planned to stay another day but a "monsoon" blew in on Monday night and we decided not to sit in the cabin all day. Otherwise it was a beautiful weekend with a bit of rain on Monday and some of the best lighting I have ever had there for photography. We hike and fished; didn't catch anything and just puttered around.  It was a good time.  I knitted Nolan a sweater on the way up and later a matching hat for myself.

Elvis is Alive

Last night we were supposed to meet our friends at our favorite restaurant. Unfortunately we arrived there to find that the power was out.  We decided to go to another place that has really good food but we were still somewhat disappointed after waiting all day for, and really wanting, seafood.  Upon our arrival at restaurant B we were greeted by Elvis himself who stopped by to sing a few songs during dinner. It made for a fun, albeit, a bit loud, atmosphere and we enjoyed our dinner which concluded with some of the best gellato that I have ever eaten.

Hornets

Weather folklore: A Hornets' nest built in the top of trees indicates a mild winter is ahead; nests built close to the ground indicate that a harsh winter is coming. This one was about 4 feet off the ground and the other one we saw at a different location was almost on the ground. Andrew wondered aloud if last winter would be mild compared to this winter?  Of course it's just tale right?

A White Squirrel

I sat patiently this evening waiting for this little guy to come looking for dinner and it paid off! He's so cute. When Elisha and Allie stayed here this spring they saw an adult white squirrel which we now believe is the sire of this litter of babies as we've seen the mother and she is gray. We just this little guy for this first time last evening. He's not as active as his siblings and he cautiously ventured down the spruce tree to eat a mushroom.  Unfortunately we saw a small hawk in the tree the other night so I worry that Whitey will become it's meal since he is obviously the most vulnerable. 

Since 1998 when we moved into our house we've seen at least one white squirrel annually out and about in the neighborhood.  

After my photo session I did a quick internet search on folklore regarding white squirrel and found out what I already knew-that white animals of any kind were revered by Native Americans. They were said to be "spirit" animals and killing one was considered taboo.

Lynd's Apple Farm

We love fall. Perfect day to pick up some honey crisp apples and home grown popcorn and take a few photos at Lynd's Apple Farm. About 40 minutes east of us.  

Memorial Sign Dedication

Andrew and I attended a memorial sign dedication for a colleague of Andrew's who passed away in July of 2012.  There was a very nice ceremony followed by the unveiling of the memorial sign which is just the first of several to be placed on the London, Ohio bikeway in memory of Jack McDowell. A couple of Andrew's other co-workers were in attendance and below is a photo of us with Jack's wife Sue.  I first met Jack 20 years ago as a resource management intern working John, with the man I am standing next to in the photo, and Jack was picking prairie seeds when I met him. Jack was instrumental in the restoration of thousands of acres of native prairies in Central Ohio and was a beloved community member, environmental advocate, teacher and football coach.