Bond Head -- January 18th, 2012

My trigger finger was getting a little itchy, so I went to Bond Head (Newcastle Harbour) today to shoot some Canada Geese. At times there aren't any geese there but usually you do see a few dozen. Today there were 100s-- along the pier, on shore in the picnic area, and a few 100 in the water.

Flying in to join the party...

The "Conductor"...

Scootin'...

Angelic Wings...

"So, are we leaving or not?"

"There goes George, he always leaves first."

 "I'm joining George!"

"We all are!"

This pair decided on a stroll on the shore. They're in perfect step.

It looks like the left goose is on ice, but it's water. I just happened to catch him as his feet were about to touch the water.

 

Jane thought these three looked like a time-lapse of one goose taking off (I agree)... but it's actually three geese in different 'poses' of the lift-off.

One of what must be 100s of creeks that flow into Lake Ontario.

Ice always makes for some interesting patterns.

Looking like some sort of  sea-life, these are just pebbles & stones encased in ice.

The Newcastle Marina from the other side of the bay.

It was good to get out to somewhere I hadn't been for a while.

- fini -

Lake Ontario -- June 26th, 2011

We went down to our favourite Newcastle restaurant for brunch today. After brunch we drove down to Bond Head on Lake Ontario-- 5 minutes from the restaurant. Bond Head is Newcastle Harbour really.

After checking things out there we decided to drive down to Port Hope along Lakeshore Road to take a walk on Jane's favourite walking path that has a marsh on one side of the path and Lake Ontario on the other side.

This is at Bond Head.

 

Who's enjoying them-self more?

There was some kind of fishing derby on today judging by all the pro fishing boats we saw. 

This pretty one is Mossy Stone-crop (aka Wallpepper)-- a garden escapee. Thanks John.

Rough-Fruited Cinquefoil...

Viper's Bugloss (aka Blueweed)

On the path at Port Hope. The marsh is on the north side of the path.

Turn around and Lake Ontario is on the south side.

Every year we see a family of Mute Swans in the same spot in the marsh. The cygnets are getting big. Mother Mallard seems to like taking her clan for a swim close to the swans.

Our imaginations were working overtime here. Jane said something about bodies, I went with pirates. Most likely it's something to do with the local sewage plant that's nearby.

Neither of us remember seeing these anywhere before. They look like miniature water lilies but they're European Frog-Bit, an invasive. Thanks John.

This Bullfrog watched us for 10 minutes.

Mother Mallard and her kids.

- fini -