The Clocks Went Back Today

The days are getting shorter and the clocks went back 

which is great for those who like to sleep in

but for the early birds, like me, it just means I'm up even earlier!

This beautifully illuminated leaf in the late afternoon sun in the park

told me that the big change was coming!

The autumn colours came later than usual because of the very warm

months of September and the first week of October.

On a local walk, I saw a fallen leaf caught in Catalpa pods

The sweet chestnuts are almost ripe and will soon be gathered

and roasted chestnut stands will appear around the town.

Some leaves turn a beautiful shade of pink

and others, like the Ginkgo biloba, also known as Maidenhair Tree

turns a luminous yellow.

I love it when the leaves go from green to yellow to soft orange on the same bush

The Farmer's Markets show off their most beautiful pumpkins

The Hydrangea change colour as the season advances

and even the leaves take on new interesting colours and patterns

Down in the park, the pond reflects the autumn tones

with harmonious ripples

Hanging baskets and urns and window-sills are decorated with

colourful and cheerful chrysanthemums.

It's a beautiful time of the year in this part of the world

and before we know it, there will be snowflakes swirling in the air!

November is quite renowned for a snowfall or two!

I hope that autumn is beautiful, wherever you are.

Home-to-Home Adoption Program: Doyle

Doyle is a sweet little mutt who has been with the same family for the past 12 years since being adopted from a shelter. Unfortunately, due to a change in lifestyle for his family, they are in search of a loving new family that will welcome Doyle with open arms.

This Chow/Lab/Beagle mix is about 50 pounds and has a whole lot of love to give. He's very well behaved around children and adults alike. Doyle is never happier than when he's getting a nice belly rub or laying at your feet basking in the sun.

Doyle is alright to hold down the fort while you're away and is perfectly content to lay and listen to the radio. He also doubles as a great watch dog, barking when someone comes to the door but instantly becoming their best friend once they're inside.

If you think that Doyle would be a good companion for you, contact his current family. This lovable little guy comes complete with his own "Doyle" bed to help him feel at home right away.

Mary Ellen
mehilko@yahoo.com
412.874.4972

Paul
philko0@gmail.com
412.496.4585 

Horned Larks

Winter Birds Are Showing Up 

Horned Larks

We know winter is coming when our winter birds start arriving.  Today I watched five Horned Larks feeding on the ground at the Agricultural Research Station.  They were actively feeding on insects and weed seeds.

The Horned Lark is a medium-sized bird with pale or dark brown upperparts and white underparts.  The face and throat are yellow.  The black mask and cap contrast with the yellow.  This species has small ear tufts but they are not always visible.  They don't show in the photos below.

Horned Lark

Horned Larks are seen most often here during spring and fall migration.  Some, however, are permanent residents in the southern part of the province.  Most of the population breed in Labrador and the far north and spend winters in the USA.  Its preferred habitats are open areas, like fields, airports and beaches.  They nest on the ground in shallow depressions lined with grass.

Horned Larks

 Horned larks are difficult to see when foraging in large areas.  You often notice them when they fly short distances to find new feed.  They are a delight to watch, even if they mean winter is coming!  Please note the above photos were taken at a different time and place than today.

Halloween Pet Safety Tips

Halloween is just around the corner! While you’re gathering together your costume, stocking up on candy and transforming your yard into a graveyard, remember that holidays like Halloween can be stressful times for your pets. Pets don’t understand why their best two-legged pals are wearing funny masks, or why people keep ringing the doorbell over and over again.

To keep Halloween fun and safe for everyone in the family, consider the following pet safety tips:

• If you and your children are going to dress up in costume for Halloween, allow your dog and cat to see and sniff the costume before putting it on to prevent them from being frightened.

• Keep candy, especially chocolate and gum, away from your pets––chocolate, candies containing Xylitol (a sugar-alcohol sweetener), wrappers and other ingredients can be poisonous and even fatal for pets if they ingest it. According to Petplan, a leading pet insurance company, pets are 140% more likely to suffer from chocolate-related poisonings during the week of Halloween than any other time of year.

• Raisins are becoming a popular alternative for trick-or-treaters; however, raisins are just as bad as chocolate for pets—even in small doses, raisins can cause kidney-failure and should be kept far away from your four-legged friends.

• Don’t bring your dogs trick or treating––the costumes, noise, music, yelling kids, lights and decorations can be frightening and stressful for many dogs. 

• Beware of outfitting your home or yard with decorations that can cause a hazard to your pets, such as corncobs and stalks, cobwebs, glowsticks and plastic decorations (which can look like toys but are a choking hazard). Also, be sure to cover and hide all electrical cords. 

• If you are giving out candy on Halloween night, consider keeping your pets blocked off from the front door by either putting a pet gate in the doorway or sequestering them in another room of the house. The constant doorbell ringing and kids yelling in costume might be stressful and cause a dog or cat to escape out the front door. Also, fear may trigger your normally friendly dog’s instinct to bark, possible scaring your young Halloween visitors. 

• Make sure your pets have proper identification, including tags and/or microchips, in case they do escape out of an open door so they can be safely returned home. 

• If you dress your pet in costume make sure it fits well enough to allow for breathing room, visibility and does not restrict movement. Also, be aware of loose or hanging parts that your pet can reach, chew and possibly choke on, including fringe, feathers, buttons and stuffing. Costumes can cause undue stress for pets, so if you decide to dress up your pet make sure he likes it first. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, try something simple like a festive bandana instead.

• Keep candles (free standing and those in pumpkins or luminaries) away from pets to prevent them burning themselves and/or starting a fire.  

Home-to-Home Adoption Program: Phoenix

 

Phoenix is an affectionate 5-year-old tabby. He found his way to his current home as a temporary foster, but is looking for a permanent residence where he can settle in!

 

This boy enjoys the simple things in life ... a good lap to snuggle on and a nice person to give him lots of loving pets. Phoenix likes to be in the same room as the people in his house, even if he's high up on a shelf or hidden under the sofa!

 

Phoenix has been an indoor cat his entire life and he's planning to keep it that way! He tolerates children very well and has impeccable litterbox etiquette. He is neutered, tested for FeLV and is up-to-date on all of his vaccinations. This inquisitive kitty loves to chase toys and is easily distracted with a laser pointer!

 

To this point, Phoenix has been living nicely in a foster home, but needs to find a long-term home that is more suitable to his needs (his kitty roommate isn't his biggest fan). In his perfect world, this sweet boy would just like to find a home with a warm lap and plenty of attention to go around!

 

If you think that you're the one who can make Phoenix's wish come true, contact Katherine at kfcrawford@gmail.com.

A Country Girl at Heart

I love all seasons in the countryside

but autumn brings warmth to my heart

and fresh air on my face!

At this time of the year, it's wise to grab the beautiful days as they appear.

Another little train journey

but on a country train this time!

My destination is 'Apples'

and you can see the name painted on the carriage.

Through the train window, I saw the vineyards slowly turning yellow.

The train stops at every little village

I love it!

Here's the village station with a fresh coat of green paint.

Now the walk begins

past pastures and trees and grazing Swiss cows!

A tractor

busy sowing seeds in the freshly turned earth.

I'm heading towards these lovely woods.

I love the feeling of space

adore the silence

and the lack of crowds...

Some leaves have started to fall and decorate the slopes.

Moving forward

Down a little and up again

Going round one bend towards a range of low mountains

Up higher just before the entrance to the forest

A soft path through the trees

surrounded by nature

not a car to be seen or heard.

Coming out of the woods towards glorious fields

Down the hill towards the village again.

This time on a backdrop of the Alps with the lake below.

The little three-carriage country train

which has just come from the village of Bière

(which really is the French word for 'beer')

Goodbye Apples with your green-framed station clock!

I notice a sign up inside the train

This one advertises a Train Fondue

Now that's given me an idea for a future outing!

***

I am definitely a country girl by nature,

but since giving up my car this year,

I have learned to appreciate the practical side

of living in a town... although I often yearn for the calm of the country

I know I can get there very easily by train and by bus.

The public transport is excellent here

and very reliable.

Cranes Visit Fredericton

Sandhill Crane Stopover 

Sandhill Crane

Fredericton birdwatchers were treated to a visit from three Sandhill Cranes yesterday.  They actually appeared on October 18, were present on the 19th and are still here today.  They put down from their migration flight south into a large field off Springhill Road to feed and rest.

Sandhill Cranes breed and spend their summers in the northern parts of Ontario and the prairie provinces, Yukon, Nunavut,  Northwest Territories and the Arctic Islands.  They winter in Florida, Texas,  parts of other southern states, and Mexico.  Some live permanently in Florida where they breed and raise young.  They also inhabit China, Korea, Japan and Cuba.

Sandhill Crane

In the group that arrived here there were two adults and one young.  The cranes are noted for their bugling call but we were not lucky enough to hear it.  I did see them fly and their long necks are held out straight, making their identity unmistakeable.

Sandhill Cranes, Fredericton, October, 2016

Shown above is the actual group that visited here.  Note the two adults and one juvenile.  The juvenile has brown on its head, no red patch, a lighter coloured bill and amber eyes.  It would be interesting to know exactly where these birds came from and where they will spend the winter.  I hope they come back again next year.

Sandhill Crane

Sandhill Cranes are noted for their elaborate courtship displays.  Cranes often preen with pieces of vegetation and mud stained with iron oxide resulting in a reddish brown colour over their normally gray feathers.  

There is an interesting archaeological fact about these cranes.  A crane fossil was found in Nebraska that was 10 million years old.  It was identical to the modern Sandhill Crane.  That makes it the oldest known bird species still surviving!

Home-to-Home Adoption Program: Brody and Sugar Rae

Brody and Sugar Rae have been best buddies since they were puppies and are in search of a family that has room in their home for two lovable pooches.

Sugar Rae is a big sweetheart who will quickly become your shadow, following you everywhere you go. She is the perfect mix of sweet and sassy who isn't afraid to voice her opinions. If you let her in on the conversation, she'll happily talk your ear off! This affectionate girl also loves to play fetch with tennis balls and adores a nice long walk.

Brody is the gentler of the two. This sweet boy is a big baby who couldn't be friendlier! He loves kids and would love to have children to keep him busy with plenty of playtime. Much like his sister, Brody could spend hours playing ball outside and going for walks.

If you think this dynamic duo would be a good fit for your home, contact Michelle at 412.722.7370 or mtndspr3@verizon.net.

A Steam Train Journey

I've been wanting to do this for sometime and this steam-train experience

was finally organized!

Here is a photo of our steam train waiting for us to climb aboard

in London's Victoria Station.

Look at the comfortable plush armchairs and the white cloth and napkins

on the table ready for us to have breakfast!

Each carriage had a name painted on the side

the one I was in was called 'Amethyst'.

Here's the locomotive. Isn't she grand?

Look at all that steam.

This was at a station during one of our numerous stops.

Steam trains need a lot of pampering

including long stopovers for water, oiling various parts

and screws tightening up and the metal wheels checking over.

Here's the engine driver in the cabin of lovely burgundy coloured locomotive.

The name of our train is Princess Elizabeth

This is a plaque to give a little royal information.

Look at some of the workings of this marvellous machine

Puff, puff, puff

Here she comes after a rather long overhaul.

Champagne before the meal!

We were travelling from London down to Cornwall

on the west coast of England.

I took this from the train as we neared Devon

This is the Brunel Bridge which spans the River Tamar

from Devon into Cornwall

Here's a view down on the river from the train which

is going across that bridge.

Now we're travelling alongside the sea.

It feels quite exciting.

We arrived quite late at night after dinner on the train.

Here is our hotel on the outskirts of Newquay.

We stayed here for three nights.

We were so lucky to have a sea view

and excellent weather.

There were different outings organized each day

if we wanted to do them.

I chose to visit two gardens,

one of which is called The Lost Gardens of Heligan

a most wonderful place to visit.

As a parting photo, here is a pink sunset taken from my hotel room.

***

Here is a short video of the very train I was on

during the 17-20 September period

Steam train video