First canoe trip after shoulder surgery

A fine day today in the 70s, but it is getting cloudy and it's forecast there will be some rain late tonight and tomorrow more than likely in our neck of the woods.

David went to Metropolis yesterday for his second physio appointment. While there they discussed the motion of rowing so David asked if he could try a trip out on the canoe. The therapist told him he could try it so he did so later. But, first, our obligatory stroll around our yard.

A Blue Jay grabbing a snack:

 A male Cardinal checking if there's anything left:

 A Mourning Dove hanging out with the Cowbirds. I see them together quite a bit.

 A male American Goldfinch posing in a tree:

Here, I think, is a non-breeding male American Goldfinch (???)

 Male Cardinal hanging on:

 Turkey Vulture, our neighborhood garbage cleanup:

 A male Ruby-throated Hummingbird taking a probably much-needed rest in a shrub:

 They like to perch on all types of things, especially when they are guarding their new territory!

 A Chipping Sparrow bellies up to the trough:

 

 Ah, here's Sylvia, our female Red-bellied Woodpecker; I mentioned the other day it wouldn't be long before you met her.

 David put some seed in the hole for them to dig out:

 A female Cardinal and male Cowbird having a chat.

 An Eastern Kingbird in one of our trees: 

Tufted Titmouse having a look around:

 The Mourning Dove, without the pleasure of the Cowbirds' company this time:

 The Eastern Bluebird enjoys perching in the pine tree:

 A Cedar Waxwing!

Even further distant, a Red-headed Woodpecker perched in a tree. We hear him hammering away at those trees all the time.

 And, now for David's adventure in the canoe. He went to nearby to the flooded field again (that was dry and is now flooded again).

He saw a Beaver near the boat launch; there are several hanging around there.

 A closer look:

Now for some views along the way; it's great to get photos from such a different perspective:

At least David didn't hurt himself! He's not sure the motion is quite what he's after to help with his physio, but he's glad that he went out and tried it.

He also shot a few short videos while out in the canoe; below is one with swallows that are near the bridge by Barren Creek: 

Gar Pike swimming toward canoe:

Twirling a bit in the little whirlpool:

A lovely view from the canoe:

Silver carp spotted:

With that, it's time to call it a day! Until next time...

Monday, Monday....

Bad title. Now I have a song stuck in my head for the day!

I awoke (for a little awhile) around 6am this morning and (as always) looked outside. A thick fog permeated the area and the mourning doves' melancholy cooing was brightened by the white-throated sparrow's uplifting song. I love how time can seem to stand still and the dawn caresses you gently into another day. It was so gentle that I went back to sleep.

I awoke a couple of hours later to bright sunshine and the promise of a beautiful day! With the recent rains, everything is even greener but the trees' blossoms are not only still hanging on...

... but we're getting more and more...if this keeps up, Spring might become my favorite season.

 David has been getting our acreage mowed at long last with his new mower; and with a few attachments he's gotten, it's even easier to move rock and wood.

He's begun building his dry-fence by the workshop (also a work in progress), very popular in England (where he's from) and it's going to be quite lovely! He's going to incorporate stones to finish off the sides/front of the additions as well.

We love watching the birds around here every day; although with cats, it can be more difficult some days! As you can see below...

...since Katy, one of our three furbabies, has planted herself on one of the most popular feeders, we didn't have much activity!

 

The Tufted Titmouse normally does a quick grab-and-go with the goodies it grabs (as you can see in the video)...

...but yesterday as a rare treat, it stayed on the front porch, perched on some lights.

As you can see, it holds the snack between his feet and pounds on it until it cracks open... 

And even played a bit of peek-a-boo...

They seemed quite content to hang around and munch here too.

He also visited the feeder on our front deck, but he didn't stick around long after the photo was taken!

A White-throated Sparrow was able to visit the feeder before Katy plopped her little behind on it.

 And they do enjoy the holly bush as much as we do....

...and whatever shrub this is.

David did get a bit of video of some feeder activity (without a cat!)

Of course, the ever-present (it seems) cowbirds aren't bothered by much. There were what had to be around 75 of them on the ground yesterday. Oh well, they have to eat too, but boy they go through the food!

While David was mowing, he disturbed a snake; I think it's a Ringneck Snake. I can't see enough of the underside (which is fine with me) to know for sure. It doesn't quite look like the Common Kingsnake, but I'll do some checking and update when I can. I don't know too much about snakes yet, I just tried to learn the poisonous ones first!

To round out another perfect day in the Shawnee Forest, David took a stroll as it was nearing dark through a little path down to the creek.