Nothing Matters But The Weekend, From A Tuesday Point of View (unless in the company of a Snowy Owl)

Today was my last "extra" day off due to my shift and I took full advantage of it despite the crappy weather conditions.  For the last 2 years I've been working a 4 day work week from Tuesday to Friday, allowing me Mondays free to go mess around and do whatever I wish.  And with long weekends like Family Day, I end up getting the Tuesday off too! 

So, "what to do?" I asked myself after I kissed Angie goodbye for the day.  Having another look out the front door, wishing the rain had stopped from my last look 10 minutes earlier (which it hadn't).  I said "screw it" and got dressed, grabbed the binoculars and camera, and hit the road.

As I rolled along the QEW, I'm shaking my head...  and not to Bon Scott belting out "Squealer" but the fact that I must be crazy to go out with two things against me, bad weather and morning traffic.  But I continued.  I had a number of places in mind to check out in hopes of some cool sightings of birds.

My first stop was my best of the morning out.

Snowy Owl reports are far less this winter compared to last winter and the irruption.  But a few are in decent range of Toronto.  I decided to check one out west of us instead of our usual trips north.  And luck came to me with this bird being in very close range from the road.  And as I put the truck in park and rolled down the passenger window, the Snowy up and flies, which most of us are used to.  Only this Snowy does not fly away, but flies closer to me, like 30 ft behind my truck.

He's sitting there on the side of the road, looking around.  And I sneak out the door of the GMC, using it as a bird blind and wind breaker to get a couple photos in and a really good look at him with my bins.  I'd never seen one that close before!  How many out there have had an Owl come to them instead of flying away?

Here is this beautiful Owl and just me.  What a ZEN moment!  We had nearly 10 minutes together before some other vehicles came around to see the bird.  By this time I was already back inside the truck and enjoying the view through the passenger window.  And I was happy to see the Owl leave the side of the road and head back out to the field.

The wind blew hard and the rain came in but I was lost in the moment with this majestic bird.  A few big trucks roared past me on this back road, making me realize the world was awake now and sitting on the side of the road wasn't a great idea (little room to pull over).  I didn't have intention on staying much longer anyway.  So I left.  No surprise nobody else got out of their vehicles or stayed long either. 

Unfortunately all my other destinations weren't as spectacular as this one.  It was kinda like I cashed in all my birding chips with this guy, and I was okay with that.

March and Spring are just around the corner.  If you can make the time, get out there and look for a Snowy Owl before they are gone again until November or December...  and I just proved that you don't need to wait for a nice day to do so.

Good luck!

Who Misses Their Daddy?

This past weekend, Angie and I went up to Algonquin for an overnight with our friends Jim and Lynda.  Seems to be turning into a bit of a tradition to go up there and enjoy the winter wonderland at some point in early February.  We never have any real intentions on what we want to see, just go and enjoy the brief getaway from the city.

I'm not much of a traveler really.  Home is where the heart is!  And my heart is here with the zoo.  I miss our critters, both inside and outside the house.  And one, more than the rest, or at least shows it as so, who misses her daddy most is Meadow.  Most know the story and bond we have.  Of course Angie and Meadow have their own unique bond, that has been years in the making; but I leave such tales for her to tell over at her blog.  I recommend you all checking it out occasionally, she blogs more than I do, and will tell more about our Algonquin trip very soon.

Friday was the big snow storm.  I made it into work but managed to get out of there by 10:30pm and it was still a trek to get home as the roads were still messy.  And then another shoveling once I arrived.  So by the time I turned in for the night, it was probably 12:30am and we were destined to leave in the morning by 6am.  How rough am I gonna feel in morn I wondered?  Especially since I just threw back something 40% alcohol to help me unwind.

Angie got up about 4:45am and I followed about 5 minutes later feeling pretty good.  Camera stuff was already packed, now it was time for the overnight bag.  I don't know if it's the energy that Meadow picks up on, or the fact her mommy and daddy were quite busy at such an early hour; but she was right there with us as we had our coffee.  I took mine to the bedroom and pulled out the "dreaded" overnight bag.  Why dreaded?  Well, Meadow sure thinks so...

If that isn't a look of unhappiness, I don't know what is.  And she stayed with that bag on the bed while I got ready.  Note, the mess of the bed with those boards is the set-up we have for Misfit and Moonie (our Budgies) who spend the night in the bedroom, door shut and go by the natural light coming in from the window.

While I packed, she grabbed at whatever I was putting into it.  She'd try to play with me.  Or just rub and sniff on this bag.

It continued as we neared 6am departure and the bag was out in the living room now.

I think she was trying to open the zipper to crawl inside.

Angie knows how to soothe Meadow.  Nothing like some yummy soft food before we leave.  A belly full of what she likes and all is well in her world as we lock the house up and leave with our friends.

The roads were pretty good when we left.  Yay to the people who worked all night plowing the roads!  And we had a great time in Algonquin and the weekend just flew by.

Sunday night came, we had been home for a few hours now.  Meadow took to my wool socks I had used through our journey (I should post a video of those moments).  But now it was time to relax and for us to catch up...

Maybe not the most exciting blog to some out there but anyone with animals that they call family surely can relate.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Photos all taken with my Blackberry Bold.