Animals

Winter Feathers

Posted by Ellie
Feather - Ellie Kennard 2012
Feather – Ellie Kennard 2012

It is winter again and the birds are looking for feeders and for seeds and leftover harvest to glean. We have fed the birds for 20 years but now no longer do so. We had a warning about a disease spreading via birdfeeders among the finches in our Province of Nova Scotia. Although winter was apparently not considered a high risk period for this disease and many people began to put their feeders out again, we decided against it. We had too many fatal instances of bird strike and we just couldn’t bear it each time it happened.

We still see the birds, but in the trees and bushes around us, we just have to keep watching for them. 

This photo was originally taken in a snow storm in 2012, of a chickadee flying toward a feeder and about to land. I submitted it for a Scavenger hunt entry in that year for the theme “Feather”. It got awarded 1st prize from one of the judges, which I was delighted with, especially so early in my photographic journey. I have rescued the photo to 

Ducks in a Row

Posted by Ellie

Ducks in a Row - Ellie Kennard 2012
Ducks in a Row – Ellie Kennard 2012

To wish everyone a lovely weekend, remembering the promise and young joys of Spring, to follow the winter we are now heading into!

May 27, 2012 – 148/366 – My Ducks Are All In a Row
Original post:

Not far from us a special habitat that is protected and has been preserved and improved by Ducks Unlimited, is called “Miner’s Marsh”. It is absolutely rich with abundant wetland and marsh wildlife – birds, frogs, plants etc. We first went there this evening. It was unbelievably noisy with the loud booms of bullfrogs, beautiful song of red-winged blackbirds and other birds and ducks. The smells of marsh and ponds and wild blossoms in the surrounding woods were heady in the air this evening. This is one of the photographs of our first visit.
This is image #148 for my participation in the Creative 366 project on Google+

Silent Miaow – Molly 2002-2018

Posted by Ellie

The Silent Miaow* - Ellie Kennard 2015
The Silent Miaow* – Ellie Kennard 2015

It’s always so hard to say goodbye. In this case we didn’t even get a chance to do that. We lost Molly last night, when we were thousands of miles away.

Molly was such a different cat. She took 16 years to really come out of her shell and learn to play and show affection. Her last years got better and better as she gained confidence and began to enjoy her life. She discovered the fun of chasing her tail this summer, at almost 16 yrs old. It’s so sad that, having got to that stage, her life ended so suddenly.

Molly had a special fashion sense. This photo demonstrates it best…

Molly's manicure- Ellie Kennard 2015
Molly’s manicure- Ellie Kennard 2015

Molly was very serious almost all her life, with an intense way of looking at you – almost right through you. We sometimes called her The Looking Cat. We never knew why she was like that as Cornish Rex cats normally are very playful and not at all timid. Her life long companion, Rupert is totally different. He is gregarious, fun loving, affectionate and full of confidence. The first 2 weeks we had her she spent lying flat between the mattress and the box spring of a bed, almost too frightened to come out to eat. Once she began to trust us, after about 10 years, she would sometimes just sit and stare at us unblinkingly, making everyone feel slightly uncomfortable. She looked right into our souls.

Molly's intense stare - 2015
Molly’s intense stare – 2015

Molly knew how to be elegant. Like all cats, she loved the sun and would always seek it out, whether indoors as here, or outdoors as in the opening image, wearing her harness which kept her from straying.

Molly Silhouette - Ellie Kennard 2013
Molly Silhouette – Ellie Kennard 2013

Goodbye Molly. Rupert will miss you. And so will we.
*Molly was here sitting in front of the book “The Silent Miaow” by Paul Gallico

Joni is Four

Posted by Ellie
Joni never minds the cold of winter walks, as long as she has our company!
Joni never minds the cold of winter walks, as long as she has our company!

Joni turned 4 years old a week or so ago, though it’s hard to believe it’s been that long since she joined our household! She still has the boundless energy and enthusiasm of a puppy, a characteristic of border collies. Born in the winter, she loves the cold and finds the snowy, blustery days invigorating, where we have to bundle ourselves up against the elements. Soon the snow will be deep on the ground covering the frozen treacherous icy ruts on the road and fields and the walking will be easier as we don our snowshoes (and Joni her boots) to head out across the landscape. The freedom of being able to go cross country on skis or snowshoes in the winter is hard to imagine if you haven’t tried it. The interesting thing is that once you are out in it, the cold doesn’t feel as bad. There’s a saying that it’s not that the weather is too cold, you’re just not wearing warm enough clothes!

Enjoy the winter, those of us who have it, Spring will come eventually and the cycle will begin anew.