Clear Skies and Cold

 The light at Bond Head on Lake Ontario

It seems like our skies are mostly overcast these days. But on Thursday the sky was a clear blue so my husband and I headed towards Lake Ontario to see if any waterfowl have begun heading north.

 Floating ice

Well, I did see some ducks but they were  annoyingly way too far away to get good photos. But look! I did get some photos of "swimming" ice!

The Bluffs at Bond Head

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Early February

Ice on the south side of Lake Simcoe

There's ice but it's not very thick...

 Water at the edges

Not thick enough for me to walk on...

 Ice fishers on their way to their hut

but these guys are fearless!

A few of the huts out by Georgina Island

Looks like a few fishers are braver than I am.

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Not Picnic Weather

 Newcastle, Ontario

Saturday the sun was shining but it was definitely not a good day for a picnic!

 Ice on the edge of Lake Ontario #1

 Ice on the edge of Lake Ontario #2

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Apples!

 Apples fallen from a tree (not mine)

Not only was there an abundant crop of apples this year but...

Apples hanging on

a few are still refusing to let go from the trees.

 I have picked buckets of apples up off the ground for my compost and a friend took away bushels to make cider. And still there are are apples on the trees!

I am  linking to  NATURE NOTES.  

Still some Color

 Hardy cranesbill geranium leaves

Sometimes it pays to look down to find colour this time of year. These leaves have not died and shrivelled away just because the temperature has dipped below freezing! Aren't they colourful?

 Water droplets on cedar

Some mornings the fog is so heavy that water droplets form on trees and needles.

Rose hips

One is red, the other wrinkled and dried out.

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Mild December Weather

 Bridge to Aubrey's island

This morning My husband and I visited friends who have a pond on their property
.

 Seen from the island to northern shore of pond

LOOK! No ice yet!

 Weeds, pond in background

This is a little dark because the sun kept coming out and going in.

Peeling birch

One of the joys of this time of year is seeing the natural peeling of birch bark.

More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.
I am also  linking to  NATURE NOTES.  

No Ice...YET

 Whitby Harbour on Lake Ontario - December 4th

Canada Geese and Mute Swans still swimming in the harbour and have not left for deeper water where water rarely freezes in Lake Ontario (except at the edges).

Balmy weather for fishing on Lake Simcoe - December 5th

No sign of ice yet. I'm thinking the ice-fishing enthusiasts are not happy about this!

I am  linking to  NATURE NOTES.  

Seed Heads

 Coneflower Seed head WITH seeds #1

There's strong evidence that finches have been in my gardens lately, and I admit I am fascinated by the different designs they create when eating the seed heads of purple coneflowers

 Coneflower Seed head WITH seeds #3

 I don't cut the coneflower stems down until all the seeds are gone.

 Coneflower seed head WITHOUT seeds

I think the finches have been very hungry!

Ornamental grass seeds

I leave these up for winter interest in my gardens. To tell you the truth, I don't know if the birds eat these seeds or not.

I am  linking to  NATURE NOTES.  

More photos from Our World can be seen by clicking HERE.

Last Week in November

A little green, a few crabapples and lots of fallen leaves

I think the owner may be cleaning out the eaves troughs.

Cattle out enjoying fresh green grass

Sunday's snow flurries

True, I have had to wear gloves a few mornings in the past couple of weeks. Otherwise the weather remains unseasonably warm.

I am  linking to  NATURE NOTES.  

Variable Weather

 Sun and clouds

Not much to report here on the weather front except that it has been an unusually pleasant November so far. Sure we've had some chilly, overcast days (that's normal) but we have also experienced sunshine and warmth (that's NOT normal).

Bare limbs

Most of the leaves are gone for this year, but now we can easily see the beautiful bark of birch trees!

I am  linking to  NATURE NOTES.  

Warm for November

 Tamarack cones

November has been surprisingly lovely! Tamaracks have turned a golden yellow and a few other deciduous trees still have some leaves. Even though many branches are bare - and will be for many months - it hasn't felt much like winter is at our doorstep...YET.

 Milkweed pod and seeds on parachutes

I was intrigued by the way the seed parachutes made a star before taking off! It was a windy day.

 Leaves beneath tree; wood to chop in background

Cow corn drying - almost ready to harvest

I am also  linking to  NATURE NOTES.  

Ephemeral/CDP Theme Day

 Milkweed seed pod - three seeds hanging on

November 1st is City Daily Photo Theme Day and the subject this month is Ephemeral.

One seed is about to get away!

I am linking to City Daily Photo Theme Days  HERE

and I am also  linking to  NATURE NOTES.  

Green Barn and Trees

 An East Gwillimbury Farm

This barn is always attractive and especially so when the trees are orange and yellow.

Sadly, the leaves are falling

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.  

More October Colour

 Looking across a sod field

Ontario sure is beautiful when the sun shines!

 Trees and mossy rock

 Cow out enjoying a great day

A fallen maple leaf

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.  

And please visit Through my Lens at Mersad Donko Photography.

Colour in the North

 Emerging colour in Muskoka -  an hour or two north of East Gwillimbury

Colour is beginning to move its way towards south-central Ontario but late this year. Isn't it gorgeous?

 Colour in the bogs

Colourful reflections

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.  

And please visit Through my Lens at Mersad Donko Photography.

Early October

 Field and barn on October 1st

As you can see, the trees are still looking quite green, but the night temperatures are falling sharply so it won't be long for it to look like autumn here. The cut field looks like fall, though.

 Drying cow corn...but the fields, trees and shrubs are still green

Colours plus the fences emphasize the differences between the fields

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.  

And please visit Through my Lens at Mersad Donko Photography.

Foggy Morning

 Dew still on grass

One of the joys of early fall is watching the light appear early in the morning over dew-covered fields.

 More dew on grass

 Light on part of  field

Lots of sunlight

Please visit Michelle at Rambling Woods for more NATURE NOTES.