Life in the Bristolwood

 I sometimes get so far behind myself….that is, I take many photos that remain on my cards until one day when I look at them and think I should have written about them and put them up long ago. I really am trying to do better,  but it seems like life  often gets in the way.

A couple of days ago,  I went for a small walk along the side of our road.  The day before,  while outside,l I thought I had heard a Robin.  I just put the thought aside as Robins wouldn’t return to the area this early!

Well, the day I went for a walk,  I knew I distinctly heard a Robin singing in a tree.  Since I had the small Panasonic camera with me, I could surely capture the little bird’s photo. Problem was, the wind was blowing up the road mercilessly so it was hard to hold the camera still!

 Not a very nice photo but there is no doubt whatsoever that the bird is indeed a Robin.

Now, I realize I live a somewhat sheltered life in that I don’t go shopping just to look around.  My shopping excursions are generally to grab things we need and run.  So, I probably miss out a lot. (especially since I don’t watch television much either!)

Michelle and one of her friends fancy themselves to be connoisseurs of all things candy corn, so when we were at Sauder’s  yesterday, how could I resist?  I have seen candy corn in Christmas red and green, but Easter colors?

Well, this last photo might not specifically have anything to do with spring, but I just took it a little bit ago waiting for Michelle while she is at school.

I just like the way this photo turned out. And speaking of ducks,  wow, have the Canada Geese been flying northward.  This morning,  Angus felt compelled to awaken me at 4:45 ( yes, there really is a 4:45 AM) .  While I stood outside surrounded by pitch black darkness,  Angus poised himself in an “alert” stance.  I got a little nervous, because I could hear a sound off in the distance as well.

At that point, I pulled the Scotties in just a bit closer to the house.  After a little while,  what must have been a huge flock of geese flew overhead.  They squawked and made noise like crazy for a long time before things settled down again.  That was the strange noise I couldn’t identify before!  The rest of the day,  I have heard countless flocks passing by….

Definitely sure signs that spring really is just around the corner.

to lob back any and all rotten tomatoes thrown my way for showing this type of photo. (AGAIN!!!)

Oh, and Mark figured out why my photos weren’t expanding. Now, you can double click to see the BIG pictures! (not that you might want to, mind you!!!)

After seeing the pretty girl above standing on the ice, I got such a brilliant idea! I went around to the back of the truck and got out my little bucket of cracked corn.  I decided that if I threw the corn on the ice instead of the water, none would be wasted . After all, when cast on the water, so much of it sinks to the bottom.

The net result was near hysterical! We all know that the duck waddle in itself is rather humorous,  but seeing these ducks waddling across the ice was too much!  With little traction, those big flippers wandered about, looking like drunken sailors! I never laughed so hard,  but the ducks sure enjoyed!

I guess seeing the ducks eat made *me* hungry, so Mark and I went over to Arby’s.  As we sat behind the store, we saw deer eating at the waterpark across the pond from us!

We enjoyed a lazy, laid back weekend and as you can see, I really didn’t take many photos!

Michelle really enjoyed fencing last semester and was excited when she discovered some classmates had started a fencing club.  The kids met late Wednesday afternoon to discuss the club and so we took Michelle.

After dropping Michelle at school,  Mark asked if I wanted to go to the City Pier. (yet again!)  I groaned,  but since the sun was shining and it was a beautiful afternoon,  I didn’t complain.

Mark drove on down the pier and then began back toward the city.  Then he pulled over and told me there were a lot of ducks sitting in the water below. Once again (should I admit it?) I groaned.  I have taken sooo many photos of Mallard Ducks,  Everyone must be tired of seeing Mallards! I sat in the back seat as a form of protest, but, well,  my trigger finger began to itch and after all, I do carry around a small bucket of cracked corn for my little waterfowl friends.

I hopped out of the truck and within a few minutes,  I found myself totally absorbed in the little flock.  They ate the corn with such gusto….how could I ever think of not feeding these cute little ones, anyway?

I felt somewhat greatly rewarded by getting a photo of a Mallard Duck drake in the snow….don’t see that too often. I had dropped some corn in the snow and he was jus tidying up!  It was interesting just how close these ducks moved in by my feet.  They are ususally fairly shy, but they came in very close that afternoon. I think they were very hungry for some grain!

After feeding the ducks,  we sat in the truck for a time….it was beautifully sunshiney, but the brisk wind was very chilling!  As the sun began to set, the scenery with the ducks was just awesome!

I did happen to catch the sunset one more time from another location….

Who ever would have thought that feeding the ducks yet another time would render some great new shots?

Michelle had plans to visit with her friend Jacob this afternoon.  Before we left,  we had to move, shovel, and plow snow again.  There really wasn’t a lot, but Mark wants to make sure he keeps up with it. 

As we passed by Woodville on our way, Mark and I couldn’t believe how beautiful the lake appeared. It was as smooth as glass.  Mark pulled into the boat launch so I could take a few photos….and I didn’t even have to ask him!

Those “spots” are actually ice fishermen.  I was surprised at how close they were to the edge of the ice.  Must be the fish like to hang out there!

And here is one looking up the lake towards Canandaigua.

There was what looked like a mist up the lake but in thinking about it, it might have been an area of snow squalls. It was that kind of day, after all.

We dropped Michelle at Jacob’s house and then went to Canandaigua.  Mark and Ben did a little shopping while I waited in the truck with the Scotties.  By the time the guys finished their shopping, it was time to pick Michelle back up once again! As we drove southward towards Middlesex,  I noticed that the scenery had changed from earlier….a wet, sticky snow was “decorating” everything it fell on.  Think in terms of a gingerbread house!

We arrived back home in the dark, but I just had to take a few pictures.  I LOVE this kind of snow. On the way out to the back deck, the roses Mark and I picked up at Sam’s Club the day of the big storm were just calling out to have their photo taken!

Should I tell you, Dear Reader, that those roses sell there for $5.87 a dozen?  No kidding….

Yes, of course…I really did need to take a closeup of the Scottie weathervane.  I love it all decorated!

The lilac bush in the side yard is almost as awesome with its snowy shroud as when it flowers!

When I got upstairs, I opened the bedroom window and took a photo of the trees outside.

The temperature has mellowed to the point where it is staying right at freezing.  This produces that wet sloppy snow that frosts everything! And tomorrow morning?  We will be back outside once again, shovels in hand and ready to go!

Yesterday morning, Michelle and  I were off early to Canandaigua.  We had some wet, sloppy snow during the night, so we left a bit early,  but the roads were in fine condition.

After dropping Michelle at school, I went shopping for a few groceries.  As I left WalMart,  I drove through the old WalMart plaza and saw this…

I thought it was pretty cool the driver “parked” his horse and buggy out away from traffic and didn’t use the handicapped spaces.  As I sat looking, a man and a boy walked up to the buggy, so I put on my telephoto lens.

I can see by the clean-shaven face, this man is probably Old Order Mennonite, as the Amish married men have beards.

My next stop was at the bank, and I smiled as I saw this sign in the window….

The bank actually has a beautifully hand-painted rock in the gizmo where one places money and deposit slips.  That photo isn’t focussed well, but between the glass of the bank and my hurried “snap”…well…!

I took the lakeside road once again.  I am not sure if I am more “bold” now or what, but because there was practically no traffic on the road,  I stopped and took photos of some more weathervanes.  I even did something I’ve not done before…..I actually took some photos of the weathervanes on houses! The others were taken on garages or beach houses.

I’m pretty sure this first vane is made by the same company as my Scottie vane.  I sure looks similar!

There is a local magazine called Canandagua that I had received a free copy of a couple years ago.  In it was featured a house on the lake that was beyond my imagination! It was gorgeous and I think it belonged to a married couple that are doctors.  Anyway, this is their whimsical vane!

The next vane is on a beautiful old house.  The vane looks like it is also very old. I believe it is made of copper, and look at the cap where it is attached.  It looks like it was made specifically for that particular home’s application!

I couldn’t tell by eye what, exactly, the vane is, but the telephoto lens did a good job of letting me see that it looks like a ship’s mast, billowing in the wind.

The next vane really threw me over the edge.  From the road, it looked kind of like a weathervane that had been damaged.  After uploading my photos, I could see that it was not damaged! It looks like a handcrafted vane and it is a grasshopper!

I love the cupola with the bell!

I got home and Ben called out to see the male Downy Woodpecker on the suet feeder….

This morning,  we are surrounded by what looks like a thin coating of “frosting”!  We had a light coating of sticky snow that is pasted to everything! So, why not show *my* weathervane?

For drama, here it is with the flash on….

and off….

I was so tired yesterday. I had had a fine night’s sleep the night before, but I was so dragging yesterday! I had all my photos resized and ready to upload to my blog (with the exception of today’s Scottie weathervane photos, of course!) but instead of blogging,  I went to bed early!

Yessir….every now and then, especially while I am driving,  I come up with a grand idea for a photo op.  Such was the case this gloomy, dismal, snowy morning!

Michelle and I left the house and the roads were much less than stellar! They were snow-covered, and with the temperature hanging at just below freezing, all the stuff they were putting on the road was mixing with the wet snow to form some pretty greasy slop!  You have no idea just how happy I am to have those brand spanking new tires on the Explorer!  And yes, it is wonderful having windows that work well, too!

I dropped Michelle off at school and as I was driving home,  I wondered what would be the safest route.  I really dislike traveling on fast roads in weather like this, so I once again opted to travel the lake road.  It was a wise choice as there was essentially no traffic and the road was pretty clear!

I drove past the place I had seen the Redhead Ducks yesterday, but didn’t see anything other than what seemed like zillions of Canada Geese.  It was shortly after this that I had that brainstorm moment! As gray and ugly as the sky is, it would be a good background for some weathervane shots!  And so, I slowly made my way down Lake Road. Thankfully, only two vehicles came up behind me the entire trip.

So, for your viewing pleasure….(I wish I would have taken the Nikon, but settled for the tiny Panasonic this morning, instead)

There were a lot more vanes, but these were some of the coolest I spotted. 

As I traveled just a little further south of where I saw all the ducks yesterday,  I saw scads and scads of Coots.  I would guess there were well over a thousand of them bouncing up and down on the open water.  Just outside there group, there were many more Redhead Ducks.  Even though I have no desire to live on the lake and pay the ridiculous taxes those homes pay, it would be nice to be able to observe the waterfowl that shows up there on a regular basis!

When I arrived home, I had to make my way up the driveway which has about 4 or 5 inches of snow on it.  I put the Explorer into 4×4 High and came up with no difficulties at all!

I know no one wants to hear about weather. Particularly messy weather!  Too bad, because that is precisely what we had today!

I decided I really needed to replenish groceries so I was going out today, weather or not!  I did wait until it warmed up a little as I am not too wild about driving on slippery roads when the gunk they use doesn’t work!  When the temperature warms up some, the stuff begins working better!

Here are my new tires which got some pretty good ratings when we looked them up on the internet….

Here is the tread….

I thought about the route I would take to Canandaigua and decided on the lake road.  Yay! It paid off! As I drove up the lake, I kept my eye out and saw lots and lots of Canada Geese.  I didn’t see the Swans I had spotted previously but as I looked out over the lake,  I did see something Iwasn’t sure about!  I had to turn around as I had gone too far to stop.

Even after getting out and taking photos, I couldn’t tell exactly what I was looking at!  Only after uploading my photos was I about to see a group of Readhead Ducks.

A little farther out on the lake behind the Redheads were a few Common Goldeneye Ducks.  (also called Whistlers)  I had never seen these before, so it was pretty cool seeing them!

I need to explain that although my photos appear a little out of focus,  they really aren’t!  It snowed a very fine snow all day long!  It added up to probably about four inches!  I was so glad I brought my camera along with me, as I had originally opted to leave it home.  I figured trying to take photos in the precipitation would be futile.

After my little duck sighting, I was once again on my way. I decided to take a slight detour and take a quick cruise out onto the City Pier. Wow! Doesn’t this look like fun?

I wondered what he had on his feet to travel along.  When I looked at the photo full-size, I could see he had some short skis strapped on his feet.

A flock of Canada Geese flew overhead…..

It would now be possible to walk right over to Squaw Island!

And on and on he sailed….

As I was about to pop back into the Explorer,  my eye lighted on a few gulls.  They are attracted to the pier….even in inclimate weather!….because many people sit there to eat their lunch in their vehicles.  I had meant to focus on the gulls themselves, but with the snow,  the camera had a bot of trouble focusing.  I snapped the photo anyway and I really like the fact that the bench is in focus in front of the gulls.

I had spent enough time photographing and it was now time to get to the task at hand.  I did my shopping and began to head homeward.  I did stop along the road for one more photo….

I really like the way this photo looks almost edited!  Everything appears nearly black and white, with the American flag colored.  Well, no,  I didn’t edit the photo…..the snow did!

So, there you have it.  We ***can*** have some camera fun even on a snowy day!

but someone has to do it.

What? you ask.

Well, drive along West Lake Road along Canandaigua Lake!

I had to drive Michelle to school this morning and after hearing Bob, the UPS guy’s account of the road conditions late yesterday afternoon,  I was (much) less than thrilled to take her today.  We hadn’t plowed the driveway after yesterday’s dump of about 6 inches of heavy wet snow.  I had to take the pickup truck as my Explorer is still sitting in the garage with no window on the front passenger side. Being a little less experienced driving the truck was causing further anxiety!

Michelle and I drove down the driveway with the wind blowing the remaining snow off the hood of the truck briskly onto the windshield.  I decided to go down the hill instead of up so I could get as much snow off the hood as possible. As we drove along the roads, I discovered there must have been a vast improvement of conditions since yesterday!

I dropped Michelle off and watched in the eastern skies as the sun fought to shine through the thick clouds.  As I drove along,  I thought I would take the lake road home.  The further south I drove, the more the sun was winning the battle and the clouds were retreating! I was so enjoying my drive!

I looked to my left, ever curious as to what might pop up in the water….

Well, the only major problem I had this morning had nothing at all to do with driving conditions or roads.  It was all about the fact that my Nikon camera was sitting at home on my BED!  I used my little point-and-shoot Panasonic, which does a fine job, but I know my telephoto lens would have been better. Ah well.

And as an added bonus, here is a photo taken along the road I live on.

Beautiful, isn’t it?  Oh, and did I ever tell you it is nearly *magical* living here in the Bristolwood?

There appears to be a new sign down in Woodville…..(it is posted right near the boat launch, appropriately so)

Ummm….how is a life vest gonna prevent hypothermia?  Aw, forget it.  I must be missing something. Funny thing is, this is a view of the lake from a road above showing the south end of the lake…..

Since the boat launch is on the right side of that photo, I think you can see the only craft that might launch this time of the year would have to have sled runners on it as the lake is frozen over!

Well, enough of that!  I had spoken to a fellow that works at the marina in Woodville and he told me seeing the eagles walking on the ice in the winter is quite spectacular!  So, I spent about an hour just hanging out down there, but saw no eagles.  In fact, the area looked rather lifeless. The only sound to accompany me as I lingered was that of dead grass rattling when the brisk wind blew!

Of course I had to show that grass as I loved the color of it set against the stark white snow!

Michelle was “up and at it” this morning early.

How early?

Shortly after 4.  Which means I was also up shortly after four, as she awakened me!

We left the house at about 7:15, and I had no idea what a grand morning I was heading into! (a sharp contrast from Tuesday morning, I might add!)  We headed up the road and over onto the highway. But coming down the road before the highway, this is what we saw….

and this…..

An awesone sunrise, to be sure.  All the way to Canandaigua, Michelle reminded me to keep my eyes on the road…while *I* reminded her *I* am the mom *and* I have many years of driving experience with no accidents caused by me!

I dropped Michelle off and then drove along the lake…..

I decided I really needed to take the lakeside road home.  Murphy, with his head resting against my leg, had no complaints and seemed content enough to take the “slow road”.

I was glad I did!

I had a bucket of cracked corn that I use just for such ocassions, but there was a sharp dropoff I was standin on and I couldn’t throw the corn far enough to reach the birds.  One swan, however, was rather curious about me and swam closer for a look….

Needless to say, I could have spent the entire day just wandering and taking photos.  What a beautiful, beautiful morning!

The sun is still shining and the temperature is rising. Mark hasn’t repaired the window on the Explorer yet, but he plans to work on it this afternoon.  As far as the tires go, we have spoken to numerous people and we plan to buy an entirely different (highly rated) tire fom another source.

So, things are looking better!!!