When we went to Rochester today, I asked Mark if we could head north to see the Swans.  The last visit, we only saw a couple of geese and some ducks. It was such a disappointment.  I was so sure we would see some Swans today, though.  So, off to the bay we headed!

Mark pulled up and to my dismay, all we saw was Mallard Ducks.  Lots and lots of them.  Almost as many as the Seagulls above!

The gulls just kind of swooped and dived, but seemed to understand I was there to feed the ducks!  I walked down over the stone wall along the shoreline and broadcast some cracked corn out into the water and over the rocks closest to the shore. It doesn’t take much to get the ducks coming….they are pretty curious and hungry little critters!

The ducks are so funny to watch as they land. They can make some pretty BIG splashes!

The little fellow above had some difficulty with his big feet getting him out of the water and up the steep slope, so he used a bit of wing power to climb the rock!

And so, the little Mallards dined on the sand on the shoreline, on the rocks, and….

This fellow found a handy crevice between two rocks where he found lots and lots of cracked corn!

This little drake decided he was “King of the Rock”, perching himself high up on the rock to oversee the activity!

This little Mallard apparently had enough, so he headed off!

I decided to try to get some photos over by the boat launch, where there were no rocks.  I walked over and spread out some corn.

Just like hungry little puppies, the ducks followed me over and began plucking up the tasty little kernels. It was then that I spotted something so disturbing, my heart sank to my feet.  Although I am not particularly fond of having a cat,  I respect people that love them and agree they are pretty animals.  And so, I almost cried as I spotted a beautiful grey and white striped cat, wrapped in a blanket, lying on the shore, dead.  I don’t know the details, but how sad that someone thre the cat there instead of burying the poor thing.  I just will never understand….

I immediately returned to the car, feeling sickened.  I told Mark and he said there really was nothing we could do. I sat there, trying to warm up from a frigid outing and feeling so sad.

After a bit,  I looked up and saw what seemed like zillions of gulls all sitting on the parking lot on the opposite  side of the boat launch.

To the left of that photo is the lake. As I looked that way, I spotted some white……

I quickly jumped out of the car, grabbed the bucket and scotted down toward the water! I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.

It sure was a treat seeing the Swans.  By the time I saw them, my cracked corn supply was greatly diminished.  I only had a couple of scoops left, so I tried to use it sparingly.

I will leave you with my favorite shots of the day. Strangely enough, it is not of a swan, but of these colorful little Mallards, all looking so cute!

While I was in Woodville, this is a shot of the cottages and hill across the lake.  I was amazed in looking at this photo in its original size. (BIG)  The trees that provide such fantastic lush greenery in the summer months look like PINS in a pincushion! They all look so tiny…like toothpicks.  Funny the things one notices!

This next photo shows the “dock installer”. Well, I am not being techical at all here, but this barge-looking contraption is used for installing docks.  So, it would be a dock installer,no?

Looking toward the south end of Canandaigua Lake….

Oh, and I could not leave Woodvile without showing some of the ice formation on the tall shale walls across the road from the cottages.

I left Woodvile and went on up to the “upper road” leading to Naples….County Road 12.  That is where the town carved out an overlook of Canandaigua Lake.  I have taken photos here in the different seasons, but it is always different!

And here is one looking to the east, across the lake.  In this photo, it is clear to see the deep ravines running into the lake.

These certainly aren’t the most attractive photos, but they do give you, Dear Reader, a look at our little corner of the world!

I did find some nice things, but I am only going to show a few.  (for now!)

The skies this morning were tinged on baby pink.  I was unsure if the shepards and sailors should be concerned or not, but I think the color was an indication of changeable skies.  The weather is changing, but for the better?  We are supposed to be above freezing this coming week.  Strange. Very strange weather.

My little outing today took me down to Woodville.  I was hoping to see some waterfowl, but all I spotted were Canada Geese and gulls.  I did see some ducks a little northward, but wasn’t wanting to traipse into someone’s yard to get a closer look!  Ah well.  While near the boat launch,  I noticed a beautiful arrangement of golden grasses and bright red berries.  Nature’s attempt at a beautiful still life. 

Even in their “dead” state, these “weeds” provide such pretty color against the stark white background offered by newly-fallen snow.

I drove up onto the high road.  This is where the town built a scenic lookout.  I was fiddling around some with the camera when I noticed a big old crow sitting on the top of a conifer,  looking all the world like a black “angel” atop a Christmas tree.  I wouldn’t have paid this rogue any mind, except for the fact that he squawked and complained the entire time I sat there.  Perhaps I was blocking his view?

Mighty haughty chap, that crow!  Perhaps he thinks he owns the road!

Well, I showed you the morning sky.  Now, how about the Bristolwood sunset? It was very, very pretty!

I was like a Mexican jumping bean…I would sit down and review the photo on the camera, when suddenly the sky appeared to have included even more colors in its pallette!  I would hop back up, insert the SD card, then run outside.  I did this a few (ahem) times!

So, what about my talent?  Well, even though I am so dreadfully left-handed, I managed to actually capture a few photos of tiny Chickadees grabbing seeds from my left hand, while holding the camera and snapping with my right hand! Talent? Or no?

These photos are all best viewed by clicking on them to enlarge them…

After I was done feeding the little birdies, I decided to use my horse-whispering talent.  I walked over to the pasture where the wonderful Monroe County Sheriff’s horses are kept.  I had seen four horses in the pasture upon entering the park, and since it is just a short distance from the parking lot, I thought I would at least say hi!

I should have tweaked these photos to brighten the up a bit, but you get the idea!  Only two of the horses wanted to talk to me, so we had our little tete-a-tete, and I was on my way.

And, as I was leaving, horse #1 said, Hey, take me with you! Of course, it broke my heart, but I left the kindly giant behind. He *does* belong to the sheriff’s department, after all!

And here are two random shots thrown in….

One of the great benefits of owning a three car garage that has everything BUT the vehicles stored there is that we can enjoy things like Jack Frost’s lovely artwork. (which seemed to take forever to clear from the windows!)

And, while up in Rochester, we saw a most awesome little shed at a car dealership!

Yes!  A rubber tire building!  No need to fret over falling meteors and such in this shed!  Everything just bounces off!  Watertight, meteor proof….what more could one ask for?  Yeah, I imagine the inside stinks!, but one cannot have it all, eh?

Today was such a gray and dismal sort of day, but I found some photo ops on the way back home.  Most of the photos are of the skies, as the sun tried so hard to make an appearance….

It was a nice day to get out for a bit, but with the temperature so much chillier than yesterday, it sure was nice to return home to a cozy and warm fire in the woodstove!

Funny enough, these photos were indeed taken from three different parking lots. So, I guess they satisfy the poet from within!

Today, we took our neighbors to the airport up in Rochester.  We had a big green blob of rain ahead of us on the radar, so I was very thankful for my (really intelligent!) choice of footwear today!  I bought a pair of fanciful wellies at Tractor Supply a few weeks ago.  I wanted them for when I tap the trees this spring. After nearly ruining my favorite pair of boots last year, I wanted something that could be easily cleaned and rinsed off.  I love these boots!

The temperature rose up into the 50′s today.  It felt like a spring day more than winter!  Much of the snow we got is now melted and running down into streams and rivers!  Tonight, we are under two weather warnings. One for severe thunderstorms,  and the second for high winds.  I had opened my window to allow some fresh air in, but had to quickly close it when wind-driven rain began blowing in!

Here are some more shots….

Hmmm….seems to be a front moving in on this next one?

All right!  I now have a candle burning. The wind sounds like it is picking up a reat deal outside!  Computer is charged, candle lit,  Murphy snuggling up nearby. Kids safe.  Battens hatched down. 

I think we’re good!

On Monday, we drove to Jamestown to pick up my parents. We then drove on to Erie, Pennslvania, where my father had an appointment at St. Vincent’s Hospital.  The appointment was to get his heart shocked!  Yikes!! Dad had expressed some anxiety when Mark and I spoke to him the week before, so we offered to take him and Mom to the hospital.  This was a relief for him, as he was concerned about Mom driving home in the dark if he had to stay overnight.  As it worked out, the procedure was done at about 12:30, and we walked out the door at about 3:00 with Dad.  It was an absolutely great day and we arrived back home around 9:00.  A long, but fun day!

Tuesday was spent in Rochester.  Running around and errands. Will errands ever end?  I think not.

Wednesday, Mark had a dental appointment.  I stayed home and then when he got back home, decided we needed to go to the grocery store as some bitter weather was headed our way! Actaully, more than bitter cold was coming….they predicted snow and some “dangerous” conditions.

Thursday, we were back in Rochester.  We are still trying to decide what to do with the Ford Explorer.  Mark has looked at every conceivable option, but feels we need just a little more time.  We stopped at Wendy’s on our way home to pick up a couple things and the rain was just pouring down by the buketsfull!  If that had been snow, we would have struggled badly to make it home!

Today, our bad weather finally arrived. With a vengeance.  The winds blew and howled like crazy all day.  It is quiet now…almost deafeningly so!  We became accustomed to the loudness all day, so now, our ears are straining to hear the noise that is no longer there!  I am glad we didn’t need to go out today. There are spots on the driveway where the snow is about eight inches deep, and others are nearly bare.  The wind certainly rearranged things!  Carly and I talked a little today and she said the roads were atrocious.   Since most road applications do little good in weather this cold, we opted to enjoy home today!

Yeah. The new camera really is cool. It is tiny compared to my big D-SLR, and takes great photos.  Especially if one knows how to burrow down through the many, many layers of  adjustments!  Not being very intuitive  concerning things like computers and electronics, I find myself aimlessly pushing buttons and hoping for the best!  Mark, on the other hand, is very logical and can figure his way through a new *toy* quickly. Bah!

So, last night, while we were out and about, I saw a pretty church in Geneva and asked Mark to stop for a moment.  I hopped out of the truck and took a photo.  I looked at it right after taking it, and to my dismay,  I had changed the picture from “standard” to “monotone”.  Oh joy.

Definitely an “oops”!  BUT,  I was determined to figure out how to get the color back,  AND, I refused to humble myself to the point of asking Mark if he could help!  I got back in the truck and fumbled, er….”worked” my way through the menus and, lo, and behold…..color!

Yuppers, doesn’t *everyone* drive around with an invertor plugged into their vehicle so they can plug in their toys? ….er, electonic necessities?  (that is the eerie green light!)

Okay, so I have shown you some crummy photos taken with the Micro four-thirds.  How about a “good” photo taken a few days ago from the porch?

Don’t you love the colors?  I do, especially since we rarely see anything like this because of the trees and surrounding hills.

So, the bottom line is this…..along with those fun new devices comes the frustration of learning all about how they work!

We left the house early this morning so Michelle could attend a five-hour mandatory driving class she needs before she can take her driver’s test for her license. She had to be at the class at eight, so we left at about 7:15.  While Michelle was at her class, Mark, Ben, and I just kind of hung out and went to the mall and BJ’s.

We picked up some Chinese takeout from a restaurant near where Michelle’s class was, just before we picked her up.  That particular restaurant has a good luncheon deal.

Afterwards, it was on to Penn Yan.  The kids have a friend who lives there who will be returning to college soon, so they wanted to spend some time together.  Mark and I dropped the kids off, then drove on up to Geneva. We just hung out there, watching a documentary and a movie.  We drove back to pick the kids up at 7:30.

As you can see, this was a long day in the truck!  Even Murphy is stretched out, eyes closed, and dreaming doggie dreams!

And so, I shall close this and take my leave…..to slumberland!

We met at Wegman’s and had lunch and hung out together.  We always have so much fun giggling about things and it seems like the time passes much too quickly.   We had a good time and talked about getting together again. 

I brought along two of my little Scottie Bells for Jeanne, along with some candy.  She gave me such a pretty necklace!  I am having problems uploading photos again….what is up with that, anyway?

So, I shall leave you with an interesting photo.  The past couple of nights, it has been so very, very cold at night!  When I woke up in the morning,  upon going outside,  I could hear the hydrants over at Bristol Mountain, making snow.  Now, we have no snow at all on the ground. Truth be told, the woods are looking kind of drab with tons of brown leaves and stark naked trees….so this photo kind of tells it all!

You can see the snow is somewhat sparse, but the funny thing?  People were already skiing!