Christmas Season Notes

 Here we are and it is Christmas already.  Nothing exciting around here as usual, but I have been out and about.  There has been a lack of good subject matter for this blog lately, so I am struggling with it.

On Friday, I headed down to Wheatley Harbour and Point Pelee.  There was quite a bit of activity with birds around Wheatley, but I could not find anything of note.  A few Double-crested Cormorants were in the harbour.  There are always a few hardy individuals this time of year.

They were in the C-K portion.  It is always dicey as to what county you are in at the harbour.  The channel is not the dividing line.  Here is a photo showing the county lines.

I noticed an interesting ferry at Hike Metals.  I think it is the old Sombra ferry, Daldean, but has been extensively rebuilt.  I am not certain, but I know of no other ferry like it.

I could see no indications of name, but the Daldean went to Bob-Lo Island when it was sold back in 2020.  I did some research, and it was renamed Columbia VII.  However I could not find any photos.  I am fairly certain that is what it is, as the basic structure is the same.  I do not like the colours though!

aboard Lowell D

In the Hike Metals yard, there is a smaller ferry that has been sitting there for years.  It is the old Walpole ferry, Lowell D, name after my uncle.  It also spent some time at Sombra.  These two ferries were once owned by my grandfather who operated the ferry business for a time at Walpole, then Sombra.  

The last time these two ferries were together was a long time ago!  A reunion of sorts!

Photo from many  years ago before wheelhouse was rebuilt

I did not spend much time at Point Pelee and did find much as usual.

Saturday, I spent some time along the St. Clair River.  Once again, it is dead for birds for the most part.

Kaye E. Barker

Skies were relatively clear, but there was a lot of shimmer, as seen in the above photo, since it did not come out sharp.

Sunday, I went to Rondeau.  It was quite cold, but the skies were clear.  Why was it not like that a week earlier?  Probably because no bird count was scheduled!

Only half a moon this day!

Everything was frozen from the cold weather.

Bay Ice

I needed a long walk, so went out marsh trail to Long Pond.

Scene at frozen Long Pond

At Long Pond, two Killdeer were on the ice.  They were calling, wondering what they were still doing at these latitudes.  A bit too distant for  photos though.

Some curious Black-capped Chickadees were along were along the trail foraging for food.

A Ruby-crowned Kinglet was the only notable, but there have been quite a few this month sticking around.  It was near the cottages just as I was finishing up my 11 km walk!

Monday was quite birdless everywhere!  I spent some time along the St. Clair River, but it was even quieter than the previous visit.  Climate change!!!

Today was a very dismal day weatherwise and birdwise, not what we would like to see for the Christmas season.  I went for a walk at Reid CA this morning to collect my thoughts.

Scene along the Sydenham at the high point

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!