Chicken Hawk

I was waiting for a customer at a job site yesterday when this fella swooped in. He landed on a tree close to my truck. I have been trying to remember to keep my camera in my truck, just in case something like this happens. I have had many times when I wanted and needed to take a photo and the camera on my phone just does not cut it. So I was lucky this time.

Coopers Hawk, lesser known as the chicken hawk, which actually deemed them a nuisance. Though they rarely would go after chickens, since they are not much larger than a chicken.

Kept on looking around and not towards me, so I would whistle, he would spin his head around and look around trying to find the victim. They are agile flyers, and hunt in wooden areas through the forest looking for small song birds, that they catch in flight. They kill their pray by squeezing while in flight. Danger to the poor birds at bird feeders in your backyard. 

I am assuming his feathers are all fluffed up because it was cold out, -15C. Those eyes adults have red eyes, good key for identifying this raptor.

I whistled again and I was spotted. He had a good gaze on me for a while, he was probably pissed and wanted to rip my eyes out, customer showed up perfect time to get back to work.

Coopers Hawk, I was honoured to be in your presence.

Pretty cool, maybe you don't think so, but maybe your also lame.

Peace I'm out.

Kids in the Street.

I remember growing up in the east side of Toronto, East York, to be exact Sammon Ave, and Woodbine Ave. My brother and our friends on the street or a few blocks down, running in the street skateboarding, rollerblading, playing catch, climbing the sides of our house, putting speakers on the outside on the roof from our bedroom playing records and tapes maybe CDs and pretending we had a radio show, microphone and all the whole block probably heard it through my dads stereo system. Running around outside was not foreign, playing Cops and Robbers with my parents Black Pontiac, Parisienne (the bat mobile) it would be the Cop car and getaway car depending on who was in the drivers seat, now we didn't have the keys and the thing didn't move but we would jump around in and out of it slamming the doors, probably yelling and carrying on like boys would do. Playing Basketball, road hockey and baseball in the alley between the houses were in our repertoire, I was young but I am pretty sure there were no complaints to our parents about this racket.
Then "Game On!" we move to Napanee near Kingston, and in Kingston there are people complaining about street Hockey and wanting it banned, the main complaint, was that someone had to wait a moment while they cleared the equipment or just the players to get out of the way. That opens up another issue with the mentality people have of they need to get where they want to go, as fast as possible. Now they didn't ban street hockey and most people say they did but the put restrictions on it, they just pointed out the obvious. Clear the way when vehicles approach, don't break neighbours lawn or things, keep noise down(F-that one right there) you can't play between 8pm - 9am Street Hockey in Kingston, By-Law.
Then again "from downtown" we, my partner and I move to The City of Kawartha Lakes, and a friend from Toronto who used to partake in the noise in the streets with my brother and I, well he posted a link about a woman in Peterborough complaining about a kid playing basketball in his parents driveway, and getting the Ministry of Environment involved. Are people that out of touch with their younger selves? Do they not remember they were annoying loud bastards also? Its what kids are, That is why we ourselves don't want any yet, we enjoy quietly walking the dogs and sleeping in.
Kids need to be outside playing, making noise, breaking things, getting hurt, adventuring, doing things that might get them in trouble, from the greatest movie ever made, The Sandlot Mothers plea for son to go outside.

After the Thanks were given

So this is the first day back to work after all the Thanks, Feasts, and Toasts were given, and taken. We arrive back home. With left over treats baked by my Mum for my birthday, Pumpkin pie, pumpkin muffins, some hybrid Rice crispy peanut butter nanaimo bar which was awesome, and we can't forget the newly introduced thanksgiving desert Baklava, Thanks Ma.

We came home with a carcass, new wooden crates from an old store display (thanks M) one has already replaced my non existent night stand, and full bellies.

Sorry no pics of the treats, they were good, got around to eating them too fast.

This is the time....

This is the time when we get together for feasts and family, long trips away from home to the west then to the east. Long ago stories from relatives with beverages, food, and smiles.

My thanks, are to my family and friends, air and water, Flora and Fauna, Health, food and beer. And being lucky to be born in this place we call the Great White North.

Hope your weekend is just as fantastic.

Peace out.

Rainy Day Farmers Market

Woke up today, rain, rain, but we have got things to do today, taking a trip to the Big Smoke to visit some family. I was riding solo today @ the farmers market. K was sleeping in, she didn't get home till 6am. She has been taking the night shift @ The Healing-Horse-Centre, taking watch over a sick pony named Ziggy Stardust, Poor little bugger has had a rough go over the last week, but things are looking brighter. You can check out his progress and story @ that link, they are also looking for donations, to help pay for the vet bills and new hay.

The Lindsay Farmers Market was pretty slow not to many people wanting to step out in the rain today, that was fine it was quick and easy not having to dodge people and I was able to get home quick to eat my treats. I picked up some treats from The Sweet Kitchen, and Cabbage rolls and Perogies for breakfast from Taste of Russia. If you live in the area I recommend heading out to the farmers market, show support for local foods, and good treats. If you are not in the area I'm sure there is a farmers market in your area, which has probably got their own delicious treats. List of Ontario Farmers Markets.

My Perogies, and cabbage roll from Taste of Russia

starting top left Blueberry raspberry? crumble, Salted Caramel Brownies, S'More bar

My photos don't do the food justice, but they were yummy.