I drive past this barn several days weekly. Every time I pass it I think, I need to photograph it. Today, I fnally did.
I love seeing these wooden barns, they are a link to the past. There are fewer and fewer around now.
Month: November 2013
Tree, Lambton Line
This tree was trimmed away from the hydro line and pole. Its an interesting, artistic shape caught my eyen on the way to work today so I had to capture it.
Soil test result
Last night I completed the nitrogen (N), potassium (P), and phosphorus (K) tests on the soil sample. Basically what you do with this Lee Valley Tools test kit is you collect a soil sample, add water, agitate, and let sit until the soil precipitates out. Then you add water to one small container for each of the three elements, add a pre-measured amount of a test powder, agitate, let rest, and finally compare the colour of the resulting solution to colour-coded charts.
The first results suggested deficiencies in all three elements, which was surprising since we have good growth in the lawn. There was turfgrass at the sampled spot until a few weeks ago, when Faye remved it in preparation for our expansion of the vegetable garden. I agitated the samples again and for a longer time to better mix the testing solutions and water samples in the comparators. This time, while the nitrogen test still showed a deficiency, the P and K tests indicated that there is sufficient to surplus levels of these in our soil.
Now to learn how to best add nitrogen to our soil!
Solitary pea
Faye found and photographed this growing in our garden. It is much too late in the season to expect anything from it other then the pleasure of seeing it. One of lifes little treasures and enjoyable moments.
We bought an inexpensive soil test kit from Lee Valley Tools because we were curious about our garden’s soil compositon. I took a sample from a spot in the to be garden expansion. Sofar I have tested the ph, which is right just under 7.0. The NPK tests involve testing water from a soil/water mix, and the soil has not yet precipitated out so it will wait until tomorrow. I strongly doubt there are any elements significantly lacking yet it will be good to learn how we could fine tune ojr soil, if we need to.
Kendal
Kendal struts in front of the grill. He is more than happy to clean up any spills or drops that may happen, whether his help is needed or not. Kendal is an opportunist.
Weather ahead
This could be an interesting day. It is already 15 degrees C and we could hit 20. Strong gusty winds and potentially severe thunderstorms are forecast along with possibly more than 30mm of rain. It is already quite breezy so we stowed the lightweight things in the yard that could blow away. I mulched leaves with the mower yesterday and it appears they will be replaced today.
Bird watching
This will be the fifth (or sixth) consecutive season I have participated in Project Feeder Watch, a cool citizen science project which is a collaboration between Bird Studies Canada and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
I set up a bird feeder then once weekly record the weather conditions, species and number of birds that visit the backyard. We have the typical songbirds – English sparrows, Black-capped chickadees, cardinals, blue jays and so on. I have also seen a Sharp-shinned hawk, Baltimore oriole, and some other somewhat unusual visitors.
I photographed this American Goldfinch in April 2011. Did not get very many good photos last winter.
I invite you to visit either of these pages to learn more and participate.
For US participants: http://feederwatch.org/
Canadians: http://www.bsc-eoc.org/volunteer/pfw/index.jsp?lang=EN&targetpg=index
Streeeeetch
Taken with my PlayBook.
I was working in the backyard this afternoon and Achilles came outside. As he was laying down surveying his world he looked so regal, dignified, calm, attuned. Every time I tried to pose him, Chili Dog confounded me by doing something I did not ask for – getting up, coming towards me. Then he luxuriantly stretched his head and neck up and out, and that unexpected act turned into a good shot.
Country trees
I went for a drive along and this tree on Marthaville Road caught my eye. I was almost compelled to stop and photograph it standing against the backdrop of the mid-level clouds and the other trees nearby.
previouslytexan 