To The Laurentians

 A couple of  little donkeys watched over by a horse statue.

 A young alpaca who keeps company with the donkeys.  There are other alpacas on this farm but they were in a different field.

 An Anglican church in a hamlet just off the main road about halfway to Morin Heights.  The Anglican church established parishes in many rural parts of Canada.  Many of the parishes were two or three point parishes.  Travelling between the churches in pioneer times must have been very challenging.  

 At the back of the church is a small lake.  Quebec and Ontario have lots and lots of lakes, and  many of them are spring fed so the water is cold and clean.

 The whole Laurentian mountain range is basically bedrock with a thin layer of soil on top.  It's amazing that so many trees can grow on it.

One of my favourite views of the rolling hills that go on and on.
Next time, some shots of Morin Heights .

Filly Fun

 I've been enjoying watching the little filly (it's a she not a he) when I go for walks.

She is very curious and calm like her mom.




 She does her best to copy her mom.
Her tail doesn't swish very well yet, though.

 A little one needs lots of rest.

But first, a good rub in the dry hay,

 and then a roll. She manages very well with rolling over.

Life is pretty exciting so time for a long nap to recoup.

Chicory,Purple-flowering Raspberry, Dogbane,St.John's Wort

The lovely sky blue flowers of the wild chicory have to be enjoyed on the plant as they will immediately close up and wilt if picked.  The leaves, though bitter, can be eaten, and the roots can be dried to make a coffee substitute.

The purple-flowered raspberry produces an edible red fruit that looks like a flattened red raspberry, but the fruit are very seedy so they are not general eaten.  It is quite an aggressive shrub that thrives in partial shade along with hardwood trees. Unlike regular raspberries, the stems are not thorny , just hairy.

Dogbane has lovely little white bells with pink stripes on the inside.  It produces a milky sap which is toxic to animals and people.  Most livestock, however, will avoid it and only eat it if food is in short supply.

St. John's Wort has starry yellow flowers and often grows in waste areas with poor soil . Herbalist claim that it will help with depression, but, as with all herbal remedies, it is not without it hazards. It is considered poisonous to livestock (even deadly) so it should not be taken cavalierly -best not to take it at all, I would think.

Natural Vignettes

 Quiet views to relax with.

Flycatcher Babies

The flycatcher babies can hardly fit in the nest anymore.  I was happy to see that there are actually four of them, rather than just three.  They cheep all day and now their cheeps are much more mature sounding.  I was wondering if they would have fledged yesterday, but I still hear them this morning. Welcome to Glengarry, little birds.

Small Brown Butterflies

 I've been noticing little brown butterflies on the fleabane.  I think they are Northern Crescents. Interesting black markings.

This one was on the Painted Daisy and I think it is a Pearl Crescent. It's also small, only about 1 1/2" wide.
On my walk, I also saw a Great Spangled Fritillary and maybe a Baltimore Checkerspot, but alas, I didn't have my camera with me.  When will I learn to always take the camera with me?!
Check out www.littlebrownjobbies.blogspot.com for some really nice butterfly and dragonfly photos.

Bugs and Blooms

 Crab spider on Blanc Double de Coubert rose

 Small wasp who has crawled way into a peachleaf bellflower

Unkown bug  on white columbine