Friday, September 9, 2011

Shaken up!

I took note of the time on my laptop this afternoon at 12:44 p.m. a minute or two after the house had stopped shaking!  The tremour only lasted about 20-30 seconds but it was unnerving.   The first sign of the earthquake was the jingle of the hanging wine and drinking glasses as they tapped against each other sounding very much like active wind chimes.  I also noticed the French doors that open into the dining room moving somewhat, and then I myself became kind of queasy as I felt the unsteadiness. The earthquake measured 6.7 and was located off the west coast. 

I guess that was one way of shaking me out of my complacency and sending me off to blogland!  I must say we are experiencing the most glorious weather with clear skies and sunshine making it difficult to spend much time on the computer.  The sundeck is being well used as I sit out there most afternoons to relax and read.  There is a cool breeze out there and shade from the sun, so it is a perfect spot for such weather.

On the Labour Day weekend my sons and their girlfriends visited and stayed over, so the deck was fuller than usual.  I took the electric griddle outside to make French toast for breakfast and we ate supper out there as well.  After dinner, we went for a drive to a Conservation area where I found this sweet Savannah Sparrow.  This area is made up of a number of important wildlife habitats, including sheltered bay, mudflat, intertidal and freshwater marshes, grassland, forest and woodland swamp and the trail makes for an interesting walk.

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When I visited the old growth forest last month, I noticed a cute little inhabitant, looking very similar to  Hilary's Roxy, an orphaned red squirrel.  From this site about red squirrels, it is noted that  
This small squirrel (they average about 230 grams) is superbly adapted to a life in the coniferous forest. Fast and agile, the Red Squirrel can jump great distances, and even run along the undersides of branches. Their pelage in summer is olive brown above, but it moults to a redder colour in the fall. It is found throughout most of British Columbia, including Vancouver Island.

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Readers of this blog will probably have realized by now that my back garden is often visited by many different critters ~ various birds, raccoons, deer and most recently this little fellow, Mr. Rabbitsky.
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He enjoyed a tasty piece of fallen fruit before scampering off.

Back to the last Scavenger Hunt photos ~ Daffy wondered what this was:

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This looks to be a stuffed Rocky Mountain Goat . These animals are not native to Vancouver Island, so that's why I took a double take. It was located in a Conservation Wildlife area ~ a bit peculiar! 

More info on the bizarre Choir Boys ~ I have a few more photos including all twelve of them! My question to you is ~ What type of business do you think these fellows are advertising?  Give me your best guess!

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8 comments:

  1. I wonder if your Red Squirrel are our Grey, our reds have much bigger tufts on their ears.
    The choir boys................A barber shop.
    Grand post.....keep them coming.

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  2. I was thinking of you this morning when I read about the quake, and I'm glad to see all is okay!
    Lucky you with the weather as it's been somewhat unsettled here with plenty of rain and wind.
    I enjoyed reading this lovely post, looking at the terrific photos and following the interesting links.
    As to what the boys are advertising I also thought of a barber shop but then had second thoughts!

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  3. I forgot to end with...Flighty xx

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  4. It must be very unnerving when the earth starts moving under your feet. The only quake I've experienced was when at secondary school (a long time ago). It wasn't much though it did open up a crack in the school building.

    I'm pleased you are getting good weather. We have had the coolest Summer for 20 years. I think I only sat out on three or four occasions.

    Would the choirboys be advertising a hair stylist by any chance? It would be too obvious to be a florist.

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  5. Ummm. 12 of them - one for each month? That has me flummoxed. An Astrologer?

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  6. I wondered how you were doing and whether you felt that shake up!

    Glad to have you back blogging. I've missed reading about your feathered friends and beautiful waters. These are great shots of your furry friends!

    I have to give up on the choir boys. I do admire the one with what looks like 'Diamond Frost' euphorbia :-)

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  7. It's a bit scary when the Earth moves isn't it? Glad you're ok.
    I would say the Choir Boys are at a hairdressers but I'll also suggest wig makers ;)

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  8. Many thanks to you all for your kind comments ~ and I'm sorry I haven't been around blogland much. Most of you were right on about the choir boys as you'll see in my next post :)

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