August 30 / the snowbirds

I saw the Snowbirds!  The Snowbirds are not birds, though, they are Canada's air show demonstration team.  There's an air show in Toronto on Labour Day weekend (which is this weekend) every year. 

Common birds: house sparrow, cardinal (pair), goldfinch (female), mourning dove, chickadee, robin

Overhead: gull

the buzz / August 29

I saw a cicada today - it landed on my tomato plants while I was picking some.  I hear them regularly in the summer, but don't often see them.  Also, something laid some little white, round eggs on one of the tomato leaves.  I've removed it from the plant, but I'd like to find out what they might be if I can.  I saw a butterfly down the street from here, I think it was a monarch.

Common birds: cardinal (female), house sparrow, chickadee

August 28 / the tape

My tomato plants are getting heavy, between being rained on, and the fruit growing nearer the tops.  A couple of stems are bent, one is broken.  For now, I've taped it in place, though I think cutting it and putting the end in the soil might be better. 

Common birds: house sparrow, robin, cardinal (female), starling (?), downy woodpecker (female)

the afternoon / August 27

Friends took me over to their place for the afternoon, we did a little pruning and so on in their yard.  Although not in my yard, I did see a couple of red-tailed hawks on our way over. 

Common birds: house sparrow, cardinal (pair)

Heard: blue jay

August 26 / the water

It rained - heavily.  August has been dry, so it's a good thing overall.  It was stormy at times, with clear patches.  I did get a few minutes in the garden, though. 

Common birds: house sparrow, cardinal (male)

the big and small / August 25

Enjoyed a sit outside in sunny weather.  A couple of red-tailed hawks circled high overhead, a great blue heron flew by, and a tiny hummingbird visited the rose of sharon.  The nuthatch stopped at both the seed and the fat feeders.  I also saw a monarch butterfly. 

Common birds: cardinal (pair), house sparrow, robin, starling, red-breasted nuthatch, goldfinch (male)

Summer visitors: ruby-throated hummingbird

Overhead: red-tailed hawk, great blue heron

Heard: blue jay

August 24 / the helicopter

An orange helicopter flew over the yard this afternoon. 

Common birds: house sparrow, chickadee, goldfinch (male), robin, grackle, cardinal (pair), red-breasted nuthatch