Good morning everyone! It is a cooler morning with heavy smoke which is blocking the sun right now. The smell of smoke is strong today, as it has been for the last few days. Forest fires continue to rage across this big country of ours. There are still 41 fires burning in our area of Ontario.

One grew by 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) in just 24 hours and is now 51,000 hectares (126,024 acres) in size. That is the largest, the second largest is 30,639 hectares (75,710 acres), third is 25,640 hectares (63,359 acres), fourth is 18,029 hectares (44,550 acres). There are six other fires that are greater than 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) in size and none are under control.

Following the river path.

We have had substantial rain the last few days which brought our fire hazard down to low, but because there are still so many fires burning, there is still a fire ban across the province, so no open fires are allowed. It will take a lot of rain to stop those fires now. This year is much like it was 2 years ago, though still not as bad.

Continuing along the path.

Last year we did not have many fires at all, there was too much rain. The squirrels and chipmunks continue to come for peanuts each day, but there is not much bird activity now, meaning none, except for the gulls. I put some food out for Sir Henry, one of my Herring Gulls that come each day. Right after I did that, Jasper came up onto the feeder.

I told him he might not want to be there right now, but he just looked at me like I was crazy. Then Sir Henry dropped down onto the feeder. Poor Jasper. He just flew off the feeder and down into the raspberry patch. Then he ran off into the trees out back and I never saw him again for about an hour. He should have listened to me.

Coming to my favorite spot.

Oh well, he learned a good lesson. Maybe. It is quite nice outside right now, I just put some food out for Sir Henry and for the chipmunks too. But the smoke is heavy and the smell is very strong. Well, guess it is time to go outside for a while to get some pics if I can. Have a terrific Tuesday everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2023 Steve McLeod.