We Can Save Her

You Tube!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 29 Oct 2018 17:46:00 +0000

Hi! I'm Lisa and I love the Earth!

In my efforts to connect and reach more people, I've started a you tube channel - there are a couple of videos up now and a couple more on the editing list.

This is my intro clip - as you can see, I've been preparing for this for a while!

My channel can be found here I'd love some subscribers so we can connect and I can get a cool url!

I was invited to a video challenge online that basically encouraged me to get over myself and just start making videos.

We are living in such scary and uncertain times. As you may or may not know, I ran in the provincial election as an MPP candidate in my riding of London-Fanshawe with the Green Party of Ontario.

I was motivated to do this because I want to be a part of the change I want to see and at the time, participating in creating change from the top down was the biggest way I could think of to contribute.

We all know how that election turned out.

I am still committed to the Green Party and to being part of the change, but we don't have a lot of time to affect the change we need so I am now organizing with 350.org and Fossil Free (a division of 350.org) to be a part of the change from the grassroots up.

I'd love to connect with like minded people so we can come together and amplify our voices.

In the meantime, I am also looking for meaningful employment that helps achieve these goals at the same time.

Love your hood - Ska-Nah-doht

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 23 Oct 2018 17:22:00 +0000

Ska-Nah-doht

Part of my series encouraging you to "love your hood" & act like a tourist in your hometown.

It's all about finding the places near your that match your passion & exploring them.

As you're all aware by now, I love the Earth & I grew up in the arctic. These two things are inseparable for me & Ska-Nah-Doht is an absolutely wonderful place that provides education and history in a stunning setting.

Thank you to all the community partners & especially The Lower Thames Conservation Authority for making this such a great spot to visit & for your contribution to keeping the history of our First Nation's People alive.

High on my list of must-see places to visit again and again!

What an amazing place this must be to work. We met Rose in the museum - she was enjoying the peace and quiet after a week full of students visiting!

Near the parking lot is a great trail map

The museum

Some of the beautiful scenery and obligatory selfies!

From the website;

Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum

Our Mission

Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum is an interactive museum that engages the public in the preservation and presentation of local First Nation history, through experiences both on-site and in the community.

Our Vision

Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum is a community leader in collecting and preserving local history, while faithfully interpreting the Haudenosaunee – People of the Longhouse.

Background

In 1973, the Ska-Nah-Doht Village, located within Longwoods Road Conservation Area was constructed. It features a village reflective of the Native settlements found along the river close to 1,000 years ago. This village, created with the information gathered by archaeologists and First Nation peoples, offers tours, workshops and an opportunity to see how First Nations people once lived. It is also a popular attraction for local residents and tourists alike. Amazingly in the 1980’s, archaeologists excavated 2 actual First Nations settlements at Longwoods, dating back to the same time period depicted through Ska-Nah-Doht. Artifacts from these ‘digs’ are housed and displayed at the Museum located in the Resource Centre which also has a souvenir gift shop and washrooms.

In 2008, a new logo was created for Ska-Nah-Doht by Ian Bullock, a Multi-Media Design student who was hired through a Young Canada Works in Heritage Grant. Ian was inspired by the legends and beadwork designs of the Haudenosaunee or “People of the Longhouse”. It is this First Nations culture that Ska-Nah-Doht represents in its recreated village and educational programs.

Another great find is the paw paw tree. My friend Laura and I have been looking for and trying to grow paw paws for a while now. It's great to see them thriving here

Love Your 'Hood Meadowlily Woods Thames Talbot Land Trust

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 12 Sep 2018 19:51:00 +0000

Meadowlily

One of my very very favourite organizations is Thames Talbot Land Trust (TTLT). I am lucky enough to live close to several of their properties and to have spent a lot of time and one of their newest acquisitions, Hawk's Cliff.
Those of you that know me know that one of my very favourite places in London includes Meadowlily Woods

Meadowlily Nature Preserve was the very first property dedicated to the TTLT in October 2002. It was donated by Carol and Rick Richardson who wanted to make sure that their families land would be protected from future development.
This is a 5.9 hectare (14.5 acre) site comprised of floodplain, open meadow and upland forest and is part of Meadowlily woods, an environmentally significant area (ESA) recognized by the city of London.

Some of my favourite photos over the years come from this beautiful spot. They are in my calendars and on my walls, from trilliums in the spring

To this little fox having a nap

The beautiful trails in the fall

Looking for critters with my nephew & helping him develop a lasting love for nature

In case you wanted to know more about Thames Talbot Land Trust and what they do, here is an excerpt from their website and a link to it in case I've peaked your interest

I've also posted about Meadowlily before - here's a link in case you want to see older posts

Our Goals

Protecting Lands, Habitats and Natural HeritageOur primary intent is to hold and manage the land in perpetuity for the benefit of future generations.

Restoring Ecosystems Our restoration activities, like planting native species, removing garbage, and controlling invasive species, help to restore damaged ecosystems.

Managing Alien Invasive SpeciesTTLT helps to protect wildlife and habitats by mapping, removing, and monitoring invasive species.

Support Environmental EducationTTLT offers skill building and professional development workshops as well as a range of volunteer stewardship opportunities.

My Political Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 16:24:00 +0000

Hi everyone!

Thanks for sticking with me!

I've updated the blog with posts from blogs I've done in the past. I had some health problems and big life changes over the past few years that have made my posts a little sporadic.

The biggest thing I've done recently participating in the Ontario provincial election in June 2018 as a candidate for the Green Party of Ontario (GPO)

This came about after several "serendipitous occurrences" that combined left me feeling like this was the best route forward for me. My combined life experiences and strong desire to contribute to the world in a positive way and an email from the Green Party asking for candidates led me to my amazing experience!

My facebook page documenting my journey can be found here I'd love any feedback or thoughts you have.

The values of the GPO are what cemented the deal for me. They are as follows;

Ecological Wisdom
Social Justice
Participatory Democracy
Nonviolence
Respect For Diversity
Sustainability

Wow, right? Everything I've seen and participated on in my journey has shown the GPO to be a party made up of caring, devoted people who are not your average politicians. People who are imperfectly perfect and who do their very best to walk the walk. A grassroots party with people power that are committed to doing politics differently.

Some Summer Garden Pictures

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 18:18:00 +0000

As promised in the title;

Bee Balm - family Lamiaceae consisting of roughly 60 different species of Monarda and no, I don't know which kind I have!

This is a neat shot I got of one of my hibiscus

Another hibiscus

Nasturtium (Tropaeolum genus)

Bee Balm and Phlox

Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)

Basil and tomatoes - a match made in heaven!

London Bridges

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 31 Dec 2015 20:08:00 +0000

London Bridges

The city of London, Ontario is built around the Thames River. There are countless bridges along it as well as a biking / walking trail that follows it I decided to capture some of the bridges from the perspective of the river

Autumn

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 20:07:00 +0000

Autumn Glory

I just can't stay away from Gibbon's Park here in beautiful London, Ontario. You can see why!

Springbank Park Bike Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 25 Aug 2015 18:16:00 +0000

After a lackluster summer in the wild life department, this bike ride made up for it!

There was a Great Blue Heron - with a fish in it's beak...

Somebody else's lunch...

A red-tailed hawk...

That scared out an Osprey...

That I was too far away from to get a shot of fishing...

On my way out of the park I saw a momma deer with...

Her two babies!!

Another Great Day!!!

Hawks are getting ready

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 23 Mar 2015 18:27:00 +0000

Went for a bike ride today to Springbank Park. The main event of the day was a pair of red-tailed hawks courting and nest building. It was pretty neat to watch!

After this one flew towards us, I realized it was landing in a big tree pretty close to where we were.

Then a little while later we saw this and it wasn't until I got the pictures on here that I realized what s/he had in it's beak!
A big piece of grass!!

We then went for a ride to Fanshawe Dam to see if the eagles were out. They weren't, but I really liked this shot of the dam!

Just a little Jack Frost magic

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Oct 2014 19:04:00 +0000

Jack Frost

Keeping an eye on the weather, having everything prepared and a little luck are an essential part of capturing the fleeting wonder of frost

Baby Barn Owls

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 12 Aug 2014 19:11:00 +0000

Baby Barn Owls

I took these pictures of baby barn owls at the Beamer Conservation Area in Southern Ontario. They belong to the Canadian Raptor Conservancy. Barn owls are Endangered in Ontario- they need our help!
Bird Studies Canada is an amazing organization that gives you ways to help. Here's a link.

One barn owl eat rodents like rats, mice and voles so are a very beneficial predator to attract to your area!

Osprey Lunch time

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 25 Jul 2014 18:13:00 +0000

Went out to see what was going on at the osprey nest - lunch! I don't know personally if they fledged any babies this year or not, but a friend of mine seems to think they did. Hope so!

What a lady bug looks like before it gets it's wings!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 14 Jun 2014 18:10:00 +0000

This is the larval stage of a lady bug. I'd never thought of it before. This one fell on me while I was in the park, so I looked it up! Interesting.

Ball's Falls!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 19:13:00 +0000

The View

I got this shot at Ball's Falls in eastern Ontario. We had to go there when we saw the name of it!

Magical Snow Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 12 Dec 2013 20:15:00 +0000

Blanket of Snow

The beautiful Thames River in London, Ontario

Bruce Peninsula National Park

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 20 Jul 2013 18:14:00 +0000

There are just so many rocks, everywhere!!

The beach is even made of rocks!

The water is unbelievably clear - look, you can see all the rocks through the water, clear as anything!

This is the famous "grotto". It was very wavy. As we were only there for a short time, I didn't go in - I couldn't tell what was what. Given all the rocks, I was too intimidated to do more than sit at the edge and get splashed. That was enough - I almost got knocked over enough times just sitting there! We definitely have to go back when we can spend some more time there.

And when we come back I want to be in this perfect Canadian beer commercial! (this is Cypress Lake)

Beaver snack

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 30 May 2012 19:17:00 +0000

Beaver snack

I just liked this picture of a tree on a beaver lodge! Taken near Algonquin Park, Ontario

London Covent Garden

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:19:00 +0000

King Street

What stunning light outside the Covent Garden Market in London, Ontario

Magnolia ceiling

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:38:00 +0000

Magnolia Ceiling

One of the most welcome sights of spring, the gorgeous magnolia

Folmar Windmill

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 19:40:00 +0000

Folmar Windmill

This one one of the last working wind driven saw mills in Ontario

Old man winter hanging on

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 18:20:00 +0000

Winter doesn't want to give up, which is ok with me on days that end up this beautiful

Some Snow!!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 20:03:00 +0000

Snowy Branches

Winter is just so beautiful. We didn't get a lot of it this year - I had to run out quick every time it snowed in the hopes of capturing some of it's fleeting beauty

Bruce Peninsula Road Trip July 25, 2011 Caves

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 18:11:00 +0000

Bonnie and I went for our annual road trip in July. This time we made it all the way up to "the Bruce"!

We stopped at some "caves" along the way. These are known as escarpment caves because they form along the escarpment, underneath the massive wall of rock!

The ceilings in the caves were really interesting..

Then there are these types of spots - it gets a little scary if you stop to think about it too long!

Then we ended up with this view of Georgian Bay

Spectacular! I love Ontario.

Some of the remaining spring shots

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 18:02:00 +0000

I haven't posted anything in a long time! There hasn't really been a rainy enough day to do it all. There will, however be no time for lots of descriptions, so if you have any questions, just ask! I may get to some later and I may not! There is definitely a lot more time in the winter to do those things!

So, Enjoy. I will separate the posts by date...

Me parked in the woods at a dead end - just the way I like it!

Gibbons Park covered in dandelions - I love it!

False (as opposed to true!) Solomon's Seal

Awww - sharing under the feeder!

Obligatory Canada Goose with gosling shot - can't avoid them so...

Lets start with an Eagle nest!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 18:00:00 +0000

Well, it's been a busy summer and the weather has been great. Not much time to sit at the computer and post.
Bonnie and I had heard of a woods where there was another nest and so we decided to go for a walk! We never thought we'd see the nest - maybe just get lucky and see the eagle. We were more or less scoping out the terrain in anticipation of the fall or winter, when we thought we'd be able to find it.
We did see the eagle a couple of times. When we stopped for a break at the riverbank, I looked up and there it was - incredible. I was sooooo excited!!
I wasn't sure how many to post but then I thought "if I was looking for this kind of photo, I'd want to see a few", so here goes...Enjoy!

They're not the highest quality - the sky was overcast and I didn't have a tripod, but it was still pretty darn cool!

This is a juvenile in the nest and the adult sitting in a tree near the nest calling it's mate.

This is it not zoomed or cropped! See how far away it actually is.

This is the mate arriving

Look how big that baby is!

In this next shot you can see that there are two of them

When I saw this I knew they weren't worried about us. The one that had been watching the kids just wanted to get out of the house!

And off it went while the other one settled in the nest with the two juveniles.

And then there was the ever present heron down the way...