SUMMER-SAILING: September 2011

My old work place-

Right on red???

Red starboard hand buoys

Marks the starboard (right) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kept on the starboard (right) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the upstream direction;
is coloured red;
displays identification letter(s) and even number(s);
if it carries a top mark, the top mark is a single red cone, pointing upward;
if it carries a light, the light is red and is a flashing (F1) 4 s or quick flashing (Q) 1 s;
if the buoy does not carry a light, it has a pointed top.

Linda & Eric

Crane

Kelly-Linda-Eric-Janet

Thom-Kelly-Eric aka Unka Tobee-Janet

The Hampton Marsh is recognized as one of the most fertile and productive wetland systems in New Brunswick. These wetlands, covering approximately 2000 hectares (5000 acres), are located along the Kennebecasis River within and around the communities of Hampton, Quispamsis and Nauwigewauk. Wetlands support the most diverse wildlife communities of any natural habitats. 201 acres in the Hampton Kennebecasis Marsh system have been developed by Ducks Unlimited Canada. These sites provide brood habitat for such waterfowl as black ducks, blue winged teal, wood ducks, mallards and shovellers as well as nesting habitat for other marsh birds such as rails, yellow throats and bitterns. Birds and mammals including eagles, osprey, swallows, blackbirds, several species of crane, moose, beaver, muskrat and otter also use these wetlands as foraging areas.

Water levels are influenced by spring flooding and daily tides. During spring floods water covers the marsh and surrounding fields and replenishes nutrients. The flood waters disappear by late June leaving marshes, ponds, wooded areas and wet meadows.
    The extensive marshes receive tidal water every day. The flushing of the tides, the unique vegetation and the variety of wildlife make these one of the most valuable marshes in the Province.
    Fish such as chain pickerel, yellow perch, smallmouth bass and sturgeon attract hundreds of anglers to the waters each year. Commercial fishermen catch gaspereau and American eel. Salmon and sea run brook trout migrate through the marsh system on their way to spawning grounds.
    Plants such as wild rice, arrowhead and bur-reed provide food for wildlife. Alders, willows and larger hardwoods such as silver maple and black ash provide nesting areas, food and escape cover.     The wetlands of the Hampton area provide many recreational opportunities to local residents and tourists, including wildlife viewing, hunting and fishing. The rivers, lakes and marshes provide boating and canoeing opportunities, and during the winter are used for cross-country skiing and ice skating.

This is the life !!!!! I love this photo...

Cormorants and shags are medium-to-large seabirds. They range in size from the Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus), at as little as 45 cm (18 in) and 340 g (12 oz), to the Flightless Cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi), at a maximum size 100 cm (40 in) and 5 kg (11 lb). The recently-extinct Spectacled Cormorant (Phalacrocorax perspicillatus) was rather larger, at an average size of 6.3 kg (14 lb). The majority, including nearly all Northern Hemisphere species, have mainly dark plumage, but some Southern Hemisphere species are black and white, and a few (e.g. the Spotted Shag of New Zealand) are quite colourful. Many species have areas of coloured skin on the face (the lores and the gular skin) which can be bright blue, orange, red or yellow, typically becoming more brightly coloured in the breeding season. The bill is long, thin, and sharply hooked. Their feet have webbing between all four toes, as in their relatives.

They are coastal rather than oceanic birds, and some have colonised inland waters - indeed, the original ancestor of cormorants seems to have been a fresh-water bird, judging from the habitat of the most ancient lineage. They range around the world, except for the central Pacific islands. All are fish-eaters, dining on small eels, fish, and even water snakes. They dive from the surface, though many species make a characteristic half-jump as they dive, presumably to give themselves a more streamlined entry into the water. Under water they propel themselves with their feet. Some cormorant species have been found, using depth gauges, to dive to depths of as much as 45 metres. After fishing, cormorants go ashore, and are frequently seen holding their wings out in the sun; it is assumed that this is to dry them. Unusually for a water bird, their feathers are not waterproofed. This may help them dive quickly, since their feathers do not retain air bubbles. Cormorants are colonial nesters, using trees, rocky islets, or cliffs. The eggs are a chalky-blue colour. There is usually one brood a year. The young are fed through regurgitation. They typically have deep, ungainly bills, showing a greater resemblance to those of the pelicans', to which they are related, than is obvious in the adults.

I love buoys...boys...

Green port hand buoys

marks the port (left) side of a channel or the location of a danger and must be kept on the port (left) side of a pleasure craft when proceeding in the upstream direction;
it is coloured green;
displays identification letter(s) and odd number(s);
if it carries a top mark, the top mark is a single green cylinder;
if it carries a light, the light is green and is a flashing (FI) 4 s or quick flashing (Q) 1 s;
if the buoy does not carry a light, it has a flat top.