Friday, November 8, 2013

In the Presence of Oddity

This is a scheduled post. Photos were taken over the past couple of months. I'm busy packing up a trailer and planning my move in a few days. I'll meet you over at the new place soon! 

I feel comfortable in the presence of oddity. Probably because I'm a little bit odd.
~ Martha Plimpton

This post is all about oddities - things that are out of place or our of their proper timeline.

pd palm
My sister lives in Port Dover, Ontario and although it's pretty southern as far as the province goes, it's still significantly northern as far as palm trees go. And yet here's one of several which beautifies the beach view every year. We have very cold and snowy winters so they can't grow there naturally. This restaurant, Callahan's Beach House has borrowed and planted them every May and then dug them up again in late autumn so that they can continue their lives in greenhouses. In recent years, they have simply left them growing on the beach until icy weather does them in. Then they plant new ones the following spring.  Just imagine walking through the snow and seeing palm trees.




Ridgetown
The Ridgetown is a 1905 Chicago-built freighter with an interesting history. She serves as a breakwater off the shore of Port Credit in Lake Ontario. You can read about how she got there, here.





flying machine2
I apologize for the extremely poor quality of this and the next image. It was taken through the windshield, while my son was driving, with nothing zoomier than a portrait lens. I thought my eyes deceived me and I'm still not sure how or why this "flying machine" was soaring across the highway, high in the sky.





flying machine
This is the best I could do by enlarging and cropping. It still has me scratching my head.






the buccaneer
This pirate ship is docked pretty close to our new place, on the opposite shore. If you look closely, you'll see that it's actually a boathouse and probably a bunkie or playhouse for the kids.






the buccaneer2
In fact, there's a little cutie peeking out from beside one of the pirates. The folks who designed and built this have no shortage of creativity.






boot outside my windo
This boot was climbing a ladder outside my office window, just beyond my computer monitor. Was I worried? Nah. It belonged to one of the roofers who was laying new shingles, in the hopes of making my house ready for sale. It's not every day you see a man on a ladder outside your window, so how could I not snap a quick shot?


 




baby squirrel2
Last but not least, we have this little out of place cutie. My neighbour, Caroline and I were walking along the park path when we saw some teenaged girls mildly distressed by something following them. We looked down to see this very young squirrel who was quite determined to chase after someone. I remembered the orphaned raccoon kits, Sugar and Spike, under my deck, and how they sought out human help when they were cold and hungry. We stopped, and the squirrel immediately turned its attention to us, first climbing Caroline's leg and then mine.

I picked it up and held it in the palm of one hand and rubbed her back and belly with the other. It was cold and desperate for food. She tried sucking the end of my finger. Another neighbour of ours, Nicky (who orchestrated the raccoon rescue along with her daughter, Sarah), would know how to care for her. When we got to Nicky's place, she readied a small carrier for her and headed off to the pet store to get her some squirrel specific formula. She estimated her age to be about five weeks.

Although Nicky wasn't entirely certain of the diagnosis, she believes this little thing was ill with squirrel pox - which developed over the next few days. She is a member of the Grey squirrel family (despite her black fur, she's still an Eastern Grey) and therefore has built up something of an immunity to the disease. She will likely survive it. But she will also always be a carrier and can never be released since it is quite deadly for our red squirrel population. I should learn more the next time I see Nicky and I'll be sure to fill you in.*

baby squirrel
Despite her illness, this little cutie is very affectionate, energetic and bright. Thankfully she's in good hands. The hands in the picture belong to Caroline's husband Lloyd.

*And now, I do know more. We learned that what this sweetie had was a nasty but now-cured abscess and nothing more sinister than that. She's healthy, energetic, growing and full of mischief. She's also extremely affectionate according to Nicky. We went to visit her semi-recently and she was understandably a bit wary of us but in fine shape - she jumped up toward the ceiling to watch us.  


squirrel sweetie
See for yourself.

More photos coming up soon.

46 comments:

Birdie said...

The squirrel is adorable! I didn't know they could be tamed enough to be pets. How long to the live?

Love the boot shot. :-)

Glo said...

How odd! I recently did a post on oddities as well. In fact I have seen what your little black cutie may grow up to be!

Good luck with your moving ~

Anonymous said...

I've never seen a black squirrel. Or a red one, come to think of it. I'm glad she's okay. I love the pirate boathouse. So fun.

Ercotravels said...

Beautiful structure of the ship and baby squirrel looking cute..
Nice post!

Andy said...

Hilary I am glad you took the time for a prescheduled post. I actually found this batch of photos interesting and education. I have never been to Port Dover but thanks to you I am going to try and make a visit there.

Theresa said...

Adorable little squirrel, although sometimes we do refer to them as rats with good press..... In my barn they are not a welcome presence in any color.

The flying machine looks like it was a powered hang glider, that one with a trike frame. I'll bet the pilot can disconnect and have a trike for ground riding too. My sill DH has a powered Paraglider, so I've seen all sorts of the stupid and dangerous up in the skies..

Brian Miller said...

what a cute little squirrel...glad you helped him out a bit...that pirate ship dock is really cool as well...hope all the moving goes well! smiles.

June said...

We have those ultralight "flying machines" buzzing over our house all summer. They take off from an airport eight or nine miles away and wander all around looking at the scenery from the air.
NOW,the baby squirrel!!! OMG. Beautiful shiny black coat and shoebutton eyes! I'm so glad the little thing is healthy now. I would get so attached that I wouldn't be able to let her go . . . except I bet when she reaches adulthood, she will want, in the worst way, to be LET GO!

messymimi said...

Wildlife rescue is amazing work -- we have a great place here in town, and i'm glad you have a friend who can help with these things.

Leah J. Utas said...

Cool.
And I adore the rescue squirrel.

Indrani said...

Great pics.
I have never seen a black squirrel, wonder if its has any tags like black cats. :)
Have a great weekend Hilary!

sage said...

what a neat boathouse, and the squirrel is cute. I rescued a squirrel when I was a kid, it had been hit by a car. It became very affectionate.

Anonymous said...

Neat boathouse.. and oh gosh, that poor little squirrel. Hope all goes well for him.

TexWisGirl said...

the pirate ship is so interesting! wow! that little black squirrel stole the show. so glad she is recuperating and is in very capable hands!!!

Red said...

I like your theme posts. Many of us pass by oddities and never classify them in a special category. I'll take the guy with the pirate ship boathouse for my architect anytime.

Gail Dixon said...

After reading the squirrel story and seeing the photos, I feel bad about my previous rants about the squirrels in my yard. I'm so glad that she's healthy and well again, but is she able to be released back into the wild?

Marvelous shots of the palm tree and pirate ship. I could see myself living on that thing. Forever. How cool!

ds said...

I'm glad that little squirrel is going to be okay. Love love that pirate ship--such a clever idea! Best of luck with your continued packing. I look forward to more "oddities" for without them life would be dull indeed.
Thank you.

stephen Hayes said...

When I was a kid I would have turned inside out over that pirate ship. I still think it's pretty darn cool.

Lisa Gordon said...

Wishing you the best with your move, Hilary!

Jackie said...

When I saw your title, I couldn't WAIT to see your photos. You are one of the finest photographers, and to know that you are going to post "oddities"....well, I couldn't wait. I wasn't disappointed. Each photograph and description held me captivated.
You are the best!

Anvilcloud said...

When you said that those who built to pirate boathouse had no shortage of creativity, I thought, "They aren't exactly short of funds, either." Other than that my only observation is that this blog is getting pretty darn squirrely.

Suldog said...

That restaurant does the same with their palms as I do with my grapefruit tree. No, I don't leave it in the snow and get a new one next year. I bring it inside for the winter. This works now, as it is still small enough to fit inside, but I fear in a year or two I will have to find someone with a taller roof to give it shelter.

Betty Manousos said...

aww, the squirrel is adorable!

wishing you the beat with your move my friend.

big hugs!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Oh my. I love the pirate-ship boat house. So creative and fun. And the little black cutie that you rescued is adorable. Do you think she'll be able to be released into the wild eventually?

lime said...

happy packing! my mom flew one of those ultralight thingies years ago and loved it. that boathouse is really very cool. i'd love to see the inside of it.

Rita said...

The pirate ship playhouse is amazing!
The black squirrel--wow! I'm glad she's okay. The only place I had ever seen black squirrels was in Toronto Canada in 1969 and I was struck by their beauty. :)

Anonymous said...

What great shots - I love the idea of seeing palm trees in the snow. And how lovely to hear the squirrel is doing well.

Midlife Roadtripper said...

How fun was that! I'm torn between the beautiful squirrel and the palm trees on a beautiful Lake Ontario beach. I was 19 before I saw my first palm tree - in Florida. Can't imagine having seen one while living in the north country. What fun.

Enjoyed it. Good luck with the move. Gotta love that when its all over.

Shammickite said...

I want a pirate ship with palm trees planted outside and a pet squirrel jumping around on the inside!

Linda said...

I love the pictures and the story of the black gray squirrel. Such a cute little fellow. Glad he wasn't too sick.

Good luck on getting your stuff moved into your new place.

Hena Tayeb said...

good luck with the packing and moving

Dianne said...

bless you and Nicky for helping the sweet one

love the pirate ship, hope you get to know those neighbors and get to visit the ship

Crabby McSlacker said...

Wow, love all the pics, especially pirate ship and squirrel!

Black squirrels are an oddity to me even when in the outdoors doing normal squirrelly things, we don't have 'em that color down here. But a black indoor squirrel is definitely unusual.

And have a great move!

Daryl said...

this is a wonderful post ... i enjoyed every photo and all the commentary ... thanks

Terra said...

Cute squirrel story, and I adore that pirate boat house. A lot of creativity and money went into building it.

Jenn Jilks said...

Can't wait for photos from the new place!

Bossy Betty said...

Amazing pictures! Thinking of you during your move.

Unknown said...

Good looking the pirate ship and cute squirrel!!!
Nice post with beautiful photos.

Redbush said...

So glad you rescued that cute little one. Thanks to you, she'll make it!

Bob Bushell said...

The black Raccoon, it is a cutie, I love it.

Anita said...

You're right - it is all a bit unusual. I don't see palm trees, even where I live which is way south of you. The boathouse looks like something a pirate would like, and I'm not accustomed to squirrels being pets. Good finds!

CiCi said...

This must be a busy but happy time for you. Enjoy the move, the reason for it, and the bright future living there. The baby squirrel is so sweet.

Unknown said...

How nice of you to post, Hilary, with so much going on at once. May your move go smoothly, and may you settle in soon! :)

Kerri Farley said...

Thank you for rescuing that beauty!!
and
Good Luck with the Move!!

Haddock said...

That squirrel does look energetic.

Anonymous said...

wow, that one is really jet black. I have never seen one that black. It's really cute.

Sunset and Icicles