Does Santa Wear Sunglasses?

Last year's tree was not so bright
heard about it quite forthright
in the spirit of this season
it was an obvious reason
for twas a key to the holiday rite.

So it came to pass in these days
that there went out a loud decree
from Caesar Jannustus
not a vague thus and thus
there will be more lights on this tree.

Research was done, methods were found,
on this year's tree lights will abound
many trips to the store
and then several times more
now we have tree lights galore.

Then hours were spent like wrapping a present
careful with each light and its placement
Now none can declare
that this fir tree is bare
just sit back and admire from your chair.

Santa will find us with this guiding light
literally thousands of bulbs aglow
his course will be bright
But I sure do hope
Santa wears sunglasses at night.

Night Fall

These photos were taken this week, except for the last two which were taken on 9/10.



Turn up the volume and listen to this video. Ignore the obnoxious auto focus noise. But enjoy the coyotes!

Fall Foliage 2010

The fall colors are really starting to show. These photos were taken September 18.

New Camera

I got a new camera several months ago. So I've been experimenting with different settings, finding its limitations, and enjoying its capabilities. Here are a few results.

Yellow-billed Cuckoo

Sunday afternoon, Father's Day, enjoying a few moments in the woods up on the hill in Biscuit Hollow, I see this bird in the tree canopy. I didn't know what it was.
It was a real shock when I later identified it as a Yellow-billed Cuckoo. I knew my parents raised at least one real cuckoo in this valley. But I had no idea we had cuckoo birds around here.

Senior Prom

Jeff and Jordon before the Senior Prom. Dinner at Simon's, a Japanese steak house.


Fox's Automotive Group donated the use of this vehicle for the evening.

Scholarships

I think Jeff probably wishes he had given them his Sr. picture rather than letting them use the picture the tellers took for the Monthly newsletter of our Credit Union. Jeff won the scholarship for Steuben County by writing an essay on the history and benefits of credit unions, or something like that, he says. He also received scholarships from the Youth Lacrosse Association, a golf association, and Wegmans.

Oh, and his college plans have changed, but not yet finalized. Stay tuned.

First Fish

Jeff's Uncle Mark and Aunt Jackie came for graduation weekend. Accompanied, of course, by Jeff's fan club, cousins Sarah and Mike. A trip to the farm was in order as Mike wanted to fish. This was the first time anyone has fished the pond since it was stocked 3 years ago. On his first cast, he caught his first lifetime fish and the first fish caught from our pond. At 3 years old, the fish, and subsequent fish, were 10" - 12" long. Mike also won the prize for most fish caught.
Sarah got in on the angling and caught 2 or 3 compared to Mike's 5 or so.


Andrew and Jeff, not as many.
Jackie and Jann cheered us all on.
I was kept busy changing lures and unhooking fish. All were released safely. I think though that the population needs a correction, so I might have a fish fry later this summer.

The traditional cookout.
And Jeff smacking his lips from the S'more he just ate. But notice the deer in the background that hung around for 15 minutes or so, oblivious to what was going on 40 yards away.
No visit to the farm by visitors is complete without a tour via the ATVs.The view that evening.

Seeing Double

This weekend's wildlife sighting highlights included a bear and these twin fawns.
Lined up with their spots in a row. Seen by Jann, Jeff, Jordan, and moi.

Bulkley Hollow Bears

Here's some pictures of a mother bear and some of her cubs that we saw Sunday night. They were not on our property, but only about 2.5 miles from the farm. There were 4 cubs in total but I could never get them all together in one shot. It was fun to watch them scramble up and down the trees. At one point 2 of them were hanging from branches by their front paws before they dropped to the ground. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture or video of that.

Good vs. Evil

Mockingbird: Won't You Sing

I have enjoyed watching, and listening to, a pair of mockingbirds that are nesting near my office in Bath this week. Their play list of songs is amazing!

Jeff's Graduation

End of an Era

#22 Jeff played in what is expected to be the last East vs. West game last week. The School Board has decided to merge the sports teams as a cost saving measure.

2010 recipients of the Michael J Schwartz Memorial Scholarship from left Dieter Treusdell, Jeff Sienkiewicz, Schwartz's wife Karen, Joe Martuscello, Matt Nehring and Corning Painted Post Youth Lacrosse board member Kelly Nehring pose for a picture during halftime of the East West game.