I've been reading through the proposed rural plan for our community tonight. This was put together by the Capitol Region Service Commission. Taking notes as I go. Many needed regulations, but also some silly stuff too. They're collecting feedback next week.

A Northern Flicker all puffed up, trying to stay warm on a chilly winter day! 🥶 Lunenburg NS #novascotia #canada 🪶 📸: CA Thomas

A Blue Jay showcasing beautiful blue feathers while arriving at the stump.

A frigid day here in #NewBrunswick but it didn't stop this Pine Grosbeak from making an appearance. Kent County, NB 📸 R Shortall #canada #birds 🪶

It was Christmas Bird Count day (albeit it a bit delayed). The Grey Jays (Whisky Jacks, Gorbys, Canada Jays etc) stole the show in Carleton County. 📸 T Livingstone #newbrunswick #canada 🪶

Hundreds of Bohemian waxwings this morning at Wilmot Park in #Fredericton, #newbrunswick #Canada 🪶 📸 G Murphy

A beautiful crimson sunrise in #Fredericton this morning ahead of today's messy storm. #newbrunswick #canada

Snow Bunting, commonly called a "Snow Bird" locally. Carleton County, #NewBrunswick 🪶 📸 D Chase

Evening Grosbeak / Dec. 26, 2025 / Kent County, #NewBrunswick #Canada 🪶 📸 R Shortall

Declared extinct in 2025: A look back at some of the species we lost

A look at our Saint John River at Pokiok, prior to the #Mactaquac Dam being constructed. All of this is under many feet of water now. It's a shame we can't let the river flow free once again - especially given the dam's questionable (and expensive) future. #newbrunswick #Canada

Many have been traveling far and wide to see this Painted Bunting in Bayfield, #NewBrunswick the past couple of weeks. An extremely rare visitor to our region, especially in December. 🪶 📸 D Fenwick

The so very sweet Canada Jay, in Queens County, New Brunswick. 📸 K Belliveau #Canada #newbrunswick 🪶

Lovely Christmas evening and morning. We did dinner last weekend, so just relaxing today. It snowed this morning bringing a perfect white Christmas. The trees are beautiful.

Pine Grosbeaks are popping up all over the area this December. Nice to see. #NewBrunswick #canada 🪶

Our utility company is frustrating. We have trees draped over the powerlines due to ice buildup. I called in today and they said "we'll send someone in 5 days to look at it...and cut it within 30 days if its deemed a risk. 😳

Looking like New Brunswick may see it's first taste of winter this upcoming week. #nbwx

Sunrise lit the whole hill on fire this morning — that perfect orange glow mirrored in the Saint John River. Nature showing off before I’ve even had coffee. 🌅🔥 #newbrunswick #Canada #sunrise 📸 D Brewer

A quiet frost-kissed morning here in #NewBrunswick where the world feels paused. Nature reminding us that even the coldest days can be beautiful. ❄️🌾 📸 P Harris Gordon

DNR came and shot this poor thing tonight while she was out having a drink along the shoreline. She's been wandering around the area for the past month, not hurting a thing. Such a waste. I can't imagine they fished her out of the water, either. Sickens me.

Both white breasted and red breasted nuthatches have been coming to the feeders. I put out peanuts this week and noticed they were storing them under the shingles on the roof. 🪶

I've always wanted to see a Tufted #Titmouse. Low and behold, one showed up to the feeders this week. Similar to Cardinals, which were a rare sighting in New Brunswick up until the last 5 years, titmice are becoming far more common. 🪶

Maine's Mount Katahdin, which is visible from most of Western #NewBrunswick, now has a blanket of snow on it's peaks. A definite sign of what's to come. #winter

Closed down Lakeland Ridges for another season this past weekend. The water level in the lake is exceptionally low due to the drought. Re-located a Wood Duck house and found a furry resident hiding in the wood shavings inside. 🐭 #NewBrunswick #Canada

We lost the remaining leaves on the trees this week with a wind and rain storm. Everything is grey, brown, and bleak. Coupled with the sun now setting an hour earlier, it sure takes some getting used to. I can't say I'm a fan. It all seemed to come at once this year.

Some big winds about to come though central York County. Surprised (no really) there's no statement out from Environment Canada. #nbwx

Some lightning showing up west of #Fredericton. Looking like some wind and rain to come. #nbwx

Just whipped up the Bow Tie Pasta Bake I saw on Kitchen Curious 🍝 — creamy, cheesy, and surprisingly tangy thanks to the kraut. All Spice added a unique twist. Definitely southern comfort food. Next time? I’ll dial back the sauerkraut so the beef and cheese can shine more #DinnerWin #FoodExperiment

There is much needed rain coming tonight. The horizon is quickly being overtaken by the first signs. #NewBrunswick #drought

We went to an estate sale today. It's always interesting (maybe a little sad) to get a glimpse into the lives of strangers who have passed and try to piece together their hobbies, interests, and activities. Picked up this 2008 book about the historic flooding of the Saint John River Valley.

Nothing screams "fall" quite like a pumpkin house. We're fortunate to have one not far away.

In just a day, volunteers found hundreds of birds that crashed into GTA buildings About 2,000 birds have died in the GTA in the last month flying into buildings, says group trying to help buff.ly/DOJTxzg #Birds #Urban #Architecture #Migration #Society

This morning's sunrise was spectacular. #NewBrunswick #eastcoastkin #blueskyartshow #Canada #sunrise

Glacial lakes have no shortage of boulders, and East Grand Lake on the border between #Maine and #NewBrunswick is no exception. The rock on the left is as big as a small house, and the one on the right isn't much smaller. The further one is in 15 to 20 feet of water, to give an idea of size.

You can always spot the oaks this time of year - they're among the last to change color. Many are still green! #trees #oaks #newbrunswick

STAY THE COURSE: Longer range guidance continues to suggest warmer-than-average temperatures for much of the U.S. & Canada (minus the West) into the second half of October. Cold & winter are coming, but there are no immediate signs just yet.

There were too many great pictures to choose from this morning at twilight, but I think this one nailed it. What a spectacular sight this morning at the riverside in Morrell Park, Fredericton. #HappyThanksgiving

One of my panoramic shots of the red hot sunrise this morning on Thanksgiving Day in Fredericton. The Princess Margaret Bridge is seen on the right in the distance.

Thanksgiving Day Sunrise at riverside on Waterloo Row, Fredericton, New Brunswick.

I love northern Minnesota sunrises! Here are a few recent shots. It was worth the hike in to this spot and waking up a 4am to get there.

I'd like to do more cooking with cast iron. Tonight, I attempted a skillet cake, but a flaw emerged toward the end of the cooking process: my skillet is too deep. The cake top scorched before the center was done. Tastes okay, but not a good presentation. 1st photo is the recipe image, 2nd my attempt

After an afternoon of desperately needed rain, the clouds parted just in time to produce a spectacular sunset. #NewBrunswick #eastcoastkin #blueskyartshow #Canada

Morning fog over downtown Fredericton — the city slowly waking beneath a soft blue sky, reflected in the calm Saint John River. #NewBrunswick #eastcoastkin #blueskyartshow #Canada #Fredericton

Tonight's sunset was just spectacular. #eastcoastkin #blueskyartshow #Canada #newbrunswick #Canada #fall #sunset 📸 D Brewer

Tonight's sunset was just spectacular. #eastcoastkin #blueskyartshow #Canada #newbrunswick #Canada #fall #sunset 📸 D Brewer

After an afternoon of desperately needed rain, the clouds parted just in time to produce a spectacular sunset. #NewBrunswick #eastcoastkin #blueskyartshow #Canada

Rainy fall days are anything but quiet! Trees take a deep drink before winter. Birds bathe and preen, amphibians emerge to feed, and mammals pause to drink. After a long dry stretch, we’re grateful for rain! #newbrunswick #eastcoastkin #Canada #blueskyartshow 📸 Meduxnekeag Valley Nature Preserve

Moose Mountain showing off its autumn colours — a perfect mirror of golds, reds, and blues under a bright October sky. 🍂🗻 #NewBrunswick #FallVibes #NaturePhotography #ExploreNB ##autumn #eastcoastkin #newbrunswick #Canada

Gold. Fiery reds. A landscape painted in autumn’s best—but beneath the beauty, signs of our severe #drought linger. Stream beds that should be flowing are dry, and the land feels thirsty even as the colors shine bright. 🍂🍁 #FallVibes #newbrunswick #eastcoastkin #blueskyartshow #Canada