Wildlife and Pancakes

I am in Manomet, Plymouth, MA watching the birds and animals do their Spring thing. Unfortunately, Spring has been rather cool and windy, Ian, who's working and living at his job at MBO (Manomet Bird Observatory) says the nets have been closed more than usual due to bad weather. The animals don't seem to mind and I love trying to get good photos of them.

Mourning Doves having a party at our birdbath with an always present squirrel in the background.

Imagine eating upside down.

Gold Finch.

House Finch and Gold Finch, both very common at our feeders.

A lovely type of Rudbeckia I picked up in Virginia about 6 years ago.

This muskrat lives by our dock and has been coming on land more frequently to gather grass.

Not really 'wildlife'.  A relaxed Milo giving himself a bath on Ian's shoulders.

The other side of our pond looking toward our cottage in the trees. Ian likes this sandbar for shore birds.

Ian at Manomet Point looking for birds.

There are now 5 cygnets, 2 are on the mother's back.

Poison Ivy alert. This has grown to hedge proportions over at Manomet Point.

The goose family is thriving.

Banana Walnut Pancakes.

Easy, vegan and good for you:-)

2 or 3 ripe bananas mashed

3 tablespoons olive oil or other vegetable oil

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3 tablespoons brown sugar (or white if you don't have brown)

Mix all of these together in a bowl.

Add

2 cups of whole wheat pastry flour, or any other flour

2 teaspoons baking powder* 

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Stir then add

1/2 cup of walnuts, toasted optional to bring out their flavor

2 cups of liquid: I use half Almond milk and half orange juice

When mixed together pour by large mixing size spoonfuls onto an oiled skillet or griddle, wait for tiny bubbles to form, flip, cook and eat with Agave Nectar poured on top.  The most challenging part of making pancakes is keeping the heat just right for your pan, medium to low is about right.

*To check your baking powder for freshness combine 1 teaspoon of baking powder with 3 tablespoons of hot water. If it bubbles, it's fresh. If not, it's time to buy a new can.

My favorite Almond milk.

I also use this flour when I'm out of Whole Wheat Pastry Flour.

Waiting for the tiny bubbles.

Also delicious with all fruit jam.