Chance encounter.

I like wandering the trails… you never know who you’ll run into.

Creature comforts.

This morning, the breeze was warm against my face as we walked to school. The birds flapped and fussed, the air carried a sweet, light scent (smelled like joy to me) and I DIDN’T EVEN NEED A JACKET.

In honour of this amazing spring day, I’ll share with you a few of the critters I “captured” during a recent hike. I’m guessing they’re just as excited as I am that spring has arrived.

This fuzzy guy is praying no one eats all the bird seed.

 

This guy couldn’t care less what the squirrel wants.

 

These aren’t technically ‘creatures’ but the masses of cattails were so pretty, I had to include them.

 

Wildlife photos are not my strength. One thing I’ve learned is that you’re supposed to get the bird’s eye in focus. I studied my photo of the chickadee. Did I get the eye in focus? I don’t know. Where’s the eye?! Also, I was so excited about getting an up-close shot of the bird that I inadvertently cut off its tail. Oh, well. You win some, you lose some.

 

“Did YOU eat all the bird seed?”

I hope it’s beautiful wherever you are. Thanks, as always, for stopping by.

Almost there.

Live and learn.

Caution:

To avoid injury, embarrassment, and at least one load of laundry, appropriate footwear* is strongly recommended when squelching through the mud beside a waterfall or attempting to descend a steep and slimy wooden staircase in the forest.

*1. Treads are helpful
2. Don’t wear Posh Wellies
3. Don’t wear any shoe with the word “Posh” in the brand name

Quiet time.

The fog hung low all day, still and thick. This morning the trail was almost deserted – one squirrel, one dog and its human. Aside from two lonely-looking ducks, I saw no other birds – and this place is usually teeming with them – so the air was strangely silent. Peaceful, but melancholy. The treeline across the pond stood shrouded in mist, faraway and dream-like.

I’ve never really tried to shoot photos in the fog, but here I had my chance.

I discovered this: it’s hard. My shots are grey, flat and washed-out, the subjects just shapeless blobs of darker grey.

I tried to pick a few that captured the ambience, but to me, these just don’t quite represent the surreal, pensive mood of the time and place.

Good night, all. Thanks, as always, for visiting.

A path into the mist.

 

The semi-frozen pond.

 

Hockey-loving folks have set up a rink on the pond, as they do every year, but with the mild temperatures no one will be venturing out there this week. The benches and equipment sit, deserted, in the haze.

 

Choices.