Oh What a Beautiful Morning!

I ventured to Elk Island Park last night in search of some wildlife to photograph.  I also wanted to check out the hiking trails.  There was so much snow this winter that I thought many spots on my favorite trail would be under water.  I was right about that.  There is still snow in many of the sheltered spots.

I stopped at Astotin Lake.  Every picnic table was in use and lawn chairs were set up along the beach area even though the ice still has not broken up.  The playground was filled with children.  There were a lot of people enjoying the mild weather.

There is a beautiful slough close to the parking lot.  The water looked like a sheet of glass so it was easy to spot the creatures swimming in it.  The beaver family has a lodge close to the road and there was one hungry beaver having a little snack close by.  It's wet coat glistened in the evening sun.  

The waterfowl were enjoying the pond as well.  Canada Geese and Mallard ducks were swimming close to the beaver lodge.  One lone Red-necked Grebe was swimming at the opposite end.



As I was leaving the area, I glimpsed some movement to my right.  Another beaver was sitting on the shore, nibbling on a young branch.  I watched as it took a break to groom itself before diving back into the water.

I drove the parkway to the north boundary.  Each slough area was teeming with waterfowl.  I didn't have the binoculars but I could see that there were many different species.  The few that I could pick out included Buffleheads, a Common Loon, Mallard Ducks and Canada Geese; all out for a leisurely evening swim.


The bison were also enjoying the beautiful evening.  Many were grazing along the roadside.  I saw herds of them in the distance.

I had a window open in my vehicle.  There was one common sound throughout my drive.  The calls of the boreal tree frogs filled the evening air.  I pulled over at one slough to listen.  Their choir was so loud that it was almost deafening.  Oh the sounds of spring!

I detoured from my usual route home so I could drive by the Strathcona Wilderness Center.  White tailed deer were grazing in an open field.  Ducks and geese were swimming in the roadside ponds.  Two porcupines were sunning themselves at the edge of the forest.  A muskrat scurried across the road.

I set out with the hope that I would see some of my favorite creatures.  I got more than I had hoped for.  As I opened my vehicle door when I got home, I heard the frogs in the forest behind my house.  Low-flying geese honked as they passed overhead.  A robin sang from the poplar tree beside my driveway.  I heard a flock of cranes as they circled to the west of my yard.  It appeared that they were looking for a place to set down.  Later in the evening, I could hear them from the lake across the road from my lot.  The ice has not broken up there yet but there was some open water along the edge already.

As I stood on my deck taking in the sounds of a beautiful spring evening, the smell of a bonfire wafted through the yard.  Got to love it!  It's difficult to believe that all that snow is gone.  After seeing the snow cover for 6 months, it's hard to accept the brown.

I wasn't dreaming last night.  It really is spring and the snow really is gone.  The patio door is open this morning.  The song birds are singing.  The frogs are croaking.  The sun is streaming through the door.  I'm enjoying a cup of coffee in front the window; taking in the sounds and sights of a wonderful spring morning. Finally.