It's New Year's Eve which means time for reflection on the past year.  2014 was a great year and a year of many firsts.

I saw a Great Grey Owl in action for the first time.  It sat atop a fence post, dived into the tall grass and came back to the fence post with an afternoon snack.  What a great moment that was!

The hiking trails at Cooking Lake - Blackfoot Recreation area provided a couple of firsts.  I wandered into a slough area and found two Greater Yellowlegs perched on a log.  That was a fantastic find.  I added them to my birding list.  

During the latter part of August, the garter snakes were gathering, providing me with many opportunities to observe them.  I had previously seen one or two of them but this was a first to see that many gathered together.

My backyard provided a number of firsts.  The garden beds were very productive and 2014 was the first year that I was successful in growing five pumpkins to maturity.  The deer continued to visit through the winter months.  It was the first time that I saw three different bucks come to the food dish; one with a large set of antlers.

Elk Island National Park provided a number of firsts.  I had the opportunity to watch a moose make its way across an open meadow area until it came to within ten feet of my vehicle.  It stopped to drink from a puddle in the ditch while I was snapping portraits.

The beaver at Astotin Lake put on quite the show.  I got to see one take down a tree.  I was so close to it that I could hear the teeth cut through the wood.

I went camping on four separate occasions to the Nordegg area.  During the camp outs, it was the first time that I was caught in a tent in a hailstorm that battered the surroundings with loonie sized hail.  On another trip, it was the first time that I experienced the mild tremor of an earthquake in that area.

The wildlife in this area provide so many firsts.  It may not be the first time that I have seen a particular animal or bird but the situation was a first; like the pileated woodpecker that frequents the backyard but had never landed on my deck rail before.

Nature provides so many opportunities to explore and experience 'firsts'.  We just need to turn off all the devices, take the time to visit the woods,  open our eyes, use all of our senses and tune out the noise of everyday life.  You never know what you will find or what you will experience.  You might get to see the beauty of dew drops on a ladybug or the glistening crystals of hoar frost on a sunny winter morning.  Let the year 2015 be your year of firsts.  Happy New Year!