I had a close encounter today. The hike began like all the others; making sure that I had all the items I required. Today that was my camera and bug spray just in case my new mosquito netting didn't work.

I didn't think I would get used to looking through the netting but it was not that bad; better than being mosquito bait. The netting is elasticized to fit over my ball cap. It comes down low enough to be tucked into the neckline of my shirt. The mosquitoes didn't have a chance today. 

When I leave the parking lot, I'm always looking at what is different from the previous visit. Today the clover was blooming and the bees and butterflies were plentiful. There were lots of other wildflowers in bloom; liatris, fleabane, bedstraw and blue eyed grass. The raspberries and strawberries are bearing fruit; providing a tasty snack on the trail.

I went with the intention of checking up on the swan family. I couldn't see them at the first viewpoint overlooking the pond. My sight was focused on the pond and not on the trail. My intention was to make it to the top of the hill; to my favorite bench. As I came round the bend and within 15 feet of the bench, I noticed some motion that distracted my pond watch.
Right in front of me, just 15 feet away stood a little spotted fawn. It stared at me. I stared at it. As I moved to get my camera, it bolted into the tall grass. Mama was in there. Both took off into the trees.

I sure wish I could have gotten a photo of that new babe. I did get a photo of the swan babes. They are getting bigger but still follow their mama around the pond. The male swan pulls up the rear; keeping everyone in a straight line.

It was a perfect outdoor day. The birds sang. Wind rustled the leaves. I got to see the swan family and best of all, I got to see that little fawn up close.

Happy trails til next Friday. Happy Canada Day!

Between the wind howling and the rain falling, I didn't get outside much this week but when I did it was eventful.

The ruby throated hummingbird that visits the yard regularly put on a little show for me. It parked itself at the top of a garden stake used to support my scarlet runner beans. It sat there looking as if it was waiting for those those beans to grow and flower so it could enjoy the red blossoms that will open.

There are a couple of families of Baltimore orioles that sing from the tree tops. Their song can be heard through the neighborhood. They have chosen a tree that is favored by the robins so there has been a few tussles between the orioles and robins. 

The bees have been active on the backyard bushes/plants that are in bloom. I've lived in the same place for 15 years and each year I've tried to get rid of plant that grew from under the fence. This year I thought 'why fight it' and let it grow. The plant is now about 4 feet tall and covered in blossoms. The blossoms in turn are filled with bees! It is the most entertaining spot in the yard.

I looked up the type of plant it is and found it to be comfrey which is also a medicinal plant. I won't be using it for medicine but watching the bees can be therapeutic. 

I made one trip to the swan pond and managed to come back with some blood left in me. The mosquitoes got the rest. The cygnets are growing and feeding with their parents. What fun it is to park myself on the look out bench and watch their interactions. Both mom/dad are actively involved in the 'child rearing'.

The perennials are blooming. The garden is growing. There is an abundance of birds in the yard. There was also a deer and a porcupine. 

The deer headed straight to the garden. Luckily I was on the deck and saw this. I put out the motion sensor sprinkler immediately to keep the critters out of the garden. 

The porcupine was using my yard as a short cut to get to the forest. I was putting netting over the berry patch and saw movement a short distance away. Thinking it was a cat headed to the garden beds, I was ready to shoo it away. It was rather surprising to see a porcupine bee-lining it through the yard. He was startled by the sprinkler and moved a bit quicker to get where he was going.

I love my yard. There is lots of action for me to watch when I can't get out to the trails. I hope you have the opportunity to do the same in your yard. 

Happy trails!

I had time to visit the swan pond today. I fought off the swarms of mosquitoes and couldn't open my mouth for fear of swallowing some unwanted extra protein. Those pesky insects were everywhere. I think I used an entire can of OFF.

The recently hatched cygnets were swimming when I arrived at the pond. There were four grey fuzzy bodies following their parents. When it was feeding time, two went with mama and two went with papa. The abundance of duck weed on the pond surface made for easy feeding.

What a joy it has been to watch this family. I got to see the parents pick the spot for their nest. I got to see them pull the reeds to construct the nest itself. I got to see mama swan sitting on her nest and papa defending the nesting site when the geese came to close.

Last week the babies hatched and mama was having a difficult time trying to keep them under her body in the nest. This week they were learning to swim and forage for food. Love it!

Green. Everything is so green. The trails are lined with lush growth. There are wildflowers adding pops of color amidst the tall grasses and underbrush. The mosquitoes lay in wait for the next tasty human that wanders along the trail.

The wildlife, waterfowl and insects are active at all my favorite trails. Pelicans and great blue herons soar over Astotin Lake at Elk Island National Park. Baby geese feed on the young grass growing in the ditches. New bison calves romp through the herd. Dragonflies are everywhere.

At the Beaver Hills Biodiversity Trail, the swan eggs hatched this week. The cygnets have not been swimming yet but it is fun to watch mama try to sit down on her nest. It is a feat for her to have all those babes tucked underneath. She moves one into place with her bill and another pops out on the other side. The beavers are busy working on new dams. There is action everywhere.

The birds in the backyard have been active as well. A couple of Baltimore orioles sing from the tree tops. Their bright orange feathers really stand out against the green leaves. There are gold finches, purple finches, hummingbirds, chickadees, nuthatches, robins, magpies, blue jays and a couple of yet undetermined birds making frequent trips to the feeders. The bees and butterflies are feeding on the flowers that are blooming.

I glanced out the window this morning and saw a skunk running from the forest behind my yard to the back of my garage. I hoped my yard cat was not in his usual spot because the skunk was headed straight for it. 

I encourage you to take a stroll through your neighborhood if you cannot make it out to a local trail. Watch for nature in action. You may not have moose or elk or deer to watch but the nesting birds, the bees and butterflies will provide some great entertainment. Happy trails.

+5

This has been a fabulous week of firsts. First time seeing elk on the Biodiversity trail. First time this year seeing a doe and her new fawn. First time seeing a cow elk and her new calf. First time seeing the pelicans this year. First time seeing 4 blue herons on the same outing.
I got to trail only twice in the past week, yet I managed to see all these amazing things.
The trails are lush and green. The leaves on the trees have fully opened. The wildflowers are in bloom. The birds are active. The mosquitoes move in a big cloud over your head, much like the dust cloud that follows Pig Pen in the Charlie Brown cartoon.

Today's visit to the Biodiversity trail and to Elk Island made up for the fact that I didn't get out this week. The pelicans are back at Astotin Lake. They are always entertaining to watch. 

They swim in unison; much like synchronized swimmers. The herons flew overhead. I've had occasion to see a couple of them on the same outing but today we saw four!

I went for a second visit to the Biodiversity trail today and noticed an elk grazing along the 'swan pond'. On a previous visit I noticed about 8 of them making their way through the forest. The one that I saw today had a tag in its ear. It appears to be on the loose; animal number 126 from somebody's herd.

My busiest time of year at work is almost over. I'll be sure to take advantage of any free time to get to the trails. Things are changing daily and it is great fun to watch the new babies as they come out of hiding.

I encourage everyone to try to get out to a trail near you to experience nature at its finest.