It sure pays off to be on the trail in the early morning. The warm rays of sunlight stream through the branches. Long shadows are cast across the trail. The forest is quiet and calm and the ideal place to be after spending a few noisy days at work.

I got to my favorite spot on the trail where the spruce trees tower overhead. I caught sight of two moose but they caught sight of me as well and ran off into the trees.

As I approached where I saw them exit the trail and enter the forest, I could hear them crashing through the underbrush. I knew they were headed to the same place that I was and knew more or less where they were going to come back on the trail.

I was right. The female was on the trail already and I could hear the male making his way up the steep bank. It pays to be patient as I caught him on video as he came out of the trees.
What amazing animals. They paid no attention to me. I couldn't pass them so spent about forty five minutes observing as they made their way slowly down the trail; nibbling here and munching there.

It was the best outing in a long while. In addition to finding the moose, I found the swans! I thought they were gone for the season but they had moved to another pond. All four young ones survived and are almost big enough to start their journey south.

Starting my day on the trail was a great way to get motivated to get my deck stained. I need one more sunny day and the job will be done and I can spend more than a couple of hours in the woods. Can't wait.

I was supposed to be staining the deck today but Mother Nature had other plans for me which was okay. It turned into a day of rest which means a couple naps in the tent. I thought a tree would come crashing down on top of it but that thought lasted only until my eyelids closed.

The wind gusted and broke branches. Twigs and leaves littered the deck that I had cleaned last week. Oh well, tomorrow is another day and I'll have to spend an hour or so picking all the leaves out of the cracks between the boards before I can bring the can of stain out.

Last week was HOT! The temperatures were unusual for the month of September in Alberta. It made for some nice days to enjoy the outdoors.

I spent a lot of time in the yard admiring the autumn blossoms. The bees are still busy gathering pollen. They are really enjoying the sunflower heads. Their pollen laden legs get heavy which makes for some slower flying.

I ordered more Alberta wildflowers for the yard. They arrived as healthy plugs. I planted them and there is lots of new growth showing. I was so excited about this that I ordered more! They should be arriving this week so I'll have to prepare some places to plant them.

I found time for a quick hike at the Beaver Hills Biodiversity trail. Some new way-finding markers and interpretive signs have been installed. 

The number of birds on the ponds has diminished. They've begun their trek south. As I sat on my 'thinking' bench, flocks of cranes flew overhead. What a glorious sound.

The leaves are turning color along the trail and the berries are ripening. I could smell autumn in the woods and for me that is a great smell because the fall/winter season is my favorite time of year.

 

It's the Labor Day weekend and most of the neighbors have left for a last chance at camping. I didn't have to leave. The tent has been up in the backyard for more than a month so when the urge to camp hits me, all I have to do is head to my private campsite.

The fire pit gets lit and my favorite chair gets pulled up close. Steam from a hot cup of coffee dissipates into the cool autumn air. I only got to go camping at Nordegg once this summer but that's okay because I accomplished a lot around the yard and got to spend the overnight in my backyard tent.

The cool night time air makes for great sleeping conditions. I like listening to the rain on the tent dome and the morning birds as they awaken. Once I roll out of the cot and unzip the door, I'm ready to enjoy the backyard and the projects planned for it. 

It's the best of both worlds; after all, I do live at the lake and can hear the water birds and can smell the lake smells. I just don't live water front but my tent is probably closer to the water than what I would be at a camp site.

I'm finally able to see the vision that I had for my backyard. The shrubs are filling in nicely. The perennials are inviting the bees and butterflies into the yard. The berry producing trees had fruit for the first time in four years. It's no wonder I didn't want to leave home.

I'm in the process of staining the back deck. The temperature is one that I can tolerate now and the birds provide the entertainment when I want to take a break. The geese and the cranes circle overhead as they prepare for their trek south.

Autumn is next favorite season to winter and I plan on spending as much of my time enjoying it as I'm able to.