There was a lot of packing up to do after Christmas but I couldn't help but push it all aside and take advantage of the beautiful weather.  The tree and the ornaments could stay up another couple of days.  That decision allowed me the time to make two trips to Elk Island National Park.

The first was on New Year's Day.  What a great way to celebrate a new year.  I drove to the Amisk Wuche trail.  It is my favorite short hike, just 2.5km.  It winds through the forest, up hill and down.  It's a good work out if you are limited for time and a great snowshoe trail when there is lots of snow.  There was no need for the snowshoes this time as the few centimeters of snow on the trail was hard-packed. I did wear my hiking cleats to provide better traction. I love using them in winter and summer to provide more secure footing.

The parking lot is usually empty but I found five other vehicles there when I arrived.  It was nice to see others enjoying the fresh air and the sunshine. 

The sky was clear and the sun shone between the bare tree trunks, casting long shadows across the trail.  A light breeze rustled the dead leaves on the cat tails as I crossed the boardwalk.  Tracks in the snow criss-crossed the surface of the pond.  That open expanse of snow was telling me to bring snowshoes or skis on the next outing.

My hike was quieter than usual.  Most times I hear the chickadees or the blue jays.  I often hear the woodpeckers tapping at the snags in the forest but today was silent.  There was not a bird call to be heard.  When I stopped walking and stood to listen there was only silence.  It was pure bliss.

I chose a different trail for my second day out.  To get to the trail head, I had to drive past the parking lot at Astotin Lake.  A number of deer were grazing in the area of the beaver pond.  The bucks sported some nice looking antlers.  I had to shake my head as vehicles drove past; totally oblivious to the fact that these beautiful creatures were there.  Most passengers had their eyes glued to their mobile devices; missing what they probably wanted to see in the first place.

The Lakeview Trail winds through the forest on the north side of Astotin Lake for 3.5km.  Part of the trail runs along the shoreline.  Two people on their x-country skis were making their way across the lake surface.  It was another clear day with the sun shining brightly.  It was hard to believe that the temperature was +4C on January 2.


The snow on this trail was hard packed.  The hike was not as quiet as the previous day.  Squirrels chased each other up and down tree trunks; chattering back and forth.  A boreal chickadee called from a tall spruce.  Magpies squawked as I walked beneath the branch that they were perched on.  This trail offers three different locations where one can sit and enjoy the sights, smells and sounds along the way.  My favorite is the last one where three benches are situated beneath some towering spruce.

When I left the trail head I watched for the deer.  They were still in the same area but all were resting in the tall grass and the vehicles were still driving right on by.  On the drive out of the park I saw two coyotes loping across a snow-covered pond.  There were no bison or elk in sight. 

It was another glorious day and I was glad to be on the trails for two days in a row. I better pack up Christmas 2015 while it is dark out so when the next opportunity presents itself to enjoy the fresh air, I'll be ready.

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Elk Island National Park and my backyard were the places to be today for watching birds and wildlife.  The bison were stopping traffic on the parkway.  It's not often that the entire herd is in the Bison Loop area but it appeared that they were all there today.

An adult coyote lopped across the road in front of us.  We slowed to see if it was still in the trees.  It stopped long enough to glance back at us and then continued on its way.

A female grouse gave us a good laugh.  It was crossing from one side of the road to the other moving very slowly and stealthily as if we could not see her if she moved slowly.  As soon as she reached the tall grass in the ditch, she was gone.

We hiked the Lakeview Trail that borders Astotin Lake.  It's a short scenic trail that passes by the lake and some beaver ponds.  It continues through the forest where you can see very large spruce trees that have toppled, almost in a domino effect.  It was on one of those trees that we saw a black-backed woodpecker.  What a treat!  They are not a common bird in this area.

My favorite area on the trail is a boggy spot where numerous trees lie on the ground.  Each is covered in many different species of moss.  The variety of green textures adds color to the forest floor.

When we got back home, the birds were busy in the backyard; flying from branches to feeders.  It was close to being dark when I noticed the deer coming into the yard.  A doe and two fawns came in first.  Something scared them off.  As they were jumping the fence, I saw another large one coming straight to the feed dish.  It took me a while to realize that it was sporting some antlers!  This was the first male I noticed this year.  I went outside onto the deck to get a better look.  He glanced up at me but didn't run.  It was like he knew who filled that dish.  What a beauty!

It's been so long since I've been on the trails.  The hike this morning was long overdue.  I didn't want it to end.

On my way to Elk Island National Park I had a first time experience.  Just a short distance from home, close to the Strathcona Wilderness Centre, I saw an animal come out of the bush.  At first I thought it was a dog or cat.  As I got closer, it came up from the ditch and crossed the road in front of me.  It resembled an otter and moved with undulating motion.  It was larger than a weasel, dark brown with no markings and had a tail that could be described as 'tubular'.  From nose to tip of tail my guess would be that it was close to two feet in length.  The first thing I did when I got home was look it up in a reference book.  It was a mink.  Beauty!  Chalk up another first.

On the way to the park the deer and bison were grazing along the fence lines.  The sun was shining and the sky was blue.  I had a hard time deciding which trail to hike but my vehicle turned into the Amisk Wuche parking lot.

The boardwalks were bare but there was still a lot of snow on the trail itself.  I heard coyotes howling in the distance.  Crows cawed and chickadees sang.  Squirrels chattered from the tree tops.  The pileated woodpeckers had been busy creating large holes in the old decaying tree stumps.

The forest smell was amazing.  It was waking up from the long winter nap.  It smelled fresh and full of life, making me think that spring was definitely around the corner.

During one of the winter wind storms, a very large spruce tree toppled onto the trail.  The park staff finally cut the tree into small logs, clearing the trail.  I could have stood in that spot all day.  I love the smell of spruce and pine tree sap.  The freshly cut logs were oozing with sap. It was perfume to my nose.

The morning was so beautiful that I hiked a second trail.  I drove to Astotin Lake and visited the Lakeview Trail.  The snow on that trail has melted down quite a bit, leaving many moose and elk 'deposits' to dodge.  

I made it to the first bench where I sat and enjoyed the sunshine and the view.  The snow had melted on the lake surface leaving sheer ice that sparkled in the morning sun.  There was a breeze that rustled the tall grasses, dead leaves and bits of birch bark.  That was the only sound in the forest.  It was peaceful and calming.

I was about half way around when two squirrels raced back and forth across the trail.  They ran up and down tree trunks.  I stopped to watch.  They came straight at me. I could imagine how loud my scream would have been if they tried to climb my leg like a tree.

I approached the cook house on my way back to the parking lot.  I could smell the smoke from a wood fire.  That is the best aromatherapy ever!  A couple of guys were having an outdoor picnic alongside the lake.

I had almost four hours of outdoor time today and it was just what the doctor ordered.  The time was relaxing. A nap was next on the agenda.  When I woke, the deer were in the backyard.  The five regular white tails and one mule deer were filling themselves up.  They kept looking toward the forest.  I couldn't see what they were looking at until three mule deer came into view.  They didn't come into the yard but it appeared that they wanted to. 

The day was beautiful.  I'm trying to get all my chores done this evening so I can enjoy more forest time tomorrow. 

-18C was feeling like a heat wave this morning.  By the time I left the house it was -15C and downright balmy.  My destination choice was the Lakeview Trail that runs alongside Astotin Lake.  It's been awhile since my last visit so I wanted to see what winter has brought to that area.  On the way to the park, not far from home, two white tail deer were running along the range road.  As I got closer, they veered off into the deep snow and through the trees.  I didn't get close enough to see if they were a couple of my regular yard visitors.

The road through Elk Island Park was extremely icy.  The wind had polished the surface up nicely and the fine snow falling this morning did not help matters any.  I pulled into the parking lot at the lake and noticed that I was the only person there.  

The trail looked well used by snowshoers.  I didn't bother to wear mine.  The hiking cleats worked just fine as the snow was well packed. There was no wind and the snow was letting up so I knew that it was going to be a great hike.

The beaver pond looked like the barren tundra.  Bison and elk had taken their chances crossing the deep snow on the pond.  They browsed in areas alongside the trail, leaving broken branches behind.

The rabbits and hares left many tracks as well.  Branches that were close to the snow surface had bark stripped away by those furry little creatures.  I could tell that it was not a porcupine because they had left little round deposits behind.

I did not hear one bird or squirrel the entire time that I was walking.  As I came close to the end of the trail, some branches were moving back and forth at the top of a tall spruce tree.  I was thinking that it was a squirrel but as I came closer, a large great horned owl flew up from the cradling boughs.  What a beauty!  It flew off into the bush and out of range for a photo.  That was disappointing.

I got back to the parking lot and my vehicle was still the only one there.  On my way out of the park, I noticed a porcupine feeding on some willow branches.  It was standing on the snowbank and climbed into the tree itself when I stopped to watch.  A short distance up the road, a second porcupine was feeding.  This one was balancing on a very thin branch while munching on the bark.  Outstanding!  They must not weigh very much underneath all those quills.  The branch that it was balancing on was not very thick.

When I got home, I made myself a nice hot coffee and sat down to watch the backyard birds for a bit.  The chickadees were busy.  A couple of nuthatches were also sharing the feeder.  The deer had not visited yet as the tub was still full.  There was no sign of the pileated woodpecker.

I've been waiting impatiently for the pine grosbeaks to show up.  I love the burst of bright color that they bring to the yard.  Until that happens, I'll have to be happy with viewing the photos from last winter.

The Perfect Weekend

As I watch a gentle rain shower out the window, I'm reflecting on a great weekend spent outside. Not one, not two but three opportunities to witness autumn in all it's splendor.  

We tried out a new trail today.  It ran alongside Astotin Lake at Elk Island National Park; passing through wetland areas and mixed forest.

The morning started off with some rain showers that intensified the colors and the smells.  The yellows were especially vibrant.  Photographs do not do justice to the scenes along the way.

We parked in the main lot, hiking a paved path along the lake until it ended at the actual trailhead for the Lakeview Trail.

There were still a good number of waterfowl on the lake and in the small ponds.  We could hear geese honking overhead.  Muskrats created v-shaped ripples in the water as they swam.  When the ripples disappeared, the water was as smooth as glass.  The beautiful fall colors reflected off the surface.

As we hiked, the smell of ripe cranberries filled the air.  Every now and again, we glimpsed clumps of red amidst the yellow.  If it was not a cranberry bush, it was a colorful rose bush with its bright red rosehips.





 



One section of the forest had numerous decaying logs.  Each was covered with a soft blanket of moss that varied in texture and color.  Brightly colored orange lichen added contrast to the bright green. 

We could hear bluejays calling in the trees and smaller birds in the underbrush.  I heard something skitter through the dead leaves.  When I glanced over, a little brown mouse stared back at me.  It's partner was not as daring; taking off down the bank on the left side of the trail.

As we came back to the paved part of the trail that bordered the lake, we found a number of benches on a viewpoint.  It was a great spot to sit a spell, have some snacks and take in the beauty.  Ducks were swimming and dunking for food in the water just in front of us.  In the distance a red canoe was spotted along the shore of the island.  To the south of us, some hardy picnickers were set up close to the dock. 

 
On the way out of the park we stopped at the Bison Loop.  A herd of Wood Bison were gathered in the field.  They put on quite a show for the onlookers.  Young calves were feeding on their mothers.  Bulls were creating dust clouds as they rolled in the dry dirt.  Yearlings made their way onto the road, creating a traffic jam until they decided to move into the field on the other side.

Today's outing was a great way to end the weekend.  The weather was superb and the sights spectacular.  This quote says it all.  I could not have said it better.

"I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house. So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air."

Nathaniel Hawthorne