Sunshine, blue sky and fresh air filled my morning. The Beaver Pond Trail at Elk Island was quiet and peaceful. As I made my way around the 3.5km loop, I heard a fox yipping in the forest. If it was waiting for a friendly reply, it didn't happen. The birds were busy in the trees. I heard a pileated woodpecker, a nuthatch and some bluejays.
A light breeze was blowing. It swayed the tree trunks enough to make them creak. Some of the aspens had dead leaves clinging to their branches that rustled in the wind.
The remaining snow is still about a foot deep on the trails. For the most part it is packed but the edges are beginning to crystallize. There were a lot of animal droppings on the trail; bison, moose, elk and coyote. It is rather pointless to provide bags at the trail head for cleaning up after dogs when the wild animals use the trails for their 'deposits'.
There is a section of the trail where large spruce trees tower on either side. Boreal chickadees called from the highest branches. The cones at the top were providing a supply of seeds. I usually see both boreal and black capped chickadees but today there was no sign of the little black capped ones.
The hike was great. When I got home I sat outside on the deck for another half hour. The sun felt so warm. I was fighting not to fall asleep. There were some chores that still needed doing.
The ice on the driveway is almost melted so I dragged out a bucket of hot water and washed off the spring grime from my vehicle. I can see out the windows again!
When I was done and had everything put away, I couldn't fight the urge to have a nap any longer. That two hour break was just what I needed.
Two deer showed up shortly after I woke. I noticed that the pair was made up of one white tail and one mule deer. The white tail had no intention of sharing the grain in the tub yet the mule deer shared the sunflower seeds in the tray feeder. The snow has melted down enough that it is making it difficult for them to reach the seeds in the hanging feeders. There are some bare patches of ground showing along the fence. The deer have been trimming that grass.
The rain that was in the forecast did not materialize. I wish I would have. I love the fresh smell that a spring rain shower brings. I broke down and removed my 'We love snow.' sign from the front door. After being on the trails the past couple of days, I have to admit that I am also ready for spring.
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.
Water, water, everywhere. The big melt is here. The temperature has been above average and the snow is melting rapidly. The timing for our ski lessons was perfect. On day two, the girls got to wear 'real' x-country boots and skis. What fun!
The lesson included a game of 'What time is it Mr. Wolf?" on skis and instruction on going up and down hills. The girls were pretty speedy on the downhill tracks.
They will be back for a sleepover during spring break. If the weather continues to be warm and sunny, there may not be snow left for them to go out one more time this season.
The backyard deer are enjoying the sunshine even though the snow has softened so much that it makes it difficult to walk through the deepest areas. Now that the snow has melted down in the back of the house, numerous deposits of deer 'fertilizer' have appeared.
I glanced out the window this evening and saw six deer at the feeders. The mule deer was still hanging out with the white tails and the mean mama was still mean. I never tire from watching their antics.
The sunset was beautiful tonight. I could see it go down over the lake. The colors were brilliant. It was the perfect ending to a beautiful day.
I've been watching the forecast. I'm hoping that the sunshine and blue sky continues for a couple more days. My weekend is almost here and I plan to spend it outside.
-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.
After two days of gusty winds, most of the trees are bare. I hiked the trails at the Strathcona Wilderness Center this evening with the hopes of seeing some wildlife. When the underbrush is covered with leaves, the deer and moose have a place to hide. With the empty branches, I really wanted to see some forest friends.
I spent some time gazing at the beauty of the pond. There was still some color on the trees that reflected in the water along with the reflection of the fluffy white clouds. What a serene scene!
I started out on the Wagon Loop trail. The carpet of leaves crunched under my shoes. Blue jays were busy hiding food under the leaves. Squirrels ran up and down the bare trees, nattering at me as I came by. Dark eyed juncos flew through the underbrush looking for seeds. A large owl swooped out of a tree top. Once again I miss getting a photo!
My first bit of luck happened early on the hike. A young hare was sitting amidst the leaf carpet. It was still brown in color and showed no signs of turning color. Looks like its not thinking of winter yet. A moose was drinking at one of the sloughs. It heard my noisy steps and ran off into the trees.
I kept watching for the owl. As my eyes traveled up and down the tree trunks, scanning the branches for the elusive bird, I felt some eyes staring at me. A couple of white tail deer were not far from me. I hoped that they would stay put while I got the camera out. Lucky for me, they did not run off until I got a few shots. A raven flew over and scared them off.
I made my way back to the trail head at the pond. The muskrats were busy swimming from shore to shore. As they made their way through the water, they created v-shaped ripples on the surface.
The rose bushes alongside the pond are still holding onto their leaves. The bright colors stand out against the bare tree trunks.
The evening was calm. As I stood by the pond at the end of my hike, I could hear geese, chickadees, ravens, and bluejays. It was peaceful, serene and the perfect way to end the day.
What a glorious day! Clear blue sky, sunshine and warm temperatures! I watched the sun rise this morning as I sat at the kitchen table; the brilliant colors peeking through the trees.
The birds were chirping in my neighbor's willow tree as they waited their turn for a spot at the feeder. It sure does not take long for them to carry away all the nuts that I put out.
I was trying to decide where to trek today. It didn't really matter. I just knew I wanted to be outside. Something or 'someone' was motivating me to head to Elk Island. I was so glad that I listened to that little 'voice'.
I didn't even make it to the park gate and had to pull over on the side of the highway. I witnessed another first! This winter I saw a pileated and a hairy woodpecker side by side on the same tree and a blue jay and a hairy woodpecker side by side at the tray feeder in the backyard. Today's first was amazing to say the least; numerous white tailed deer and bison grazing on the same hill. What a sight! I was the only one that stopped to view that spectacle. Traffic just kept zooming right on by. It was too bad that everyone was in such a hurry.
As I turned into the park entrance, a small herd of bison greeted me today. Most were content to be laying in the snow, soaking up the sunshine. They didn't appear to care that a crazy lady with a camera was taking their picture!
There were no vehicles in sight so I traveled at a leisurely pace along the parkway. The snow has melted a visible amount. All the bison 'fertilizer' is now visible on the snowbanks; having been removed from the road by the snowplow through the winter. It's no wonder the grass in the ditches grows as tall as it does!
It was great to be able to drive slowly through the park without having vehicles pull up behind. I was able to notice a coyote plodding through the trees just a short distance from the road. It didn't even stop to glance up at me when I pulled over. I was hoping that it would stop in the open area but it was on a mission.
There were a number of small herds of bison alongside the park highway. I'm sure that today had the greatest number that I've seen this winter. One of the park rangers was out with his meter stick taking measurements of the snow pack in the trees alongside the road. The bison paid no mind to him either.
Astotin Lake is only one stop away from the trail head that I was going to so I decided to drive into the parking lot area adjacent to the lake. There were no vehicles yet but there was a lonely bison beside one of the picnic tables. This was also a first for me. In all the years that I've been visiting this park, I've never seen the bison in that picnic area. I stopped there again after my hike and there were a few people milling around and the bison was headed to a quieter spot.
I was undecided as to what to wear; snowshoes or hiking cleats. I opted for the cleats and was happy with the choice. The sun had not yet softened the snow so it was a pretty easy hike. There is at least two feet of packed snow on the trail. It will be July before the snow is melted in the treed areas.
The birds were very vocal. Blue jays, crows, ravens, chickadees, and magpies could be heard in the distance. I stopped at my favorite area where many large spruce can be found. Their branches reach over the trail on either side, creating a tunnel that you have to walk through. I heard a bird call that I had not heard before so I stood still and listened; hoping to hear it again.
As if on cue, the little feathered friend flew to a nearby branch and sang for me. It was a chickadee that I had not seen before. I'm going to put my bird book and binoculars in my backpack for the next outing. I had to wait until I got home to find out that it was a boreal chickadee. Yey! I had another first today!
I stood underneath the canopy and listened to those sweet sounds of mother nature. The little chickadee sang. A slight breeze was causing the loose bark on the nearby birch trees to flap back and forth. A blue jay called from an evergreen stand in the distance. I could smell the sap from the spruce boughs. What a relaxing spot! If only that moment could be bottled and shared with those who don't have the time to take in what mother nature offers.
I continued on my way back to the trail head. The air was warming up nicely and the water was beginning to flow in the parking lot. After I made my way out the rutted up driveway, I headed back to Astotin Lake to see if the bison was still there. Just before I got to the turn off, I noticed a number of mule deer under the trees along the edge of the campground. It was certainly a great day for wildlife sightings!
On my way home, I noticed that the bison herd had moved but the deer remained grazing on the sunny hill. I also noticed that the vehicles on the highway kept whizzing by; probably oblivious to the fact that there were 8 deer right beside the road. Many of those people may not have cared.
As long as I can remember, I've had an appreciation for nature and a love for being outside. The farm that I grew up on has a creek that runs through it. It flows in the spring when the snow melts. I spent countless hours building rafts from tree branches and then filling my boots with water as I tried to set sail. It was exciting to see the first marsh marigolds show their yellow blooms in the sloughs. I watched for the first pussy willows to break through their hard coverings. I recall the look on my mother's face on the day that I was going to sleep under the stars by the fire pit behind the house. For some reason she kept mentioning the skunk that was in the yard the night before.
My love of nature has not changed. My appreciation of the great outdoors has grown. I find solace and peace in the forest after a hectic week at work. Today is my birthday and I could think of no better place to spend the day. My forest friends came out of the woods and the sunshine and warm temperature was spirit-lifting. Oh happy day!
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