Ahhhh. That's all I can say.

There is a full moon tonight in a cloud free sky.  It is lighting up the night and streaming through my windows.  The wood stove is lit and I'm in front of it with a cup of coffee.  It's the perfect ending to a relaxing outdoor day.

I hiked one of my favorite trails at Elk Island National Park.  On the way, I came across a young coyote along the roadside.  It was showing off its hunting prowess.  I watched him for less than 10 minutes and during that time he caught at least 5 mice. 

It isn't the first time that I've seen him in the ditch but it is the first time that I was witness to his successful morning hunt.  As he snacked on his wiggling treats, he gave me a toothy grin.

I had not been on the Amisk Wuche trail for awhile and so didn't know if there was still some opportunity to take in the autumn colors.  

Most of the leaves had dropped but the grasses provided color along the boardwalk.  There were still a number of ducks in the pond.  As I watched, they dunked their heads under the water to reach the plants, leaving me to see their duck butts above the water.

While standing on the boardwalk, a couple of squirrels were having a squabble.  One was chasing the other at top speed.  The one in front came within 6 inches of running right into my leg.

My favorite part of the trail snakes through a stand of spruce trees.  It reminds me of a mountain trail.  I can smell the sap that seeps through the bark.  I love to stop here for a few minutes and take some deep breaths.

The squirrels have a number of middens at the base of the trees where the remains of their chewed up spruce cones lay in heaps.  

I noticed that there is a number of young trees that are only about 4 inches tall, growing up through the leaf carpet.  As I admired the new growth, I heard a pileated woodpecker.  It was difficult to tell where the sound was coming from.  I scanned the tree tops but was surprised to find it on the ground.  The sun shone from behind the large bird, illuminating its red feather crown.  It too, was putting on a show for me.

The walk through the woods this morning was very calm and peaceful.  The only sounds that I could hear were those of the forest; trees creaking, blue jays squawking, ducks quacking, squirrels nattering and the woodpeckers boring for insects in the bark.

I came across a decaying log that caught my attention.  The bright green moss that covered it stood out against the brown vegetation.  The contrast was a beautiful sight.  I could see that the squirrels were using the log to store their winter food.

Autumn has been beautiful.  Last year at this time there was snow on the ground.  It seems to be holding off with no mention of it in the forecast.  If the butterfly that I saw today has anything to say about it, the snow won't be coming anytime soon.

Fitness Hike With a Hobby Twist

 



Today I found out the difference between my fitness and my hobby hikes; two hours.  I got to the trail a bit later than usual so I knew I was up against time as the sun was setting.  





It took 30 minutes to walk the trail with a couple pit stops that lasted in total about 5 minutes.  That happened because there was a moose napping on the trail. 

He was out cold.  Even with the crunchy leaves underfoot, I managed to get quite close to the sleepy guy before he heard me.  He was lucky that he was catching a little nap within the SWC area where hunting is not allowed.

When I got back to the trail head, the sun was almost down and the clouds to the west were reflecting shades of pink, orange and yellow. 

To the east, the moon was coming up between the trees.  I could hear the coyotes howl in the distance.  The beavers were swimming across the pond, creating ripples through the still water.

On the way home, the deer were brave and were grazing in the hay fields along the roadside.  They must have known that the hunters vehicles were gone from the ditches.

In the last open area before I got down to the lake, a number of deer were grazing at the top of a hill.  The setting sun provided a colorful backdrop for the very peaceful scene. 

I started out on a fitness hike and ended up with some perfect photo ops as well.  What a great ending to a busy day.



 

Putting the Yard to Rest

The day has been windy, cloudy and grey.  There's a leaf drift on my deck.  The trees behind my yard are now bare and brown.  There is no autumn color left.

The squirrel and the blue jays are still working really hard to get food stored up before the snow starts falling.  Last year on November 7, the snow came and didn't leave.  I have a few things to take care of in the yard before that happens this year.

I got caught off guard with how early it snowed and got cold in 2012.  The water barrels and garden houses didn't get drained.  The containers that contained wave petunias did not get emptied and prepared for winter/Christmas arrangements.  I've got that taken care of already but still have to trim down the grasses and give everything a deep watering.

It's a shame to cut the grasses down.  They grew like weeds this year with all the rain that fell.  I was extremely happy with how the landscaping choices turned out in the front yard.

In addition to the ornamental grasses, I planted a varying selection of nine barks.  They were only about a foot tall when I put them into the ground and they now would be over five feet tall if I hadn't given them a little trimming.

I was very happy with my containers as well.  The wave and supertunias added some bright color to the yard.  They enticed the hummingbirds and butterflies to come and visit.

Soon the yard will be blanketed with snow.  I'll be able to x-country ski and snowshoe when that happens.  As I hit the trails, I'll be planning the 'next steps' for landscaping.  I did have a lot of fun while I put last year's ideas into action and I had a real sense of satisfaction when I saw the number of creatures that came into the yard but for now, I need to give the plants a little TLC and put the yard to bed for the winter.

 

What are you thankful for?

It's Thanksgiving Day.  There is a lot to be thankful for.  Family and friends always top the list.  I'm also thankful for where I live.  There are many that will never experience the basics of having clean water to drink, nourishing food on the table or a roof over their head.    

I'm grateful to live in a country where I can freely explore its wide open spaces; a country that cares for its natural areas as well as its rich agricultural land. 

This Thanksgiving I am reflecting and giving thanks for what I have; family and friends, a safe environment to live in, access to education, clean water, food on the table, shelter, access to medical care, freedom, and wide open spaces to explore.  I read the newspaper everyday and come across articles that comment on the current state of the education and health care systems; at least we have them.  There are many in this world that do not.  Yes, we have crowded classrooms that are not ideal but we have access to education.  Yes, our healthcare system is not functioning as we would like but we have access to one. 

I am thankful to live in Canada where I can walk out my back door and feel safe; where I can work to keep a roof over my head and food in my refrigerator and for family to share this with.  I am grateful for having been able to simplify my life so I can take advantage of the freedom and the bountiful opportunities that I have around me.  What are you thankful for?

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

A Season of Change

This morning proved to be a frosty one.  Some of the final blooms of the season were covered in icy crystals. The weight of them bent the flower heads down to the earth.  A couple of days ago they were reaching for the sun's rays.

There were still a couple of bees around but they were not moving very quickly.  Their favorite blossoms are in front of the house.  The frost spared them but there are very few left that have not bloomed out.


 

I drove to the farm today to share a Thanksgiving meal with family.  The route was scenic.  There were spots that still had some autumn color and others that had nothing but bare branches.  Many farmers were out in the fields harvesting their crops; trying to beat the snow.

The larch in my sister's yard was still holding onto its brilliant yellow needles.  It created a great backdrop for some family photos.

There were still a couple of bright red apples clinging to their branches.  I'm sure they will provide the coyotes or the birds with a snack once they hit the ground.

A lonely robin was huddled close to a garden shrub.  It was looking a tad chilly.  As I approached it hopped under the shrub for cover.




Everything is slowing down and preparing for winter.  The days are noticeably shorter.  In the mornings, there has been a layer of ice on top of the water in my garden pails.  

A couple of days ago, one of the weather people reminded everyone that a year ago, we had our first snow fall of 2012 and a few days after that we got dumped on and the snow actually stayed.  It was the longest winter that we had in a long while.  I wonder what this year will bring.

"Someone painted pictures on my
     Windowpane last night --
Willow trees with trailing boughs
     And flowers, frosty white,
And lovely crystal butterflies;
     But when the morning sun
Touched them with its golden beams,
     They vanished one by one."
-  Helen Bayley Davis, Jack Frost

My Perfect Outdoor Day

"I remember a hundred lovely lakes, and recall the fragrant breath of pine and fir and cedar and poplar trees.  The trail has strung upon it, as upon a thread of silk, opalescent dawns and saffron sunsets.  It has given me blessed release from care and worry and the troubled thinking of our modern day.  It has been a return to the primitive and the peaceful.  Whenever the pressure of our complex city life thins my blood and benumbs my brain, I seek relief in the trail; and when I hear the coyote wailing to the yellow dawn, my cares fall from me - I am happy."  ~Hamlin Garland, McClure's, February 1899

I left home as the sun was coming up this morning.  My plan was to spend the day outside.  I started at the Strathcona Wilderness Center.  The air was crisp and the grasses and leaves were frosty.  It was the perfect beginning to a glorious outing.

 

The morning rays of the sun shone through the bare branches of the tall aspen trees.  The trunks cast long shadows on the trail.  The frosty leaf carpet glittered like gold.  

 

It was still calm and silent except for the little chickadees.  They were busy collecting seeds from the shrubs.  I stopped to watch as they flitted from branch to branch; singing their 'cheeseburger' song.

There were a number of little ponds along the trail that I was on.  I could see them through the trees.  The moose and deer created a well worn path to one of them.  I decided to follow it.  I'm glad that I did.

Moss covered logs lay on the edge.  The water was not deep but it was calm, clear and reminded me of a sheet of glass.  The bright yellow color from the few remaining leaves reflected in the water.  The area was like a little piece of heaven.

When I finished exploring at the SWC, I made my way to Elk Island National Park.  I wanted to revisit a trail that looped through the forest on the north side of Astotin Lake.  

 

Along the parkway en route to the lake, a young coyote searched for food.  It lopped through the ditch.  Every now and again it would pounce into the tall grasses but each time it came back out empty handed.  

As I made my way to the trail head, I could hear honking above me.  The snow geese were on the move.  Their white bodies against the blue sky were a sight to behold.

My first stop was at a bench that overlooked Astotin Lake.  The wind had picked up and was creating little white caps on the water.  Ducks and geese bobbed up and down in the waves.  This was an ideal lunch spot.  There was still some autumn color directly in front of me as well as on the island.  The bench was sheltered and the sun warmed me as I sat and took in the sights and sounds.

There are a number of rest stops along the trail where hikers can take a break and relax.  It was at one of the stops that numerous paths lead into the trees.  I followed one and found a skull leaning against a broken branch.

Chickadees and nuthatches provided entertainment as they were foraging in the spruce trees.  The forest smells were amazing.

I marveled at the scene around me.  There were decaying logs covered in a carpet of bright green fern-looking moss.  A tree stump was covered in a soft layer of brown/green moss.  Lichen grew upright through the layer; reaching for the small rays of sun that found their way through the thick boughs overhead.

My outdoor day was perfect.  I am so fortunate to live in such a beautiful area.  All my favorite activities can be found within a 10 minute drive from my home.  Hiking, x-country skiing, skating, snowshoeing, and so many natural areas for photography.  I take advantage of this every moment that I can.  There is nothing better than spending time in the forest.

The Perfect Way to Unwind

How do you unwind?  For me, it's being outside, away from everyone and everything.  A walk in the forest, listening to the birds, breathing in the fresh air and watching for wildlife is the best de-stressor there could possibly be.

I was the sole soul on the trail today except for a few forest creatures.  Watching for them this evening was like looking for Waldo.

I heard some rustling in the tall grass at the beginning of the trail.  Two white tail deer were wading through it.  As I rounded a corner, I heard some branches snapping.  I strained to see what was making the sound and noticed that I was being watched by a moose.  

The little hares raced through the underbrush; keeping still as could be until I passed by. 

When I got to the end of trail, the rays of the setting sun lit up the yellow aspen leaves.  They took on a hue that looked like they would glow in the dark.  It was more prevalent today than even yesterday.  At 7pm, the sun was almost down.

The air was cool and the leaves on the trail were becoming damp from dew.  The forest smell was amazing.  I took a few slow breaths.

By the time I got back to my starting point, the sound of the ringing phones was forgotten.  The crunching leaves and the bird calls took care of that.  The autumn colors and Mother Nature's creatures took my mind off what I was viewing on the computer screen all day.

I didn't want to go home yet, so I took the scenic route back.  It was a good thing that I did.  The deer were grazing at the top of a hill.  The sunset behind them was amazing.

It was the perfect ending to the day.  The forecast for tomorrow is looking pretty good and I plan to spend the entire day outside; just me and my camera in the woods.

 
 
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."  ~John Muir
 
 

My Forest Friends

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.

 

Autumn Aromatherapy

 I drove home today in a shower of leaves.  The gusty wind bared the branches that were once hidden by bright autumn colors. When I passed by the Strathcona Wilderness Center, I noticed that the trails visible from the road, were layered with a carpet of brown.

There were a couple of areas along the route that contained trees with leaves still holding tight.  Brilliant reds contrasted against amazing yellows.  I'll be sure to leave a bit earlier in the morning to attempt to capture a few good photos of the last bit of autumn color if they don't give in to the tugging wind.

When I got home, my deck was covered in leaves that danced between the furniture.  As I came up the stairs, the sound of crunching leaves was heard underfoot.  All I could think of was having a leaf bonfire this coming weekend.  That is one of my favorite things to look forward to.  I wish that smell could be bottled as it would be one of my favorite aroma therapies.

In a few weeks, those last bits of autumn color will be covered in a layer of white.  Take the time to get out and enjoy the colors, the sounds and the peacefulness of this season before it's gone for another year. 

 October gave a party;
The leaves by hundreds came,—
The Ashes, Oaks, and Maples,
And leaves of every name.
The sunshine spread a carpet,
And every thing was grand;
Miss Weather led the dancing;
Professor Wind, the band....
The sight was like a rainbow
New-fallen from the sky....
~George Cooper, "October's Party"