Trees Go Wandering

Trees go wandering forth in all directions with every wind, going and coming like ourselves, traveling with us around the sun two million miles a day, and through space heaven knows how fast and far! 

~ John Muir

Let's continue on from last week's post about our October day trip. When we left off, we were having a nice rest on a bench in Young's Point. Now it's time to head north to Woodview.


We pulled off of the highway here and there to see where the side roads might take us. This lovely path got narrower and narrower. We decided to turn around before it became too difficult to do.






In Woodview, we stopped in at a restaurant called Uncle George's just off Highway 62. I'd been there a couple of times before and had not been disappointed. This time was no different. This is a quick snap of the view to the right of our table. To the left was a fridge full of homemade pies and other goodies which made me realize that it's a good thing that place is a little too far from home.






After lunch, we headed back south and stopped on along a side road which took us to the shores of Stony Lake for a brief look around.






We marveled at how a tree could grow so strongly out of a rock like that.






With a closer look at water level, we could see a lot more growth had taken root. I was likin' the lichen.






There were interesting, weathered textures all over the place.






Like here, amid the rope, the shells and other stuff.






A tiny aster was growing in front of an upturned boat.






Once we were done exploring that area, we moved a couple of clicks south to Burleigh Falls. The falls are rather swift but the drop is more horizontal than vertical and I didn't snap any photos at the cascade's peak. Instead, we made our way to a spot just beyond the action.






We found a small footpath which brought us to a rocky spot with a view of still more trees growing from unlikely ground.






Here's a view from a different direction when looking to the shoreline just beyond the rocky outcrop.






This tree has a pretty impressive will to survive. Nature is so amazing that way.






As the day began to darken, we made our way back to Peterborough, looking forward to the next time we will head out day tripping.

More photos coming up before too long.

Things: Like a Walk in the Park

It's been a while since we've taken a walk in the park. I'm heading there right now. Would you care to join me?


I love when the sun is at this angle, late in the day. Long shadows and saturated sunlight makes everything look a bit more beautiful. If we hurry, we can catch up with Frank and Benny. When Benny is being particularly accommodating, he does his business when we're close to a garbage can. He's pretty thoughtful that way.




Speaking of Frank, I recall something sweet that he told me about his older son when he was little. They were visiting a relative whose place was home to a few children, dogs and others. It was a bit chaotic and disheveled but welcoming and warm. He took a look around with a delighted smile on his face and declared it to be "a beautiful mess!" That's how I think of this smattering of berries, asters seeds and leaves strewn across the path here in the park. It's a beautiful mess.




There's a busy roadway on the other side of this fence but you'd never know it from where we're walking. Have a look at the deadhead flowers against the wires above. Is it just me or does that remind you of musical notes on a staff? Squint if you have to. And lie to me if you must.




Look up at that cloud - all peachy and golden and all on its own in the sky. Now look down at its reflection which looks like a fiery duck floating upon the water. Or perhaps I'm just quacking up.




That beautiful, rich light, low in the sky sure does know how to illuminate its surroundings. Just a shaft of sunlight cut through some branches to highlight the hues in these leaves. Summer, I'm going to miss your vibrant colours but your sister, Autumn sure knows how to use her paintbrush.




Across the pond, the sun is making its way beneath the horizon. It's time to bid another beautiful day "goodnight." Thanks for joining me. As always, you were great company.

The Eyes Have It

On my recent walks around a few different areas, I began to find changes in the flowers which had been around for much of the summer - and like so many times since looking through the camera lens, I discovered things that I never knew before. Come along with me and I'll show you.


One day, while walking up near the cottage this unusual plant caught my eye. In fact it looked like it had literally caught an eye. I had to look this up to learn the name of this plant, which is White Baneberries or Doll's Eyes. Each of those little stems once held an "eyeball" but there was only this solitary one left by the time I saw it.





These are the seed pods from the Himalayan Balsam or Touch-me-nots which grows quite profusely in late summer and early autumn, all around Frank's place. Until recently, I thought they were a kind of Snapdragon, but they're not. Thank you, Google!








Seed pods of the Himalayan Balsam with a dew drop at the end of it.





If you take one between your fingers and gently squeeze it....





.. like this...





... the pod will pop with surprising force, and expose the seeds which will ensure next year's growth.





Spindle berries take all summer to form and acquire this brilliant pink colour. These will soon open up to reveal orange seeds on their underside. The pods and seeds will remain in full colour after the loss of leaves, through the autumn, and even into the snowy days of winter.





The soft, silky hair of the thistle plant.





Colourful sumac and asters brighten up the shoreline along the creek.





This pretty red and white plant is growing through the fence from my neighbour's yard. I have no idea what kind of plant it is. Does anyone know? Thanks very much to Maria who has identified this plant as Mina Lobata also known as Spanish Flag.

Thanks for joining me for another walk. As always, the company was fantastic!