Musings

It is not easy to walk alone in the country without musing upon something.  ~ Charles Dickens

All of the following photos were taken in late November or early December while out walking near Frank's place. The weather was still quite lovely for the most part. That means no snow.. yet. Come join me, will you?




It only takes a little bit of late day sunshine for the creek's shoreline to light up in brilliant hues. This was a mostly grey day but the clouds parted briefly and obliged me.





It looks like our little friend has been busy. You know the one - long hair - toothy smile - Canada's national symbol. What his name? Oh yeah - Justin Beaver.




A partly-fallen tree creates an archway on one of the pathways near the creek.






Milkweed pods begin exploding and peak in the autumn but some seeds still escape throughout the winter. These lovely, silken strands were warming themselves in the late November sunshine.






I tried tossing this little guy some peanuts but he appears to be deep in thought and oblivious to my presence.





This one was more than willing to help me lighten my pockets by accepting some peanut treats.




Someone else helped himself to these mushrooms. I had seen them the previous day but it was rainy and I didn't bring my camera on that walk. By the time I returned the next day, someone had nibbled the caps, but I still thought they looked pretty in the amber sunlight.





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Benny enjoyed exploring the wooded area up ahead.






A few tenacious maple keys were still clinging to a branch. I liked the colour contrast against the vivid blue sky.




Sometimes it's hard to tell that this was late November. With that warm sunshine, deep blue water and still-living greenery, It could have just as easily been summer.

I hope you enjoyed our walk. I hope we can do it again before too long.

Things That Spring Brings

I'm still in part time mode and I don't expect that to change in the near future. I'll visit blogs when I can, and continue with my regular posts and the Posts of the Week as time permits, but I won't be commenting with my usual degree of regularity throughout most of the upcoming warm spring and summer months. Thanks for understanding my sporadic visits.

Spring is such an incredible season. It brings sights, sounds and sensations all its own. Please join me, and I'll be happy to share some of my recent spring moments.

Beautiful spring tulips - a gift from a friend who came to dinner one evening. I was leaving for Frank's the next day, so I brought them with me.

They brightened up his front window on a rainy day. This one with its solitary stray petal reminds me of a lady's hand, holding a teacup - pinky raised, whilst sipping delicately.

From the outside looking in, they somehow made Benny's sad "don't leave me" face even more forlorn.

When the rain ended, we took a walk through the field along the creek. There were plenty of red-winged blackbirds still singing for a mate.

Nature's finest architect was in the neighbouhood. The beaver is the official Canadian symbol and on this day, we saw many trees which had been gnawed down for dams or lodges. We never did see the critter despite the evidence of its presence.

After the walk, we settled on the back deck for drink. I had one of those girly drinks which goes down like a soda but has that mini-kick (more like a nudge) to it. This fly must have found it appealing too.

At the end of the day, the setting sun cast a soft orange glow upon the tulips.

I hope you enjoyed checking out some of the spring sights with me.