With the First Step

With the first step, the number of shapes the walk might take is infinite, but then the walk begins to define itself as it goes along, though freedom remains total with each step: any tempting side road can be turned into an impulse, or any wild patch of woods can be explored. The pattern of the walk is to come true, is to be recognized, discovered.

- A.R. Ammons

Spring is here. The days are warm - some of them sunny. That means that Little Lake and its surrounding path calls to me and my camera. Most of these photos were taken a couple of weeks ago and the grass had still not quite greened up yet. It's lush and verdant now but you'll have to wait for next time to see that. For now, come join me around Peterborough.


I've seen this sweet pooch a few times now. That open window allows him free access to the sloped porch roof where he likes to hang out and snooze. I suspect he's used to being photographed.






One day (though not this one) I was about a half block past him when I hear him barking excitedly. I turned to see a car pulling into the driveway. His person had arrived home and he was thrilled to go greet him. He quickly turned tail and ran back in through the window in anticipation of their reunion.






It pays to look up sometimes. It's also a good idea to look down, once in a while. This colourful worry doll caught my eye in a parking lot.






Did I mention that flowering trees are now in bloom?






As are all of the spring bulbs. The crocus is my favourite probably because they're usually one of the first to emerge. And well.. because they're purple!






Of course, you can't deny the beauty of the brilliant yellow daffodil.






Seasonal home businesses have begun to open up shop again.






A lone pine cone soaks up the warming rays of spring sunlight.






This is one of two Little Library spots of which I'm aware in my neighbourhood. I suspect there are more. Books and magazines are free for the taking. When I think of it before heading out, I grab one or two from my own shelf and help to replenish it.






Finally, we reach the lake where this lovely mallard was waiting patiently for us. Or so I like to think.






I snapped this photo from a distance. The place is called The Silver Bean and it only opened its doors for the season a day or two earlier. There was already a small party going on.






This guy is attended a party for one - enjoying his reading by the waterside.






A grackle's feathers looks so lovely in the sun. Still, he kept his cold, yellow eye on me as I approached slowly.






On the way back home, I offer a parting shot of the dock where people and dogs will soon be diving into the warming waters of Little Lake.

I hope you enjoyed the stroll. More photos coming up pretty soon.

The Beautiful Spring Came

Posts of the Week Follow-up: In my last post which also included the POTWs, I mentioned that if Suldog would repost his story about the lockdown in his neighbourhood of Watertown, Massachusetts, that I would link to it. He did and I have. Right here. Suldog sold this story to The Boston Globe but it has since become unavailable to non-paying visitors. You can read his firsthand account of what it felt like to be under lockdown while the police and SWAT teams searched for the remaining Boston Marathon bomber in his neighbourhood, street and home. Thank you for indulging my mini POTW so that I could include Suldog's A Day in Lockdown in Watertown.

Now, on to some spring photos and quotes.

The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also. ~ Harriet Ann Jacobs

Behold, my friends, the spring is come; the earth has gladly received the embraces of the sun, and we shall soon see the results of their love! ~Sitting Bull





I glanced out the window at the signs of spring. The sky was almost blue, the trees were almost budding, the sun was almost bright. ~ Millard Kaufman





Every year, back comes Spring, with nasty little birds yapping their fool heads off and the ground all mucked up with plants. ~ Dorothy Parker





Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. ~ Rainer Maria Rilke





Spring is the time of the year, when it is summer in the sun and winter in the shade. ~ Charles Dickens





No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn. ~ Hal Borland

Golden Light

When was the last time we headed out for a walk together? It must be days. Come along and dress warmly. The sun is about to set. It's golden bright but the air is still bit nippy. Speaking of nippy, I have a tiny bottle of Fireball Whiskey tucked away in my pocket to keep us fortified. Just me know when you want a sip.

It looks like we have a straggler. The poor thing is slipping and sliding on the ice. Doesn't she realize she could just fly?

I noticed this branch earlier in the week. It's no thicker than my thumb but it's a lot fuzzier. It's fine hairs remind me of the velvet surface of deer's antlers. Notice the tiny bud waiting patiently for spring.

Now that the sun is low in the sky, it provides rich, golden hues as a backdrop. Soak in its warmth - or would you rather have a wee nip from the bottle? I thought as much.

That beautiful orb in the west sure looks lovely filtered through the trees. It transforms everything into gold.

It's been such a mild winter that last year's growth of many plants have not fully deteriorated. The fine tendrils of this vine still rests against the railing despite having lost all its leaves.

And here's a golden sprig of leaves. It's unclear to me whether they're just well-preserved from last year or actually sprouted, grew, and then frosted over during this warmer than usual winter. It doesn't seem likely as this is early March in Canada, for goodness sake. And yet if you look closely, some of the tiny leaves in the center appear fresh and green. What do you think?

Oh, you think you'd like another sip of Fireball? Sure thing. Let's head home where we can enjoy it over ice.

Don't look now but we're being followed.

Spring Sunlight

We've been getting our share of April showers but every now and then, the weather settles and the day invites me to explore...

Shortly after a rainfall, the sun peeked out from the recovering, hazy sky. My eye was caught by this captive feather waving in the breeze - a tiny droplet of rain clinging to its barbs.

Posing so pretty on a waterlogged branch, this lovely mallard gazes shyly into the camera, showing off her webbed, orange feet.

High atop a budding branch, this spring robin sings a beautiful tune to the late-day sunshine.

As daylight departs, the golden sunlight reflects upon the water of our local pond. It's time to bid my feathered friends "goodnight."

I'm glad you could join me.

Seagulls and Mallards and Wood Ducks, Oh My!

Just as the title suggests, the following are a few photos of some feathered friends. The Seagull and Mallard are the same ones featured in the previous post, only up close and personal. The Wood duck is a frequent visitor to our local pond. Each of the three photos were taken on different days and different lighting conditions. I hope you enjoy some of our local water fowl.


I stood around photographing the gull for so long that we were practically on a first name basis. I love the way this guy was eying me.



And the same with his buddy the mallard. She's got quite the coy look, don't you think?

Woodrow, the wood duck was near the other side of the pond for this photo, hence the less than sharp image, but I love the colour of the water which reflected the surrounding trees on that October day.


He swam up a little bit closer on another day.



And hopped up onto the log to groom on yet another occasion.

That's all for now.

Spring Bling

“And the day came when the risk to remain in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.” ~ Anais Nin





“Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May.” ~ William Shakespeare





“Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action the fruit behind it” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson





"Let a thousand flowers bloom and we'll see what flourishes.” ~ Clara Hemphill





“Here and there you'd see a tree that was budding or grass trying to grow. There was hope.” ~ Carolyn Hunter





"It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds." ~ Aesop





"A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song." ~ Chinese Proverb





"Use the talents you possess - for the woods would be a very silent place if no birds sang except for the best." ~ Henry Van Dyke





"When I see a bird that walks like a duck and swims like a duck and quacks like a duck, I call that bird a duck." ~ Richard C. Cushing





"To listen is an effort, and just to hear is no merit. A duck hears also." ~ Igor Stravinsky





"Be like a duck. Calm on the surface, but always paddling like the dickens underneath." ~ Michael Caine





"If you keep your feathers well oiled the water of criticism will run off as from a duck's back."
~ Ellen Henrietta Swallow Richards

Frostography

This winter hasn't been particularly snowy but it's had its deep-freeze periods.

Below are a few photos of some frost patterns on one of the bedroom windows, as well as a few random scenes from around my local park. All quotes are attributed to poet Robert Frost - in honour of my frost-covered window, of course. Please click on each of them to enlarge.

"Some say the world will end in fire, some say ice. From what I've tasted of desire I hold with those who favor fire. But if it had to perish twice, I think I know enough of hate to say that for destruction, ice is also great and would suffice."

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on."

This is the same ball which appeared in my Mellow Yellow post last month. As time went by, the wind moved it along the surface of the ice and rotated it enough to show off its aqua side.

"The artist in me cries out for design."

"The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep."

A female Mallard kept a watchful eye on me while foraging for her breakfast. You can see the water droplets on her feathers and a bit of grass in her bill.

"Two roads diverged in a wood and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

"The old dog barks without getting up. I can remember when he was a pup."

A couple of weeks back, this adorable 11 week old Husky pup, ran off yelping after some other little bully of a dog (coughBennycough) snarled at him. His owner carried him past the troublesome JRT.

"There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate."

"You can't get too much winter in the winter."

Like I said, we haven't got much snow but that doesn't stop the kidlets from getting what they can out of it.

"Happiness makes up in height for what it lacks in length."

More photos in a few days.