This next picture was an awesome moment, unfortunately I was unable to get a good picture, I was frozen in place on a stump, the Mother and Father of these babies were coming along behind me, since I was sitting their heads and beaks would have been right in my face, back of head, or my neck. I was not going to chance moving.
these precious babies were right at my feet, their Mother called them away towards her, since I was sitting where they would have entered the water, they make their way through the brush around me.
I offered up a wish they would swim past me when they entered the water, but they went left instead.
No matter what the day was like prior to my arriving at Mud Lake, as soon as I stepped into the area, I was in a different zone. I love being out in Nature, but then I’m sure you’ve arrived at that piece of information already.
every time I meet up with this female duck I’m loving her more, her beautiful markings are exquisite. Her partner is more colourful, true but I find her pattern to be a work of art.
It was a sunny day, temperatures were balmy, next time I need to get their earlier, when I arrived, the cars were already lined up all along the road. However, altho’ the wildlife is plentiful, I think I prefer an environment with less human taffic.
LIFE IS ART PL Precept #1
PS I did get to see the muskrat, but he/she was on the move. I will share a picture of that muskrat soon. Stay tuned.
In behind the soccer fields, way down well into the woodlands
At first I was disappointed, my first stop was where the big hill is for tobogganing. (winter activity).. when I explored the possibilities along the trails close to the hill, I found them more suitable to “bikers”.. not the first time I’ve considered the idea of a trail bike, the kind with the big tires. ….. don’t worry the thought came, and went.. =^_^=
some sections today were very steep, I needed to craft a walking stick to help me balance when I started the upward climb.
found a carpet of dandelions – the bees love them
The sun stayed out for me .. it was a beautiful day, got my exercise, now I get to sit back and just relax.
If I can exercise every day, so can you !!
PL Precept #20 Live maintaining equilibrium between mind and matter.
came across this duck while strolling, he was more interested in his grooming than in me
I had already realized that my Nikon was no longer going to perform having received the battery tired message. These were taken with my cell phone. I tried to capture him with his face towards me, but he just wouldn’t stop his grooming.
This duck was another one who visited, he actually started to come up to me, then the squirrel intruded. I possibly insulted him calling him a bird, and not recognizing he was a duck. I’ve never had occasion to call or converse with a duck before !!
The birds/ducks were all over the place today, I should have gotten there earlier, I would have had more time, as it was I only got to explore on the other side of the road, not the part of Mud Lake I had been on before.
This side of the road the walking is more difficult, a good pair of hiking boots would have been best.paths were rugged, rocky and wound up and down the landscape. I’lll add it was cold today, there were other photographers everywhere.notes on this Saturday’s adventure from Mud lake.
PL Precept #1 Life is Art…. Life is also an adventure… live it to the fullest.
Agility not being on my side today, I did make noise as I determinedly made my way through the brush along the shoreline to try to make my way to the end of the peninsula.
I climbed over fallen branches, dead trees, slipped down the embankment into the mud, even crossed a car length of water on a tree limb and a make shift stepping stone with a wooden plank to get to more of the peninsula. I was tired and getting weary, but I was determined to get to the end of the bit of land I was exploring.
My reward was that as I went the last few steps, I saw a Canada Goose out in the water, using my zoom I tried to bring him in focus, while keeping my balance on the uneven terrain. I was having a bit of a time, it was very uneven and full of overgrown brush and vegetation. Something made me aware that I was not alone, I cautiously looked to either side of me, but didn’t see anything… then I saw that the Goose was heading back towards me, and I looked down, just a few feet away from me, sat his partner.. staring up at me.
The queen herself, watching me, wondering what this silly human was doing in her space.
I know I like to explore, and I like being in places where I’m not likely to meet any other person on a walk, I suspect that they had chosen this place because it was far from human traffic, for sure, it was not an easy journey through the overgrown vegetation and dead wood that was everywhere. but, this crazy lady came to visit. They were both actually very calm about it all. You can see, when he got closer and saw that I wasn’t a threat, he stopped to primp himself. Needless to say, I was thrilled to the bone. I felt like I had just won the lottery.
Happiness is, a day out in the world, being ONE with nature, yes, I had to scramble over logs, deep holes in the ground, watch for branches that reached out to block my path, stumbled over dead roots reaching up out of the debris that littered the ground, but I was alive, and I was focused on every moment of my experience. The memory of that moment where her eyes looked into mine, will stay with me forever. She was so close, so near, and so unruffled … her serenity in the moment, was a gift//blessing.
If only the music had been playing, these two gave me a wonderful performance, they showed off their graceful maneuvers with their synchronized ballet, it was such fun to watch them enjoying themselves. I wished there had been more of an audience.. alas it was me, myself and I…
See how clear the water is in this last picture, then scroll back up to the one above, the murky water is due to the geese dive bombing the bottom and stirring up the mud when they are searching for food. They stick their little faces right down into the mucky bottom. They focus, and are very intent on getting sustenance. I’m sure these are the same two that had a chin wag with me the other day.
With one thought, “the world” will change. Changing your way of thinking will make a difference on how you perceive the world.
Perfect Liberty 2021.24
Be easy going and live your life cheerfully and flexibly. Strong emotions can be the cause of various troubles. Always strive to have a cheerful and calm state of mind.
Weak tired and weary, I took to my bed early. The activities of yesterday had drained me physically, and left me wanting to do nothing but take myself to bed. I was almost settled in, when I heard my phone ping. Usually I have it turned off, or down but I hadn’t done it yet. I checked my Instagram since that was the last app I’d used. Walloping kadoodle.. Num had posted these pictures of an ermine he’s spotted in the woods. I was so excited I got up and came into my office to see them on the big screen. I had to write him and congratulate him on his captures. I’ve seen them now a couple of times, they are fast, they move with the speed of light and are so agile and graceful… that he was able to capture this little one with three good pictures .. I was delighted, couldn’t wait to send him a message. Thank you Num you are amazing.
Isn’t she/he just the most darling of creatures. The one I’ve seen has been at Dewberry in the east end, if I recall he found this darling in the west end. I had been heading for Sarsaparilla trail on my way to church but had gotten sidetracked, and ended up at Beaver Trail. Ottawa is a delight for nature & wildlife photographers, we have dozens of woodlands, forests and green spaces within and all around the city.
It’s Okay! God is watching over you. things turn out for the best. Don’t be captured by momentary troubles but continue doing everything with sincerity.
Perfect Liberty 2021.19
you can see more of Num’s captures on Instagram – NumOttawa
the newness in the green as it is being bathed in the spring sunlight.
There is beauty in every direction you can look, look up, look down, look all around. there are not bounds to the wonders of this Universe, and that includes the wonder in YOU – in fact – YOU are part of this vast Universe, and your presence in it.. is what makes it even more magical. Q
Have a great day today everyone – be kind to others and yourself. ” smile, and the world will smile with you”
I’ve posted this door before, but since I am unable to really do a full Thursday Doors today, I am going to share this one with you again.
Welcome to all those who enter – Peace lives here
In the top picture, for me the doorway was the invitation to enter the glade that was provided to me by Nature herself. This second door is a physical one, and one that is recognized by many as a place of worship, at one time such doors were always open, sadly … this is not the case any longer.
But Nature – is always ALWAYS right here with us, all around us.. part of our every day, whether or not we acknowledge Nature/s presence, it is there . one need only “look/feel”
TAOIST Life is Art (Perfect Liberty precept #1)
contact info.- via blogs
--- there are two energies, Yin and Yang = ONE
---to have balance we must live each moment
of our lives.. with Makoto (sincerity)
The only constant in life is change. I am grounded in the reality of Living.
This is true, in all worlds. RL or virtual. I am me and only me.
dymoonblog 