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”
Was amazed that I noticed it.. I just knew that that limb had not been on the ground yesterday. I actually moved it off the roadway. Did a lot of overland hiking today while exploring, found an opening and went into the fenced area, found where they had put up fences and where the animals would go to cool down on hot days.
needed a walking stick to balance, the ground is actually almost two feet down in places, the vegetation is so thick and layered, you have to make sure that the land underneath is solid and there isn’t a big hole.
I loved the solitude of this morning’s walk, the birds except for a couple of hard working woodpeckers were quiet.
Just since yesterday, the growth on some of the trees was noticeable. What looked like they could eventually be pussy willows.. had doubled in size.
I will miss my walk tomorrow because the surgery will be so early, I was very happy that today was clear and I was able to get out for my walk. Interestingly, while I had the clear blue skies, back in the city, not twenty minutes away, they had rain.
Perceiving equals doing. Each time you notice something, it is a gift from God. don’t miss this opportunity to act.
Perfect Liberty 2021.15
Face challenging situations with a positive determination. when you encounter difficulties, boldly take measures to over come them. By creatively finding solutions, you will feel the joy in tackling any situation.
Nothing wrong with my imagination. Wandering the back roads and nature trails, is fodder for my story telling, my imagination goes into a different gear, all on its own. I see the forest people the community going about its business, and I catch friends having a mid day chat. Come another couple of weeks and they will be harder to spot.
I know they think if they stand really still, no one will see.. But those of us who seek are always rewarded, especially if the sun/shadows work in our favour.
Have a “Let’s do it” attitude. Even if a task is difficult, keep in mind it is given by God and accomplish it.
Perfect Liberty 2021.14
The Universe is continually in motion/movement. So are we, we don’t realize that even standing still, we are, or parts of us are moving. We are beautifully built. =^_^=. The weather forecast says tomorrow should be much like today, and today was basically clear if not always sunny, and it was mild. Means . I might try and do another “walk”. Come the very hot summer weather that Ottawa is famous for.. I will be not wanting to venture out, I will be a gal who keeps her central air company.
I found one of my marketing brochures the other day. On the cover it says “Rediscover the inner peace and quiet, of the mind, body and spirit. Oneness..” it goes on to says my sessions were “a self directed method of getting in touch with your inner calm” It is amazing that now, many years later ( this brochure is at least 20 some years old) I am still very much into believing and living my life, as I describe in in my brochure.
“Life is a dance, every step you take follows the rhythm of your “chi/energy”. It is your link to the Universe.”
Still today, I work at finding my inner calm, and for sure I try to cultivate a way of life that will unclutter my mind.
We are mid week dear friends.. “Let’s do it” One step at a time, let’s work towards “world peace” we begin with our Selves. Peace within, radiates a calm for everyone to enjoy.
We’ve all been on such a road, it goes somewhere, but we don’t know where. It is not open to traffic, you want to see what is at the end, you have to hoof it (walk) or bicycle. Fortunately for me, a young man and his charge came along on bikes, because my feet were draggin.. I flagged him down, did he know this road, and yes he did. “how far do I have to go till I reach the end?” “See up ahead, around the curve?”
he pointed up to where the above road barriers were .. you can just make them out in the first picture.
“When you get to the bend, the road will change from pavement to gravel, you will be about half way” Wow, I was going to be late for my 10:30 – 11 a.m appointment, I would have to turn back. No way could I manage to do the whole walk and get back in time.. besides my legs were telling me I’d already been doing enough walking for the day.
obviously at one time, this was a well travelled road. but no more. It is all part of the NCC green space now.you can see remnants of old fences now.. once all the growth starts to happen, this may not be so visible.
As I walked back to my car, I wondered how it must have been, likely there had been animals out in the pastures that are now slowly being over taken with vegetation again. I saw a lot of creeks and water beds.. it will be fun to explore on another day.
This area, where the blocked off road is, is not the part of Dewberry where most of the hiking, snowshoeing, X-cross country is done. But I’m told the rewards are worth the walk, especially in another few weeks when there will be flowers a lot of interesting vegetation at another observation deck that has been built out over the water.. Trick is you got to get there, and it is a hike. Hiking through the trails is walking on trampled earth, the terrain is very different, this walk along the road, is just that.. you are walking on a paved road. I’ll tell you about the unpaved part when I actually get to do it.
Thanks for sharing this part of the journey with me.
We are all wonderful in our own way… Although results are important, your effort is what is truly precious.
Perfect Liberty 2021.13
he was a long way from me.. but I did manage to get a picture before he took off on me.
this is a fun piece I would love to have in my backyard
Knowing church was at 10, I made my way to the woodlands earlier.. I got there as the cleaning crew was leaving.. had the place all to myself. Still a little early but I did manage some photos.
how much wood can a woodchuck wood, if a woodchuck could chuck wood
Let’s begin today with a smile. Let’s start the day with a positive outlook, looking forward to what we can discover.
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 