I knew it was time to head back to the car when the mosquito repellent was loosing its effectiveness.
serenity is feeling that you are alone – exploring – discoveringwhen the sun is in the right place, and the reflections in the water are crystal clear
A cheerful smile and expression makes everyone around you happy. When you do everything with a smile, not only you but the people around you will feel good. Always remember to put on a happy face.
Remember this – the snow is gone now, yesterday i went to clear out the dead wood
today I’m going back to meet up with a wildlife nature photographer who has a new idea for capturing what our forest friends are up to. He has invited me to join him to show me what he has been up to.. yeah! except I’ll have to cope with the mosquitos, Eliza has thoughtfully offered up what she uses… guess who is going to pause here to see if the product can be found here. We are on lock down, only essentials are open. fingers crossed.. (note to self, save to draft)
was introduced to a part of a trail I’d not been on before.. more to follow
Perceiving equals doing. Each time you notice something, it is a gift from God. don’t miss the opportunity to act.
Perfect Liberty 2021.15
Oyashikiri
every day is a new beginning
the OFF worked.. Thanks Eliza
no wild life nature photographer was harmed in the making of this blog =^_^=
revisited a site I’d not been to for years – East end off Hawthorn
Today began in a very uninteresting place. It was such a dismal day, I actually went back to bed. Something I never do, the rain was not hard, but constant and the skies a multitude of shades of gray and bleak. Rather than face the negative thoughts and dismal attitude, I went back to bed. Keeper (my faithful whippet) obviously thought it was a good choice, she joined me (something she does not do, once she is up she usually prefers to stay up and nap in my office or sun room)… Velcro in his wisdom decided to stay in the living room where he could keep track of the comings and goings on the street. In other words, security watch.
I feel my whole body relax as soon as i enter the woodlands
You can freely express yourself within the rules. Consider rules as a canvas on which to express your specialty artistically
Perfect Liberty 2021.9
Brian and I used to go to another trail off Leitrum, the parking lot was there, little else except the remains and debris that accumulates in an uncultivated area over the years. It was used mostly in winter by skiers who wanted to do winter trails. I think its called P19 now. What a difference 8 -10 years make. I walked down the winter trail, it was very muddy, I spent a bit of time collecting wood to make a trail over the mud. When I got home, I cleaned my Bogs (boots) in water, so they will be ready to go again next outing. That was my excitement … I came home feeling refreshed, altho’ going out in the afternoon is very foreign to me, mornings are my time to hike/walk/explore. On the bright side, … it will soon be bed time..
sigh, everyone’s a critic
Be creative in your efforts. If something is not going well, take a step back and look at how you are tackling the problem. There is sure to be something you can improve on.
I watched the little beggar cross my path, and waddle over to the tree and begin to climb it. I had my Canon with me and not the Nikon. By the time I got the camera out and tried to find him.. zip.. finally I did see him sitting calmly on a very high branch looking down at me and now a couple of other hikers.
he was not a figment of my imagination
I’ve never seen a porcupine up close, never had one within my space, this was a big deal. I knew to give him/her space, I was very taken with every detail of his/her person. Talk about a slow and deliberate mover… even so, I have to find another way to carry the Canon or not use it and stick to my Nikon. Both of the cameras tho’ are not really good at getting close ups of birds /animals that are not within easy reach.
The little guy was not as clean and his colours were not as bright, but he had yellow shading, his latin name is Erethizon dorsatum.
taken from wikimedia
Not going to say he/she was pretty, but it was exciting for me =^_^=. I came across this critter at Old Quarry Trail off Eagleson in Kanata. It was my third stop of the day, I was a busy bee this morning.
Earlier I had retraced my steps to where I had seen the Egret (bird) yesterday, nothing, it was cloudy overcast, and very damp, you would think perfect for ducks, geese and fowl, but nope… I saw few there or at the Hope Side Road location.
My fascination today, was watching the porcupine climb high into a tree.
Egret? I couldn’t get closer, I tried but she/he flew away
Listen carefully and speak clearly. A good relationship starts from truly understanding each other.
Perfect Liberty 2021.5
It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else will affect its successful outcome.
William James
I was beyond happy at sighting this bird.. I so didn’t expect it. I had stopped to check a small area of water off a road, saw lots of geese, and was turning to go back to my car, when I saw a spot of white in what looked like a run off, that ran under the road. Its times like this I think I need a better camera.. thankfully the moment passed.
these were only some of the geese in this location, it obviously was a happy place for them
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.
Sometimes, my mind is not always present. This was my first visit to Petrie Island in a long time. I parked and walked across to the inlet, and was startled by a black bird who few right up to me and landed just a heart beat away. He puffed up his chest opened his wings and I was delighted at his welcome, managed to grab a picture, and then took a few more of the water behind him and the activity in the bay. Guess who had not put her memory card back in her camera.
I grabbed for my cell phone but of course, by the time I did all that the bird and his partner were long gone. I continued on the trail chastising myself.. mutter mutter… I did get some pictures with the cell, but the cell is not my Nikon or the Canon .. The two ducks I came across were no interested in me, they basically ignored my presence. I am not standing all that far a way from them when I was taking their pictures.
I will go back. I went out today because the forecast calls for a nice temperature today, and sun, the rest of the week till Friday, is overcast with rain, and in the low 40’s. This was the first time I’ve ever not returned my memory card to the camera when done with the transfer of pictures from the card to my PC. Hopefully it will be my last.
In the summer, this location is full of people enjoying the island and the waters around it. Today it was quiet, there were people but not too many. It was ideal for a relaxing wander … I could hear all kinds of birds over head, but I lack the zoom lenses that my wildlife photographer friends have, so .. I just took my time walking the trail and listened.
It is truly a blessing to be able to enjoy such beauty minutes away from my home.
meet the robin that walked along with me for part of my journey.
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
look up high into the skyI had an idea . I lay on the bench and took a picture of the sky over my head
it was so peaceful and quiet. Taking pictures while on my back wasn’t fun though.. so i sat up for this last one, the direction from whence I’d come.this is what lay ahead
You can see, the signs of fresh minty green as the plants take in the longer days of sunshine and the balmier weather.
For the sale of others, society, and world peace. Always live keeping in mind everything you do is for the sake of others, society and world peace.
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.