optimism May 28, 2026

 

In every which way, I like to look on the bright side!  At times being optimistic takes work yet worth it to get to that state of mind.  It can be a mind game getting to that state, that's a game I will always choose to play. The Yellow Warblers have migrated to the city in full force.  When I hear them and then see them, I can't help but smile. When googling to learn a little more about the Yellow Warbler, I found out they symbolize "bright optimism". 

On this morning, I ventured to Nose Creek at Confluence Park with hopes of seeing Yellow Warblers.  Once again I went early to beat the heat and was joined on the pathways by many others. Right at the get-go, I forgot I was also supposed to put lots of kilometres on my walking shoes. The chorus this morning was a distraction, a distraction I was happy to get caught up in. 

male House Finch

male Red-winged Blackbird

Common Grackle

Goldfinch

Grey Catbird

Barn Swallow

I was already in a state of being cheer-filled, 

when I saw the Yellow Warbler, my happiness was magnified! 

out of curiosity, this is a Chipping Sparrow, being curious

As I write this post, night is falling and we are still in the midst of a heat wave. It is due to be gone by the morning, being replaced with a rainfall and flood warning over the next few days. This was the earliest ever I arrived at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, once again to beat the heat. How early do I have to go to these parks to be the first these days! I joined many others already walking the trails.    

Family swims were in full swing!  I knew I would see Goslings yet I was optimistic I would see other ducklings of some sort.  These Canada Geese parents and their Goslings were looking for a grassy area, they swam towards where I was standing, so I snapped my shots then moved on to give them the space.

This female Mallard and her Ducklings were swimming in a very tight group. For the first time ever, I saw a male Mallard continuously grab at the Ducklings. I was not sure what that was all about so did some homework when I got home.  There are a few reasons the male was displaying that behaviour.   

The female Wood Duck was in the reeds with about eight Ducklings. I watched for awhile while she watched her babies swim about.  Every now and then one ventured out far enough that I could get a somewhat clear shot. 

The female Common Goldeneye and her Ducklings swam for quite a distance.  

The waterways are running fast and high and lagoons are full. Water was released from the local reservoir to make room for the rain, snow melt and water which will come from the mountain areas, which is also under a rainfall/flood warning, over the next few days.  I stood on the bridge and watched the Goslings and Parents navigate the area.  I have never seen so many Goslings all together. They came in all different sizes, how do they even know which Adult they belong to.  They kept coming and coming and coming.  Even though the video ends at sixteen seconds, the Goslings kept coming. 

the water running high and fast

the Lagoon is full

When I got home and looked at my photos, I thought about how will all these Babies whether the weather over the next few days. I am optimistic their Parents have been teaching them well and will take great care of them. The Babies:  Goldeneye Duckling, Mallard Duckling, Gosling, Wood Duck Duckling.

passion May 25, 2026

If you read my blog posts about my visit to Waterton Lakes National Park last week then you would have seen a few photos of Paintbrushes which I saw along hiking trails.  I used my photos as a reference for this watercolour painting. I googled the Paintbrush flower from which I learned many more things about it. The Paintbrush flower symbolizes courage, passion, and the beauty of the wild! After finding out that, it led me to read more about the word "passion". 

My days are filled with passion! I embrace the days I put kilometres on my hiking boots or walking shoes, photographing nature in all its forms, transforming photos into watercolour paintings, creating a collection of photographs to share then putting my experience into words. I take joy in the final product but it is truly all about the journey. 

Since returning from Waterton, I have been "out & about" catching up on the comings & goings at two of my favourite locations for becoming immersed in nature. On this morning, I arrived at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary very early to wonderful sights and sounds. These days being somewhere early does not mean I get to own the place, many others are living out their passions along with me.

These two do not belong together! 

female Common Goldeneye and male Mallard

This is a proper couple!

male & female Blue-winged Teal

male Common Merganser in a flap about something 

House Wren

Yellow Warbler

Baltimore Oriole

Cedar Waxwing

female Common Merganser

a sweet family of Canada Geese

an even sweeter family of Bald Eagles

Today, I arrived at Carburn Park not long after all the birds woke, as I was up with them this morning. I was not the first in the parking lot. There were walkers, birders, fishermen, runners and dog walkers.  We were all out starting our day with living our passions. The park was alive with everything that makes nature a joy to be "out & about" in.    

Baltimore Oriole 

a stern looking Chipping Sparrow

While walking by where I saw the Robin sitting on the nest a week or so ago, I could see an egg sitting on top of the edge of the nest, not where it should be.  You can see it top left.  I zoomed in closer and saw the egg was damaged.  Another birder told me some other bird species probably got to the egg. 

two of the eight Common Goldeneye ducklings

a Cooper's Hawk with breakfast

Yellow Warbler

Adult Bald Eagle to the left, two Eaglets in the nest

After putting numerous kilometres on my walking shoes, snapping many special seconds in time, there was more passion yet to be enjoyed.  With the loads of Norwegian yarn left after knitting the mittens, I started the next project which was not planned to be started until autumn.  This is what I have to share with you so far.  Knitting pairs nicely with watching the French Open tennis matches.     

Passion 🧡 having an enthusiastic devotion to what brings joy into our lives

Waterton Lakes National Park May 23, 2026

 

This is what it looked like today when I went wandering in Waterton Lakes National Park.

My focus this morning was to get up and out the door then get over to the lakeshore before sunrise which these days is well before 6:00am.  I made it in plenty of time as did a few others.  We waited and we watched!  Pinks began to turn to oranges!

waiting 

I took many photos while I waited.  

This photo shows the second the sun peeked above the horizon. 

A new day has dawned! 

While I was waiting for the sun to rise, I also watched behind me as the alpenglow changed the colours of Mount Crandell. I also zoomed in to see people up on Bear's Hump. They would have hiked up to the summit in the dark.  The following three photos show the changing shades as the moments went on.

Once the sun was up, I drove the Akamina Parkway to get another look at Cameron Lake during the early hours of the morning.  No other vehicles were to be seen neither in front of me nor behind me.  I took the liberty to stop to snap shots of the beautiful views though my front windshield.

The reason there were no vehicles in front of me nor behind me during the drive up the Parkway to the lake was because they were already here when I arrived. This is where they chose to watch the sun rise this morning. I wondered what that looked like!  I have never driven up the Parkway in the dark. Hhmmm! This is what Cameron Lake looked like this morning.  No more ice and not even the slightest breeze.  The absolutely crystal clear reflection was a sight to see! 

A stroll along a very short section of the lakeshore offered up some sweet songs and sights.

male Barrow's Goldeneye

Cassin's Finch

Red-breasted Nuthatch

Spotted Sandpiper

During the drive back down the Akamina Parkway, I came upon this group of Mountain Sheep but they were in the middle of the road, in no rush to go anyway.  Eventually, they moved off the road to this grassy area in search of breakfast.  

a close up of the Sheep at far right

I saw so much already yet it was still very early in the morning. Waterton Lakes National Park always offers up so much, the usual along with many surprises. Everything about this place keeps me wanting to go back for more!