nature's beauty May 8, 2026

It's been nice enough to leave the windows open at night. If you choose to go that route, there is a price to pay. Yesterday morning it was at 3:48am, this morning it was 3:21am when Mother Nature's alarm clock went off, the Robins began to sing! There is beauty in their songs but not at that hour of the morning! I laid and listened!  

In addition to the new Eaglets at Carburn Park, I found out there was something else new there! This morning I went to investigate for myself, I will get to that a little later, for now the sight I wanted to see was Mom Bald Eagle and her two Eaglets. While walking there I got distracted! The golden hour was in full bloom, the reflections amazing! 

When I arrived up on the ridge and zoomed in across the pathway and far across the river to the tree top, this is what I saw.  This is full on zoom with a tiny bit of cropping.  I tried my best to balance myself against the chain link fence and rest my camera on top.  

one Eaglet is stretching its wings

Mom watching her Eaglets with much pride no doubt!

I was happy to have timed it right to see the Eaglets.  They are up and moving for only a few minutes at a time.  Once they settled back down, it was time to move on.  I had no idea where the other new sight to see was so I wandered all over enjoying everything else while on the search.

beauty in the flying precision of two White Pelicans

It took dozens of tries to finally get a photograph of this Yellow-rumped Warbler where I could see the yellow crown.  It took patience, lots of it, yet worth the time. There is much detail in nature's beauty, I don't know if this is a male or female, or what subspecies it is. 

a Beaver glistening in the morning light

There is no doubt with identifying a Song Sparrow!  

This male Common Merganser swan by while his lady friend was settled on the edge of a log.  I noticed the water droplet hanging from its bill when I checked the photo for crispness right after snapping it.  It was when I got home and looked closer that I saw the drop of water shows up in the reflection.  You can find beauty even in the tiniest of things if you look for it!  

a sleeping Red-necked Grebe

this depicts the beauty of a day with no wind

All the while, while walking, I was looking for that something else which was new! As I was about ready to call it a day by the time I arrived at the far south end of the Park, I finally found what I was looking for. There were three Goslings with their parents exploring amongst the rocks along the river's edge.  Just like the Eaglets, they represent new beginnings, hope, life.

As I aimed for my vehicle, I passed by the pond one more time to still see a lovely reflection yet in a whole different light.  There is beauty in nature so matter how you see it yet you need to be out there amongst it. Let it soothe your soul or heal your heart, it will be there for you no matter what!  

Note: The painting at the top of the post was created using this photo (from April 30th) as a reference.

a story or two May 4, 2026

When I originally purchased this Norwegian wool in Norway, the plan was to knit mittens but not at this time of year. This was to be an end of autumn project to have the mittens ready for next winter.  The yarn has been sitting in a corner yet not out of sight, I did not get around to bringing it to the basement shelf. I picked up the yarn, felt it, looked at patterns, retrieved my needles from the basement. I started knitting and could not stop until one mitten was complete! This has been the most enjoyable knitting project I worked on to date. With the yarn holding so much more meaning than yarn I had purchased at a local craft store, I knitted this mitten with so much more joy and love! I will now wait to knit the second mitten during autumn! 

I've been making the rounds to all my usual local "out & about" areas to see what has transpired since my last visits a few weeks ago before heading off on vacation.  Yesterday included a visit to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary, where all is well into a wonderful spring fling.  Then this morning, I aimed for Confluence Park to see how it looked with winter now long gone.  I was curious about the bird migration, the new section of the Birth Forest and also if any crocuses were still putting on a show.  

After rounding a corner, I saw I was not in the lead! We were both heading for that bridge crossing the creek.  It sauntered along, I did too yet a bit slower.  Once we were both on the other side, the coyote stopped to have a look before darting off into the bushes and up a hill.   It is shedding the winter coat.  

Where I could get closer to the creek, I went there.  It was early morning, I was wide awake with clear vision, yet this duck fooled my mind. It was camouflaged with the water and it took seeing it in the correct light to fully distinguish what I was seeing.  This is an American Wigeon. 

The Robins were plentiful yet not as plentiful as they were at The Sanctuary yesterday.  

Between Song Sparrows and Savannah Sparrows, 

the early morning air was filled with sweet songs! 

This is a Song Sparrow.

Then the total opposite of a sweet song, the Red-winged Blackbirds added their kind of music!  

After ascending from the creekside, I hit the wide open sunny slopes to see them carpeted with crocuses.  Many were in the prime of their lives, yet others were a bit beyond. In areas there were so many, I had to watch where I placed my feet.  I took a few photos, not near as many as I took up on Nose Hill the other day.  

I wandered around the old section of the Birth Forest before aiming for one of the new areas.  It was nice to see this section survived winter wonderfully!  As the days go on, more green will appear, more buds will sprout, more birds will arrive and this Park will become even more alive!   

"Hello May" May 1, 2026

Before heading off on my adventure in mid April, I had been out crocus hunting yet my success was not as it usually is for that time of year. Due to winter conditions lingering longer, the crocus season got pushed out.  I hoped that if I ventured up onto Nose Hill this morning, there might still be some crocuses to enjoy. There was! In abundance! Carpeting the hills! 

When I go crocus hunting, it takes getting down on the ground to become one with Mother Nature.  At one point I did then was shocked to see what was looking at me! As this post's focus is on crocuses, I will leave this photo with you and get back to it later. 

The last time I purposely went out to look at flowers was on Wednesday April 15, 2026 when I visited Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, South Holland. The flowers were right there, right before my eyes, I did not have to walk far to see them but I did walk far to enjoy the entire Gardens.  This morning up on Nose Hill, I did not have to walk far to find crocuses, yet I did walk far to enjoy the entire Hill. Up with the birds and out the door on a most gorgeous day, this was the best to way to say "Hello May"!  

I am sharing six of my crocus photos out of the close to one hundred that I captured.  These are my favourites and include singles, pairs and bouquets.  As I mentioned earlier, it took laying down on the ground to line up with each crocus to get the best angle.  While in the midst of my hunting, I wondered if crocuses grow in Norway.  It did not cross my mind to look while I was in Bergen last week.  I did some homework when I got home from Nose Hill and yes there are crocuses in Norway, although they are not native to the area.

In the middle of crocus hunting, I passed by the pond to see it was a happening place. Crows were flying over head chasing each other.  Many Mallards were flirting, chasing, courting, frolicking! I heard Sparrows, Robins, saw some kind of Hawk fly over, then it was a nice surprise to see this American Coot swimming with a Bufflehead couple. 

American Coot

Male Bufflehead

The Mallards put on quite a show!  

I was not quick enough on the draw to capture the full Male Mallard scurrying away.  

When I saw this photo, I chuckled.  I think it is perfect!  

So, now to get back to that first photo I shared!  

While I was being one with ground, a porcupine sauntered by.  

I did slowly get up and back away.

This is a nine second video of the porcupine going about its business. Using the camera's zoom, I took the video after I was at a safe distance.  It looks like it may have shot out quills from its backside at some point. 

Now back to another topic!  After learning about crocuses in Norway and seeing photos, I decided to create another painting from photos of my fjord cruises on April 19, 2026 and April 23, 2026. This time I added the waterfall that I did not include on the first painting and I also added Norwegian Crocuses along the shoreline.  I let my creativity wander and this is what transpired!  

I hope your May is getting off on the right foot and that it turns out to be merry month!

back to reality April 30, 2026

I'm still holding on tight to that "walking into a fairy-tale like feeling" even though I am now back to living the reality of life! With the crazy way our world is these days in pretty much all aspects, I feel so very fortunate for my trip to Haarlem, The Netherlands and Bergen, Norway to have transpired the way it did.  In all my travels over the decades, never have I had a trip go so perfectly smooth from the moment I walked out my front door on the 12th to the moment I walked back through it on the 26th. All four flights were enjoyable even the two long haul flights. All security checks and passport controls were the quickest and easiest I have ever experienced. My accommodations were perfect in every way. I met locals in both locations and travellers from many parts of the world, all were a pleasure to chat with.  From hotel employees, flight attendants, taxi drivers, store clerks, tour operators, bus drivers, restaurant employees, guides, I could not have asked for my interactions with them to play out any differently.  (Note: The previous thirteen posts prior to this one are of my visit to Haarlem and Bergen.)

During the wee hours of the mornings these past few days when jet-lag took over, I let my mind wander back to "walking into a fairy-tale like feeling"!  I created this watercolour painting using numerous photos from my two fjord cruises as my references.  I felt a line & wash style would give it that fairy tale look. When googling about Stave Churches, which this one is, I learned this is more medieval than fairy tale. Most of the Stave Churches that are left are found in Norway.  In hindsight, there should be a waterfall coming off the fjord wall on the left.      

After needing a few days to take care of business, this morning it was time to head "out & about".  I had been awake since an ungodly hour of the morning which I am blaming on jetlag. That worked well because I did not have to wait too long for the sun to come up to hit the road.  I read about the spring migrants who arrived at Carburn Park so that's where I went. Even though I was there bloody early, I still did not arrive ahead of the regular birders.   

This is just a few of the couple dozen White Pelicans that are making the Bow River home.  

I like the hair-doo on the Pelican in the middle with its back to me.  

Red-necked Grebes just after doing their courting dance!

a Song Sparrow with a wild hairdo

The Robin was collecting twigs and things for building a nest. 

By the time it finished, it had a lot more in its beak than in this photo.  

It is always extra special seeing a Common Loon!

My reality was sweet today!  Look closely under the orange star.  The Carburn Bald Eagles have two Eaglets and this is one of them.  I snapped this shot before I got to the best view point.  By the time I arrived to the best viewing spot, the Adult Eagle was brooding the babies.  I returned two more times a little later but no luck with seeing the Eaglets.  I will go back another day.

Bergen, Norway April 24, 2026

When I opened the curtains this morning, the plan to luxuriate fell by the wayside. Another lovely day was dawning in this fairytale-like piece of paradise.  While I passed on luxuriating, I still did not have a big day within me. I still had items on my list that I wanted to purchase so I went shopping!  With more travels in my future, I needed another journal.  I did purchase one, with painted tulips on the cover, at Keukenhof Gardens in South Holland but one is not enough.  This one spoke to me so I replied with an affirmative! 

Purchasing Norwegian yarn was on my to-do list. I wanted yarn to knit mittens.  I had a particular store in mind which was only a hop skip and a jump from my home away from home.  Being a novice knitter, I needed help with my selection.  I brought a mitten I knitted with me to show the lady, I wanted to knit them the same size with the same weight of yarn. This is what I came away with!  It’s “light petrol” in colour which is a teal-green shade.  

I was so excited and distracted with my yarn purchase that I forgot 

to tell the waiter, where I went for lunch, that I wanted a small beer!  Oh boy! 

Everything about this dining experience was exceptional! From the hostess who greeted me to the waiter who gave me the best seat in the house, to the other customers who even acknowledged me with a welcome. I felt like royalty! The fish and chips were the best I ever had! I like how the tartar sauce came in a muscle shell. It was here where I luxuriated savouring each morsel of food, every sip of the local IPA and just being grateful for every single second I get to be in Bergen!  

After that large beer, I needed to put some kilometres on my walking shoes and try to do so without a wobble.  I window shopped and walked, snapping shots of yet more places I just discovered. I dared not go into this gallery!

a cocktail bar

a Mexican restaurant and a cowboy saloon

I went into numerous stores that specialized in knitted goods.

I wouldn’t damage a sweater if I wobbled and knocked it over.

Norway is known for its hotdogs, especially reindeer hotdogs!  I don’t do well with hotdogs so passed on purchasing one but I wanted to see this famous little hotdog kiosk. What I do well with is chocolate and I bought and ate lots of that.

Bergen Harbour is busy with watercraft of all sizes. 

Today this cruise ship arrived, it holds just over 900 passengers, so on the small side compared to….. 

…..this one that arrived yesterday and holds 5000 passengers.

The grey navy ship left the harbour today, needing to maneuver between all the other ships.

This is a very small sampling of the small boats that arrived for the weekend.

This one is called the Stordi.

It’s a restored steamboat from 1913.

After a couple of hours of walking, I headed back to my home away from home.  I looked out my window to see some ships had left and more had arrived.  I am a people watcher but boy am I a boat watcher!  By now that beer had worn off and I was ready for more, more chocolate that is!