Good-Bye April relax...breathe

Bowness - Baker - Bowmont - Dale Hodges Parks

With much to catch up on, covering a longer distance would be suffice.  Time covering the distance was made longer due to crocus distractions. This was not meant to be a crocus hunt but that played a big part in our catch up.  We were afforded a most beautiful day nearing the end of April which made for ideal conditions to relax...breathe!

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

For my own good, I needed to start this day in a place where I could relax...breathe.  This time around, I donned attire to blend in instead of glowing brightly.  The scenery was bright enough!  I learned not all go for the birds and ducks like I do.  You have your birders and then you have your "duckers"!  The summer residents are still arriving and each time I go I see something new.   Robins are plentiful yet for the first time I saw one with a band around its leg.  I saw a male Wood Duck pruning while balancing on one leg. The Red-Winged Blackbird had so much to say.  My bird book tells me the fourth bird is a Tree Swallow.  What I heard and what I saw was all I needed to be in a mindful place to face today! 

Confluence Park

My friend had never been to this Park nor had she been on a crocus hunt. While this "out & about" was not meant to be a hunt, it did turn to be that though.  It was a challenge for us to just pass by all the bouquets.  It had been a few months since we shared pathway time which meant we had lots of life's happenings to tell about.  Between the stories, the wildflowers, the wildlife and the gorgeous weather, these were hours well spent where we could easily relax...breathe!  

Bow Valley Provincial Park April 26, 2021

If I started at the Bow Valley Visitor Centre and followed the trail from there to the Bow River, I could make this a longer outing that would include lots of forest trails, passing through meadows, hiking by a Lake but most importantly it would afford me more time down along the River. The first kilometre or so was on a paved path that was snow and ice covered but then clear when it came to the open sections.

When the views opened up beautiful sights were presented! All the snow that fell yesterday has melted in the lower areas where the sun shines making it late spring-like, yet it is full on winter high in the mountains.   

After working my way through the forest then winding my way around the campground, I arrived at the trail down by the Bow River.  The River was high and I could tell right away there would not be many locations that could afford me the opportunity to get close to the edge.  I stuck to the trail. 

one location where I could safely get to the shore

With the snow still present, it was easy to see what kind of activity occurred recently.  The print was not gigantic and it was not from this morning as it was frozen over with a very light dusting of snow on top of the paw print.  Yet I still made sure to announce my presence and be aware of my surroundings.   

A few minutes later along the way, there were fresh tracks, as fresh as can be.  They were heading in the opposite direction to where I was going which meant we must have passed each other.  It was time to loudly move on leaving the meandering to another time.  It was time also to make a plan for a loop rather than heading back the way I came.

I arrived at the far end of the River trail and stopped at the picnic site for a snack. 

This was a good place to  capture a destination photo.  

With my interest lately in birds, I took more time making sure to get good photos of the ones I did see.  This American Robin posed on the edge of the picnic table.  I believe this is a Ruffed Grouse.  It is the only thing that looks like this in my bird book that has a fluffy head.  It took many shots to capture a clear one of the Killdeer.  Nearing the end of the hike I heard a woodpecker but could not see it.  I then did find it on the power pole.  It is a Three-Toed Woodpecker.  I took many shots but none showed its toes so I could do a toe count.

I met a few other people as I was making my way towards Middle Lake.  I gave notice to them of my sighting of fresh bear tracks down by the river and the campground.  Middle Lake is fully thawed. I walked around the majority of it before continuing along.

Instead of following the road back to the Visitor Centre, I did a little cross country through a meadow to intersect with the paved path that winds through the forest leading back to the parking lot.  

back on the paved path with only a couple of kilometres left to go

one last view back

I enjoyed this place in all the three seasons I have seen it.  When summer comes and the wildflowers are alive, it will be time to come back. Then I will be able to say I hiked here in all four seasons.    

Blogger Profile Sketch

There was something about June 11, 2019!  At times even now I try to wrap my head around the fact that I was really there.  Being on the summit of Monte Specie/Strudelkopf and then hiking along the meadows below the summit admiring the famous UNESCO Dolomites in Italy remains a "pinch me is this for real" moment!  Over the past little while I have been looking back at my photos of this trip and the other hikes I did while I was there.  My appreciation for this opportunity has grown stronger.  I wonder when will International travel for me happen again.  

For my blogger profile image on this revamped blog from last autumn, I have been using the photo where I am skipping along the meadow lost in the beauty of what is in front of me.  To make it feel a little more real, a bit closer to my heart and even more personal, I rendered a version of the photograph through my eyes.  This sketch is now the image for my blogger profile.   (Note: When I reply to a comment on my blog I am not able to access this and when I comment on other blogs, my old profile image shows.  Some day maybe I will sort this out but for now my patience is lacking with this task.)   

Kruger Park Virtual Challenge Progress April 24, 2021

It feels like a slow go out of the gate for this virtual challenge down in South Africa but in reality it has not been.  I have been purposely active nine of the eleven days.  I understand it is best to be active each day but I get lazy at times and just want to be one on one with my sofa or sketch all day.  To the end of April 24th, these are the statistics.  My hope is by the end of April, I will have surpassed the 100km mark.    

The last two times I was "out & about" was while welcoming winter back!   

North Glenmore Park & The Weaselhead

This was not a crocus hunt so when I spotted some under ice and snow, it was a most pleasant surprise.  They needed a little love & care by clearing the snow away.   What was not a surprise was seeing the male Bufflehead and the White-Breasted-Nuthatch. My intentions today were to complete the Reservoir Loop and I enjoyed a beautiful start.  Part way into my outing, I made a snap decision opting for an out and back to avoid wind rain sleet and snow exfoliating my face. 

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary

I made a return trip to The Sanctuary to begin the day lost in birds songs while the snow flurried down.  There were a few others who I shared the trails with.  Seeing them dressed in dirt and forest tones with their gigantic cameras on tripods brought me back to a winter's day a few years back.  On this day a few years back I arrived at the X-C Ski Trail parking lot to see others in their tight black spandex tights with containers of waxes and prepping their skies.  I felt intimidated!  Today I learned I may need a new jacket for bird watching where I can blend in and not stand out in vibrant orange.  I will stick with the camera I have.  I am not sure if this bird interest I am enjoying is just a pandemic thing and will drift by the way side when the pandemic drifts away.    

On this dull day, the colors of the male Wood Duck were much appreciated.  The American Robin was not intimated by my vibrant orange and remained in place while watching me.  I believe this could be the same Red-Breasted Hawk I saw a few days ago.  It looks like the Northern Flicker has twigs in its claws.  The European Starling monitored me from its home in the tree.  I watched this male Bufflehead for quite some time.  He appeared to be antagonizing the Wood Ducks and Goldeneyes.   

virtual vs...

...reality

There are many others from around the world along with me on this journey.  

You can see me between KI and AD.  

Just like before, my pacer is following behind me.  

I am just past the 20% mark which means I planted my first tree on this challenge.  

These are a few of the early sights along the Kruger Park Virtual Challenge Route.  I am finding there is a lot of time on the roadway.  I would prefer to be away from the road seeing sights out in the wilderness but  after doing some homework, I am not sure that will happen for this journey.   

It's onward and upward!  We have a beautiful weather forecast for the coming days which brings a higher degree of motivation to be "out & about".   I'm looking forward to accumulating more kilometres and heading further north along the Kruger Park route.  

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary April 21, 2021

Today's visit to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary was the most successful and enjoyable experience I have had there!  It paid to be there early when all the residents were full of morning energy.  It was forecasted to be a most beautiful day and I wondered if the locals sensed tomorrow would be the opposite.  I was first at the parking lot and entered through the gate which had been left open.  

A meander around a loop to enjoy the scenery with the morning light was my intention but not soon into doing that, I became distracted by something large flying about.  It finally settled long enough when I captured this photo of the Red-Tailed Hawk.  I took this as a sign this could be a good day! 

These photos I share here are not in any particular order and not in the order of when I saw the ducks and birds.  I knew the wood ducks had arrived at The Sanctuary and I was familiar with where they hung out.  Surprise surprise look up!  I had never seen a Male Wood Duck high up in a tree before!

shadow shot along the trail

pretty and perfect reflections this morning 

Female Common Goldeneye

American Robin

Canada Goose

Male & Female Common Goldeneye

I watched while they were doing the mating dance but the deal was not sealed.

Male Northern Flicker

I like how his crown is fluffed up!

I was in the right spot at the right time!  

Five others followed along and walked through the water to the other side but did not stop for a drink. This is three of those five.  There were already a few on the other side.  I wondered why they were all rather quickly crossing to the other side.  Once they were all crossed and were up on the bank on the other side, I heard and saw a commotion over there!

Look closely, you will see a coyote with the tail on the left and and the face and nose on the right.  It might help by clicking on the photo to make it large.  The herd of deer chased the coyote through the bushes.  A fellow came along and told me the coyote was chasing a deer earlier. A little while later as I was meandering along, out of the bushes just ahead bolted the coyote, crossed the trail in front of me followed by the herd of deer.  I did have my camera in hand ready for bird shots but the coyote and deer were too swift to secure a shot.  

a White-Breasted Nuthatch

This was where I was looking for the Wood Ducks but instead found a Female Common Goldeneye.

I am learning that I need to just stop and stay awhile in any give spot and witness what is going on.  I am used to moving along but realize I could be missing lots.  I do notice the behaviour of the true birders with the big cameras.  There was so much going on there this morning and all the seasonal residents have still not arrived.  In a couple of weeks the population will have grown with more birds returning for the summer and with new fawns being born.  I will return too! 

Tom Campbell Hill Crocus Hunt April 21, 2021

The end of crocus season is closing in and with a few locations still on my list, I went hunting again today.  The eastern edge and slopes of Tom Campbell Hill had a nice display.  It was obvious it is not a popular hunting spot.  The majority of the crocuses needed a little twig clean up. With an extreme blue sky, that was the only background available in all directions on this warm sunny day.  Another snowfall is brewing so it will be fight or flight for these flowers!       

There are still a few spots left where I know the crocus grow that I would like to visit.  

The weather and time will tell if I go on a hunt again.