4 short stories

📖 📖 📖 📖 📖

After watching those two Bald Eagles building their nest, I became invested in the unusual scenario that was playing out.  In the midst of gaining greater knowledge about Bald Eagles and their nests, a book showed up in the list of finds.  The title "What The Robin Knows" captured my attention! I delved in a bit and that bit was just enough to draw me in. I ordered my own copy.  So far I read the Acknowledgements, Introduction and the Dedications.  He dedicated this book to me! "I dedicate this book to those that sit, watch and wonder!" and  "To the children of the wind, who watch, listen, and share their stories and find the power of silence within."  I am a slow reader and I don't read on a daily basis so it will take me some time to cover the 200 pages.  At that point, I will return with a review.  Who knows, maybe there is such a thing as a "Bald Eagle Whisperer!"

 🌤 🏌 ⛷ 🦆 🌤

These early November days have been so unusual weather-wise.  In the city, a few golf courses are opening for the weekend while ski hills are opening in the mountains west of the city.  On this morning, I returned to Nose Creek and Confluence Park. It was not the plan to go here but the main drag from north to south was a parking lot so by taking a very early detour,  I safely made it to my "save the day" choice.  The trails were 99.9% snow/ice free, there was a bit of snow if you looked hard for it. I also spotted some ice crystal formations early on before the sun hit the fence. The Siberian Larch Tree is still looking stellar! I counted twelve Mallard Ducks (mostly male) who were enjoying the wide open flowing creek where plenty of food is still available.  

🖌 🖌 🖌 🖌 🖌

Many times since that October 10th night, I have attempted to create a watercolour painting of the most wondrous sights I saw.  I went through loads of paint and paper and patience.  I tried and tried again but each time I looked at the finished product, I did not feel the feeling I felt that night.  I know there were some clouds that night, they are in my photos but I don't remember them.  I do remember seeing some stars, a few sparkle in my photographs.  I remember feeling music as the Aurora Borealis danced across the sky.  I remember feeling like I was being embraced by a warm, soft glow of many colours.  I was not able to replicate into a painting, what I remembered and felt.  It was when after reading what Vincent van Gogh wrote and I then wrote in my new homemade watercolour book, that I recognized a truth! This is what he wrote: "Real Painters do not paint things as they are...they paint them as they themselves feel them to be!"  I then put paint to paper again and my feelings flowed as did what I remembered.  This is the outcome!  I look at this painting and it fully brings me back to that night and once again I feel a warm embrace by a glow of many colours!  

two of my reference photos from that night

🐦 🐦 🐦 🐦 🐦

On this morning, I left my hat and gloves behind, I could have left my fleece behind too.  A November morning with plus double digits celsius was welcomed as I strolled around the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.    It was an entertaining morning as the residents went about their business.  At times I wondered what business they were getting up to because their activity told me spring was in the air!  Upon arrival, I heard  then spotted a Belted Kingfisher.  It was very vocal with its beak never fully closing.  It sang a long loud song then to my surprise the song was answered and a duet began along with a dance.  In the past I have only ever seen one Kingfisher at a time.  Today two were visiting The Sanctuary.   

I watched the two for about thirty minutes as they went about their business.

What business is that I ask!  

I recorded a few seconds of them!

(ignore the crow squawking in the background)

Black-capped Chickadee 

The Lagoon, Creek and River are all wide open.  Plenty of Ducks were going about their business.  I imagine there could be "plenty of fish" too in the water.  I wondered what business these two Mallards were up to.  I love this photo but a video would have been better.  They were bobbing their heads and dancing about each other and then!!!!  Are they confused, do they think it's spring! 

a Muskrat

a female Hood Merganser