It's autumn only by the calendar date! In every other way, we are in the midst of full on winter! I was excited to get "out & about" in all the new fallen snow and to be out while it was still falling. I did not venture too far away from home, the plows had not been around my area yet. I went to the Birth Forest and Nose Creek knowing that if my vehicle got stuck in the snow, I could walk home. I brought along a Christmas Tree decoration to capture a photo of it hanging from a tree. If you have been following my blog for awhile then you know, I like to take photos of my Christmas decorations out in nature then take them home, now with a story to tell, and hang them on my Christmas Tree once I put it up.
It was a win loose situation when I arrived at the parking lot and began to hike. No one else had been yet which meant I got to set first tracks in the new fluffy white gold but it became hard work breaking trail for close to two hours. It was a beautiful winter wonderland and I wanted to be one with it!
I set a good pace for this short video but that was the only time. The balance of the time, my pace was more like a saunter, or a meander, just a plain old slow go.
looking back at the end of the Birth Forest before leaving it behind
just before heading downhill to Nose Creek
I spied a bird off in the distance and I could zoom in enough to see it was a Northern Shrike. As I carried on sauntering, or meandering or just plain old going slow, the bird flew past me and landed in a tree up ahead. I continued to shoot shots as I moved closer and closer.
eventually it gave me the stare down so I moved on
the Northern Shrike is a small vicious bird of prey
they spend the summers up North and fly to Southern Alberta for the winter
The Mallard Ducks will not be around Nose Creek much longer. There is not a whole lot of open water left. This male Mallard swam back and forth in a small section of water. I watched it for awhile and that drop of water at the end of its bill did not drop off.
This male Mallard stood in a very small section of water which was surrounded by ice.
Close to two hours was enough to be "out & about" and now that I was ready to head home, I hoped it would be a non- eventful drive, and thankfully it was. I got cozy at home, turned on my fairy light tree and.....
....settled in to do a watercolour painting!
It snowed the balance of the morning and all afternoon.
As I write this blog post early evening, it is still snowing!
And you were alone for the whole walk! Too bad. Fresh falling snow is great to be out in.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I am selfish and want all the new fallen snow all to myself!
DeleteThe winter wonderland looks so peaceful and serene. I love the Northern Shrike photos. It's a beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteBeing out in the cold and the snow is much more peaceful and serene than being out in the middle of summer.
DeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteThe Christmas ornament is cute, perfect for the painter. Pretty snowy landscapes and great selfies of you.
The Shrike is a cool bird, great find. Cute shots of the Mallards. We only had a little bit of snow, it did not stick to the roads. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and a happy new week. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
I just noticed I missed replying to your comment back on this day. The Shrike did not stick around long, it was gone when I returned the following days.
DeleteThe snowfall is beautiful! I can't wait to get up to our mountains and go skiing.
ReplyDeleteI wonder are you still thinking of heading north this winter to ski in the Banff/Lake Louise area?
DeleteAlexandra, What a delightful tradition and a beautiful way to embrace the winter wonderland! I love how you bring your Christmas decorations out into nature, capturing not only photos but also meaningful stories to carry home with you. It must make your Christmas tree so much more special, filled with memories of these adventures. Setting first tracks in the fresh snow sounds magical, though I can imagine how tiring it must have been to break the trail for two hours! Love the little video! Your enthusiasm for nature and the seasons is infectious—thank you for sharing your wintery adventure! Stay warm and enjoy decorating your tree with its new stories! 🌲❄️ Postscript: Thank you so much for your very kind comment on my newest blog post “Autumn Transit.” To answer your question … I live on the third story of a 3-story apartment building. Most of the photos I call “taken from home” are pictures I’ve taken from a small deck on the west side of the building facing Puget Sound, and in the distance, the Olympic Mountains. I often think the best thing about my apartment is the view. 😊 You leave great comments … thanks again! John
ReplyDeleteEven though I put the same decorations on my tree each year, my tree comes with a different feel from year to year when some decorations earn a new story! To see those breath-taking views you have on a daily basis is absolutely wonderful!
DeleteAlexandra - thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving a comment! I am so glad to meet you! I can tell from this post that we are kindred spirits - I love walking in the woods, and even better if it is snowing! It was snowing off and on all day today - I plan to get out tomorrow and set up my trail cam to catch some new winter critter photos. Loved the photos of the Shrike!
ReplyDeleteOh the joys you will experience seeing what your trail cam catches!
DeleteAll that lovely pristine snow to walk in! Good exercise, indeed! I wonder if the Mallard Duck is regretting his delay in heading elsewhere for the season. He looks a little like a child needing his nose wiped. Here, all is grey with a fine rain falling.
ReplyDeleteThe duck was still there yesterday, it was walking on the ice and swimming in what water there was so in that sense it is OK. There was lots of po-do to the side so that leads me to believe it has not been moving along to other areas. I wonder at some point would that fine rain you are receiving turn to flurries!
DeleteWOW, that is a lot of snow and with more over the course of the day, must be almost a record for this time of fall! Love the Christmas tree ornament photo & of course, the little duck. Hope it isn’t waiting for the ice to melt…time gor it to be moving in. ❤️Norma
ReplyDeleteI checked again on the Mallard and it was still there, I am beginning to wonder if maybe it cannot fly. There was lots of po-do around. Normally if it could not swim further away from me then it would fly off. I will go back again soon to see if it is still there. Yes, I believe it was record snowfall!
DeleteA magical morning heralding winter's arrival. Wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI see and feel the magic in it all! I sense you do virtually!
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