Yet it feels like we are transitioning from winter to spring! Over the past week as the days got shorter, the weather got warmer, the sun shone brightly and the snow continued to disappear. I did manage to keep focused on staying in the cold winter white frame of mind! With warm temperatures forecasted and no snow predicted for the next several days in the city, I will continue to look for true winter in my mind!
I arrived on this morning at Carburn Park during the morning golden glow. The Park was alive with wildlife already in the midst of their routine. The first thing I did before getting into my Carburn Park routine, was to head to the river's edge to scope out the Bald Eagle activity. Do you see what I see? One Bald Eagle is sitting on the old nest. I reported back on November 9th, that the tree holding the new nest the pair were in the process of building had fallen due to beaver activity. Other birders reported seeing the two Bald Eagles adding twigs to the old nest. This old nest is their forever home!
the Black-capped Chickadee is a bit more fluffed up against the cool morning
Trumpeter Swan
(two have been hanging out along the Bow River)
White-breasted Nuthatch
The resident Buck's morning routine was following the ladies around. When I got home and looked at my photos, the first thing I thought was, keeping in the spirit of the season, his antlers need a decoration!
The skating rink at Carburn Park is still closed. The Parks People are doing their best to prepare it. I do not see it opening soon given the daily about freezing temperatures.
The Ice Trail at Bowness remains open! I ventured back there for my second skate of this season. Upon arrival, the Ice Man was completing his lap around the trail. That meant I had a fresh clean canvas to etch away on. I forgot how less work it is to skate on freshly flooded ice compared to what I skated on, on Monday.
the fresh clean canvas
just having fun
my etchings on ice
The temperature is always colder along The Ice Trail as it parallels the Bow River. The area has a winter look and feel. Since skating here on Friday, I now notice The Lagoon is open. I will monitor the Parks' postings given the warm weather conditions, but soon I will go down to the The Lagoon.
When the true winter weather arrives, I will be ready! My "Northern Lights" scarf measures just over two feet long. I thought I would have enough left over yarn from knitting the "Northern Lights" mittens to complete a scarf but I misjudged. I purchased another skein to knit another few inches and add tassels at both ends. I needed to rest my pointer finger on my left hand as the tip of it is taking a toll from the point of the knitting needle. Time to google what to do about this! Do I need a thimble!
⛸ 🖌
I last spoke on the telephone with my friend a year ago and we last emailed a couple of days later on Christmas Day. We had a plan to get together very early in the New Year after the hustle and bustle settled down. We did not have that get together, she passed away on December 30th. This will be the first Christmas without her. I am not quite there in my head yet with this. I felt I needed her by my side so invested lots of time remembering our friendship and the wonderful times we shared. She loved to skate but had not in many years. She still had her white figure skates. She always wanted to hear about my skating and wanted to see my photos and the short video clips. Maybe this brought back memories for her of that feeling of gliding across the ice. I always thought of her when I skated and still do. Sometimes I don't feel like I am skating alone. I created this watercolour painting with her in my mind! Her favourite colours were yellow and pink, bright cheerful shades that matched her personality.
always near forever dear
The wooden skates always hung on her Christmas Tree, now they hang on mine!
Hello Alexandra,
ReplyDeleteGreat captures of the Eagle on the nest and the cute Chickadee. The Buck is handsome, he is a great sighting. The scenery is lovely, I enjoyed the ice skating videos. The loss of family and friends seems to be felt more during the holidays. Your post is a lovely tribute to your friend. The skate ornament is a cute reminder of happy memories. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great day and a happy week. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment. Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
I enjoyed your post. We live close to a park and not far from the river, so we have deer coming around our street every few days. I have a long flower border, covered in snow, but not deeply snowed over yet and the dried plants in the border often serves as an appetizer on their quest for food. I am sorry to hear that your friend died. I’m glad you carry her in your heart and can remember her. JR
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