all walk no talk

They are calling it a "long duration heat event"!  Who the heck comes up with the terminology these days to describe what our weather is. Simply put it's hot!  I wanted to be by water and where I could let my mind wander to days gone by!   

Yesterday was all walk plus all talk as we worked our way along an eleven kilometre route through Bowness, Baker and Bowmont Parks.  We had lots to catch up on so I was not paying particular attention to the scenery nor was I snapping shots.  We shared  stories of the past, the present yet more excitingly the future for each of us, as we follow our journeys which are on the very opposite ends of a spectrum. 

Today was "all walk no talk" as I returned solo to follow the same route, with a veer off here and there, this time with a couple of motives in mind and also to snap shots. I began as the golden glow hour was coming to an end by walking down a trail I had never been on before.  I saw others on this trail during the winter months when I skated along The Canal which is to the left of the trail in the photo, and also during the summer months when I kayaked down The Canal. The time for me to hop back in my kayak will come next summer.  

Once again I wanted to capture a scene that I could paint.  I was motivated to do this after what I shared in my last blog post.  The above photo was the first shot I snapped and I knew it was the one to paint.  This is my painting.

While walking that new trail, I stopped, I closed my eyes, I let my mind wander back to January 2nd of this year when I skated along The Canal. In my mind I felt the cold against my face and I could see my breath.  Aaaah!  So cool! 

When I came back to reality, I continued along the trail to witness the last of this morning's golden glow.  No the leaves are not changing colour yet, well not to this extent.  I did an out and back along this trail.  My turn around point was where the ice ends when skating here. 

Not a breeze was to be felt.  The Lagoon was like glass.  That's a very young duck sitting on the end of the dock where you launch your watercraft into the water.  As I approached, it did not move, it was not living its best life. Eventually it awkwardly shimmed into the water where it slowly swan away.

I worked my way over to the trail that follows along the river. 

Once again I stopped, I closed my eyes, I let my mind wander back to.....

.....January 24th of this year when I skated here, along The Ice Trail. 

This was the view when I skated along The Ice Trail two weeks later on February 7th.  In my mind I felt the cold against my face and I could see my breath.  Aaaah!  So cool! Walking the trails that I skate in the winter was another motive for returning to this area again today.

With cool on my mind now, 

I continued on with covering some distance 

all the while admiring the scenery and snapping shots.

By the time I arrived back at The Lagoon,  I felt I had my fill of being near water, capturing many beautiful seconds in time and covering the distance I set out to cover, it was time to head back to my vehicle and head home.  By now the heat was hitting.  This is my last photo of the day and it was my reality.   

...only in my dreams!

Aaah so cool!

a plan with goals August 23, 2025

Before I laid my head on the pillow last night, I put a best laid plan in place for today that was filled with goals. The first goal was to be out the door by 7:00 am.  I failed at that, when I looked at the time once closing the door behind me, it was 7:05 am.  Between waking and getting out the door, I checked the news plus the weather.  I did my first round for the day of recovery exercises.  Breakfast came next then cleaning up, dressing and finally walking out the door.

The additional goals were to walk 12 kms, to relax my shoulder and arm while walking, to capture some kind of moody photograph worthy of a painting project and finally to arrive back at my vehicle with a smile knowing I reached all my goals. Then there are always the goals of admiring scenery and being one with nature. 

I picked a route that included walking around the ponds at Carburn Park and then aiming for Fish Creek Park doing an out and back.  That route would give me the 12 kms I was chasing.  I walked away from my vehicle under a clear blue sky with not a cloud to be seen.  The early morning glow lit up the trees and shrubs.

The sun was rising over the tree tops casting out rays that stretched over the pond.  Ahhhh I thought!  This is the scene I was after!  It looks worthy of a watercolour painting project.  Stick around to see if I had luck with accomplishing this goal! 

The plan was to loop around the ponds but as I passed by this trail, it called out to me!  Seeing as I was already down there in one form, I went for it, I answered the call.  Doing so paid off!

At the clearing there was Mom and her two fawns.  

I saw them before they saw me.  

I was not able to get a photo of the second fawn as it was deep in the bush. 

They saw me!

I stayed where I was and just waited.  They went about their business savouring morning snacks.  Mom moved along and her fawn followed along.  These were very special moments in time experiencing such beauty.

I left Carburn Park behind and aimed for Fish Creek Park.  While walking that stretch I put  my iPhone away to focus on covering the distance and letting my shoulder relax and my arm swing freely.  I am still not at the point yet where I can carry my camera so all the photos are taken with my iPone. It felt very natural and comfortable, so much so that a few times I forgot about the titanium that is holding parts of me together.  Goal accomplished!  

I reached Fish Creek Park and continued further along for a short distance knowing the return trip would give me my 12 kms. This was my turn around point. The focus walking back was once again covering the distance at a good clip and letting my shoulder and arm, just be!  

I arrived back at my vehicle feeling happy and fulfilled which brought a smile to my face.  Goal accomplished!  I looked at Strava and it showed 12.12 kms as the distance I covered.  Goal accomplished!  

So nice that you stuck around!  

This is my watercolour painting of the moody photograph I took.   

Goal accomplished!

During normal times in the past, these goals would be very simple easily accomplished goals.  These days they take focus, commitment and perseverance.  Down the road, I won't think twice about them and they will once again come naturally and easily.  Oh by the way, this is the first blog post, since back on May 23rd, that I typed with two hands!     

good to be bad

With a title like "good to be bad" I can only imagine your mind is wandering in all directions wondering where the heck is she going with this! Well, stick around and you will find out!  My goal this morning was to hit the hills up at Nose Hill to work on my stamina with elevation gain and to cover ten kilometres.  I had success with both!  It was great to get back at being out the door early where I could experience the golden glow and long shadows.  You can see the trail meandering up to the right of my shadow, that's my first goal, to get up there.

A large swath of Nose Hill is fenced off by an electric fence.  

That's to contain the goats when they are out working.

A dirt trail follows right beside the fence. 

The last of this season's Alberta Wild Roses.....

.....were looking vibrant and healthy!

I made it to the top of the main hill and aimed for the pond.  I was shocked to see how full it was for mid August. Then again, after all the rain we had no wonder it has a very early spring time look. 

I watched these two Sandpipers for quite some time! 

Once again, I used my iPhone for all the photos.  

I cropped the photo to get this look. 

It was early when I was here having an autumn chill in the air.  

It felt nice plus it was cool enough to keep the bugs at bay.   

Along with the Sandpipers, Merlin also suggests I heard these.  Well I did hear them and see them, all except for the Northern Cardinal which I doubt very much there was actually one up on Nose Hill.  I saw many other birds and hawks.  I saw four hawks hoovering and circling around a small area.  When I looked closer, I saw a porcupine making its way through the grass below them.  I also experienced a pair of Cedar Waxwings dive bombing me, I knew then to move along quickly.  At this point in August it seems late that they would be protecting young ones.  They wanted me out of there and I skidaddled away!

Good to be Baah'd

Thank You for sticking around!  After covering the elevation and most of the kilometres I had planned to do, I followed the dirt trail back to the parking lot.  As I rounded the corner what to my wandering eyes should appear but the goats!  When I was up there last week, they were no where to be seen.

two Shepards in the top right corner

The goats were right there on the other side of the electric fence.

One of these things is not like the others!

Can you spot it?

It made my morning to see the goats up close.  I watched them for half an hour along with many other people who came to see them.  As I neared the parking lot, I looked back up the hill to have one last glance of them at work.  

What's is store? August 16, 2025

Before heading out the door this morning to be "out & about", I had a few things to accomplish first.  One of those things was to lay blobs of paint on paper.  You see, I joined an online group of painters where there is a weekly challenge offered.  You complete the challenge then share your creation with the group.  A random draw takes place at the end of the week and a prize is presented. The challenge this week is to place blobs of paint on paper and then make something of it.  It's called blob art! These are my blobs!  Stay tuned for "what's in store" for them!

I was last at Carburn Park for birding on May 22, 2025.  It was a happening place with spring fling amongst wildlife in full swing.  Fast forward to today and this is my first time back there since May 22nd.  I was so curious as to "what's in store" for me on this visit.  I knew I would not be photographing birds, that will come once I can carry my big camera again.  It would be time to watch and listen to the birds and admire the scenery.  

I aimed for the trail beside the river where I very quickly found out, this would not be a morning to be standing around.  The bugs were bad!  I did stop long enough to take a photo with my iPhone and then quickly moved along.   

I could not resist admiring the early morning shades and reflections.  

With all the rain Calgary had this summer, not only has it created ideal conditions for bugs to thrive but it's also been a breeding ground for mushrooms.  This one appeared to be on steroids, it was humungous.  I needed to get out of the woods and away from water to where I could walk free from bug swatting.

Further along the paved path, out in the open, I had a view across the river to where two Bald Eagles were perched on trees.  I could tell one was as adult and the other a juvenile.  I spoke with one of the guys who frequents the Park and he told me there are two juvenile Bald Eagles in the area.  I wonder which adults they belong to!  

It was much too warm to be wearing the long sleeves but they protected my arms from being bitten by bugs.  Green was the colour of the day and I blended in.  The moisture over the past couple of months made the park look like a lush rainforest, so healthy, alive and vibrant.

I have no  bird photos to share.  I did use Merlin to record what I was hearing so I could share what I did see.  These are just four of the many birds I did see.  Migration has started and as the days pass, fewer and fewer will be hanging out in the local parks.  Reports say this year's migration from Alberta to the south started early due to the unusual weather we have been experiencing.

Glad you stayed tuned! This was "what's in store" for those blobs of paint.  I am in my happy place when I am painting and I am also in my happy place anytime I am in the mountains.  I shared this with the others in the group.  I enjoyed seeing what the rest of the group had to share so far. I am already looking forward to "what's in store" for the next challenge.    

I made the most of my first visit back to Carburn Park and there will be many more down the road.  I look forward to late summer and early autumn days down there and to "what's in store" for me during those future visits.