back to reality April 30, 2026

I'm still holding on tight to that "walking into a fairy-tale like feeling" even though I am now back to living the reality of life! With the crazy way our world is these days in pretty much all aspects, I feel so very fortunate for my trip to Haarlem, The Netherlands and Bergen, Norway to have transpired the way it did.  In all my travels over the decades, never have I had a trip go so perfectly smooth from the moment I walked out my front door on the 12th to the moment I walked back through it on the 26th. All four flights were enjoyable even the two long haul flights. All security checks and passport controls were the quickest and easiest I have ever experienced. My accommodations were perfect in every way. I met locals in both locations and travellers from many parts of the world, all were a pleasure to chat with.  From hotel employees, flight attendants, taxi drivers, store clerks, tour operators, bus drivers, restaurant employees, guides, I could not have asked for my interactions with them to play out any differently.  (Note: The previous thirteen posts prior to this one are of my visit to Haarlem and Bergen.)

During the wee hours of the mornings these past few days when jet-lag took over, I let my mind wander back to "walking into a fairy-tale like feeling"!  I created this watercolour painting using numerous photos from my two fjord cruises as my references.  I felt a line & wash style would give it that fairy tale look. When googling about Stave Churches, which this one is, I learned this is more medieval than fairy tale. Most of the Stave Churches that are left are found in Norway.  In hindsight, there should be a waterfall coming off the fjord wall on the left.      

After needing a few days to take care of business, this morning it was time to head "out & about".  I had been awake since an ungodly hour of the morning which I am blaming on jetlag. That worked well because I did not have to wait too long for the sun to come up to hit the road.  I read about the spring migrants who arrived at Carburn Park so that's where I went. Even though I was there bloody early, I still did not arrive ahead of the regular birders.   

This is just a few of the couple dozen White Pelicans that are making the Bow River home.  

I like the hair-doo on the Pelican in the middle with its back to me.  

Red-necked Grebes just after doing their courting dance!

a Song Sparrow with a wild hairdo

The Robin was collecting twigs and things for building a nest. 

By the time it finished, it had a lot more in its beak than in this photo.  

It is always extra special seeing a Common Loon!

My reality was sweet today!  Look closely under the orange star.  The Carburn Bald Eagles have two Eaglets and this is one of them.  I snapped this shot before I got to the best view point.  By the time I arrived to the best viewing spot, the Adult Eagle was brooding the babies.  I returned two more times a little later but no luck with seeing the Eaglets.  I will go back another day.