passion May 25, 2026

If you read my blog posts about my visit to Waterton Lakes National Park last week then you would have seen a few photos of Paintbrushes which I saw along hiking trails.  I used my photos as a reference for this watercolour painting. I googled the Paintbrush flower from which I learned many more things about it. The Paintbrush flower symbolizes courage, passion, and the beauty of the wild! After finding out that, it led me to read more about the word "passion". 

My days are filled with passion! I embrace the days I put kilometres on my hiking boots or walking shoes, photographing nature in all its forms, transforming photos into watercolour paintings, creating a collection of photographs to share then putting my experience into words. I take joy in the final product but it is truly all about the journey. 

Since returning from Waterton, I have been "out & about" catching up on the comings & goings at two of my favourite locations for becoming immersed in nature. On this morning, I arrived at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary very early to wonderful sights and sounds. These days being somewhere early does not mean I get to own the place, many others are living out their passions along with me.

These two do not belong together! 

female Common Goldeneye and male Mallard

This is a proper couple!

male & female Blue-winged Teal

male Common Merganser in a flap about something 

House Wren

Yellow Warbler

Baltimore Oriole

Cedar Waxwing

female Common Merganser

a sweet family of Canada Geese

an even sweeter family of Bald Eagles

Today, I arrived at Carburn Park not long after all the birds woke, as I was up with them this morning. I was not the first in the parking lot. There were walkers, birders, fishermen, runners and dog walkers.  We were all out starting our day with living our passions. The park was alive with everything that makes nature a joy to be "out & about" in.    

Baltimore Oriole 

a stern looking Chipping Sparrow

While walking by where I saw the Robin sitting on the nest a week or so ago, I could see an egg sitting on top of the edge of the nest, not where it should be.  You can see it top left.  I zoomed in closer and saw the egg was damaged.  Another birder told me some other bird species probably got to the egg. 

two of the eight Common Goldeneye ducklings

a Cooper's Hawk with breakfast

Yellow Warbler

Adult Bald Eagle to the left, two Eaglets in the nest

After putting numerous kilometres on my walking shoes, snapping many special seconds in time, there was more passion yet to be enjoyed.  With the loads of Norwegian yarn left after knitting the mittens, I started the next project which was not planned to be started until autumn.  This is what I have to share with you so far.  Knitting pairs nicely with watching the French Open tennis matches.     

Passion 🧡 having an enthusiastic devotion to what brings joy into our lives