Wyndham Carseland November 14, 2026

When words wander through my mind.....

.....they typically don't pass by unacknowledged, they get jotted down!

It was time to create another homemade watercolour journal. This time around I did not use a book that was available for repurposing, instead to make the cover for this journal, I used the cardboard covering from a pad of paper.  Material was used to line the inside of the spine once the pages had been removed. I imagined what a journal would look like covered in material. So, that's material covering the cardboard  and that's washi tape decorating the spine. This journal measures four inches by six inches.  It is ready to collect watercolour painting creations!  But first.....

.....it's time to explore!  This morning, once again, I left while it was pitch black outside.  I drove into the sun rising and by the time I arrived at Wyndham Carseland Provincia Park, the sun was fully up.  The gate is closed for the season yet the trails are open year round.  There was no one else here even though morning was well underway.  

As soon as I stepped out of my vehicle, I was welcomed by the song of a Blue Jay. 

I should call it an unwelcome warning and not a song! 

The air was crisp, it was country fresh, there was no snow nor wind. The sky was filled with those white fluffy puffy clouds that I love so much. Lots of work was done at this park over last winter and into the spring and summer.  All work has been completed, making the hike along the trail a more enjoyable experience.  

colours and bare trees of late autumn

I did manage to find an area on the river with a thin slice of ice.  

It's hard to believe this is mid November by the looks of the area! Yet it's easy to believe it's this time of year from the sound, the sound of flocks of Canada Geese honking as they bid goodbye and fly south.  There was flock after flock after flock after flock. 

The trails were dry, in fact very dry, in fact too dry.  

It made for easy hiking in hiking boots without spikes. 

My hope was to see wildlife!  These are three of five deer that were on guard watching me.  I believe this is a Mom with her two youngsters. The other two were another Mom and one young one. As soon as I snapped this shot, they turned to show me their white tails then pranced off.  

White-breasted Nuthatch

I was swarmed by Black-capped Chickadees! I believe one landed on my head. One flew very close to my cheek as I could feel the brush of a wing.  Many flew at me then veered off at the last second.  I had no snacks, they did come to confirm that. 

Then the guilt took over when I got this look!  

Tree Sparrow

male Hairy Woodpecker

my favourite cloud formation which developed near the end of my hike

While enjoying the scenery during the drive home, my mind did wander to some words but I forced myself to live in the moment and enjoy the drive, my wandering mind can happen again upon my return home.  And it did with the first creation in my newly homemade watercolour journal. Do you see what I see?