never a dull moment

I try to make the most of each day yet this past while I have been putting a little more effort into that. There is never a dull moment and I mean that in the best way possible, it's how I like it. These past few days have been full and fulfilling from chasing some of my favourite kinds of distractions!  At day's end, I lay my head on my pillow, put a smile on my face and give thanks for all that is good!   

The Wall Hanging

It's complete and hanging on the wall by my computer where I see it at least twice a day.  The Owl, Heart and Bird are hanging from a thirty year old hiking pole that was discarded in my basement for the past twenty-five years.  The Sunflower hangs from the Heart and three Leaves create the bottom border.  The Wall Hanging represents nature and each piece holds meaning, even the hiking pole.  Oh the stories it could tell!  There is room to grow on this display if I ever feel like knitting additional items.  I am pleased with the outcome and would be quite content to leave it like it is!    

The Photo Bombing Raven

In Tuesday's blog post, I shared a photo I took while hiking up on Nose Hill showing a Raven photo bombing a picture I took of the snow covered mountains in the far off distance.  I kept looking back at that photo and I don't know why.  For whatever reason it was calling out to me, I acknowledged the call out and thought oh what the heck just paint the thing. This is my watercolour painting of the Raven making the photo what it was!  

The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary 

Not many days passed since I last visited The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.  Instead of saying I went "birding", I should say for this day I went "ducking"!  There were birds and there were geese but it was the ducks that tickled my fancy this time around.  I was surprised to see that in such a short period of time, lots of ice melted giving more open water opportunities for the ducks.  I was also surprised to see the Wood Ducks are beginning to arrive. On this morning there were two males and one female.  

male Wood Duck

female Wood Duck

she appeared to be partnered up with the guy above 

female Common Merganser 

male Common Merganser

that's his lady in the above shot

male Common Goldeneye 

I believe this is the hybrid duck that I saw last year!  The Merlin app was not giving me a continuous positive ID on one single species.  I gave a shout out to those in the know on a social media group that I belong to.   They set me straight on it being a hybrid, part Common Goldeneye and part Hooded Merganser.  

I did capture some photos of birds, an Eagle and geese but I will pass on posting those.  These are just a few of the ducks I saw, there were a few others of each, except for the hybrid, along with many Mallards.  

Votiers Flat 

One morning, I felt the urge to be by water so aimed for Fish Creek Provincial Park, specifically the Votiers Flat area.  I was aware of many trails that followed along side the creek.  In no particular order, nor rhyme nor reason, nor destination in mind, nor direction, I meandered along here there and everywhere.  A couple of hours of hearing the running of the creek, ice breaking, the odd bird song, slipping & sliding, squashing in mud, all these packaged together fed my soul and I felt like I could face anything the world threw at me!  

Carburn Park

I wonder how the Bald Eagles are doing?  Sorry, I can't answer that question as they were no where to be seen.  They were not near their old nest nor their new one nor did they do a fly by.  The whole while I wandered the trails, it snowed lightly. It was cold, -16C windchill.  That's probably why it was quiet at the Park on this morning.  When I realized I was not going to be seeing much, I changed focus to adding more kilometres to my collection than I would usually do by walking at Carburn Park.  There were some sights that caught my eye and one of those sights was the red head on this Redhead. 

I watched this female Mallard Duck for a bit to see what that white was on the top of her head.  I saw her from different angles, the white stayed there but it did not look like it belonged to her.  I wonder if it is a white feather from something else. 

the House Sparrow all fluffed up to stay warm

I saw movement in the bushes, the colouring was cat like as was the movement but it seemed small for possibly a bobcat.   I did come eye to eye with a bobcat on a trail at the Park last year.  I slowly moved closer to where the movement was.  What the heck was a domestic cat doing hanging out in Carburn Park!  There are homes close by and this cat had a GPS tracker on.  I guess it was meandering about getting its fill of nature just like me!   

Knitting

The big bulky calf high slippers I knitted are just too warm these days.  It was time to knit a spring/summer pair of slippers. These blue ones are the same as the cable knit "seaglass slippers".  I decided upon completing these, I will pass them on.  The colour is called "River Run" and that name appeals to me though.  No I will not keep them!  

But, I will keep these!  In fact, I have already been wearing them.  I did not have enough left over of the "seaglass" shade so had to put a plan in place to incorporate other left over year.  The bottom slipper is what the pattern called for to look like but with all the same colour.  In the top slipper, you can see I added a cuff.  When that worked out, I went ahead and added a cuff to the other slipper. In a way you can say I designed my own pattern. 

Well, like the title of this post says "never a dull moment"! 

In fact, putting all these stories together has me feeling a bit worn out.  

I'm ready for many dull moments on my sofa!

Nose Hill Environmental Park March 11, 2025

It's just short of two months since I went on a long rove up and down and around the hills of Nose Hill Environmental Park! This morning was the ideal time to get back up there.  The trail head I always start from kicks off with an up up up and then away.  After that I take routes that add more ups and downs and ups.  On the up and up this morning, eyeing the cotton candy clouds in front of me was a great distraction.  

.....and up.....

.....and then away!

It did not take long before I fell into the groove of loving everything about the morning so far.  

After more downs and ups, it was along this up that confirmed that love.  

The cloud 💗 spoke to me loud and clear!  

One final up brought me to the ridge where I had a view of the Rocky Mountains which were covered in brand new white gold.  With camera in hand, I pointed, made a tiny adjustment then shot a photograph showing how the prairies meet the mountains.  Throw in a raven that performed a photobomb!  While my focus was the mountain range, I now feel the raven makes the photo!    

While roving about, I found my way to "Nose Hill Lake".  A small section was clear of ice and offered up a beautiful reflection.  While meandering around the edge, I heard a ruckus in the distance then it became louder and louder.  

Watch out, here come two Canada Geese! I had a flash back of my visit to The Sanctuary last Friday when two Canada Geese swooped down on me chasing me away.  I began to scurry away this time but at the last second these two did a sharp turn away from where I was.

They landed on the edge of the ice with the Goose to the left sliding right into the water and the other being able to control the slide and stopped on the ice.  I was not quick enough to record a video.  

This is what I did capture! The Goose on the left patiently waiting for the Goose on the right to get into the water.  It seemed hesitant yet slowly and gingerly it went for it!  I watched for another little while then went about merrily meandering throughout the top of Nose Hill.  

Time came to head down and down and down back to the trail head.  While descending, the thought crossed my mind that the next time I rove around here, it will be crocus season which is a mere three weeks away.  

Inglewood Bird Sanctuary March 7, 2025

🎵The Sanctuary was alive with the sound of music!🎵  

That is if birds' songs are music to your ears! 

Today's wander around The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary was purely about wandering the trails while wondering about the birds! The scenery was not the focus, it's not the prettiest right now anyway.  There were no deer, nor coyotes, nor rabbits, nor muskrats. There were enough bird songs and activity to distract me from paying attention to anything other than what The Sanctuary is truly all about.    

Upon arriving at the junction then veering south along the trail that leads to the Colonel James Walker House, the sounds from the Canada Geese echoed loudly throughout the area.  The pair were perched on the roof and chimney as they have done in the past at this time of year.  The grassy area and forest section are pleasant and popular places to wander as they are pleasing locations for the birds and many can be spotted here.  I aimed for there then needed to make a mad dash away when the Pair of Geese swooped down towards me and claimed their space. 

I moved on and then I saw them move on!  OH! OH!  They landed on the bridge rail and perched there as they have done in the past at this time of year.  They watched me walk by hissing at me as I did so.  Whew at receiving only hisses and no pecks.   

This Canada Goose was going no where.

It sat in the snow, shortly its partner joined in.  

There were wars between this pair and the pair on guard at the rail.

I was ready to move onto greener pastures or I should say open waters.  The waterway that runs through The Sanctuary is beginning to open up.  The very small section housed a pair of Common Goldeneyes swimming circles where they could.  

male Common Goldeneye

female Common Goldeneye

The Bow River running outside The Sanctuary runs wide open. The hundreds of Geese and Mallards that hung out along side it over the past number of months are gone.  Common Mergansers have settled in.  I always smile when I see the hair styles on the female Common Mergansers. 

Every bird, duck or goose has a story! I have a story for each too!  I watched this male Hairy Woodpecker fly from a tree near me to this log.  This log is located down the trail, across the waterway, on the other side of the sidewalk over there.  I like my large zoom, on this occasion thanks to it, I got almost up close and personal with the Hairy Woodpecker.   

A lady told me, just up ahead there were eight White-breasted Nuthatches feasting in the area.  This is one of them!  They were all flitting about, singing and feasting.  Seeing eight at once was a feast for me.

The Northern Flickers were plentiful today and appeared to be ruling The Sanctuary, well, other than those two Canada Geese.  Between the Flickers and the Starlings, signs of spring have obviously sprung.  This pair did the dance over and over again.  

"Little Robin Red Breast sat upon a tree!"  Oh how sweet is he or she! I only saw the one but no doubt there is a partner somewhere or there will be soon.  The gold beak and the red breast bring much cheer to the dull brown season.   

Before leaving to head home, I stopped by the Colonel Walker House again with hopes the Canada Geese would leave me only.  They did leave me to freely and safely wander about.  The male House Finch was perched high on a tree branch enjoying the warmth from the sun, the snacks from the tree and the songs of the ladies around him. 

'Tis the season! 

As each day passes, more and more birds will be arriving, 

setting up homes for the spring and summer.  

It is an exciting time for birders!  

Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park March 6, 2025

The only debate I had this morning was which boots should I wear!  Do I go for the winter hiking boots for warmth, waterproof and to safely trudge through ice, slush and snow or do I opt for my regular hiking boots!  I laced up my regular hiking boots, packed my spikes in my pack and headed out the door for the drive west to Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.  The early on trails were clear and dry which I assumed they would be, it was the trails down by the river that I expected to be on the sketchy side.  These assumptions were made from past years' visits here in early March.  

early on trails as I assumed they would be

on guard as I hiked by

This was about as sketchy as it got with snow on the lower trails heading towards the river.  From here I could see the river  which is that small blue section in the middle of the photo. The Rocky Mountains line the westerly view.  I thoroughly enjoyed my stay out there last week.  I am already itching to head somewhere again but that will have to wait.   

It was along here where I thought I might need my winter hiking boots!  The entire trail was clear of snow,  ice and slush.  It was when I veered off trail and meandered down towards the river where conditions changed. 

There would  be no going further on the trail through the trees out to the river.  There are nice spots to sit out there and watch the river run by. The only tracks on the snow covered ice belong to wildlife. 

You can see the faint trail I followed in the grass on the right.  

Bald Eagle

Common Redpoll

It may not look like it, but it is a long way down from where I am standing to the river below.  I hiked the entire Bow River Loop.  My favourite part was along the river where I had views like this.  The sound of the river running, blue sky, the fresh air, a slight breeze, the vistas, sunshine, thirteen kilometres covered!   

Aaaah!

Just living life! 

UPDATES: The 2026 Calendar The Bald Eagles The Wall Hanging

The 2026 Calendar

Five down seven to go! This is the five watercolour painting for my 2026 Calendar, it will represent an early spring or late autumn month.  I used a photo from my latest hot beverage pouring occasion at Lake Louise last week as my reference.  This pouring was recent enough that I can still almost taste it!  Occasions like these have been a ritual while being "out & about" during cold weather. The location picked to settle into always has a perfect view.  I will bundle up, place my therma-rest pad to sit on then settle in. I like the sound from unscrewing the cup, lifting the red seal and the sound made when actually pouring the beverage. The sips soothe the soul!  

my reference photo

I have three short videos to share with you from my pouring occasions last week while visiting Banff and Lake Louise in Banff National Park.  The majority of the time over the years the pourings have been perfect then there is the odd time when it goes off the rails! Maybe the times it goes off the rails would be the perfect times, those are the occasions that laughter becomes a part of the whole experience.   

The Bald Eagles

I paid a visit to Carburn Park on the weekend to check out the two Bald Eagles and also to see if new visitors have arrived during the warm wave of weather.  Upon arrival to the Park, I first made my way to the location where I last saw the Bald Eagles building their nest. The last time I was there was early February and I watched them busily build.  During this weekend's visit, no one was home but that's not unusual.  I checked back later and still no one.  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw activity in the trees further to the west so made a bee line to that area.  See those two red dots in the tree in the centre of the photo!  Those are the two Bald Eagles!  I talked with two guys and they shared with me that the Bald Eagles abandoned their previous nest two weeks ago and have been building a new one in this location. They have been working hard to build the new nest as time is getting short for when eggs could be laid.  

I watched them for a lengthy time! I wondered when would they rest!  They must get tired! They did not rest while I was there. I believe the Bald Eagle perched and watching is the female.  At times she assisted with getting the branches perfectly placed. I was getting tired of standing and watching and moved on down the trail.  

These are just three of the many times the Bald Eagle flew off to collect branches. 

The Wall Hanging

In my last blog post, I mentioned I wanted to create a knitted wall hanging of some sort that depicted nature in some way.  The first piece was the Great Horned Owl that I knitted using cable stitches.  I completed three more pieces using up yarn that I had left over from previous projects.  There is so much to love about nature that of course the Wall Hanging has to include a knitted heart.  I am in the process of knitting another piece and I think I will do one more after that.  Then it will be time to brain storm on how to attach them all, what to hang them from and where to hang the finished product!