For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Hello my friends on this cool and somewhat wet day. Just some light showers though so it’s not too bad. However, as I write this I see the sky is clearing and the sun is now shining once again. And that means…it’s time for me to go for a walk. However, I’m not going to leave you behind, why don’t we go walking together today? Although the sun is shining, it’s still a bit cool for those not used to it, so you may want to wear a light jacket for this walk. The temp is 68F or 20C, just to give an idea and there is some wind as well. On the forest path the wind won’t be noticed, but once we get to the river it will feel a bit cooler in the wind.
Look at that, we just get started and there is a cute little squirrel, if I can just get it’s picture. There it is and, click, got it! That is only the second time I have seen a squirrel back here. Oh, look, there’s one of those large bright blue dragonflies. I have been trying for 3 weeks to get a picture of one. Unfortunately I have yet to see one of them actually land, they are always flying. But they are such a beautiful blue color and they are big. Oh well, perhaps one day. I’m trying to get pictures of all the different varieties of dragonflies in this area. I’m not doing too well. Each species has such a short time that it’s around during the summer.
Now we start going downhill to the river. It’s actually a long way down and it’s steep in a couple of areas. It’s worth the trip though. There, through the trees you can see the shining water of the river. They are letting more water through the dam now so already the river is about 4 inches higher than yesterday. If you listen over that way there is a flock of warblers chirping in the trees. Let’s continue along the path to my favorite spot.
It’s a little tough going in places along this part of the path. A few very steep sections that are full of roots which we can use as steps. But you still need to be careful, it’s very easy to trip on all these roots. Especially going down. Here we are and…oh, quietly now, look down there on the rock right by the river. There is 2 female mergansers sleeping side by side on the rock. Oh, looks like they heard us after all. There they are, getting up, stretching and slipping down into the river. Guess those 2 must have lost their nests this year. Happens a lot with ducks.
This is such a nice spot to sit and enjoy the beauty of nature. There are so many huge white pines and red pines around here. They grow right on the granite rock, with their large roots going in every direction. Some slipping down into cracks in the rock looking for sources of water and also providing a strong anchor for the towering trees. Look down there, a ring-billed gull standing on a rock. They are the most common gull around here, only about half the size of the herring gulls that come to my feeder. But this is the first decent picture I have been able to get. Would be nice to be a bit closer but at least you can see the ring on it’s bill.
Hmm, those clouds are moving in fast and did you hear the thunder? Guess it’s time to head back. A little cool today to be caught in a thunderstorm. Well, it looks like we made it in good time. Wow, that crack of thunder was loud. Just back inside when the rain began. And did it rain. Lots of lightning and thunder too. And that wind! Well, I’m glad we made it back in time. I really wouldn’t want to be out in that storm.
Thank you so much for joining me on this little walk today. It’s always nice to have someone along for a change. Still, it is a nice spot to just get away by myself too. Just enjoy the beauty or just do a bit of daydreaming. Great spot for both. Also a nice spot to sit and write poems. Well, that’s all for now, take care and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
© 2019 Steve McLeod.
Oh I love it! You really made me feel like I was with you on your walk! I love your photos too!
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Thank you so much Ami!! Glad to have you with for my little walk! I hope you are having a good day!!😃😺🌞🌳
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It’s been OK thank you, be better when I’ve had some sleep! Hope you’ve had a lovely day too 🙂
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Yes, it has been a great day, thanks!😃😺 Hope you can get some sleep!🙂
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A lovely walk today! Great pics! I can’t wait till you captured the dragonflies! I can imagine they are beautiful there! An a nice rain shower, too😄😸
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Thank you Renee, glad you liked the walk today!😁🌞 I sure hope I can get that big blue one, probably don’t have much time left, and it never sits down!😂📷 That was a bit more than a shower!😬🙀⛈ A bit sunny again now, still lots of clouds too though.🌞😁😸
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Here , in mount Lebanon , at an altidude of 600 meters or 2000 feet , the temperatures have been like 28 to 22 C with a Sunny Mediterranean weather ..
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I don’t think we will see 28 again until next summer! Thanks for reading!😃😺
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Here , it is still summer . Summer remains till late september …
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On a normal year our summer would last from June through August, but some years like this one it only runs from mid June to mid August, rather short. And it wasn’t very hot this year. Each year lately seems to be getting colder, every season.
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Hope the dragonflies haven’t left there yet…
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Not many dragonflies around now, still see the odd one but less with each day.😕 Only saw one yesterday.😀
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Better to take a short video for dragonflies rather than pictures …
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I have tried that, but some species just dart around too fast and they also stay quite high, unlike other species that stay low and will actually land for a while. But I keep trying anyway, thanks for the suggestion, have a great day!😃😺
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Loved the little walk…😌
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Thanks for joining me today Samyak, always nice to have someone along to share the experience with!😁 Are you still up or just getting up?🤔
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Still Up..😌
Was writing a fiction right now.. just finished up with that.😅
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Wow, I would have fallen asleep long before that time! Even if I was doing something!😂😂I have never tried to write fiction, people keep saying I should try it. I think it would be hard.🤔😀
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Yeah it’s hard and took me until today to write it down. Now hoping for a good response and see if I can do better..😅
Yeah I have a knack of being up till late. I’m a night own in wilderness.
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I used to try staying up late but once midnight comes that’s it for me, I’m done,😴 no more thinking after that.😂Is this for your blog or for something else?🤔
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Yeah for blog only..tried fiction for the first time. Hope you like it..😊
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I will be checking it out Samyak!😃😺
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Nicely written Steve! It is amazing how those trees thrive on a rock.. how they support themselves with very little soil to hold them. Good job!
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Thanks for reading Red! I have actually seen them growing on rock with no soil around at all, but the roots go deep into cracks where they get moisture and nutrients, plus anchoring the tree.😀 Working on another award post right now!🤔😁😂😹
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Have fun! Im sure it will enjoyable like always!😉
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Will try anyway, will try!😂😹
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👍
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The rocks seem to protect the tree and its roots could help stay strong during stormy weather as well …
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Yes, that is very true.
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O how I needed this walk ! I am unable to do it for real , so I enjoyed hearing about it…thank you for sharing !
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Thanks so much for reading! Always nice to have others along. Have a great evening!😃😺
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I enjoy your walks with local flora and fauna.
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Thanks so much Sheree for coming along today! It’s always a pleasure to have someone along to enjoy the walk. I hope you will be having another great day!😃😺🌞🌳
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Great pics, such vivid imagery as you vivid penned and captured the moment. So inviting readers. Thanks for sharing 😊🌸
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Thank you very much for reading Yonnie and for your nice comment! Sorry I haven’t been around much lately, that will change! Have a great day!😃😺
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You are quite welcome, I’m not on as much. Things come up. No problem apologies not necessary. So glad your to see your post. You have a blessed day you two!
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Thanks so very much Yonnie, I hope you enjoy your weekend!😃😺🌞🌳
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Indeed, have a wonderful day!
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You too, Muffin. Enjoy your weekend as well 😊🌸
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Do you have generation of hydroelectric power?
I have heard that Canada is abundant in water and green forests …
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Yes, Canada has abundant hydroelectric power, there are many, many large dams producing more hydro than we can use so we sell a lot of it to the US. Here in Ontario there are over 250,000 lakes and thousands of rivers.
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In Dubai , Qatar and Saudi Arabia , they treat sea water and purify it to get water .
But , where I live we have more than enough water in Lebanon…
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That must be an expensive way to get water.
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In this area , oil and natural gas are cheaper than water and very easy to extract . Due to technological development, I do not think that it is that expensive …
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Wow, cheaper than water, that would be something!
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They definitely invest billions of dollars in water infrastructure as I have been reading but it is nothing compared to the great wealth there and high gdp …
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It was a great walk down to the river and glad you could have these beautiful shots for the Ring-billed gull and the mergansers and squirrel as well 😊great pictures and very beautiful place indeed!
Glad you could make it before the thunderstorm and lightning I’m sure it’s not enjoyable at all 😕
Have a great Friday and enjoy your weekend as well 🌞🌞🌞😸
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Thank you so much Huguette! It was a nice walk but did have to hurry a bit coming back! Just barely made it in time!😀 Right now it is beautiful and sunny,🌞 though I see some clouds starting to show up again.😕 Thanks, I hope you will have a great weekend too!😃😺🌞
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This weather likes to play tricks with you, you must be prepared the entire time 😸
Hope it will be mostly sunny and warm as much as it can be this way 🌞🌞
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It is nice and sunny but still cool, should be warmer by now, very cool in the shade and most of my walking path is shaded. Guess I wear a jacket today🤔.😁🌞🌳
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Then no other choice but wearing a jacket 🌞🌞 gladly the sun is still shining a bit at least 😸🌞🌞
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Yep, a jacket would have been good, at least part of the time. Did I wear one?🤔 No. 😜Hey, I’m Canadian, I’m not supposed to wear jackets in August.🤪🙄 Sigh. Forget Canadian, jacket from now on!😂😂
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😂😂 indeed so just wear this jacket! 😁 Canadian or not, cold is cold!
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Yep, I agree, from now on it’s jacket time!😂
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👍👍😸
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I so enjoy taking these forest walks together. Beautiful! 🌲⛈🌿🌳.
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Thanks so very much Nina! Always nice to have you along on these walks. It is so beautiful and peaceful back there. I hope you are having a wonderful day!😄😸🌞🌳🌼👩🌾☘🌻
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Yeah! Beautiful! Good for the body, mind and soul. 💞
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That is so true, I’m soon off for another walk, nice sunny day for it!😁🌞🌳
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Loved this!
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Thank you so much Lydia!!😁😸 Glad your not mad at me anymore!😀 I hope your move is going good and that you can get settled quickly over the weekend!!😃😺🌞🌳🏡
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You’re welcome… by the way, I never was mad at you! 🙂
Our move was hectic but good!!!!
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Yeah, moves are like that, they can be crazy, but it all works out.😁
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Yep!
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Hi Steve, how did you able to take a shot of the squirrel. They move very fast! It’s hard to get a good shot of them. That was amazing. 🙂 Thank you for sharing your walk.
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Thanks for joining on the walk, glad you enjoyed it. That squirrel was moving around a lot but it finally stopped briefly so I got his picture! Have a great weekend!😃😺🌞🌳
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It’s hard to capture of a squirrel because they move really quick. I just saw one today, and I miss to take a picture. 🙂
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Yes, they can be very quick indeed!!😀📷
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Once again beautiful photos and a cool morning.
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Thank you very much!! Nice to have you here!
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Thank you always fun to stop by!
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