Good morning to everyone! And how are you on this fine winter day? It is a bit chilly this morning with a temperature of 10F (-12C), but with that strong wind out there it makes it feel much colder. But there is beautiful blue sky with just a few clouds here and there. We had some very light snow overnight, about half an inch of light, fluffy snow. The chickadees and nuthatches are busy, as are the blue jays and some of the woodpeckers have been here too.

I see one of the downy woodpeckers has arrived for some of my homemade suet, one of the most popular items on the menu here at Steve’s Diner. I think I will have to put out a third suet feeder to help eliminate the waiting lines out there. Especially now that temperatures are going to get colder beginning tomorrow night. Just when I was planning to start walking down to the river again. Oh well, it’s not going to last long and we will be back to these temps again, nice for walking along the river path.

It will be interesting to see how many ducks are down there this winter. Although most of them tend to stay closer to the dam which is further upstream from where I walk. But it can be so nice at the river in the winter months. Just looking at the water flowing past with the snow covered shores, can be so calming and relaxing. It’s nice to have that bench down there for the winter especially, it gives a nice place to sit and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

After the next few cold days there will likely be ice showing up along the shoreline as well. But no matter how cold it gets, the ice is never good on that river, not even along the shore. But it is peaceful down there. Ducks floating lazily past, periodically diving down to get some fish to eat. Eagles soaring along or sitting in the tall white pines. Squirrels chattering whenever another squirrel crosses into their territory, and sometimes at people walking through their territory as well. Deer walking through the trees. Chickadees and nuthatches singing as they wander about the trees looking for food.

A pileated woodpecker pounding away at a dead pine tree. In another tree a black-backed three-toed woodpecker is tapping away looking for bugs. A lone ruffed grouse comes slowly out from some bushes and crosses the path ahead of me. Even though winter is definitely not my favorite season, I much prefer being warm than being cold, yet there is still much beauty and a certain kind of quietness in the forest that truly is solitude. Thank you for joining me this morning on my memory of a mid winter walk to the river’s solitude. Have a great weekend everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin. (top featured image is part of the snowy path to the river)

©2021 Steve McLeod.