Hello to all of my dear readers on this chilly autumn morning.  However, it is supposed to get warmer today and have a fair bit of sunshine.  Such a nice thought.  We certainly have not had much sunny weather this autumn.  Since the middle of August it has been very cloudy and rainy.  We had our second rainiest September on record, top spot was in 1941.  Because of all the rain our lake level has been steadily rising.  So it has been necessary to open our dam to let water flow out into the river, more than normal.  Right now the dam is 90% open.  And the lake level continues to rise.

Because of the increase in water to the river it has created very dangerous conditions on the river.  The current right now is extremely dangerous.  A person would be sucked underwater in a few seconds.  That would be it.  So a warning has been issued for boaters to stay away from a certain part of the river closest to the dam.  People walking that path have also been issued a similar warning to exercise extreme caution while walking the path.  Part of the path I used to walk on is now under water, by about 5 feet (1.8 meters).

Plus the water is very close to the path in a couple other places.  It could get worse yet if they open the dam fully.  Shrubs and trees are now in the river itself.  One of my favorite areas for sitting is underwater.  Another one is very close to the river’s edge now.  Maybe too close.

It was cloudy when I went down there on Wednesday.  Always looks a bit barren and lonely along the path when it’s cloudy.  Even the river takes on a different look and feel in the cloudy weather.  But once by the river the sun began to shine.  How nice!  Suddenly the whole area was bathed in sunlight.  What a difference it made.  No longer did it have that lonely feel.  Even the cold swirling river looked much more cheerful, though still just as dangerous.

Just then too a large flock of chickadees and nuthatches came by singing away so merrily. I started talking to them and they came right down to where I was, sitting in the low branches still singing, several of them looking at me.  Maybe they were trying to figure out what kind of tree I was.  Then they all bounced their way back to the higher branches looking for food as they went.  No other little birds were around though, guess they have moved to other locations.

Even the mushrooms seemed to be brighter when the sun came out.  And, of course, the yellow leaves of the aspens really started to glow.  It was a nice time for taking pictures. But the sun didn’t stay out long so I headed back once the clouds returned.   All along the path the squirrels are sure busy cutting down pine cones and stocking them in different areas for winter use.  Usually they hide them by an old stump or large rock.  Squirrels are around all winter, they don’t hibernate, so they need to gather enough food to keep them going through the winter.

No insects around now.  But then it was only 3C or 37F when I went on this walk.  Just some this and that thoughts for today.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

© 2019 Steve McLeod.