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.