…is everywhere, especially in the vicinity of the couch. Maggie had her first dip into Whitemud Creek today. One of the spots where the water is relatively still. Also, any patch of snow or puddle of dirty water, no matter how small, was graced by Maggie’s paws. She is already pining for winter, I can tell. Glad I wore my boots for our two-hour walk from one end of Whitemud to the other. There are a few remaining areas of ice along the trail, and lots of mud. Nevertheless, it was beautifully spring-like and warm. Not particularly sunny. Instead, a mottled sort of cloudy with a touch of humidity. It may thunderstorm this afternoon which would be awesome. I’ve just started a new Nesbo, so perfect timing for a murder mystery.

Of the many delightful things I saw today, none was more spectacular and unexpected than a dude with a Ball Python wrapped around his neck. It wasn’t a scene of a crime, just a guy and his snake enjoying a fine spring day. Apparently, Toto (or Todo), ‘loves’ long walks in the woods. I’m not sure how one gauges mood in a snake, but I’ll take his word for it. I’m no expert on the nuances of snake behaviour. In addition to Toto, I saw a few butterflies, many assorted birds, a bee, and a single goose on a sand bar. It was an unusually eventful walk. By the end, Maggie and I were both ready for a coffee and a cookie (or three.)

2:31PM/18C

Nice day, sort of. Sun was out, then not out. Gale force winds followed by peaceful birdsong (mostly waxwings and crows.) Compared to yesterday, it’s tropical. Was out and about on Saturday, and it was as miserable as a cold day in January. A cold, blustery day, with snow that didn’t stay on the 0C ground but was blowing hard enough to shoot the flakes down my throat, followed by slightly frantic episodes of choking.

In hindsight, not sure why I was walking with my mouth open. Probably something to do with slack jaw surprise at the rotten weather. Today, however, it is a little more spring-like. Maggie and I ambled down the almost snow-free power line into Whitemud Creek, which is at full-river gushiness. When the sun is out, it’s quite pleasant, but the wind, man, that wind. Yesterday and today. It feels arctic and somehow very personal.

Took my camera yesterday to Whitemud during a break in the snow, but frankly, it’s just too awful. I have now officially passed the stage where I find snow beautiful. In the morning, the fat flakes were wafting gently down from the leaden sky. In the fall, this would have been serene and lovely. In January too, also February and maybe March. Mid-April, not so much. I have checked previous blog entries and although we got a dump around this time in 2012, things were considerably greener, or browner, depending on the location. In 2010, I was photographing poplar fuzz in Mill Creek! The good comes with the bad, however, as it was also a drought year. I doubt very much that this will be the case in 2013. Nevertheless, I am ever hopeful that spring will indeed come, and with it, an absence of snow. At least for a few months. Here’s a few blog entries from previous years.

April 2012

April 2011

April 2010

1:33PM (I may still go for a walk. It’s not snowing, which is something)/0C

Had an eye appointment downtown this afternoon. An hour later, new and improved spectacles (I hope) are on the way and my eyes are now sporting a shiny new pair of contact lenses I can actually see out of. In celebration of my triumph over myopia, I went for a walk through downtown, and then into the river valley west of the Low Level Bridge, ending in Skunk Hollow. There is a lot of grit about, which means a lot of dust and dirty snow. It’s an ugly time of year. The ugliest. But yesterday, it rained, and this morning, it smelled like spring for the first time. I felt transported.

It was a windy walk down Jasper Avenue, and the river valley is still mostly snow and puddles. Nice to be out and about, even in this muckified state. Walked up to my vet’s for some Molly pills, and spotted a rare Ghost Magpie on someone’s lawn. I love these guys. Used to see one every now and then on my bird feeder. They’re even more spectacular in the summer when the contrast between their pale feathers and the green foliage is so stark.

I’ve been exercising a lot more in the last three weeks, mostly the eliptical but also extended walks from the train. Starting next week, I’m going to try walking home from Southgate. It’s a flat walk, and not in the river valley, but it’s silly to keep pining for the commutes I used to have when I lived in Strathcona/Mill Creek. I will have those walks again, but here and now, I have to find a way to be in nature during the week, and not just the weekends with the dog in Whitemud. Not that I don’t love those walks, but it’s not enough. I wish Maggie could meet me at the train. She has so few skills.

 4:40PM/9C

The sun came out. It stopped snowing, just in the last two hours. The temperature is below zero. I shouldn’t be surprised. I’ve checked the blog…it’s always crap weather in April. It’s been a brutal spring. However, May looms, and Maggie…she LOVES the snow.

4:35PM/-4C

..or thank you Jebus for the day off.  Walked down a giant set of stairs to the Whitemud near Fort Edmonton. Very slushy, but absolutely beautiful. Lots of geese which I was not fast enough to shoot (with my camera) and squirrels, which kinda just sat there while I adjusted the lens. Maggie still prefers to sink chest deep in the melting snow rather than walk on the clear trail. About 30 minutes in she chowed down on some horse shit. I hate it when that dog goes dog.

2:45PM/7C