Monthly Archives: June 2017

Morning in Whitemud Ravine

June 17, 2017

Went for a cool(ish), windy and relatively uneventful walk in Whitemud Creek Ravine this morning. After a wet evening, the ravine was damp and fragrant. Brought some nuts and seeds with me, but couldn’t get any chickadee action. The bird song in the canopy was beautiful but not a lot of sightings, and only one insistent squirrel who demanded a second helping of peanuts. The areas where I left nuts on the first part of the walk was left untouched as I made my way back an hour later. Not sure where everybody was.

There were other walkers, and quite a few dogs, including one stray. I think he was a stray. He just showed up out of the bush. A shepherd-cross, I think, with no tail. He seemed tired, but he wouldn’t come near. I followed him for awhile and called and whistled, but he took off running. I hope he knows the way home, or that someone is better at calling him over than I was. I can’t stop thinking about him. Stay safe, doggie.

By the time I emerged out out of the ravine, it was warmer but still windy with a glorious blue sky overhead.

9:30 – 11:00/19C

Owls for lunch!

June 11, 2017

Great Horned Owl & babe enjoying a meal of indeterminate species

Once again, I am writing after the fact. Or, after the walk to be more exact. This particular adventure took place on Thursday morning, June 7. Knowing that I would be unable to go for long walks for the next several days because of Tom’s hernia surgery (now complete and successful!), I jumped into the ravine around 9:00, before the heat set in.

I entered via the stairs in Whitemud North, and while I was intending to walk all the way to Snow Valley, the trail was cut off about 3/4’s of the way because of bank re-construction. On the way back, while battling mosquitoes, I saw a guy with a lot of camera equipment pointed up into the canopy. I said, “owls?” and he said, “yes!”. He then helped me find the mama Great Horned Owl and babe enjoying a meal of something very dead. I think it might have been a squirrel since the claws didn’t seem that long. I didn’t actually see what they were doing because they were too far away, but my camera caught some awesome photos (for me)! Also, I’ve never photographed owls and have barely seen them in my 20+ years of trekking in the river valley and ravines. So yay. Big yay!! And thank you photographer dude for being so nice and helpful.

Hot ‘n Buggy

June 4, 2017

Another late afternoon walk in Whitemud Ravine, via Rainbow Valley Road. It was very humid in the bush, and the mosquitoes were flying. I could barely stop to take a photo without being quickly and definitively occupied by the imperial forces.

There were lots of people on the trails, but still many moments of solitude. Green solitude. It’s so lush and alive in the woods, and everywhere.

3:38 to 5:15/24C

Wild Thing. You make my heart sing.

June 4, 2017

Rather than wax poetic about Whitemud Ravine and its many tiny creatures, I will let it…and them, be the poetry. These photos were taken late afternoon, June 3rd (Saturday), about 24C.