Didn’t go for a walk on the weekend, because the weather Saturday and Sunday was very changeable, and both days it hailed. However, I thought I would post these photos of an ex-wasp nest, prior to its removal from the bottom of a bench seat on the deck. Amazing little engineers, these wasps. Too bad they’re such bastards.

I rarely get unnerved when I’m walking in the ravines or the river valley, but when I do, I pay attention. Not sure why I had the heebs today, but I shortened my walk to an hour – and half of that was above ground. When I left, the sky was a mix of cloud and blue, but by the time I entered Whitemud Ravine at the Aspen Gardens trail head, it was completely overcast. And really low, oppressive clouds. I had weird sensations, like I was going to fall over the edge of some of the trails. I only met two other people in the ravine, one with a dog, and one without. Basically, I was alone.

Whitemud Ravine is deep. You are really in the woods when you’re down there, as opposed to Mill Creek Ravine where city traffic is always audible, if faint. I left at 2:30ish, and so many of the folks who might otherwise have been in the ravine were probably picking up children. Also, I’m still getting used to walking Whitemud without Maggie. For 12 years, whenever I have been in that ravine, I have been with her. Now, it is out of the question for her aging body, willing though it may be, so I am now forced to walk the trails without my security detail. Next time, I’ll wait until the sun is out.

2:30 to 4:00/15C

Another gorgeous April day in Edmonton. Somehow we managed to avoid the snow on Saturday, and it’s been getting steadily warmer since then. Feeding cats in Rossdale this morning, and later I walked up to the trail that ends at Skunk Hollow. Nice to walk along that original monkey trail. There were remnants of a small fire at one point, and a very strong odour. Luckily, it didn’t spread because the woods are very dry. (Wait, I should clarify one point. I was not feeding feral cats. I was feeding my sister’s cats.)

Across 99th into Mill Creek Ravine. No frogs, and the bog itself seemed quite shallow. They need to hop on over to Whitemud.

Mid-morning, the skies were a bit overcast, but they eventually cleared. Rather spectacularly, I must say. By the time I was crossing the low-level bridge back into Rossdale (around noon), the sky was blue, the sun was hot, and I was in dire need of a cold beverage.

10:22 to noon/18C

Somanyfantastic sights and sounds in Whitemud Ravine this afternoon! First of all, on the way to the ravine I captured (photographically) the woodpecker who has been serenading the neighbourhood for a couple of weeks. We thought it was a pileated because of the noise it was making, but it’s a northern flicker. Beautiful bird. Stood right under it as it screeched at me.

And then, under the blue sky and slowly greening foliage, the frogs were out, singing their lovesick frog songs! Didn’t realize the finger of creek water between the second bridge and the boardwalk was a frog bog. My experience of Mill Creek is that the song making time is short-lived, and so I always feel lucky when I happen to be in the right place at the right time to hear their cracking love sounds.

There were unfamiliar ducks on the water, and a pileated woodpecker (for sure) a foot away from me. A couple of women strolled by as I was huddling under a tree and asked what I was photographing. I said it was a pileated woodpecker. They thought it was fantastic. I mentioned that it looked a lot like Woody Woodpecker. One of the women, who was clearly my age, said I wasn’t old enough to know who Woody Woodpecker was. I laughed, but she was serious! You know, I was happy enough seeing the woodpecker. Getting this (I think) compliment was just too much. Must be the old shitty capris I was wearing. Anyway, I didn’t get great photos of the ducks or the bird, but the experience of being in the critter-filled ravine this afternoon was incredible. Spent a lot of time on monkey trails and was entirely and completely happy. In the moment. Feels like spring now.

1:05 to 3:30/7C

What every trail in the city looks like right now. Not complaining. Just stating.

Taken on one of the trails below the university today.

1:30ish/21C!

The season of muted colours continues in the river valley. The cloudless blue sky, happily, is the exception to the rule. It’s an early spring, by which I mean we’ve already lost most of the snow and the trees and bushes are in active bud. And yet, from a distance, they still look so soft, like a smudge of light brown against the blue of the sky.

A beautiful, warm walk from the University to Rossdale. I looped south around the neighbourhood to see the point at which the trail is cut off by construction on the new Walterdale bridge. The fence starts where Rossdale begins. They aren’t playing around. I’m disappointed the city put the tiny footbridge by the fire station behind the fence. The construction site starts quite a bit further west, so why not give us that sweet little landmark? Ah well.

I continued over to Louise McKinney Park, and then up the stairs to the Convention Centre. Could have worn shorts and a tank today. Make that should have.

2:30/19C