Well that was a miserable little walk. Straight down Saskatchewan Drive, which was quite a struggle as the wind tried very hard to knock me into traffic. So, in lieu of a pretty picture of the river valley, here is a pretty picture of my cat, Molly, soaking up the sun:
4:54 PM/7C
The Cloverdale pedestrian bridge, currently under threat from City Hall and the planned southeast extension to the LRT, is a fantastic vantage point for ‘scapes’ of every sort: riverscapes, landscapes, cityscapes, peoplescapes, dogscapes, inline skatescapes, skyscapes, goosecapes, and on occasion, hot-air balloonscapes, which is really something to behold.
For the last couple of years, a goose has built a nest on one of the cement pillars holding up the bridge. You can see it from one of the McKinney paths, with binoculars, or up close through the wooden planks above the pillar. There is really no way to view the goose on her nest without looking like an idiot. You have to find the correct set of planks, stand directly over the space in between, and stare down, like some BIG IDEA has just stopped you dead in your tracks. Or, as I did today, wait until there is no one on the bridge, then kneel down and shove your camera into the space, snapping off a few quick shots before a crowd forms around your crouching body, offering to help you find whatever you’ve lost.
The other thing that’s quite noticeable this year is the island on the eastern side of the bridge. This island comes and goes, depending on the height of the river. Last year was the first time the island stayed visible long enough for grass to grow, which is good for the seagulls, but bad for our water supply. This year, it’s been visible ever since the ice melted. Still waiting for that surge of water from the mountains to submerge the island, but so far, the water level has remained ominously low.
6:02 PM/12C
Over to Whitemud Creek for a walk today. Heard rumours of a dead muskrat. It’s not my habit to seek out expired animals but as I have never seen a muskrat, I figured it was worth a trip. Muskrats look almost exactly like beavers but they are smaller, and instead of a paddle, they have a long rat-like tail. And infamous romantic practices. Took a guide (my niece) and my favourite doggie (Maggie) and off we went, but no muskrat. Magpies? Coyotes? A female beaver, jealous of the muskrats’ slimmer tail? Who knows…nature is quick and efficient in matters of disposal.
However, all was not lost. The pond near the power-line was full of Red-winged Blackbirds flying in and out of the reeds. Their distinctive song was quite a lovely thing to hear. Don’t usually see these birds inside city limits, and never in such quantity. Usually it’s just one, on a fence-post. Also, a single goose paddling in the water, and several ducks. Ruddy ducks, I think, with blue beaks. It seems odd that the blue beak didn’t trump the reddish feathers when it came to naming the duck. But what do I know about duck nomenclature?
5:45 PM/8C
Walking in the river valley is my happiness drug. Peanut M&M’s certainly have their place in my life, but when I need a real infusion of the feel goods, I go for a walk.
When I used to work in a bookstore, people would ask how I could walk for hours after standing all day. On the contrary, I found it energizing. It does seem counter-intuitive, but the truth is I was more tired if I didn’t walk. Same thing with my brain. When my head parts are at their shriveled worst, from stress, from over or under use, or just a bad case of the blues, it’s not a nap, or a new dress, or a mood altering whatever that my brain requires to calm itself. It’s a goose paddling in the river…and then moments later, soaring over my head toward its mate on the hill. It’s an early spring lilac, like a bouquet of tiny mauve grapes wrapped in green, still weeks away from their full purple potential. A trio of grey pigeons huddling protectively around a small, dove-white pigeon. The creek, free of ice, filling the valley with gorgeous watery sounds. Sometimes I just stop and listen to the woods. There’s a constant hum of creature and forest noises, but unlike the constant hum in my own brain, it’s regenerative. Life busy with life, regardless of whether I’m there or not. It’s very reassuring. I’m not saying that peanut M&M’s aren’t relaxing or reassuring, but a walk in the woods lasts longer.
1:02 PM/3C (Back to my jacket and thermal leggings. It’s cold, but perfect for a hike.)
Shorts, a t-shirt and single-digit temperatures are not a good mix. On the positive side, my legs finally have some colour. It’s like they’re blushing.
There is a raven’s nest on top of the old Arts building on campus. Noticed it at lunch. Actually, I noticed two guys pointing up, and then I saw the nest, partially obscured by the HUGE raven perched on its edge. The bird was fantastic, like a beautiful, black gargoyle. And the sound coming out of that thing! The raven’s neck feathers were puffed out in agitation, and it was screaming at us, or maybe it was screaming at the wind, which is much more of a threat to the precariously placed nest than the gawking idiots scuffling about below. When I returned with my camera several hours later, I watched the raven swoop in for a quick drop-off at the nest, but it flew off before I could snap a picture. Very impressive.
The parade of animals continued as I made my way through the river valley.
Saw two ducks, a male and female, sitting on the bank of the North Saskatchewan River. Their presence, and perhaps the presence of a nearby nest was driving the magpies crazy. They were louder than the cars on River Road.
A brown hare was sitting on the grass, keeping an eye on the magpies,
the ducks, the cars, and me. All this drama, and then the batteries fell out of my camera.
The weather people are forecasting rain again, but I don’t believe them anymore. The ground on both sides of the path running through Rossdale is completely littered by branches and occasionally, entire trees that have fallen prey to the drought, and most especially the wind. Some of the damage is from the BIG WIND STORM of 2009, but alot of the damage is recent.
So…I’d like to say a special thanks to the trees for not falling on me. Judging by the sound and frequency of the creaks, it was a definite possibility.
5:45 PM/9C
That was one HOT walk. It didn’t help that my backpack was absolutely stuffed. It felt like I had a feverish five year old clinging to my back. Also, I was carrying a bag because there was not enough room in my backpack. One last complaint: I managed to dislodge my hip joint on the way home yesterday, or that’s what it felt like, and so I was walking with a limp. Don’t wanna be lame in the river valley. Might get taken out by a bobcat.
However, the day was beautiful. The grass is turning green in spite of the lack of moisture. I love defiance in the face of adversity. Lots of trees are losing their seeds. Some are spitting them off the branches, others just hang there waiting for a breeze. On the ground, the seeds look like fat grey caterpillars. I read somewhere that in times of drought, trees double-seed. I think we’re going to be up to our knees in Poplar fuzz in a few weeks.
6:02 PM/25C