On the trails

We have had some miserable weather again this past week with rain and high winds. Prior to this latest weather misery, we enjoyed several of the trails around the island as autumn colour began.

West of home, my husband and I walked the two new trails in Tyne Valley one day and especially enjoyed the hilly terrain of one of those trails. That trail is well groomed, without roots to slow one’s progress or to trip over.

The trails cross a number of streams 

and have new bridges traversing them. 

The leaves were beginning to show some autumn colour though green was the dominant colour at that time.

We bought our Coleman stove with us that day and cooked bacon and heated homemade baked beans. It was a delicious lunch with a cup of tea.

A few days later, east of home, we walked the trail at Breadalbane where a furry sentinel greeted us as she hunted for mice among the ground cover.

Puss accompanied us for a time, leading the way on occasion.

This trail has older bridges which cross streams through areas of forest which were beginning to show some fall colour.

Part of this trail is root covered and requires one’s full attention. Another section is on the Confederation Trail where the going is easy. In this more open area, the leaves have already reached their peak colour.

Along the way, we happened upon a Hairy Woodpecker, as she searched for food. 

Later, we had our homemade beef stew near the entrance of the trail. 

As we ate, a silk thread wafted through the air between us and a spider appeared on the thread which must have reached from the trees across the road. We watched as the breeze took the thread and its maker onto the goldenrod nearby which had gone to seed. It looked like a safe landing for the arachnid.

On the way home, we passed some Puddle Ducks in a watering hole for the cows grazing nearby. The scene depicts the peace and tranquility we enjoyed both days!

On the river

It was a pleasant surprise to see two American black ducks busy in the river by the boardwalk during a recent visit. They were absent for months.

 

Part of the river was in the shade and it was difficult to see the ducks on the black water. My husband and I watched them for a time and they came into the light long enough for us to take some photos.

 

These are dabbling ducks. They do not dive but rather dip their heads underwater in a "bottoms up" motion to feed near or on the surface. 

 

They are also know as puddle ducks, frequenting rivers and marshes rather than large bodies of water.

We were not as successful taking a photo of the beaver who shared the river with the ducks. There were beavers in this area early last year but the city moved them. They dammed a stream which flows into the river and cut many trees from the greenbelt in the process. Beavers have powerful jaws and teeth as testified by the stump which remains along the trail. 

 

There is at least one beaver here again.

The beaver swam with its head just above the surface of the water but dived often, making it hard to find it again when it re-surfaced. I enjoy seeing beavers in the area, though I imagine it will be a short stay.

The variety of wildlife makes the boardwalk such a lovely place for a walk.