WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY

Oh boy, Koi!

Posted on September 6, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Summer is fading fast! I mean, how the heck did we get to Labor Day weekend already? Wasn’t it just Memorial Day, the unofficial gateway to Summer and now we’re at the unofficial gateway to Fall? Not that Summer wasn’t around heat and humidity-wise … whew!

I visited Emily Frank Gardens way back on June 12th – it was my first visit for 2026 and clearly, the Gardens were not ready for prime-time yet and no, it wasn’t because the steadfast group of “Garden Angels” was slacking off. This band of volunteers works tirelessly from March through November to keep the Trenton Cultural Center looking beautiful for anyone who happens by. They also maintain MacArthur Park’s pollinator gardens just down the road. Lest you think the group only tends beautiful perennials and annuals, they also plant, maintain and harvest a huge produce garden in which all produce is trucked over to local senior centers for those who might not get out to fresh farm markets – “growing to give” is their motto.

I knew as soon as I got to the Gardens, I had visited the venue way too early and I should have known better. We had an over-long Winter, a cool and rainy Spring and in the days just before Memorial Day, our meteorologists were warning those who planted in-ground flowers and veggies that those tender plants needed to be covered.

But, there are always things to see at the Gardens anyway, even in mid-June.

The days are already getting shorter – and, as I write this post the end of July, we’ve already seen our last 9:00 p.m. sunset. Yes, slowly we’re creeping toward Winter – ugh.

Good day sunshine!

In the middle of the Gardens is a sundial and …

… it displays the message “Count Not But Sunny Hours”. I’ve enlarged the top of the sundial below so you can see it better.

I’ve been going to Emily Frank Gardens for about five or six years now and I always thought it was just yard art, something interesting to plunk in the middle of all the beautiful blooms.

But, on a whim, while writing this post, I decided to Google the image and see if this sundial was the “real deal” and, to my surprise, I learned a few facts about sundials in the process.

Well, it certainly was sunny that afternoon …

… and I was getting warmish with my sunhat, long-sleeved sun protection clothing and my heavy fanny pack strapped around my middle, but I stopped to pose for myself anyway. 🙂

I saw the birdbath and yes, that cool water sure looked inviting … if you were bird-sized of course. I had already had a two-hour walk at Lake Erie Metropark before coming here.

A quick stroll around the area, found none of those tireless Garden Angels at work – in fact, it appeared they had departed for the day, a watering can where it was last used and flats of flowers awaited planting.

I knew I would be back as Summer stretched on (and on) and the flower beds would eventually be filled in, but surprisingly, I never made it back until late August when their Sunflowers were at peak.

In the meantime, things still looked a little sparse.

I strolled over to the Moonglow Garden. This is one of the venues in the annual Moonglow Garden Walk every year. Many white flowers are planted in one area of the Gardens. I am sure it is spectacular to see them on a moonlit night. Last year, I spotlighted the Moonglow Garden, albeit in the daytime, with this post.

These flowers were early bloomers in the Moonglow Garden, the beautiful White Asiatic Lilies and …

… this Zinnia.

There are various painted rocks and signs about the Moonglow Garden Club – this is one of them.

Stunning white flowers may be appreciated, but who can resist taking a photograph of a perfect rose?

I strolled over to the area beyond these gardens to see what else was there to photograph.

I saw this birdhouse, but no bird activity that I could see as I peered in.

I saw no real bunnies, just this cement bunny tucked amidst the Hostas.

I must have lost my touch with squirrels as this black squirrel saw me and scrambled up the nearest tree.

I’m sure St. Francis is watching over the critters that frequent the Gardens.

Once the Sunflowers arrive, there will be Goldfinches flitting around, alongside the bees and butterflies.

I’ll bet St. Francis was watching over that little ol’ House Sparrow as I was photographing my fine feathered friend posing on the heart-shaped wreath.

If wishes were fishes ….

By now, you have been scrolling through this post, past 20+ photos, perhaps wondering about the title “Oh Boy, Koi!”

The pond at the Gardens was filled with Koi and Pond Lilies as well. There were no blooms on the Lilies yet, just a single bud for now – the delicate flowers would emerge later in the Summer.

The Bald Eagle and Heron know enough to leave the Koi alone, despite my featured image photo to the contrary.

The pond and its small waterfall are very peaceful.

Who’s up for a little whimsy?

I always pop over to the Children’s Garden near the big red barn. There I saw these two whimsical fellows. I’m always up for a little whimsy for my blog since “WHIMSY” is part of the title.

This is the entrance to the barn. All Summer there are daily crafts for children to do and the barn also serves as a place to host art sessions for adults, like painting and they have a craft show here as the holidays near.

Just a wild guess here – fingerpainting must have been on a recent agenda at the art barn. I agree – hands down, this is the best venue to visit for color, beauty and a peaceful interlude to your day!

A final touch of whimsy … I’ve enjoyed experimenting with ink-and-wash paintings this Summer. I did this pond with Koi during a real hot spell when staying inside just made more sense than walking in the heat and humidity. Unfortunately, there have been way too many of those days.

I’m looking forward to cooler days to help boost my steps and images on the camera card!

Terri does not have a Challenge today due to the Labor Day holiday, so I will link this post to Terri’s Flower Hour tomorrow. It’s not much of a hike at this venue as it’s a street corner filled with flowers and veggies, but I’ll link to Pepper’s One Step at a Time Challenge as well.

Posted in Flowers, nature, walk, walking | Tagged Emily Frank Gardens, Flowers, nature, Summer is fading fast, walk, walking | 17 Comments

House Sparrow embedded in a Cup Plant. #Wordless Wednesday

Posted on September 2, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Wordless Wednesday – allow your photo(s) to tell the story.

Posted in #WildlifeWednesday, #Wordless Wednesday, birds, Flowers, nature | Tagged #WildlifeWednesday, #Wordless Wednesday, birds, Flowers, nature | 26 Comments

Soaring!

Posted on August 30, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Back in July everything was soaring!

Let’s just say that July in Southeast Michigan was truly nothin’ special. Like many of you across the U.S., we were subject to that heat dome that made us miserable the tail end of June and into the holiday weekend, only to deal with another heat wave about a week later. Already-searing temps kept soaring, with near-record highs of heat and humidity. Dewpoints were despicable and the weather site Michigan Storm Chasers quipped that the dewpoints were “downright disrespectful!”

It wasn’t just Summertime heat that had SE Michigan in a tizzy.

#1 – In the City of Detroit, just a dozen miles from where I live, on Thursday, July 16th, the City had the dubious honor of having the worst air quality in the world. We also had that exact same honor one day in the Summer of 2025. The Canadian wildfires were not the only source of our smoky skies – wildfires were also burning in Minnesota and in the Pacific Northwest.

#2 – The State of Michigan was breaking lots of records and we weren’t proud of this one either – the cyclospora outbreak was highest of any state right here in Michigan. Well, that got me wondering: do Michiganders eat more healthful food like salads, or are they frequenting Taco Bell more than weekly for Taco Tuesday – hmm. We retained that honor well into August. Yay us!

On July 22nd, I seized the day!

On Wednesday, July 22nd the smoky skies were now clear, the temps went down to below normal, the humidity and high dewpoints vanished and the weather folks predicted three or four days of stellar weather. I was ready to get out as I hadn’t walked in ten days.

We had dealt with many dry days in a row, but the night before, around 9:00 p.m., the predicted torrential rain arrived. It rained heavily for about 15-20 minutes and I checked how much rain we got … almost an inch. Well, that didn’t bode well for any trails that might now be muddy.

I decided to head to Lake Erie Metropark to check out the Osprey platform nest and see if I’d see any offspring peering out of the nest. I knew there were two chicks born in early June because I follow the Metropark Photographers group on Facebook and one photographer frequents this venue and had been showing “baby pictures” for weeks.

Well, he was lucky to see them. I had made a few visits to the nest in June, with just a handful of photos of an Osprey flying near the nest, or an adult peering out of the nest, nothing too remarkable.

To get to the nest, plus get in some much-needed steps, there are asphalt and cement paths, so no risk of muddy feet. I walked along Cove Point, past the marina, then continued on to the nest, located near the marina’s parking lot. I glanced upward as the sunny skies from moments earlier seemed to darken at ground level. There was no rain predicted, but boy, those clouds looked a bit ominous.

In the distance, I saw one Osprey on the pole, none in the nest. Probably the female waiting on her mate to bring home the family meal.

As the saying goes, “good things come to those who wait” and in short order, along came Papa, a fish clasped in his beak.

The sun continued to be conflicted … “should I stay or should I go?” On the positive side, at least I could gaze up at the nest and its inhabitant(s) without the sun in my eyes. On a sunny day, it is problematic, especially with my digital compact, point-and-shoot camera as all I see is my own reflection and that was the camera I was using today.

As Papa neared the nest, Mama shot me a steely gaze as if to say “I’m not sharing!”

Her stomach growling, Mama told Papa to “get a move on!”

Papa Osprey made a graceful landing, settling into the nest with his prize fish.

Moments later, Mama tore into that fish as you see below. Was that piece of fish in her beak destined for her or her offspring?

Satisfied he’d made the wife and kids happy, Papa left, soon soaring above the trees. I didn’t stick around as Mama was feeding her offspring and Papa may be gone awhile.

I started back toward Cove Point and the car. I was so tempted to stroll the Cherry Island Trail, hoping to see a fawn or two, but erred on the side of caution due to that torrential rain, plus a mosquito with West Nile Virus had been reported in my county the day before – sigh.

I tucked the camera in its pouch and got out my car keys. My next destinations would be Elizabeth Park and Dingell Park, staying on their respective boardwalks and cement walkways.

It’s a bird, it’s a plane ….

However, my plans took a detour moments later because, as I neared the parking lot, a vehicle pulled up, two women hopped out and each reached into the back seat and dragged out huge kites, one Batman shaped and one a Bald Eagle. The wind had picked up since my arrival an hour earlier. I later verified on Weather Underground that the gusts were clocked around 25 mph.

I watched the pair approach a picnic table, set a radio and their water bottles on top, then each proceeded to ready their respective kites for lift-off.

My interest was piqued – perhaps there were some photo ops here, so I asked if I would be in the way and if they would mind if I took photos. I remembered kite flying as a kid, running back and forth across the meadow and perhaps they wouldn’t want to be dodging me.

One woman said “no problem, just no pictures of me!” I assumed she spoke for both of them, so that wouldn’t be a problem for me, (although it would have been nicer to show how they manipulated the kites).

The woman with the Batman kite had it airborne in no time, its multiple tails streaming in the wind, hovering amidst the ever-brooding clouds. She controlled her kite with a plastic reel, skillfully reeling in the double set of strings, occasionally nudging the kite to a different position by directing it with a flick of her wrist.

She told me they come to this location in the park to fly their kites as it is the windiest area of the park since it is right on Lake Erie.

Soar like an eagle!

The other woman, the one who was camera-shy, had the Bald Eagle kite and, as to getting that kite to stay airborne, she did not fare as well. Initially, it started climbing …

… getting higher and higher …

…. but soon thereafter, to coin a familiar phrase “the Eagle has landed.” But not in a good way.

The strings were tangled up and, unlike her friend, she did not use a reel, so she spent about 15 minutes untangling the strings and got the kite airborne for a few minutes, when a hefty gust of wind brought the kite down slamming it into the water. She had to crawl over the massive boulders, to fish it out, but announced it was not damaged, despite needing to drag it out of the seaweed and over some rocks.

The Eagle kite seemed none the worse for the wear and soon was in the sky again.

I said goodbye to the women and driving out of Lake Erie Metropark, I glanced over at the satellite fire station on the outskirts of the park and saw two Osprey were in residence. I always look going in/out of the park every time I’m here, so I was happy to see the pair and I scrambled out of the car to take some photos.

Longtime readers may remember a few years ago I saw the nest, which the Osprey have built atop the fire station’s siren and did a post or two about them. They nest there every year and yes, the fire station turns off the sirens while they are living there.

So, still another detour in my plans, but I stopped and parked and got a few shots of these Osprey. I haven’t a clue if there are offspring in the nest here. I had to crane my neck to get these shots, which are not particularly great.

I wanted you to see the nest.

When I zoomed in, a head popped up, likely the adult, Mama?

There’s always a pleasant greeting for me – NOT! No matter was Osprey nest I am photographing, if I’m not facing glares and surly attitudes, they turn their backs to me. I don’t take it personally. 🙂

Well I waited long enough to get a profile shot, then I was outta there and on to my next two parks, a long day indeed by the time I got home, many hours and many steps after I left. Posts on those treks will be down the road.

I am not joining Terri’s Sunday Stills Photo Challenge: “Beaches” but will contribute to her “Flower Hour” on Wednesday. I’m also joining Pepper’s Hiking Challenge “One Step at a Time”.

Posted in birds, nature, walk, walking | Tagged #One step at a time, #Sunday Stills Challenge, birds, kites, nature, Osprey, walk, walking | 52 Comments

Sneakin’ a peek! #Wordless Wednesday #P.S. – I did not stick my tongue out at her!

Posted on August 26, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Wordless Wednesday – allow your photo(s) to tell the story.

Posted in #WildlifeWednesday, #Wordless Wednesday, nature | Tagged #WildlifeWednesday, #Wordless Wednesday, Deer, nature | 28 Comments

Musings re: Metropark meetups.

Posted on August 23, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Originally, I planned to entitle this post “Mayfly Mayhem” but I decided perhaps that was a poor choice and, besides, the mayhem would be momentary, only as to those creepy-looking, featherweight creatures called Mayflies and/or Fishflies.

Besides, it wasn’t like I didn’t know about the influx of Mayflies descending on the western shore of Lake Erie. Michigan Storm Chasers, one of many weather sites I follow, had posted about the Mayfly swarm on radar as to this area just days before.

So yes, it was inevitable I was bound to run into a few on this walk. Quite frankly I had forgotten about MSC’s post when I left that morning. It was sunny, bright, not too hot and I was just eager to get out of the house, give the car a good run, get a long walk under my belt and take some photos, so off I went.

But, having pulled into my parking space and exited the car door, a few Mayflies flitted away, having already glommed onto the side of the car, probably enamored by their reflection.

It’s difficult to get up-close photos of Mayflies when they land on you … zooming too much makes them blurry and, if they’re too close, you can’t detect those filmy wings with bodies that appear to be golden if the light hits them just right. I got this Mayfly photo a few years ago at Bishop Park. I was looking downward, the fanny pack and camera pouch in the background.

I had an agenda for the morning of June 19th. I thought a nice walk along Cove Point would be refreshing. Part of that stroll would take me along the rocky shoreline, then through a shady area, past the marina and ending up at the Osprey nest where I could gawk at the Osprey and their offspring and they could snarl back at me. Then a slow walk back to the car.

After battling and batting away a handful of Mayflies from the front of my shirt (and once again the fanny pack and camera pouch) …

… one alighted on my sleeve where I had turned up the cuff.

One nervy creature had the audacity to land right on the camera – eww! I plucked that Mayfly off, said “enough already” and then turned my attention to a row of Mute Swans that was far from the Lake Erie shoreline.

They were having a meetup of sorts, in a neat little row, some preening, some stationary. Hmm – must zoom in to get photos of them.

However, as I walked toward the shoreline, I saw so many Canada Geese, all different sizes/ages, that this greedily grabbed my attention. I put any swan pics on hold … after all, inevitably most images would be a white blur of birds since they were far away.

I ended up spending an hour wandering the Cove Point area, marveling at what had to be 60 to 75 geese. These are some of them; there were more beyond that rocky area that juts out into the water where you see the dead tree; those geese will be at the end of the post.

The trick would be to approach this group quietly to try and get shots of as many geese as possible. Sure, that might sound easy, BUT, if I raised the hackles of the “lookout goose” my own goose would be cooked as the expression goes as they’d all bolt at the same time.

Cautiously I approached the shoreline, taking baby steps, trying to limit my hand movements, pretty much deciding not to look down as Mayflies landed and clung to my clothing – eww.

Soon I realized there was still another challenge: the Canada Geese seemed to blend into the shoreline, those big boulders and trees that had fallen long ago, their bark stripped and trunks bleached and weathered. All the colors melded together and it was difficult to tell the geese from their dull-colored surroundings. As I zoomed in, I could see many grayish-colored goslings embedded in the boulders.

I craned my neck to see them all …

… knowing I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on once they saw me.

They were “chillaxing” …

… oblivious to humans. I was actually the only person there that morning and it was also unusual that there were no freighters or pleasure boats around, even on the horizon, to create a wake. Pure bliss for my geese friends.

That is, until the sentry goose that watches over the flock spotted me, the unwelcome intruder to their morning bliss.

That goose faced its brethren with a plan to “get outta Dodge – the paparazza has arrived!”

The instructions were given, the lead goose turned around and thus began a semi-orderly exodus, which I did my best to capture.

This fuzzy-looking gosling gazed at its siblings (above), reluctant to move along and give up a coveted sunning spot on a flat rock.

But, mom and dad must have said “get down here” as that gosling soon waddled down closer to shore, but obstinately it soon found another flat rock where it perched and preened.

Some of the geese began migrating over to the fallen, long-dead trees …

… while other geese still hugged the shoreline.

A few geese thought it might be great fun to mix and mingle with the swans …

… so how did that work out?

Well, not surprisingly, the swans were feeling fractious with the geese invading their personal space …

… so, why not take your frustrations out on another swan? Yikes!

By now the majority of geese from this area had dispersed and headed out too far to get good shots of them, so I meandered along Cove Point to the other rocky shoreline that jutted out, as mentioned above. I was hidden from their view so I was able to get some closeups, but they’re hardly distinguishable from the boulders.

The last two geese, just like the swans above, clearly needed an attitude adjustment. Well, don’t we all sometimes?!

I am joining Terri’s Sunday Stills Challenge: Animal of Bird of the Month and they’ll be another bird for Wordless Wednesday. I will also join Pepper’s #One step at a time hiking challenge.

Posted in birds, nature, walking, walking, | Tagged Canada Geese, Mayflies, Mute Swans, nature, walk, walking | 43 Comments

Blue skies smiling at me. #Wordless Wednesday #Reflection perfection #The smoke took a hike – so did I.

Posted on August 19, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Wordless Wednesday – allow your photo(s) to tell the story.

Posted in #Wordless Wednesday, nature | Tagged #Wordless Wednesday, nature, Reflections | 51 Comments

It was a good shadow day!

Posted on August 16, 2026 by Linda Schaub

“Most of the shadows of life are caused by standing in our own sunshine.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

For many years, while walking on a sunny day, I’d take a photo of my shadow and pronounce it “a good shadow day” – my blog was peppered with that statement. For some reason I stopped writing those words, so today, above is a shadow of me, myself and I taken on this walk.

On this June 1^st walk it was a picture-perfect day, the eighth day in a row of gorgeous weather with sunny skies and low humidity. I’m glad I savored those back-to-back-to-back days and got out as much as possible as the rest of the Summer has sure not been stellar.

That day I decided to walk on the Cherry Island Trail where I’m always sure to find lots of egrets, herons, ducks and turtles. Earlier that morning I was frustrated by my lack of seeing either of the two Osprey families, with zero activity at the fire station siren nest on the fringes of Lake Erie Metropark, nor in the nesting platform near that park’s marina. Equally frustrating was bopping by the Offshore Fishing Bridge in search of the pair of Sandhill Cranes or a nesting Mute Swan mama and coming up empty there too.

I parked by the Marshland Museum where I stopped to chat with Luc, the resident Bald Eagle, but he was in a snit and turned his back to me, so no pics of my feathered friend either.

Seeing a deer would be great – it was a little early for fawn sightings though.

Initially, my mindset was maybe it would be a walk to rack up steps only, but rather than resign myself to muttering “it’s gonna be one of those days” … photographic-wise that is, I changed the channel to say “I hope I fill up the camera card with lots of critters!”

I headed along the overlook. The cattails were still in their explosion phase, having busted out all over the place last Fall and the reeds had not greened up yet. It was way too early for lotuses, but a few pond lily pads were floating on the surface of the marsh.

The fuzz was flyin’.

Poplar tree fuzz was everywhere, lining the sides of the path and …

… embedding itself into the grass, even glomming onto spider webs and fence posts. I wanted to use the subtitle “Here comes da fuzz” but how many people would remember that phrase from the 60s?

Who was fishing in the marsh today?

There were no humans fishing from the overlook, but glancing over to the marsh, I saw a Great Blue Heron standing with its bill open – was it downing a fish or catching flies? It was too far away to see closely, but I knew it wasn’t disgruntled about something as I heard no noises coming from that open mouth. Herons always seem to have an attitude … around humans anyway.

On the other side of the marsh a Great Egret was fishing but appeared to be coming up empty.

Agitation and aggravation amongst the cattails.

Being disgruntled at the marsh is not just a heron trait. During nesting season, the Red-winged Blackbirds get testy with birds that trespass near/into their nesting territory. You’ve seen me post pictures in the past of the Red-winged Blackbirds dive-bombing the Sandhill Cranes or Osprey after they strayed too close to what they consider their territory and they are on the lookout all the time, like this male enjoying a snack while surveying its kingdom for trespassers, while another male lurks in the background.

Other Red-winged Blackbirds were balancing precariously on fuzzy-looking cattails. The cattails waved back and forth, but that didn’t cause the Red-winged Blackbird males to depart for sturdier ground. Nope, there were territorial wars going on between the males, with lots of squawking and swooping down, the signal to the intruding male(s) to leave its territory. The females blended in with the still-blah landscape and are hardly ever seen in nesting season.

Beauty in the woods.

There were wildflowers aplenty along the Cherry Island Trail, like these Canada Anemones …

… and these pretty Dame’s Rocket.

Let’s play count the critters, shall we?

There are always turtles sunbathing on a log to instill a peaceful interlude in my day and for the post that recounts my walk.

Sometimes there are so many turtles you need an abacus to keep track of them.

Other times, the official count is easier and more accurate and you could use your fingers …

… well, maybe not, unless you have eleven fingers. 🙂

The below turtles seemed to be on high alert about something – was it me?

As I turned the corner to the last leg of the Cherry Island Trail, what really caught my eye was Mama Mallard and her passel of tiny ducklings. My eyes ran together trying to count them all and I figured I’d wait and do a beak count when the images were on the screen. By my count, I found eleven ducklings – you too?

So anyway, to take a photo of the whole family, minus Dad, I had to back up a little (not too much or risk falling into the marsh water behind me).

These darling ducklings didn’t stray far from Mama, paddling furiously to keep up.

Alas, Mama saw me …

… and that dashed my hopes of any close-up shots as she and her offspring beat a hasty retreat as far away from me as possible.

How sweet they were and I was hoping to see some ducklings, having seen one Mama and her babies walking on the grass near the road when I was driving when I visited here on May 12th … this was not them – that family would be much larger by now. Then I saw a Wood Duck Mama and her offspring, but they weren’t near me, but I took photos anyway.

I intended to stop at Elizabeth Park, renewing my quest for ducklings at this venue where there are lots of ducks, but, by the time I got to the car, the outside temps were climbing and my sun protection clothing and a big sunhat were helping with the UV rays, but making me uncomfortably warm, so I decided to just head home.

I will be linking to Terri’s Flower Hour today and my Wordless Wednesday salutes skies that are blue and smoke-free. I also linking to Pepper’s One Step at a Time Challenge.

Posted in birds, nature, walk, walking | Tagged #One step at a time, #Sunday Stills Photo Challenge, birds, nature, Turtles, walk, walking | 35 Comments

Black-eyed Susans, some with bloody noses! #Wordless Wednesday #Denver Daisies (a type of Black-eyed Susan)

Posted on August 12, 2026 by Linda Schaub

Wordless Wednesday – allow your photo(s) to tell the story.

Posted in #Wordless Wednesday, Flowers, nature | Tagged #Flower Hour Photo Challenge, #Sunday Stills Color Challenge, #Wordless Wednesday, Flowers, nature | 38 Comments

Happy Soles = happy and satiated souls.

Posted on August 9, 2026 by Linda Schaub

This post is about my participation in the 17th annual Fish & Loaves Community Food Pantry Happy Soles 5k Run/Walk/Bike and Virtual Challenge.

The event took place on Sunday, June 7th and there were 182 participants that crossed the finish line, however, I don’t know how many virtual participants there were. I like that I am able to participate virtually and have done so since this option began in 2020 because of the pandemic. I generally go the day before or after the event, but this year, even though it was gorgeous weather the day of the event, the week preceding it was going to be cloudy, overcast and/or rainy and stormy every day, so I just picked a bright and sunny day before Mother Nature put a damper on my plans – that day was May 28th.

It does not matter where or when you do the event virtually, but I always go to the event’s venue, lovely Heritage Park. I have participated every year since 2018. Long-time followers may recall that every year we could submit catch phrases for the tee-shirt and I usually submitted one or two when I registered for the event in January. I never won (the prize being a free registration fee for the following year) and, for some reason they have abandoned this phrase idea and have used “Moving Against Hunger” since the 2024 event.

I’ve written about this very worthwhile organization in the past, for each 5K I’ve done. Their mission is simple: “Ensuring no one goes hungry.”

Ellen Pfafflin is the event’s race coordinator and she e-mailed the organization’s newsletter to all race participants, so we could see these stats about how the food pantry, which serves the Downriver communities, benefitted those are in need in 2025. All funds from our registration fees go right to the pantry to support those with food insecurity. I think the stats about Fish & Loaves’ service to those in need are impressive:

The 5K event is 100% sponsored. Rather than taking a photo of the back of the tee-shirt, I’ll just include them below.

In addition to the Happy Soles 5K, there is a huge Christmas display called Santa’s Magic Forest and admittance fees are funneled right to the food pantry.

And now that we’ve dispensed with those facts and figures, it’s on to the walk, a picture-laden post filled with feathery friends and a few flowers.

So what did I see as I stepped out on my walk?

There were multiple families of geese lingering on the grassy slopes around Coan Lake. This was one of them, steppin’ out, just as I was about to.

If you ever wondered how goslings grow so fast, well … all they do is eat, mostly grass. Grass becomes such a staple in their diet that by the time they are full grown, adult geese consume the equivalent of four pounds (approximately 1.8 kg) of grass daily.

Up ahead, as I neared the covered bridge, a large group of geese and their offspring were lounging under a tree. Well that was unfortunate as the shade made it too dark to see them clearly. I figured I’d kill some time, walk past them, perhaps just the impetus needed for the group to move into the sun. Hmm – only two adults here and a passel of young’uns, perhaps a blended family. I headed to the covered bridge in search of turtles and hopefully Barn Swallow nests.

This was the second time I saw no turtles on the ramp … I hoped they were okay.

No Barn Swallow nests in the bridge rafters, so I scratched that photo op my list as well.

We had had a cold Spring and just before Memorial Day, there were frost/freeze advisories and the need to cover your sensitive plants and/or vegetation, so I was not surprised to find the Taylor Garden Club’s garden looking bare with no photo ops there either.

Well, there are always the geese and their goslings to photograph – they won’t disappoint and, sure enough, as I walked past them to walk to the bridge, they all stirred, well most of them anyway, the others needed a nudge and perhaps a stern honk from their folks to “get a move on!” They were still fairly young, judging from the pale-yellow plumage mixed with light-gray splotches.

This gosling walked a few steps, then plopped down on the grass and refused to move.

That gosling dawdled, finally got up and stared me in the face. Such a mean look for such a little soul!

Even though their folks walked across the path, these goslings lingered, grabbing another bite of grass as if they were embarking on a long journey.

That same gosling that I singled out above, amused me. It had a bit of a rambunctious streak, a real rebel in feathers. 🙂

The group crossed the path and it immediately plopped down. No, it wasn’t ill because it scurried across the path with its brethren, shoulder to shoulder. The rest of the geese plodded over to the grass to graze.

This little cutie remained on the path – perhaps looking for another photo op by the photographer that was sweet-talkin’ it?

First, there was a sweet pose …

… followed by a side profile …

… then a downward glance, maybe a pouty face?

Well, you know me … I happily clicked away, then, as if to say “are ya done lady, ‘cuz I need to catch up with the fam” it sprung up and waddled over to join the others.

Well, could I top that sweet interaction on this walk?

I had no great expectations for seeing many flowers at the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens located on the fringe of Heritage Park. As you long-time followers know, that to get more steps in, I walk up to Pardee Road and take the long way around and, in doing so, I have to pass the Petting Farm.

You may recall last Summer I decided to turn back the clock and visit the Petting Farm to feel like a kid again and yes, for some photo ops. I had fun interacting with the farm animals and had a face-to-face meet-up with the chickens and rooster. I often see them roaming around the Botanical Gardens, having slipped under the white wooden fence.

On this day, while I strolled along Pardee, the fence separated me from the barnyard, but I walked closer when I saw the Pekin ducks clustered around a child’s swimming pool. The Petting Farm has the swimming pool out all Summer for the ducks. Besides the Pekin ducks, there are the larger domestic ducks like the Ancona Duck you’ll see in the photos. In the past, I’ve only seen the Pekin in or around the pool, drinking from it and bathing and paddling around it.

I’m guessing the workers just filled the pool with cool refreshing water as the ducks clustered around, mostly Pekins.

Gee, I hope they were wearing sunscreen as I’d checked the forecast earlier and the UV Index was going to be “8” right around noon, so, even with sun protection clothing and a sunhat, I aimed to be back at the car by then.

Well, there’s always that one opportunist in every crowd, whether it’s a human, or in this case a large Ancona Duck.

It flew up into the pool, sitting squarely in the middle. The Pekins looked miffed and the Rooster just shook his head. 🙂 It was as if their mindset was “couldn’t we have just sipped on that refreshing water for a while before you had to jump in?”

One Pekin rested its head on the rim of the pool, looking hopeful that big duck would move, but no it did not.

I thought to myself “well Buddy, so much for team play – you pull those tricks and the rest of the ducks will just leave – I hope you’re happy.” It’s like back in the day when the bully took over the sandbox and the other kids left. Sure enough, as I predicted, the Pekins left.

One Pekin had a change of heart and walked back, hopeful to share that refreshing water, but changed its mind and eventually waddled back to join the rest of the Pekins.

It was time for me to move along and see if there were any photo ops at the Botanical Gardens. I saw the Farm had moved this mythical Phoenix from the barnyard to a planter (with a measly showing of flowers) out front of the Petting Farm.

As if it were a color competition with the bright hues of the Petting Farm, on the sidewalk leading to the Botanical Gardens, the Wiegala were blooming profusely.

Just as I suspected, there was not much to see yet. I took a shot of this memorial paver brick.

The potted annuals were still a work in progress, but …

… the perennials had a pretty good showing, considering our potpourri of wacky weather, from cold to torrential downpours and the seemingly ever-present wind. Ugh! These are Dianthus and then Meadow Sage. I didn’t take any more flower photos.

It was getting pretty warm, so I headed out, once again along Pardee Road, passing the Petting Farm, enroute to the car.

I picked up the pace as cars whizzed by along Pardee Road. Suddenly I felt a presence behind me. Slowly I turned around to soft clucking noises.

Hmm, what do we have here?

Well, here was a feathered brigade behind me … what did I do to deserve this photo op? No, I wasn’t worried – I can run faster than them. This is not like the male Mute Swan that chased me while defending his Missus.

The trio was a bit comical … this Blue Ameraucana rooster, all puffed up with pride, a thorn between two roses, just defending his girls against humans, especially those toting a camera.

The rooster, while keeping an eye on me, allowed one of his charges to wander off on her own.

Soon she gravitated toward busy Pardee Road, but then she saw it was a “GOOSE CROSSING” and not a CHICKEN CROSSING and quickly turned away and joined her friends.

I guess not all chickens cross the road to get to the other side. Some stay on the sidewalk or grass where it’s safer.

I am linking to Terri’s Sunday Stills Photo Challenge: Yellow, with more yellow coming for Wordless Wednesday and Flower Hour, plus Pepper’s Hiking Challenge One Step at a Time.