It was the proverbial calm before the storm, the day before our Veterans Day record-setting snow event. All the local meteorologists had been predicting the Arctic chill and several inches of snow for days. But, in the end, their models and predictions were way out of whack, as we would get 8.8 inches/22 cms of snow before the sun got up on Tuesday morning.
I knew I would not make it back to my favorite nature nook for many days due to the snowfall, then the brutal cold which would inevitably bring ice. Yes, I know the drill, it is the same every Winter … wait, we were nowhere close to the calendar date of Winter, but as that saying goes, Mother Nature didn’t get the memo.
I took a brand-new bag of peanuts with me as I had to compensate for my future absences. I doled them out along the way to squirrels, jays and cardinals, a few of which you’ll see later in this post.
It was still a little early on that Sunday morning, as I knew that later on I would have many leaves to rake and bag before the onslaught of snow that would arrive in less than twenty-four hours. Nevertheless, I spent almost three hours at the Park – it was just THEM and ME.
It was perhaps the most tranquil trek I’ve ever experienced at Council Point Park. It was so quiet, I could hear the crack as peanut shells were split open and fell away, landing on the pathway. Even the Blue Jay was not the usual town crier to announce that nuts had arrived and to get here ASAP. This is because I had spread plenty for everyone, encouraging them to “eat up, as you may not see the whites of my eyes for a little while.” Perhaps they understood, because no peanuts were carted off or buried, but simply enjoyed right on the spot.
‘Round and ‘round the pathway I went, multiple times, making sure no one was left out and I even dribbled a few peanuts along the picnic tables in the pavilion area for those squirrels who might have slept in. It was then I saw it – the new graffiti on the picnic table, which I featured up top and two more images are below:
There is lots of graffiti in the Park … it is a fact of life these days. In fact, I strategically placed the peanuts over a few words I did not want to show up in the picture above. I usually try not to capture the images in my photos, but sometimes the graffiti makes the contrast of colorful writing versus a nature setting just a little more interesting, so I allow those colorful scribbles and scrawls to be part of the picture:
While you could ooh and aah and wax poetic about the beauty in nature, sometimes the photos need no words either.
Join me on my tranquil trek – I believe you know the cast of characters already, except this little gray squirrel who stepped over to nosh on some nuts with the others:
The ducks were unusually quiet, not a quack from their corner:
The geese paddled about near the mallards or grazed silently:
They decided to take a walk but the leader was a bit conflicted which way to go:
Even Harry the Heron was subdued, as he studied the water for fish and even permitted a few photo ops without making that awful screeching noise and disappearing down the passageway:
You know I can’t help myself – I’ve included a few nut-lovin’ pals:
All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.
Hymns for Little Children, ~Cecil F. Alexander, 1848
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Thank you for sharing the tranquil trek – I enjoyed walking with you! xxxx
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Glad you enjoyed it Shelley – it was such a peaceful walk.
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It was very tranquil!
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It was good you got out for your trek before the snow hit! I hope you are able to get out this weekend. That blue jay must have thought he hit the jackpot! So many peanuts all around him. Which one to begin with? The grafitti is so cool! It was so nice of someone to leave encouraging messages for all to see. It even brought a smile to my face from 600 miles away!
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It sure was and I had to rake leaves when I got home due to the impending snow storm, but I stayed there as long as I could. Our yard waste pickup is Monday – I was surprised that 99% of the snow is now gone – I thought it was here for the entire season.
We are having some rain transitioning to snow tonight and I hope it does not amount to much as it will be crummy later in the week and I’d like to get out again tomorrow to bulk up some miles.
It was funny with the look on the jay’s face – usually he swoops down right away, screeching each time he flies down from the tree. But I knew that bad weather was coming so I took an entire 24-ounce bag of peanuts to ensure they had lots to eat because of the snow/bitter cold. The blue jay was very subdued and his “crest” was not up … he was not so boisterous and could take his time. Made me smile, that’s why I had to mention it.
I liked that those messages too Laurie – I was conflicted which one to use as the header image.
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It looks gorgeous! I love the tables:) they’re good sayings💕🕯🌠
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I knew you would get a kick out these messages on the table Eliza. I was happy to find them – in fact, I usually feature lots of interesting chalk art throughout the Summer and because we had so much rain this year, the kids and their chalk were not out much “creating” like they usually do. And, like we discussed before, it rained when the 3-D chalk artist was at the botanical gardens – maybe next August (it’s rained the last two times he was slated to be there – I wanted to go the next morning when no one was around to take photos).
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I think such graffiti is nice and not a mess. All can be used for good or bad.
Lotsa love….
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Lotsa love back at you Eliza – at least they did not carve it into the table. Yesterday I was walking along the Detroit River and there is a metal railing that goes along the entire boardwalk so you don’t fall into the water (it’s really deep). I saw lots of hearts and flowers and “so and so loves so and so”, etc. which was scratched into the paint.
I took some pictures as I thought it looked interesting. You know, you said you might be doing more photos for your blog Ellie – you should try to capture those type of things and make it a regular feature like you do your “photo of the day” when you are traveling – think on it. Might be fun and a little quirky … you likely have your phone with you all the time – maybe someone writes something in the snow? If not, when it snows, YOU write something in the snow in a public place and see if anyone notices it and write about their reaction. I think you could have some fun with it.
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That would be really fun. Yeah, if you join me and do the same. I have some frost pictures and need to take some more. I need to really just take my phone out more!
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Yes do it Ellie – it will be fun. I am always looking for unusual snow/ice conditions as I don’t walk as much in the Winter due to worries of wiping out on the ice or slick snow, so I don’t take as many photos in the Winter. That’s why I was glad my neighbor did not throw his pumpkins away after Halloween – as soon as we got that dusting of snow a few weeks ago, I wanted to get the pictures of the snow-capped pumpkins and snow on the red leaves. I knew the sun would melt it quickly. Last year I got the snow and ice on the roses: https://lindaschaubblog.net/2018/11/14/jack-frost-nipping-at-your-rose/
And lastly, once it gets brutally cold, there are fun pictures to be had with the frost, even on a storm door window. I have taken pics of huge icicles after a big storm – like in this post, when we had a huge blizzard event with non-stop snow and very cold. Look at my neighbor’s icicles! We did not have any sun or it would have been fun to capture the sun shooting through the icicles, making prisms. I always look out in the yard for footprints too. I hope I don’t see snow and ice like these photos this Winter, but I’m not too confident about that as they are predicting a very snowy and coldy Winter – ugh: https://lindaschaubblog.net/2018/02/10/se-michigans-snowmageddon-2018/
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You know how cool it is that I remember these pictures? The pictures I’ve taken are actually of frost, though we don’t get much snow or cool stuff like you had there, here in the UK.
I took a picture today thinking of you. I just need to go and actually post it…..
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I will look forward to seeing it when you get time to post … I’ll be happy to ship over some snow to you anytime you want Ellie. I hope ours stays away a little longer … we are having an all-day rain and very windy conditions Wednesday. The day before Thanksgiving is one of the biggest travel holidays of the year – lots of air travel and the wind will wreak havoc with air travel with delays … not good for connecting flights. Mother Nature is just an angry old gal these days! She is fitful this year, that is for sure.
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Felt this post was written for me, Linda.
The squirrels and heron are the best- the heron is now the sad heron and not Happy Harry anymore. Why does the black squirrel in the first two pictures look think and in the one against the tree look plump? Are they the same squirrel- the graffiti you showed are really beautiful- feels like there are still positive people in the world.
Thanks, for sharing, Linda,
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Hi Susie – I fetched your comment out of SPAM. Glad you liked the post. I knew you would enjoy seeing the squirrels – they are easy to get a photo of once they have peanuts, they stay put. The geese are often all over the map but these two were paddling around near the heron, who looks like a statue. At least he did not bolt. Sometimes it is just the way the squirrel is sitting or walking makes them look plumper. They have a heavy layer of fat to keep them warm – also they get a heavier coat in the Winter … both things courtesy of Mother Nature, not actually from all the food they forage or peanuts they eat. These photos were all taken on Sunday, November 10th. I wanted to ensure I got down there due to the impending storm – didn’t make it back for an entire week. The graffiti on the top of the picnic tables was new – I noticed it right away as I usually leave some peanuts there for the squirrels in case I miss a few. Actually I saw it a day or two before and took pictures then, but it wasn’t sunny and they came out dark – that Sunday was sunny so I took them again. The picnic tables are under the pavilion roof and it is darkish underneath sometimes. I think they used a Sharpie, trying to show good thoughts about a sometimes turbulent world we live in.
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Miss Linda…………………that is a magnificent picture of the goose and his reflection like a mirror of himself in the water……………………….
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Thanks Ann Marie – I don’t always get a close-up of the geese at Council Point Park; I was lucky since they were right near that cement landing – they looked very picturesque. Yesterday morning when I was there, I saw a guy and gal fishing on that cement landing … the girl was huddled under a big blanket and sitting on part of it – I don’t know if they caught anything, but there were likely shad there because there were lots of seagulls, on the water and in the air.
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Ahhhh so beautiful! I have not been in nature since I retired. I miss it but have been so busy around the house I hate to leave. Looking at your pictures are SO much better than the ridiculous graffiti! They need to do something good with their talent instead of ruining our beautiful nature.
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Thanks Diane – the Park was so still; when I go later in the day, even a few hours later, it is just not the same and that is year ‘around. Knowing it was the calm before the storm, made it more special. I truly thought that snow was here to stay – sure we got to the mid-40s a few days, but for the most part we have been about 8 degrees below normal for most of November. You will catch up in the house and be out with your husband come Spring – he will be in good shape for walking by then – you said he could not walk with you for awhile as I recall.
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loved the walk and also the colorful photography – and “do good in a world that is not so good”
best quote this week
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Glad you liked coming along on the walk Yvette – it was such a peaceful day and I decided the latest graffiti fit right in.
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🙂 it did fit right in
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Wonderful nature walk, Linda! Thanks for bringing me along. I love all the pictures, but my favorite one is of the black squirrel nibbling on a peanut! Looks like you have some real weather headed your way. We are going to get some really cold temps here, but nothing like yours. ☃️
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Thanks Sabine – glad you liked it. It was very peaceful when you can hear the peanuts crack open. That black squirrel is very cute and so timid, but is so photogenic. At least I have gotten her to not scurry away, but at least pause and think about coming over to see me – we’re making progress; too bad it is Winter. Yes, we are part of many states with bad weather and Wednesday 50 mph winds – hoping no power outage from that. The weather has been so erratic this year, likely this way forever now due to global warming.
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Stay safe and warm, Linda! It’s getting stormy here as well! 🙋
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Pouring hard here right now – my walk tomorrow morning just may be a washout Sabine.
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I bet there was zero wind. Thats when it gets quiet. You need to make tiny snow shoes for your friends with all that snow coming!
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It was very still – you’re probably right Wayne. There was no humans around either to make noise. Right now, there are still a lot of leaves on all the Bradford Pear trees. They are dark purple and dry and brittle and and wiggle on their stems if there is the slightest breeze … they make a slight rattle if the Park is quiet. In the Fall, it is a little eerie as you walk along and hear all the other tree leaves wiggling on their stems. The Park is filled with Bradford Pear trees. I didn’t even hear them. Marge had two of those pear trees. They didn’t drop their leaves until long after yard waste pickup and come December, the snow would be littered with brownish/dark purple leaves. The pear trees are also notorious for splitting in two which is what happened to one of her trees at 39 mph winds and the other one she had taken down as it already had a fissure in it. I think I should start eating Popsicles so I can get a lot of sticks and then rig up some snowshoes for them to get around next year … I wonder if they could lace them up themselves or they need Velcro fasteners?
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velcro sounds the best,they don’t have thumbs.
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I forgot about the thumbs … yes, they can handle the velcro then. They are smart little guys.
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smart little guys and gals! Too bad you can’t tell the sex very easily!
………I know,….put a small toilet out there,the guys will leave the lid up!
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I recently discovered Midnight was a female when I saw she had been nursing … I was surprised as I’d seen her before and never noticed … up until recently she was the only black squirrel in the Park. Her youngsters are now hanging around so I have to give up calling her by name, as it likely is not her. The youngsters are more timid than she is. I don’t know where her mate is? Funny you mention the toilet lid/seat … years ago we called the post office to complain the mailman left the mailbox lid up all the time and the mail would get soaked with rain or snow. Didn’t help so I went down to the post office and said “the mailman probably leaves the toilet lid/seat up at home – well, the lid is on the mailbox for a reason.” He never left it up again.
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You’ll have to name her. I bet he was leaving everyones mail box lid up! You probably weren’t the first to complain about that guy I bet!
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You’re probably right Wayne. I could use either of the names you gave me for the two cute black squirrels on the porch (Tar and Pitch) and those names are good for either gender.
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and “Soot” too!
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Soot would be perfect – she’s got a grayish chest!
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Do good anyway! Mother Theresa. ❤️🥰😘
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That is my favorite writing by Mother Theresa Pam. I have always liked it.
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Me, too, Linda. ❤️
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