I rushed home after walking for over four hours … no it wasn’t that second cup of coffee I had before I set out later than usual, as I awaited the thermometer to nudge higher than 27 degrees F/-2 C. Evidently that thermometer was going nowhere, but I was, so I set out anyway, in a down coat and my warmest clothes.
No, I rushed inside to peer at the mirror. I wanted to check my image to see if the words “Peanut Lady” were emblazoned on my forehead.
Yes, I know I was going to give the tales of my furry-tailed friends a little rest as the holiday season was coming up, but I feel I must share this story.
Last Saturday was gray and gloomy and the weatherman warned of rain or snow showers late in the day – I knew I had plenty of time to take the car for a long run, and myself for a long walk. I decided to split my day into two trips: three miles at Council Point Park, then three miles at Elizabeth Park in Trenton. It was still raptor migration season until the end of November, and, although I made a trip to that venue the beginning of the month, and failed to see any of the many hawks or eagles that migrate overhead, I thought I’d give it another try.
I was happy the Grosse Ile free bridge had opened after a week of mechanical issues which deemed it unsafe, leaving traffic backed up for miles on East Jefferson, (the exact location of Elizabeth Park), as they queued up to access the $5.00 round trip toll bridge, the only other means to get on/off the island. Here are a couple of shots of that free bridge taken from Elizabeth Park.
I did not take any photos at Council Point Park as I was there just to feed my furry and feathered pals and get a quick, three-mile walk done. From the looks of the sky I didn’t plan on taking many photos at Elizabeth Park either.
That was, until I stepped out of my car.
Around Elizabeth Park is a perimeter road where you drive very slowly to avoid the ducks and geese who cross without giving a second thought to vehicles.
They even have a “duck crossing” sign as a hint you must pay attention.
I saw a lot of mallards right after crossing the vehicle bridge to the park, so I quickly pulled over to just inside the park entrance.
I hopped out of the car and since I didn’t finish off the bag of peanuts at Council Point Park, I decided to tote some along in case I saw some furry or feathered friends, especially my little squirrel pal who hangs out at the big bridge which is pictured above – he fancies himself the guardian of the gates.
All of a sudden, squirrels were coming out of the woodwork.
But, before I could even reach into the car and grab the tote bag that contained the peanuts, at least a dozen squirrels surrounded the car – okay, what was going on?? They could not have smelled the peanuts that were still inside the bag, inside the car. Did I look like Elizabeth Park’s Peanut Lady? I don’t know, but there they were … Fox squirrels, black squirrels and gray squirrels, all clamoring for peanuts.
They thought “we knew she had a kindly face and was a sucker for squirrels.”
I thought “well at least I don’t have to carry that bag of peanuts with me so my hands are free to take pictures – hope I don’t run into the other little guy.”
My camera came out in a flash and I got a few shots, which were not the greatest since the grass and leaves were brown and most of the squirrels were as well. Here’s five of them.
But the blah landscape and brown squirrels didn’t stop a trio of women walkers from videotaping the scene. The women are seen approaching us in the photo below.
These women saw this crowd of squirrels crowding me off the sidewalk (no, I was not complaining) and from across the road, I saw phones raised and videos being taken while they shouted across the street “well, how cute is this?!” The video went on for a minute or two and I asked if I had “Peanut Lady” on my forehead because that is what people call me at Council Point Park. They laughed and said the scene could be a Christmas card.
I wish I could have shown the entire dozen of squirrels but they did not want to do a group shot.
You’ll notice in these pictures, the Elizabeth Park squirrels are just as inquisitive (no, make that nosy) as their Council Point Park counterparts.
Hmm – it seems they are just as chubby too.
I excused myself from the walkers and my furry friends who were by then in a feeding frenzy, to walk down to the water to see the ducks.
This duck had a huge smile for me, no doubt having witnessed the goodies fed to the squirrels, it assumed I was toting duck treats … nope, I was just there for a few photos, before starting on my walk.
Well that smile was wiped right off Mr. Mallard’s face when he saw my hands were empty.
I sure can’t blame these guys for hanging out along the shore given the cold temps.
Only one brave dabbling duck here … he was having a look-see first before plunging into the water.
Even though I just meandered along, the geese were on the move, goose-stepping through the leaves and grateful to find a patch of grass that was both leaf-free and snow free, so as to graze without limitation, even though there were still a few piles of snow around Elizabeth Park and lots of mud along the way as well.
What geese weren’t grazing on grass, their brethren were hanging out at the bird feeder area, hoping to catch what the squirrels missed under the feeders. Kindly souls put out four big bird feeders and a suet feeder as soon as the temps get colder and they keep this “feeding station” stocked all Winter.
The small birds scattered to the wind as they were timid, so all I got was a woodpecker’s picture in this shot. He or she was drilling into the tree after feasting on some suet.
Here’s a close-up of the feeders.
I saw this chickadee who left in a huff when I approached the feeding station.
So the mirror never lies and neither does the pedometer … as of yesterday’s jaunt, at month end, I have just 45 miles/72 km to reach my final goal of 1,242 miles/2,000 kilometers. Today is looking nasty weather-wise, but we’ll see.
Onward and upward.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
QUEEN OF THE JUNGLE!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Funny Fred! Yesterday I was at Council Point Park feeding the squirrels and birds and a large flock of geese tried to goose me … they came out of nowhere. So a guy was riding his bike at the time and saw them and saw me beat a hasty retreat and said “you look like Snow White feeding all the animals.”
LikeLike
Linda, when I read your title I thought the post was going to be about the water – as it looks like a mirror with the trees reflected in it! Those were great shots. Also loved the one of the four geese walking all in a row. Do you think those squirrels recognized you from previous visits? They are certainly little Chubbettes so it must be going to be a long bad winter….
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Joni – the funny thing is that I decided while walking what I was going to do with this post for a title and when I got online later in the day I proceeded to look for some creative pics of mirrors on Pinterest. I saw a few with outdoorsy themes, when it dawned on me to just use the big historical bridge and trees since their reflection was so clear despite the very gray day … sometimes the most obvious things sail over my head.
I liked those four geese walking too and they looked like they were in a hurry to get somewhere. The following day at Heritage Park I got a shot of four geese crossing a road, like the Beatles on Abbey Road … I’ve been trying to do a photo like that for years. I don’t know if the squirrels recognized me as I generally never park there and I only go about once a month or so. I just parked right inside the park as I saw a gathering of mallards so knew I could get some shots – so, it must be someone else who feeds them and that person(s) has a similar car or looks similar to me – I had no peanuts in my hand when I opened the car door so it was pretty funny and those women thought it was funny too.
Yes, they are really Chubbettes … Mother Nature is helping them since there will be so much snow and frozen ground they’ll never find the nuts they hid and they’ll likely stay up in the nest all Winter. We had rain the entire day today. At least I was productive inside the house (for a change) … I did NOT start another book, I figured I’d never get anything done then!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Wow! Look at all those squirrels! I love the smiling duck photo. It looks like we might have a decent weather week coming up. Hopefully you can get some good miles in.
LikeLiked by 2 people
They were everywhere Ruth – it was very funny how they all came over to see me … I had nothing in my hands, but my car keys as I stepped out of the car. I wish I could have had them all in the shot but it would have been far away. I liked that duck too and it wiped that smile off its face when I approached … it was a strange morning.
I was at Elizabeth Park last year and it was later in the day and a guy/gal pulled up in a van. They had a few big buckets of corn and they feed the ducks. The ducks saw them pull up and walked out of the water, and up the incline to reach the van. The people let them go up a board like a ramp and take the corn out of the bucket first, then they brought it out and scattered it at their feet. The white ducks were near their legs and rubbing against the woman’s knees, like a pet dog or cat would do. It was incredible to watch. I do wonder if someone resembling me or that has a similar car feeds them since they all came running?
I heard that it was a good week too – happy for that to bulk up the miles in case it turns nasty later in the month. We had rain all day today – you too, or did you get some sleety/snow mix? I know there was some slippin’ and slidin’ in the morning in the northern ‘burbs.
LikeLiked by 2 people
We had some ice on the deck, trees and cars in the morning but my husband said the roads were just wet. It was a nasty day and I just stayed inside.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The ice is pretty on trees if you can look at it and that’s it. And just a thin layer so not to bring tree limbs down. I try not to go out too far on a holiday weekend as I know people are distracted with getting from point A to point B and/or with holiday shopping. I only went to Council Point Park and back all weekend and inside all day yesterday. Now they say even the weekend may be nice – hard to believe we had that big snow on Veteran’s Day; just a distant memory; I was sure the snow was here to stay til Spring.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Were still waiting for the “nice”. Cloudy and light snow on and off so far today.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Same here Ruth – I left on my walk – very dark out and snow showers started before I got home. I didn’t walk all the way to the Park, but stayed in the neighborhood as it was so dreary looking. I was glad for that since I got wet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! You had a great walking day. Only 45 more miles to meet your goal! Way to go!!! Those squirrels must have some kind of 6th sense about who feeds them and gives them peanut treats. They must have sensed you coming a mile away! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, it was a great walk despite the cold Laurie. It was especially cold along the Detroit River walking the boardwalk. I was surprised the shots came out as well as they did because it was very dark and dreary out. I think you’re right about the squirrels – either that, or I resemble someone who feeds them all the time. My neighbor’s dog sees me in a hat and it barks its head off at me – it has done that for years, but if I take off the hat, it’s okay and he will run over to see me. Squirrels have very bad eyesight. I can lay peanuts down, and if they run off with one, they can’t find the remaining ones and I have to put another peanut down or stomp my foot to help them out. I’m big enough they don’t need glasses!
Funny thing – I used to visit my neighbor inside the house in the Winter, I had to remove my hat or her dog had to be put in the other room – I was polite so he could stay and took off my hat. 🙂
I think my goal is doable – we have good weather after today which was an abysmal day with an all-day rain and some wind to boot. I heard Pennsylvania got hit hard – good thing you left Arizona yesterday and Phoenix had some swollen rivers due to a lot of rain I heard on the news. The weather is so erratic anymore.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is so funny about your neighbor’s dog! He thinks you are a suspicious stranger when you wear a hat!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes and they have a big picture window and he is alone all day, and they leave early for work, so he spends most of the time in an easy chair where he can look out the window. If he sees me coming home with the hat on now, he’ll bark at me from the easy chair; the rest of the time he’s fine. Pretty funny and he is small, so his bark is worse than his bite. If I went inside, I had to take the hat off or Marge took him down the hall where he would proceed to bark more, scratch the door or throw himself against the door in rebellion!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Miss Linda…………………………I enjoyed the Elizabeth Park pics………………..yes you must have Miss Peanut-Lady written all over you………………………that the squirrels can delightfully see…………………………Congratulations………………………..YOU surely can walk 45 miles more in December
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Ann Marie – I am glad you enjoyed the pics. It was so funny with the squirrels. You’ll have to check that spot next time you and Steven take a drive. I was parked right inside the park entrance as I saw all the mallards and wanted to take pictures – I don’t usually park there, I park near the pony ranch. They sure were cute and funny though gathering all around me – wish you’d have seen it.
LikeLike
so now the question is……will you up your goal for next year?
Congratulations Linda on being so diligent with your walking and for feeding the hungry critters!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Wayne – I believe I will get there, though I had my doubts after that Veteran’s Day 8.8 inch snowfall and the ice that followed. I usually only will set a goal of one mile more than what I achieve at year end. I hesitate to go too many more miles as a goal after our erratic weather this year – my fear is it will be worse, with more rain and flooding and Winter’s snow/ice lasting til April. Once I reach 1,242 miles, perhaps I should aim for a rounded-off total though … so would that be 1,250 and cap it there, or, try to reach 1,300, an even even more rounded-off number. What say you? Maybe I should ask Mother Nature her intentions first.
I like feeding those critters – the locals and those too … I figure they confused me with someone else, or they know a “sucker” from a mile away! I bought some suet and birdseed bells which I’ll take down close to Christmas … that’s so the squirrels can feast on bird treats and the poor birds will just watch with envy. That;s what happened last year – I’ll fix the squirrels and put one birdseed bell in the water fountain – – they can’t climb up there and the fountain has not worked for years.
LikeLiked by 1 person
why don’t you do walk the year number in klicks? So it would be 2019 klicks for this year and than you would walk one more the next year.
Out of curiosity have you been keeping a tally on how much you spend on peanuts,suet etc per year?
Money well spent too!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That is an idea Wayne since I based this year’s total on klicks … in fact my dentist does that with two running friends he has known since college. He told me about it once when I mentioned my yearly walking goal – between the three of them, all avid runners, but with busy jobs, they try between the three of them to add up to the year. I thought that was pretty easy, splitting it between three people, but didn’t tell him that. He was in the Boston Marathon a few years ago – his first and last one … that was the year they had freezing rain throughout the entire marathon.
No, I don’t keep a tally on how much for peanuts, but I could easily add it up. I only buy the peanuts from Meijer and they have many incentives (M-Perks) so being a member gives you access to see how much you save there (they have bar charts for each month) and also your receipts which are stored as PDFs in your account. Maybe it would be fun to add it up when it is income tax time to be claiming them as “dependents”? The peanuts are around $2.79 for a 20-ounce bag, but they are often on sale for $2.50 a bag or I get paper coupons mailed to me every month from Meijer on items I buy on a regular basis, so that’s another $0.75 off … now I’m spending more due to the porch pals. Sometimes I wish I had not started with them too, but I get a kick out of watching them, even if the jay screeches at me if I go out after everyone ate their peanuts – he’ll sit in the tree and screech like “get back in and get us more!”
LikeLike
By using this method it keeps the goal from getting out of hand and manageable.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree with you Wayne. I am going to do this … whatever I walk over and above this year will just be “gravy”. Thanks for suggesting it.
LikeLike
very happy to hear! Do you use one of those pedometers? It would be interesting to see how many steps you take in one year,how many calories burned up etc!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I do use a pedometer, and I bought it the first year I started walking (2011). I looked online to see the most durable, but basic, no bells and whistles model, and ordered it. It gives the amount of steps taken for the current day and the previous seven days and the time. Omron has stopped making that model for some reason, which is too bad as it has had no malfunctions but I’ve had to replace the thin battery which looks like a dime twice.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful photos, Linda! I think those squirrels have got your number. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Rebecca – I was surprised the photos came out so clear as it was very gray and dismal that morning.
I think you are right about those squirrels –
they were laying in wait and saw me and said “she looks like a pushover and I bet she is packing peanuts!”
they sa
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh my where did the summer go! Great seeign the new shots on the new camera!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Michael. We’re at “Dullsville” color wise … the leaves are gone and that big snowstorm we had on 11/11 is just a distant memory now (thankfully).
LikeLike
Wow you are going to reach your goal! I knew you would! Your pictures are just beautiful, especially the reflection on the water. I wish I could have seen all those squirrels around you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Diane – it was touch and go after I lost a week due to that Veteran’s Day snowstorm and the ice that was left over afterward. I really didn’t think we’d get rid of the 8.8 inches of snow that easily, and was surprised it is now gone without a trace. We were supposed to have clear and dry weather all week through Sunday evening, but very cloud, but that has fallen apart a little and now another rainy Sunday. But I believe it is a doable goal. Glad you like the pictures – that bridge looks very picturesque whether it is a very gray day and bare branches are reflecting on the water, or the height of Summer when the big willows are out and framing the water. There are two smaller bridges that look identical, but this bridge has most of its original features, steps and railing and was built in 1923. I’m guessing they will commemorate its 100th anniversary when it comes up because many people choose to go there for professional photos for weddings as well as posing for proms,homecoming, graduation, etc.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Congrats on nearly reaching your goal for the year! You are one determined and diligent squirrel lady! 😉 I love the pictures, Linda. Especially the reflections in the water and the smiling duck. Money spent on your fury and feathered friends is worth it when you think about all the enjoyment you get from this activity. What a nice walk! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Sabine – I am sure I will reach my goal now fairly soon as we have pretty decent weather all this week before we’ll have some bouts of rain next week, but the month is young. I’ll keep going at 4-5 miles on weekday mornings and more on the weekend. I’m glad you like the pictures and it was such a gray day, I figured the shots would not be very good and was pleasantly surprised, especially the header image. You really liked the bridge in the past because it looked nice with the bridge as well as the tree’s bare branches reflecting on the water . It is even more beautiful there in Summer as there are very old Willow trees that are down by the water’s edge near this historical bridge. This is a venue for wedding parties, proms, homecoming and graduation photos. I agree about the money spent on my furry friends – it does benefit both of us – enjoyment form interacting with them and keeping them fueled on peanuts for the long Winter ahead.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is so funny! I think they recognize a kind face when they see one. I am so impressed that you are able to talk yourself into walking in the cold, cold weather. But, thank goodness you do – both for your good health and the full stomachs of your furry friends.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was funny Janis – either I looked like an easy mark to “hit on” or there is someone else at that Park with a similar car or hat/coat? Those woman walkers were laughing the whole time they were videotaping it. 🙂 Thank you – I am sure I will make my goal, though I have to tell you I was dubious several times during the year with our Winter lingering through April, lots of torrential rain and flooding and then we had an 8.8-inch snowfall Veteran’s Day – thankfully the snow/ice are gone. You are right – it is a win-win for me and for them too.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Linda,
I read this post hot off the oven, when you gave me the headsup( Americanisms I learnt from here) and am re-reading it because I wanted to enjoy the orange-ness of the squirrels a bit more. I can’t tell you how cute those 5 squirrels looked, all fat and busy, sitting on their haunches and munching away. I can imagine you being in a movie, Linda – with the squirrels. Loved the smiling duck too.
I think I have never seen an orange squirrel but all the ones here I see are grey- they must be dead by now, Linda ? Even their nest on the tree seems wet and drooping- do you think they burrow underground- there is still snow on the ground, though it was a clear day today with blue skies and all. All this is new to me. I wonder how much people take snow in their stride like we take the rain back home. Can getting snow on your head, make you sick, Linda ?
Nice, lovely, homey post.
Thanks, for sharing
Susie
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Susie – I wish I could have gotten all the squirrels in one shot as it seemed like they were running everywhere. Glad you enjoyed the big squirrels gathered around … just one black squirrel and one gray squirrel – they are much smaller and much more timid. No, they are okay over the Winter because they have an extra layer of fat that Mother Nature provides as the days get colder and they also have a little extra fur that grows in just in time for the cold weather. Their nests may not look study, but they are – they sleep the whole family and they sleep curled up all together to keep warm. Often they stay up there days at a time since if there is deep snow like you experienced yesterday and today, there is no way that they can forage or find where they hid their nuts as the ground is snowy and frozen.
https://www.critterguard.org/blog/how-do-squirrels-survive-winter-without-hibernating
I will never like snow, even though I was born in Canada and where I lived before moving here used to be much colder and snowier than here – we were closer to the snow belt there, than here. We used to have a VW Beetle when I was a kid and we lived on a circular street and “on the curve” and many times my father would come out in the morning and there were many snow drifts and the car would be buried underneath! Glad you enjoyed the post Susie.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the mirrored effect photos – what a calm morning, excellent composition too. That’s incredible how many squirrels you found. Chubby is right! Cute, too! You’re so close to meeting your goal! Just 8 days at approx 6 miles each day and you’ll surpass the goal with a shining glow and even more furry friends to write about?! You.Can.Do.It!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Shelley – it was such a gray day that I wasn’t sure how well any of the pictures would turn out and I was pleasantly surprised. The cluster of squirrels was a real delight to watch and the women walkers were laughing too as they watched them running circles around me. I am now sure I can make my goal and probably a little bit more over that as it’s early in the month. If it’s gray in the morning, I’m struggling to get 5 miles done, but I hope to maximize my miles over the weekend and get it done. We have clear and dry weather through Sunday night so that’s a plus. Who knows what ugly turn our weather could take? We could end up like Wisconsin!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Overcast days can make for great photos – especially the water scenes! YAY – I’m so happy you’ll meet your goal. Then you can plan for next year’s too! 😉 It was sunny here yesterday – and not too awfully cold. We’re supposed to get cold and wind today :-(.
LikeLiked by 1 person
We were supposed to have a nicer day than we got … snow showers all day long but at least I managed to stay dry unlike Monday morning when it got pretty intense out there and I got wet. The weather is already a drag … that big snowstorm on Veteran’s Day was too early. If we had not had it, I likely would be finished by now. I will walk some more miles after I make my goal before year end, if the weather is nice, but will cap my miles because we had such erratic weather all year and since they are calling for a bad Winter, I don’t want to over-extend myself. When I am retired, it will be different as I can go out other times of the day if the morning does not work out, where I am limited during the workweek and often the sun melts the snow/ice and I’d feel comfortable walking on the sidewalk where I don’t if it is too slick as it’s still early.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m impressed with how many miles you do accomplish with your schedule restrictions!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure trying Shelley – our weather may get dicey after Monday night though – they say mixed precip but can’t say yet whether it is snow or ice – ugh. And we have an Arctic blast coming next week. I was hoping the nice weather would continue through December.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you. Hopefully the blast won’t be like the Polar one of earlier in the year!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just heard it is certain for a white Christmas – I said to myself “y’all can’t always predict the afternoon’s weather in the morning – just sayin’.” I can do without the White Christmas too. I left the house this morning, a gentle breeze and the weatherman said the wind would kick up in the afternoon. Not 1/2 hour later, the winds were gusting and it was hard to walk. Turned on the news when I got home and it was 8 mph winds, gusting to 26!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’ve entered into ‘that’ time of year, I fear. Sigh. I’m looking out at the nice sunrise, but it’s only 12 degrees. I’ll be hitting the treadmill again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow – 12 degrees would be no joy to go out and walk, so I’d likely opt for the treadmill too; but I do have warm clothes from years of taking the bus so if no snow/ice, I am game I went out today and when I left the house it was 27 degrees. Had a down coat and multiple layers and walked 7 miles, most of the time by the water (Detroit River). The only part of me that was cold was my fingers, even with the flip-top finger gloves with liners underneath it was not comfortable at all. I did two large parks and 7 miles and am worn out now. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
WOW! 7 miles, YAY! We walked 4 yesterday morning before the winds started. It was wonderful, I wish we could do that everyday! There were some slippery spots, but we made it. You must be so close to your goal!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have eight more miles to go Shelley … not sure about this morning as we have an all-day rain forecast. It is mild today (after I froze all weekend doing 12 miles in cold and blustery weather), but right now it is just cloudy and dry. If not raining when lighter, I’ll try and get out this morning; if not, I’ll stay in and finish a post I am working on.
I’m not a fan of walking in the rain, but have done it this year, but in warm weather and not 45 degrees. I know I can reach my goal, so may let today slide by. Four miles in somewhat slippery wether is good … I worry about the ice/snow and taking a tumble, so that is why I’ve really made the effort once the snow disappearedf to get moving and finish up!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay, you’ll most definitely reach your goal before the end of the year! Stay safe! Do you wear YakTraks too? The runners in our area wear those so they can keep on doing their training regardless of the weather.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, I don’t Shelley but I have a pair of the YakTraks Pro my mom bought me after one year I could barely make it down the street to get the bus after a March ice storm. Then they arrived and the following Winter I was not working on site. Laurie says she runs in them all the time, however, my mail carrier said she was wearing them and fell twice on the ice. I bought a pair of crampons to wear on the hard or icy snow at the Park, however, you can’t walk on the pavement in them – must be some snow or ice there or it will ruin the “teeth”.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’ve hit it on why the treadmill is my friend through this time of year.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always – to the onwards and upwards…
I loved reading this! I felt like I was walking along with you…
Love, light and glitter
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Ellie – it turned out better than expected … it was very dismal and dreary looking that morning. Love, light and glitter back at you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Linda, I think the Peanut Lady needs to put those squirrels on a diet!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree Pam – they are quite chubby aren’t they? Too much comfort food now that the cold weather is here. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
They have you so they’ll survive!👏🙏👍
LikeLiked by 1 person
And I fret over them Pam, like they are my pets, especially when the weather is bad and I can’t get to the Park. 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
🥰🥰🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was super cool how you had the duck smiling and then not smiling – ha – nice capture – and how did they know to surround your car? That is so cool – and love the photo of the squirrel
I the tree – really good – could be framed
LikeLiked by 1 person
I thought it was cool too Yvette – he had a big “smile” for me and turned that “smile” off like a light. I had to laugh at that and I figure, since I did not have the unopened bag of peanuts out of the car where they could smell them, that someone must come to that spot that feeds them – either a similar car or a similar-looking person. They glommed onto me in less than a minute. I could not get the camera out quickly enough. There is a couple who feeds the ducks at that Park and it close to where I parked. Every day they bring two buckets of corn and the ducks climb out of the water and they put out a short ramp to the back of the van to bring the corn down as it is quite heavy, so they scoop it out of the bucket onto the grass. The white Pekin ducks in anticipation of their treat will go up into the van and poke their heads into the bucket. I was chatting with the couple and they told me the story and I told them about the squirrels where I walk. This was last year and I was hoping to catch the couple again, but have not seen them. the ducks know their gray van.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh this animals are so smart –
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, they are smart Yvette and I went there again today – I was walking and out in this cold day (29 degrees when I got there) for many hours and along the waterfront at two parks. Took tons of pictures and in doing so, I remembered I did not thank you for saying the squirrel in the tree could be framed. Thank you Yvette – I took another similar picture today and it triggered my mind that I didn’t comment to you. With the squirrels, I’m lucky they stayed put so it is easier to capture their photos. I had a group of squirrels show up today and also some birds which was a nice surprise (woodpeckers and nuthatches) so what a treat that was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh you have a good memory – and brrrrr – that is cold to be walking – and glad you were able to see some birds.
🙂
our walk today was a bit shorter than the day before – and not too cold – I am enjoying this walking Linda –
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew you would get hooked on walking Yvette and except for the cold hands, I’d rather walk in the cold (if no ice/snow present) than the extreme heat and humidity in the Summer. That is when I resort to walking at the grocery store sometimes – it is a large store and I walk the perimeter then. It was a long day of walking and I just looked at the pics, but did not do anything with them. I thought I’d get home much earlier than I did.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember you sharing about the grocery store and how you sometimes leave the cart and go and get what you need and bring it to it. Shared that with the hubs – and sometimes we see folks in the electric cart when some of them could use the exercise but the docs never really emphasize it the way they should –
Happy Sunday
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, it works well to rack up some miles when an errand has to take up my usual morning walk at the Park. I can rack up quite a few steps that way Yvette. Happy Sunday back to you – sadly it is almost over.
Where does the weekend go?
LikeLike
I know – this one zipped on by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It sure did!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just loved the image of that squirrels coming from everywhere to greet you 😁. Well done on the miles
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh Zena – they were so cute that I went back again this past Saturday with more peanuts (a full bag this time). Not only did I get squirrels, but I got birds, including a woodpecker, so I took lots of pictures to share in an upcoming blog post. They knew a friendly face (or a sucker) when I stepped out of the car. They probably keep a notepad to remember who feeds them to act extra cute when the car pulls up! I never parked in that area before – look what I’ve been missing!
LikeLike
Pingback: Nature’s Gifts. | WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY