… you wear yourself out enjoying it!
Meteorological Summer may have started on June 1st but, in my humble opinion, our Summer-like temps happened long before meteorological Summer or calendar date Summer which happens June 20th. We have had hot and muggy conditions and a slew of stormy weather. Our upcoming daily weather line-up is nothing special and we have some severe weather on Wednesday.
My walking regimen has already taken a hit and soon I may have to resort to walking in the rain, something I have resisted since I began walking back in September 2011. The avid walkers at the Park chastise me saying “you can’t love walking if you don’t walk in the rain – it’s peaceful” to which I always counter with “but you didn’t take the bus to Downtown Detroit for decades and stand outside waiting for a bus on a drizzly day, especially when high winds factored in!” Well, if I ever change that mindset on walking in the rain, I’ve got a golf umbrella, heavy raincoat, vinyl hat and waterproof walking shoes. Stay tuned.
We just had three beautiful weather days in a row and I made the best of it, going to multiple parks, camera in hand, to get my steps in and take lots of photos for upcoming posts. I may have worn myself out like the squirrel above. Today was the Detroit Grand Prix and Mother Nature threatened to play spoiler with a thunderstorm, but ended up playing nice and the race went off as scheduled.
One of my recent morning meanders was to beautiful Elizabeth Park, not only a haven for ducks and geese, but a primo place to mark some miles strolling the perimeter path encircling this island park and along the venue’s boardwalk.
For non-walkers, it’s a wonderful way to while away a few hours in the great outdoors.
Elizabeth Park is the perfect place to fish and the boardwalk gets crowded as anglers press together against the railing most mornings.
It’s also a great place to go out on the water, boating or paddleboarding all Summer long.
While I don’t partake in any of the water sports, I often take photos of those that do, plus I like chattin’ it up with the anglers as well.
It was a picture-perfect day!
I began my day with the disarray at Council Point Park, doling out treats to about 20 furry and feathered friends, half of the usual amount of peanut-and-seed-eaters, but I maintain hope my appearance and food will help the critters adjust to our shared “new normal” – it won’t be easy.
After that short visit was done, I headed to Elizabeth Park.
I stepped out of the car and saw the two squirrels in the featured image just chillin’ on a picnic table. I quickly unzipped the camera case and grabbed a shot of them. Good thing I was quick since the squirrel up top scrambled to its feet as I approached and gave me an indignant stare as if to say “I was splooting and yes, it is an undignified look, but I’ll pose for you and you’ll use that shot instead!”
But, the unscrupulous paparazza that I am, I went ahead and used that less-than-stellar splooting shot anyway.
As I walked along Elizabeth Drive which encircles this island park, I heard the jungle-like sound of a Northern Flicker and swiveled my head as it was close by. No luck locating it, but I had some success after my eyes found the backside of a Red-bellied Woodpecker that was rhythmically drilling into this half-dead tree.
Along the Northpointe Riverwalk.
I strolled along the Northpoint Riverwalk toward the canal.
Spring Beauties covered the base of an Oak tree.
This tree with its oval “mouth” looked like it was singing: “La, la, la, la, ….“
At the vehicular bridge …
… I saw a couple of Bird e-scooters. No, I am not anxious to try one – besides I need both hands to hold the camera. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!
I had a nice view of the big bridge and the water looked very blue today.
Down the steep slope I went, my eyes peeled for waterfowl and I didn’t have to look very far to find them. I already knew I’d be encountering a lot of geese as evident from my vantage point at another Northpointe Riverwalk sign.
A male and female Mallard waddled past me, quick to go in the opposite direction as I was going.
They were followed by a pair of Mallard Hybrid ducks that snacked on grass …
… then traveled that grassy slope, just as easily as I did with my considerably longer strides.
A kayaker paddled peacefully in the Canal as one goose wondered if they would eventually encroach into their personal space.
Ahead Canada geese gathered on the cement pavement and Canal’s grassy shoreline. It appeared it would be a “poopapalooza” so I’d best be doing a “poop check” on the soles of my walking shoes before I dared step into the car.
Here are some of those geese.
They were a noisy bunch!
I crossed over the big bridge, the site of many wedding, prom and homecoming photos and I had a bird’s eye view of a Canada Goose that had vamoosed from its noisy and messy brethren at the Canal and on the poop-laden sidewalk and was enjoying a peaceful paddle.
Surprisingly, I had the boardwalk to myself.
Belatedly I remembered I forgot to tuck a snack in my pocket for the groundhog who scams treats from the walkers, but I didn’t see him/her. The water sparkled as it spilled over the rocks.
Wild Iris and a bush filled with white blossoms brightened up the boardwalk.
There was a wake from a jet skier …
… and a smaller wake from a Mallard that was paddling furiously away from Yours Truly.
I only saw one Seagull and that surprised me since they are usually always hopping along the boardwalk railing or shrieking their head off. If you squint in the background you will see the new Gordie Howe International Bridge that is scheduled to open in the Fall of 2025.
I will be doing a separate post on that new bridge as I’ve taken some photos from different Detroit River shoreline venues. The new bridge will provide a lot of fun to both hiking and biking enthusiasts down the road as it they will be able to cross and link hiking/biking in Michigan with those in Canada. This six-lane bridge that will span the Detroit River will provide a second crossing to Windsor, Ontario, Canada which is just across the river from Detroit. The bridge, which spans one and a half-miles will be the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America and is projected to be connected in July.
I continued down the boardwalk to the marina, where I was surprised to see so many boats in their respective wells, but it was a weekday after all.
In the background, a glimpse of the Grosse Ile Free Bridge.
And I “spoke” too soon as a motor boat came zooming by a few minutes later.
It was getting warm and I’d walked almost five miles, so I decided to call it done and head for the car. I was worn out and had only walked, probably the easiest of all the hobbies I could enjoy in Great Outdoors Month.
I am joining Terri Webster Schrandt’s Sunday Stills Photo Challenge: June is Great Outdoors Month.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
A lovely walk and place to walk, so many birds. Love the Squirrel on the picnic table, made me laugh
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It is one of my favorite places to walk Brian – very peaceful and I always know if I want to find the tiniest goslings in May, I come here – they are everywhere! Squirrels often “sploot” when it is hot – they sprawl out in the grass or what’s really funny is when they lay on a branch with all four legs dangling down. 🙂
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We’ve trained our geese well!
So many critters keep a sharp eye out for you Linda! One sees you and they text everyone else for a heads up!
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You’re right Wayne – they pick and choose which days they want to be photographed, you know, like maybe they are having a bad fur day, bedhead feather day. Or … they see I am not carrying any treats with me to bribe them. I ‘m glad you told me about the word “splooting” – it just matches how this squirrel was flopped down on the picnic table.
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I wonder If they are the only ones that do Sploot?
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The last time I did a splooting squirrel pic, a fellow blogger, Zazzy, said her brother’s dog lays on the floor like that when it is hot to cool off. I think it was a bulldog. She sent me a link to a post she did about it doing that and it was laying the same way, all sprawled out.
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Looks like a really nice place to walk!
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It is Dawn – very peaceful. And there are always lots of goslings there in May/June. I saw enough goslings in other parks this year, so I did not make a special “gosling run” to see them.
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Lovely. The singing tree is marvelous.
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Glad you liked it Anne – its companion was that “screaming tree” from last Halloween.
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It was kind of you to go to Council Point given how it hurts your heart to see the devastation there. But there you were, taking care of others.
I loved your splooting squirrel. My brother’s dog has started looking like his pajamas are too tight when he sploots.
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You are right Zazzy – it does hurt my heart to go there and I am trying to help keep things as normal as possible, though with less furry and feathered friends showing up, I fear they have already relocated to other parks or probably the neighborhood. Grrr.
When I was putting this post together with that cute splooting squirrel, I did remember you sent me a link to a previous post and I think it was a bulldog splooting on the floor if memory serves me right. I like your description of when he sploots. 🙂
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Wow, I so envy you being close to such a huge metro park, Linda. I love my rural area, but yours has energy and cultural impact. It would be fun to walk and chat with others. I’m often on the trails alone, which is fine but I miss walking and yakking!
The changes to the area should improve the area for you. Weather-wise, we have rain this evening and tomorrow. Our temps will match yours by this time next week. We’re already worrying about what the impact of another hot summer will have on the inevitable wildfire season. Sigh…
Enjoy your walks. Your pictures always help tell a good story. Enjoy the outdoors!
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This is a beautiful park Terri and usually people will stop and chat about the weather or they will gather around a group of tiny goslings and coo at them while grabbing a photo or video of them.
I usually walk alone but like to chat it up with strangers and even when I walk at Council Point Park, if someone walks beside me, they might get bored if I stop to take a photo, toss a peanut or whisper sweet nothings to a squirrel. 🙂 I talk even more to the squirrels and birds since this project and its devastation began.
I once wrote a series of posts about seizing the day when we had bad weather for so many days straight that since it was Summer, I went to all the bigger parks, very early before I started my workday.
I wish I had some pics of the fishermen (and women) along the boardwalk, but only a handful of people were there that morning. They line up themselves, as well as with their multiple fishing rods – some serious fishing goes on there!
I’ve heard the risk of wildfires will be great this Summer due to projected heat and drought-like conditions. I hope they are wrong.
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You had the eventful walk! Lots of critters and flora to photograph.
I agree with the walkers about walking/running in the rain. I love it as long as there is no lightning. I would draw the line at a downpour (although I have run races in a downpour), but a light rain or drizzle is fine. It does seem peaceful.
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Yes, it was quite the walk Laurie and the shutter button got a lot of use that day.
Well, based on your recommendation, perhaps this would be the week to try it out then, although most of this week’s rain is accompanied by storms. I’ll wait for a calm rain and try. I’m slightly behind my usual walking miles, despite being retired … but the weather has not been cooperative and sometimes we’ve had winds gusting to 25 mph which is not fun either, so it’s not all been rain. Anything over 15-18 mph is not great to walk in, especially in wide-open spaces, but you know that from all your years of running. I’ll recoup as I have seven more months to get ‘er done.
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Wonderful walke place . Beautiful birds. Wonderful capture all pic. These great capture male and female Mallard waddled. Nice looking these. Thanks, Sharing Linda!
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Thank you Raj, I am glad you liked the pictures.
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Most welcome ,Linda!
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Yay – you made up for lost time, what a fun adventure you had. SO many geese! WOW. I chuckled at the splooting squirrel. Our little Red Squirrel in our yard did the same pose this week and I thought, “Linda would love to see you!”
I know you’re missing Council Park – I’m glad you found joy in walking here – there’s so much to see and discover at this park. You’re lucky to have a place like that where you can find critters, birds, and people doing outdoorsy things. Plenty of blogging fodder there! 🥰😍😎 Rain or shine, I bet you’d be happy with what you see.
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Yes, this is a beautiful park Shelley and since I had so many other pictures of goslings (that I haven’t used yet), I never went there in May for the tiniest goslings pics – they are everywhere! And they have the unique ducks here … the Pekins and Mallard Hybrids which aren’t at any of the other parks or Metroparks.
I saw that splooting squirrel and said “that will be a Wordless Wednesday and I’ll call it ‘Chillin'” and then Terri had her June topics and I knew it was perfect for this outdoorsy-wear-yourself-out-having-fun post instead. They are funny when they sploot and the funniest is when they lay on a branch, legs dangling down.
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You’re so intuitive when you visit your parks – well done! Your posts are so clever.
I thought of you and your squirrels when our little red one had an attitude with me last night and left, came back after I went inside and splooted while it kept an eye on me in the window. 😉😂
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Thank you Shelley. Sometimes the gears are turning while I am taking a picture and I’m thinking about where I can use it. One thing about the squirrels, they do play games, like what yours is doing. A few at the Park have always “played dumb” as to the peanuts. Some of the black or gray ones are very timid and hang back even if the others run over. So for them I put a little pile of peanuts and point to them. So they come over, stand near me and pretend they don’t see them. C’mon – you see them, it is a ploy. I point again, then walk away and turn around and he/she is munching away. The splooting always gives me a smile. 🙂
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Aw, your thinking gears are always spinning. 😉 And by paying attention you’ve learned so much about critters, so much so, you give them such delightful character in your posts! Even splooting makes us smile!
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I like the idea of bringing them to life as characters. Your red squirrel is becoming that way just as Parker has through the years.
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LOL – our little squirrel has become quite the splooter. It’s a hoot to watch. 🤣
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You had a great walk. So much to see and you captured most of it!
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Yes – it was a picture perfect day!
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Checking to see if I can comment on your web page. 🙂
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Terri’s theme this week was made for you and your walks! I love the first picture of the squirrel… very undignified. 🙂
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Janis, he does look pretty laid back and laid out here. I intended to use that tired squirrel in a Wordless Wednesday post and call it “Just Chillin'” but it fit better here when you wear yourself out in the Summertime. 🙂
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So many things about this post that I absolutely love, Linda! I’m not sure where to begin. So, I will start with your first photo post and try to go in order of your post. But no promises that I can’t keep.😉
Your weather line up for June is our weather line up for March. So I would be bold to say that if those two squirrels were you and I, the friends that we are, I would be the one on top of that table sunning my self claiming to be getting my vitamin D and you would be the smart one underneath the table in the shade keeping cool an UV protected.🌞🐿️
Such a kindness of your heart to do a stop at Council Point Park to treat those left in distress of their unknown future circumstances. 🥜
Great listening skills for the Red-bellied Woodpecker! My silly pecker and hummers moved on already because of the summer or chatter of first week of hurricane season.
Love your imagination of the singing tree and definitely would skip the scooters!
Your second photo of the mallard is stunning!! Cover for the next addition of the National Geographic Outdoors with an inside exclusive story of the mallard wake. Of course the Mallard Hybrid photo will illuminate the creation of the next electric automobiles built in Detroit. All to be the introduction edition for the Canada Goose Festival well done!
I can’t wait to read, see, and hear more about this Gordie Howe International Bridge!!
Oh my honey of this day, five miles of walking you call a hobby is truly an extraordinary exercise for your body and all of our soul soup. Thank you so much! 😊
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Thank you for all the nice comments here Terri. It was a lot of fun putting together this post. My favorite picture in the post is the squirrel splooting as it looks so funny – like he/she is too pooped to participate. I see them doing that in the Park sometimes; they will sprawl out in the cool grass or lay on a tree branch and let their legs dangle down – it looks funny. I used to lay out in the sun when I was younger but have not done so in decades and now I have a few different sunhats I wear … in fact, one is too much hat and it gets in the way when I am trying to take pictures.
I do miss seeing the Red-bellied Woodpecker at Council Point Park though I’ve seen him once since the destruction and that was last week, but before he was a regular fixture and followed me to the three places I would dump peanuts and seeds or sometimes if I threw a squirrel a peanut and this was every time I was there. I feel badly for my Park critters and this week we are having rain every day and this morning it was very foggy so I didn’t go as it was foggy til mid-day.
The mallard drakes are so pretty with their teal iridescent heads especially when the sun is shining on them.
The scooters would not be for me either – I’d likely break my neck or something else on them.
I have been collecting some pictures of the Gordie Howe Bridge which they will join on the Canadian and American side next month – they always have the International Freedom Festival to celebrate both holidays and the big fireworks show – I am sure they would like to be done by then but I am not sure of their deadline and we’ve had a lot of rain and will have rain the rest of this week, but maybe they work in the rain? It will be nice as hikers/bikers can cross over the bridge using a trail here and in Canada … very nice and they must be dedicating a lane just for that or have a sidewalk to allow that to be done. That will be exciting.
Again, thank you TD for all of your nice comments in your comment!
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Such a delightful post Linda! You give so many people joy reading your posts. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. ❤️
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Thank you for saying that TD and now I will go to bed with a swelled head for sure! For me it is fun to write posts like this -a fun topic and especially when I have a few critters doing funny things or with funny looks on their faces. Today I spent a lot of time going through photos of the last several outings – lots of pictures, some of them funny, all for upcoming posts. I hope you will like those posts as much as I will enjoy creating them.
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I’m so happy that you are having fun! ❤️
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I am TD – I think that is important to keep it interesting!
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It is so fun to see squirrels laid out like in your first photo. I’ve been given that indignant stare by many-a-squirrel. You did a good job of capturing its reaction. That tree does look like it is singing! That’s a lot of Canadian geese. You’re right, they can be quite messy.
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Thank you Rebecca – that was my favorite picture as he/she looked like it was down for the count, but energized when I approached it for a close-up. 🙂 Squirrels have mastered “the scowl” as have Robins. I saw that tree out of the corner of my eye and did a double-take. A singing tree that went with “The Scream” tree from Halloween. There are a lot of geese at this Park and I usually try to go in May at least once to see the smallest goslings as they are so plentiful. But this year I had lots of goslings from Lake Erie Metropark, so I didn’t stop by. It is messy along the canal as most of them gather there and it is loud too.,
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Those e-scooters are popular around here. I don’t want to try riding one, either. I love the first photo. Don’t I know that feeling, some days. Enjoy your glorious weather while it lasts.
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I’m sure I’d wipe out once I put up the kickstand Ally, so I just watch the others take a spin on them. That squirrel cracked me up and I thought to myself “it’s not that hot and you’re already all laid out like it’s a hot August day?” I also have that same dragged-out feeling, in fact just this morning after walking in the heat and the humidity that unfortunately has returned.
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Hi Linda, I was stopping by to see how my wordpress friends were doing. Looks like you are still out there taking pictures of al the creatures in this world. Had about 15 tornadoes and 10 deaths in Arkansas on Memorial Day. Thank goodness everthing missed our area. Hope your weather is treating you kinder. Catch you another day my friend.
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Peggy – it is good to see your name and icon in my Comments! You know I remember hearing about the Arkansas tornadoes/deaths and seeing the devastation on social media and I thought “I wonder if I should reach out to Peggy? No, she always tells me they miss her and she goes to the safe hiding hole at her daughter’s house.” Next time I’ll just do a bed check! I’m happy to hear your family is okay. Our weather has been hot, a few storms and a severe storm coming tomorrow, which I’ll cross my fingers misses our area, like in the past. Yes, I am still taking pictures of all God’s creatures who will let me and enjoying it immensely. Take care Peggy and don’t get worn out harvesting those blueberries!
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What a fun post. That first one of the squirrel laying on the table was funny.
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Thank you Kristin! That squirrel sprawled out on the table made me laugh too – it wasn’t even that hot and it was early in the day!
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I had to laugh at the first picture, with one squirrel cooling off by splooting and another one making good use of a bit of shade. I can imagine them debating about their preferred methods for beating the heat. What a beautiful, peaceful scene around the big bridge and the decidedly blue water! The mallard hybrids are fascinating to look at. There is so much goose poop in the world — it must be good for something. Loved the big wake the mallard left behind in the water. Will people be able to walk across the new bridge? There was a walkway on the mile-long bridge between New London and Groton, where I used to live. My sister and I always thought we would try walking it some day but never got around to it. The view of the river and the sound must have been spectacular.
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I always laugh when I see squirrels splooting as they look so weary and pooped out. I’m glad I gave you a laugh with that picture Barbara. And the other one under the picnic table too. I wonder why they didn’t hang out up top together? I was glad I got that shot. That bridge at Elizabeth Park is beautiful and many people go there for special pictures. I was there one time when it was cold – not Winter, but close to it and a wedding party arrived and assembled on the bridge with a professional photographer and her assistant. It was a big wedding party and the bride was beautiful. I was not close up to them, but it looked like a white velvet dress with an ermine stole. Once the Gordie Howe International Bridge is finished, people can walk or bicycle across and connecting by using a trail on the American side then connecting to a trail in Windsor. I think it will be fun to do this. That sounds nice on your bridge – it would be exciting to see and hear the rushing river below. Something that I would like to do some day is participate in the Mackinac Bridge walk on Labor Day. This bridge connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas and is five miles long. Every Labor Day, the current Governor leads the group of walkers across the bridge. They changed it a little in recent years though as before you could park on the mainland and walk over and take a bus back – they no longer do that, so you have to either walk back or take a cab/Uber, etc. back. Some people stop at the half-way mark and walk back and count that as their five-mile walk.
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I googled your new bridge and found out that the pedestrian and cycling path will be nearly 12 feet wide! The artist’s rendition is beautiful. I hope you will get a chance to walk it. 🙂
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I didn’t realize that pedestrian and cycling path was that wide Barbara – I read the specs on it when they were first building it, but not recently. I hope to try it out one day as well. It will open in the Fall of 2025. The excitement is building that Canada and the U.S. will meet/connect their respective portions in July. I hope it happens in conjunction with the joint Freedom Festival between the U.S. and Canada held at the Detroit Riverfront which is always a big celebration with a lot of fireworks that go off on multiple barges in the Detroit River across from Windsor.
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What a beautiful day, Linda. I think we have a good weather week ahead. Hopefully you can make up for some of those rain days. 🙂
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Yes, it was very beautiful that day Ruth. I am hearing the same thing about good weather, so I hope to bulk up more miles. I stayed close to home this weekend as I thought the parks along the Detroit River might be busy due to “Free Fishing Weekend” plus I heard the fishflies emerged this week and it was so windy. We had gusts of 25 mph. So no problem, I went to Council Point Park both days.
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I got such a kick out of looking at the squirrel on the top of the picnic table that I almost missed the one underneath! That is an awesome picture Linda!!!
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Thank you Diane – that squirrel on top just looked like it was worn to a frazzle and needed a nap. I like when I see them stretched out like that … makes me smile every time!
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