… well technically I was just leaving the Trapper’s Run Trail, bopping across the parking lot and heading toward the Cherry Island Trail, which, thankfully, would provide some very welcome shade, at least for 75% of the trail anyway. This post is Part 2, the continuation of my September 5th visit to Lake Erie Metropark. Part 1 you may recall was the topic “Flight” and was filled with Egrets and Herons. If you missed that post, it is here.
Despite the weather forecast of a cooler day, it was downright hot! Sometimes you start getting that chill in the air, cardigan weather, once Labor Day passes, but this was hardly the swan song to Summer.
Walking in the wooded area instantly cooled me off, but soon I was at the first overlook and back in the sun again. Portions of the Cherry Island Trail flooded every time it rained and then it took multiple days to dry out. However, in the Spring of 2024, I was pleased to see there had been some improvements made. The park remedied that flooding problem by putting down gravel for pesky low areas, allowing 100% of the trail to remain dry, BUT, the large gravel pieces made for a bumpy walk, subsequently tearing up my thick-soled walking shoes, but at least I got to enjoy the trail more and ultimately reserved one pair of walking shoes, just for Lake Erie Metropark.
Shortly after stepping onto the overlook a breeze sent a few leaves fluttering down, but the water was still calm enough for some awesome reflections in the marsh.
Birds of a feather.
The marsh waterfowl were enjoying the day, despite that green-colored goo on the surface of the water.
A few subtle changes indicated Summer was on the wane.
It seems I had been photographing the American Lotuses all Summer and they had finally reached their peak in late August. There were some stragglers sans blooms which lingered …
… but in other places the Lotuses were still blooming.
Phragmites swayed slightly in the breeze.
The same-old, same-old group of dead trees greeted me on the last bend before the boat launch area.
A few boaters were enjoying the day … once again I looked for seagulls on buoys, but since there were none, this photo will have to suffice for the boat launch area.
The Cherry Island Trail incorporates part of Cherry Isle, where the boat launch area is located and where, every September through December, you will see lots of birders and photographers, binoculars or cameras pressed to their faces, all hopeful for a sight or shot of raptors in this annual raptor migration. There was just a small crowd seen below as it was early on in the migration.
As I approached the area near where some members in the group stared intently at the sky, I heard someone say excitedly “did you see how big it was?” I was curious and looked up and saw what I thought was an Osprey, so I snapped a photo.
I think I’m going to start a new feature that includes “the one that got away” … yes, I got this picture, but did I really see that Baldie to admire it? Yes, I learned it was a huge Bald Eagle that went overhead.
Or what about this bird – likely a seagull which took flight maybe from the shutter clicking.
As I meandered along the Cherry Island Trail I saw this peaceful setting – how’s this for harmony? I like how the turtles often stick out one leg … do they repeat that with the other leg to get an even tan? Perhaps it helps them balance better?
There were no new birds that day. I was getting spoiled there for a while as every trip yielded a new bird for me, even a fun, up-close visit with a muskrat munching Lotus leaves.
Yes, no new birds, but ducks are always a welcome sight.
There were Mallards amidst the Lotus leaves and feathers were a’flyin’ from late Summer molting.
I took a closer look – yes, these were the same Mallards I’d photographed several times before, in the exact same place and exact same pose. But there they were again, posing so nicely and they looked right at me … hey, I wasn’t going to disappoint them and not take their picture, right? 🙂
Gold was the color of the day … not only the golden Locust and Poplar tree leaves that had begun to litter the path …
… but also Summer Goldenrod …
… and some wild Black-eyed Susans.
The Purple Loosestrife was still going strong, woven in amongst the Goldenrod.
Some trees had portions that had already turned color. I understand this was not necessarily Fall’s imminent arrival, but the trees were stressed from Summer’s heat. These spent thistles looked pretty with their delicate fibers.
My notes for this walk were that despite the weather forecaster saying it was a “coolish” day, it was hot, however, he also gave a long-range forecast for a hot, not just warm, Fall – he was correct about that as Summer-like temps were with us throughout the Fall allowing me to recoup any walking miles lost in the January-February 2024 icy weather and rainy Spring (which turned out to be similar for the same time period in 2025).
The theme for Terri’s Challenge today is “Parks” as June is National Outdoors Month.
Many of you have commented that I am lucky to be surrounded by so many parks and I agree with you. Unbelievably, there are many more parks in Southeast Michigan that I’ve not visited yet, or don’t visit on a regular basis. I visit Lake Erie Metropark a lot and I was there a good chunk of today. The Huron-Clinton Metroparks (there are 13 altogether) celebrate their 85th anniversary this year.
Revisiting Council Point Park … without pictures.
For many years if someone asked about my personal favorite park to visit, I would not have had to think twice and answered Council Point Park. No, I am not remiss by not writing about my favorite nature nook with this photo challenge, but these days, the ambiance of my favorite nature nook is totally gone – the shoreline looks as horrible as it did a year ago when they ripped it apart, with now very low levels of brownish-colored water despite all our rainfall in May. I’ve not seen any more Egrets or Herons lately and certainly no Mute Swans will descend for a dip in the Ecorse Creek as in the past. We had a few Canada geese families which are gone now because there is ongoing construction, with contractors installing huge cement sewer pipes from the parking lot to the Creek, resulting in torn-up grounds and cement sewer pieces everywhere.
I’ve not yet seen those promised native plants along the shoreline, just some straggly weeds and grass, the latter the result of lawn patch applied along the shoreline last Fall. However, 20 trees were planted yesterday to replenish those that were destroyed last year. So yes, the ambiance is awful, but what I miss the most is the many squirrels begging at my feet, or birds flitting from tree to tree as I walk along in order to snag peanuts in the shell, peanut chips or sunflower seeds. Sometimes there are only a couple of squirrels, down from earlier this Spring. I know I’ll be happy if I see a few nursing Mama squirrels as that means we will increase our squirrel population, although I am a realist and know that it will never be the same as before the Winter of 2024-2025.
Sadly, there are no Mama Robins nesting in the trees and most of all, as you can imagine, the absence of Parker, my long-time furry friend, makes every trip there sad and boring. I hope the critters and the ambiance return one day, but will I still be around to enjoy it?
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
Sorry to hear that your favourite park has been decimated by the bureaucratic shovels and that Parker is gone, as his cousins are too.
Whoever made that bone headed decision should be planted themselves!
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It will never be the same Wayne. There was no need for ripping apart the shoreline because they said “it will help where there are flooded basements near the Park” but the homes are still flooding when there are big rains. Why did they not try doing the cement sewers they are installing now, a year ago, before doing all the destruction? You can plant trees and native plants until you are blue in the face, but habitats were destroyed and it will lack ambiance, so why even bother?
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The area where me and my brother got into nature as children and escaped during lockdown has been bought by developers and is slowly being destroyed despite being a SSSI site. Here it is money over nature. It hurts.
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I know just how you feel Andy as these are my same sentiments about Council Point Park. It is like “selling out” instead of keeping nature intact and being able to enjoy it. Those who do not enjoy nature do not understand. That’s very sad. I hope that Titchfield Haven is considered a place which will go untouched by developers.
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let’s hope that it does grow back some what over the years.
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I hope so too Wayne and it’s my understanding that neighborhood basements are still flooding, so perhaps all this destruction of the ambiance and habitat was for naught.
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lets hope not
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Yes.
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I was starting to comment but had to log in then…nothing. Anyhow, I love all those incredible reflections you captured, Linda. That golden September light, wow! I’m amazed at how many metro parks there are, even though you might not visit each one. Its a shame to read the one renovated area is still a mess. I feel sad for the critters that lost their habitat. But nature will have her way some day. Good for you for getting outdoors every day. Have a good week!
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WordPress sometimes – grrr. I was unsubscribed for the second time to a blogger I’ve been following for several years. Because he had/has a regular posting schedule, I knew to go to his actual site. It was such a pretty day Terri and not only the golden light and reflections but the goldenrod was gorgeous as well. Our 13 Metroparks are doing something that will interest you Terri. They are sponsoring free swimming lessons at their 13 parks (that have swimming pools) as well as partnering with the “Y” and schools to eliminate drowning deaths. We have a lot of drowning deaths in Michigan – we are known as the Great Lakes State. I know you used to teach swimming – one of your pics in your post yesterday was you giving swimming lessons. As for Council Point Park, the joy in going there is gone – from the ambiance to the critters. It was like going to a large park on a small scale for me almost every day since 2013. I hope it will return to what it was one day, but likely not for a long time.
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That is so great to hear, Linda, about free swim lessons. The city of Sacramento did that in low income neighborhoods. I taught swim lessons and was a lifeguard in 1980-82. Years later I was the Aquatics Director for Sacramento. I kept my WSI just so I could teach for fun. Swimming/water safety injuries and accidents are sad yet preventable. Kudos to Michigan!
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I thought that would interest you Terri. They are also providing bathing suits and goggles to 1,600 low-income families if needed. They said lessons alone cost about $140.00 per person, so they hope to prevent drowning deaths with this incentive.
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I got tickled at the swan song to summer near your pictures of swans.
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Glad to give you a smile Anne. I decided to stick that swan in since I had some other swan pics to share. Do people even use that expression anymore?
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I presume people know about swan songs, but maybe I’m behind the times.
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Well, I am behind the times then too Anne. I like that expression, though I can’t say I hear it spoken all that much.
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Wonderful bird photos and reflection Linda. That path must have been razor sharp rocks to destroy your shoes. That work is ongoing but in a couple of years hopefully thing will have righted themselves
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Thank you Brian! I love water reflections and it was calm enough to get some very clear reflections that day. We have been plagued by high winds nearly daily for months, so it’s difficult to get nice reflections, besides having some “camera shake” as well. The gravel is not so much sharp, as chunky, so chunky that it is wearing down the soles of my shoes as I travel over it and I can feel the rocky path under my feet as I walk. My shoe soles are very thick and my shoes generally last me a year or longer, rarely wearing out completely and then are relegated to the garden. Good that I can at least get on this trail now that it’s no longer soggy. Wearing boots for the mud/water doesn’t work so well for long walks. I hope they fix Council Point Park up – they destroyed the habitats of all the animals and ripped up two miles of shoreline and it just looks horrible now, not to mention the critters have not returned. The noise from the machines has no doubt scared the birds as well. I began walking there in 2013, so feel like I know every nook and cranny in that venue.
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Wonderful bird photos and reflection Linda.
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Thank you Raj, I’m glad you enjoyed the photos.
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Wonderful photos, Linda! So sorry that things are not the same. There are a lot less creatures here too, these days. But there are plenty of small birds still around… and i say a huge Heron flying today. 😊
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“saw” was meant… Typo!
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Thank you Tom – this is a great park for seeing Herons and Egrets as it is filled with marshes. I saw a pair of Mute Swans with cygnets yesterday, so that was a treat. The family was a little far away, but they were very small cygnets. I’ve never seen cygnets that small. I have walked at Council Point Park since 2013 and this destruction is just horrible. So many habitats were destroyed, so birds and squirrels have probably relocated as they aren’t there anymore. Suspecting the worst, from coyotes and eagles snatching up the squirrels leaves me very sad. Now, this park is just an asphalt path to me now … zero ambiance.
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I especially enjoy the swans and mallards 🙂
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Thank you Anne – they do have a lot of both at this venue. In fact, I was there yesterday and saw a Mute Swan pair with very small cygnets, so that was a treat to see.
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Changes for sure. Not for the better it would seem. I like those turtles who don’t have a care in the world.
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No, sadly Council Point Park will never be the same, no matter what future plans they have for it. Someone told me they want to make it into a historical landmark park (there was a bit of history happened there about 260 years ago), but I don’t see that happening. I have seen a lot of turtles sunbathing this Spring season. I imagine it feels good to them, having spent the cold months buried beneath the silt beneath the water.
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Beautiful reflection shots to start off! The turtles with their legs outstretched, and the Mallard closeups are great too. 😀 Lovely to see the goldenrod contrasted with the purple. It is sad what happened to your favourite park. I hope it will be restored to somewhat of its former glory.
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Thank you Debbie! I love water reflections and the water was calm enough to get some nice full-length shots. The turtles seem to be a photo favorite as they have a nice calming effect. I have seen more turtles sunning on logs this season than ever before. I know goldenrod is invasive, but it looks so pretty when it is all over this park in late Summer, especially paired with the purple loosestrife, which is also considered invasive. I feel badly about Council Point Park, which was the park where I walked nearly every day until I started going to larger venues, but even after going to larger parks, I still went almost every day, before driving to bigger parks, just for one mile and to feed the critters. I hope it looks like it once did in my lifetime.
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That’s so sad about Council Point Park. It’s taking long to do whatever they are doing. Perhaps Parker had moved on to the next park?
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Yes Kate it is … it only took about an hour to do the initial destruction in May 2024, ripping apart the shoreline, one mile altogether, on the shoreline side of the Park. The other side is near a residential area and was untouched until this sewer construction mess that started about three weeks ago. I would like to think Parker moved into the nearby neighborhood or to Lions Park, which is a smaller park a half-mile away. There were a lot of squirrels and birds at Council Point Park too – now all are gone. How did we go from 30-40 squirrels down to one squirrel? At least in March when I began walking on a regular basis, when the ice and snow had melted, I had seven squirrels. I hate going there now to be honest, but walking in the neighborhoods, you have to watch for cars and uneven sidewalks or stray dogs – big dogs.
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As always, I love your photos. The turtles stretching their legs is fun – is that the inspiration for turtles cheesecake? 🙂
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Thank you JP! Everyone seems to enjoy seeing the turtles, stretched out, basking in the sun. I see a lot of turtles in my walks and just saw some more yesterday and yes, hanging one leg out probably for balance is fun. I have never had turtles cheesecake so I Googled it – looks yummy with all that chocolate and caramel. My grandmother and mother were fond of Turtles chocolates. I never got to eat them as “you’ll pull your fillings out!” How I got fillings I don’t know since I wasn’t allowed to eat candy – it was probably from the hard candies my grandmother gave me on the sly.
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Your photos of the swan create an interesting optical illusion, as if a wholly different shape. “Phragmites”? I’ve heard of termites and even Vegemite but that’s a new one on me. And the turtles are always a hit with me. Fun to see their “anchors” to keep them in place on the log.
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The reflections were awesome that day Dave, especially for a big bird like a swan. They are such elegant birds – I just saw a pair with very small cygnets yesterday at this same park. The Phragmites are the tall, feathery-looking marsh reeds and can grow 10 to 12 feet tall. They are everywhere, not only in the marsh parks, but also along highways, rural roads and homeowners get frustrated with them as they can disrupt sewer systems, clog drains with their roots and they are bad at marshy areas as they crowd out native plants. Everyone seemed to like the turtles and I have taken many more photos of turtles I’ve not rolled out yet, so stay tuned. 🙂
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Wonderful pictures of the ducks and flowers and turtles. So much to see on your walks. 🙂
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Thank you Sandra – I’m glad you liked the photos! There are so many waterfowl at this park every time I’m there. I was there yesterday and saw a pair of Mute Swans with cygnets, so that was exciting to see. The cygnets were very young – unfortunately they weren’t all that close to me, but I got one shot which made me happy. It is 5-miles square, so lots to see.
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Miss Linda……………………..it was anice visit of so many swans and ducks and geese…………..thank you for the visit
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Glad you enjoyed the visit with all the waterfowl here Ann Marie. Yesterday when I was there, there was a swan family with tiny cygnets. I couldn’t tell how many there were as I wasn’t that close, but it was fun to see.
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You got some really nice reflections photos, Linda. I could join you in the “One that gotaway” theme. LOL!
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Thank you Ruth – it was a beautiful sunny day to get those reflections. I think it would be a fun regular feature to have, kind of like a Wordless Wednesday. I could find plenty of samples too. 🙂
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Linda, what happened to Parker? How long has he been gone? Did the squirrels all leave because of them tearing up the park?
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HI Joni – I’ll find the post I wrote while you were on a blogging break and put it in a separate comment for you to read and see the photos, but the short version is this: last May 8th, a huge amphibious vehicle came and ripped apart the Ecorse Creek to widen it on either side, supposedly to have better water flow and prevent flooding in some nearby homes. The water level is very low now and the water is brown and dirty.
Not only did they rip up the Ecorse Creek, but bulldozers took down every tree and bush along the two-mile shoreline. They did this in nesting season – trees were cut down, with nests in them (squirrels and birds). One walker saw turtles flipping into the air as they dredged the Creek and mother squirrels carrying their dead babies from the fallen nests. I’m glad I saw neither of those things … I had already walked that morning and they started shortly after I left.
So, they did this destruction, then left everything there for about three months while they worked in the water and further down the Creek – the other walking loop (there are two, one-mile loops, but all the critters hang out in the one that was destroyed the most and where I always walk as the other side is boring with in-line skating rink and playground equipment). Finally in August, they picked up all the dried-up debris. In the Fall they put that turquoise grass patch down to encourage grass growth but there is some grass, mostly weeds and they left a lot of tree stumps that are very large, so they can’t get rid of them – that looks very bad. They cleared the other side of the Creek which had been woods before and not accessible to walkers. So they cleared out the habitat of some coyotes evidently as there were lots of them nearby and in the Park – you could see them watching the Park sometimes from the other side.
I didn’t get to the Park for many weeks in late January/February as they don’t plow the path and our City streets were not treated for the ice and I had ice in my driveway for weeks. I made a little path to the garage with “ice melt pellets” but that was it. When I returned to the Park walking regularly in early March, instead of 30-40 squirrels, there were seven and now it is down to one squirrel and no birds. I fed the birds too as you may recall. One walker, who walked there all Winter (he doesn’t mind walking on the treacherous ice evidently) asked me if I saw coyote tracks on the snow on the frozen Creek. Everything froze over from the Polar Vortex and he said coyotes crossed over and got the squirrels. He said he saw two Bald Eagles at the Park as well. I worried about them not having food nor being able to access food due to the ground being frozen, snow and/or ice covered, or they might freeze to death. But this walker seems to think their fate was due to coyotes or eagles. The last few times I’ve been there, I saw one squirrel who came over to greet me. It is not Parker, although this squirrel does come running over … I don’t think it is him. I am heartbroken as this was my favorite park to walk in – the larger parks are very nice, but this was just big enough to walk, enjoy the natural setting. I would not go to the bigger parks every day.
Now they are doing a large construction job with cement sewers and they have dug up the parking lot and a large area of the Park grounds. They planted 20 trees on Saturday to replace the trees they removed for the Project, but it will be a long time until they look like anything. Supposedly, they are planting native plants along the shoreline too – I have not seen any yet.
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That is really sad. Was this a local decision? Or the state? I don’t know who is in charge of maintaining your parks, but you have so many of them, it must cost a lot. Was there any local input into the decision?
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Yes, I am sad about what happened here Joni. The pictures show just what devastation they caused and the Ecorse Creek runs through several different cities so they are widening the Creek in all the cities, however, some cities, it is “just a Creek” – there is no park, there are no wildlife habitats, nothing scenic, just a creek running through an empty field. It was organized by the county as it impacts several cities. The mayor of our city is gone now after the last election and when I asked if they could start after nesting season, he said “the animals would be fine” – something to that effect, I put his quote in the post. He probably never went to this park a day in his life. A lot of people probably don’t care anything about it, but it was a little gem in this City, which doesn’t have a whole lot else to crow about and was established in 1994, so trees and bushes were well established, to just cut them down and do that much devastation.
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Joni – here is the initial post I did after the May 2024 destruction showing what they did to the shoreline. The slideshow shows the big mess they did. I think I have another post about what happened to the squirrels, or what this male walker presumes happened to them. I worried they froze to death or starved to death … we don’t know for sure.
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That is really sad….and cruel…..and unnecessary. What a poor decision they made, without consultation of the people who use it too!
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I agree – it looks horrible there and they left it like that until August. I did a post in August after they finally cleaned it up – I didn’t send that one to you as it looked the same as the first post I did after the devastation. But the tree stumps began to grow leaves and the weeds were up to my waist … nice mess.
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Here is the most-recent post Joni. It tells you what I mentioned in the first comment about what I learned about what likely was the scenario for the squirrels. I don’t know whether to trust Henry, but he was there for all those weeks in Winter and I was not. The eagles were there as they go to Dingell Park to fish from the ice floes … Dingell Park is very close to Council Point Park, so that makes sense too. I was sorry I asked Henry to be honest, but I didn’t like the scenario of them freezing or starving to death either – the ground was frozen for weeks due to the bitter cold weather and snow/ice. So I did this post with lost of pics of Parker through the years.
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I prefer to think that the squirrels, including Parker, moved on to new neighbourhoods. Every creature has the instinct to survive. I don’t think the coyote theory is that feasible.
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I prefer to think that too Joni. I don’t like the coyote theory at all. I really doubted they froze to death, although we had several bouts of brutal weather including the Polar Vortex, but they all sleep together in one nest and they get extra body fat and heavier fur as Winter approaches. But their reliable food source (me) was absent. The 20 trees they planted – none are along the shoreline to make up for what they tore down … makes no sense to me at all, none of it.
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PS. Now that you’re painting, you should immortalize Parker with his own children’s book. I think I suggested that way back when, as a retirement project? Or you could use some of your photos and create a storyline. Maybe a book about what havoc “progress” caused to those creatures who lived in the park, although that might be too sad for kids…..
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You know I like that idea Joni. When I took the two classes in April at the Downriver Council for the Arts, I was walking around the gift shop and bought a small 3 X 5 pic of a squirrel done in ink and watercolor and also a rabbit drinking tea, both by the same artist. Honestly, for someone who can draw/paint, the art probably took them five minutes tops to draw, especially the squirrel … I just liked the simplicity of it, so I will try to do those pictures for myself for a post. You’re right – that would be nice to do … an ambitious little project maybe for Squirrel Appreciation Day (every January) as I agree, it might be too sad for kids. Think of Charlotte, in “Charlotte’s Web” which was sad, even though it was a spider (a critter I loathe). When I was a kid and read books like “Old Yeller” or “The Red Pony” and that animal died, I was heartbroken about it.
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Good idea, but you could also do one just on Parker’s day to day life – his nest, his friends, the birds and ducks, his special lady friend you etc. A Day in the Park with Parke?
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I like that idea … leaving out the not-so-nice details which are sad. I always thought it would be fun to do a book, just a fun book for kids, similar to the Golden Books we read as kids. Heck, if the celebrities can do it, then so could I, right?
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Right! Go for it – A Day in the Park with Parker – he could be famous!
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I keep thinking how difficult could it be to paint one … that picture from Downriver Council for the Arts is a few pen strokes and a quick wash of brown and white … easier for me as it would be all brown for Parker. There are so many videos on YouTube by Julia and others … they make it look so effortless. The key is to do one sketch/painting, or even a sketch every day – practice makes perfect.
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I wonder though I you could use your photos instead, pick out the best ones, and tell a story with them, just like you do on your blog – publish it as an e-book? I don’t even know if they have pictorial e books? Just a thought….
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Hi Joni – I just Googled and yes they do. I never thought about doing that. I thought you meant to create (sketch/paint) the photos. I did have some cute pictures of him through the years. I had a lot of my favorites in the second post that I sent to you.
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How nice you don’t have to walk around puddles but I would twist an ankle on the stones and your poor shoes! I hope you get to take some pictures of the pelicans this year. Your reflection pictures are beautiful as always.
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Thank you Diane – I like reflections too and this was a good day for them. I hope I get some pelican photos too. This year, I’ll go to Sterling State Park as soon as that photographer posts photos of them there. I couldn’t last year due to the landscaping/gutter project going on. That same photographer posted some pics of pelicans migrating through and they were at Erie Marsh in Monroe about three or four weeks ago. I’ve never heard of that place before. It is not around here and there was a lot of construction going on nearby at the time, so I passed that opportunity up. We had a gravel driveway when we lived in Canada – it was a brand-new subdivision so there were the same type of gravel roads and driveways and it was rough walking on it. But now, even with my heavy-soled shoes, I feel all the bigger gravel pieces.
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lovely pics
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Thank you Ananda.
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How lovely that you get to see swans in one of the parks you visit. Such beautiful creatures. Years ago our son, just 2 1/2 at the time, saw swans for the first time at a lake we visited. “Look Mommy!” he cried. “Ugly ducklings!”
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I am lucky to see those Mute Swans Nancy and on Sunday I saw a pair of swans with cygnets, so that was exciting. They were a bit far away, so I couldn’t tell if there were five or six of them. Your son was paying attention to the nursery rhymes you read to him wasn’t he? I remember that story from when I was a little girl and enjoyed it. 🙂
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I love all your bird pictures, and I find the one leg thing interesting on the turtles. Turtles are one of my many favorite things. I’m traveling and am so far behind in reading emails and other blogs and even in writing my own. But I enjoyed this walk with you.
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Thank you Dawn, I’m glad you liked the photos and joining me in this walk. The turtles fascinate me too and I have taken many photos of them this Spring. I think the turtles are happy to be above water after our very cold Winter, so sunbathing is their favorite past time. I am behind right now too and I’m not even traveling. Safe travels to you!
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You got some lovely photos of the ducks, swans, turtles and the late summer colors. I, too, have quite a few photos of the of “the one that got away.” My theory is that at least it proves that you saw it. 🙂
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Thank you Rebecca – it was a beautiful day with hints of color leading up to Fall, my favorite season. I like your theory on “the one that got away” and I never thought of it as proof that yes I saw it, but I will going forward! I know I have come home with many photos of squirrel tails, minus bodies, as they run so quickly. 🙂
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🙂
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Hi Linda – this part 2 post really came together well. It also was nice today – to see the end of summer photos and hear your thoughts about it – because summer is just starting and it feels hopeful.
Those were some excellent reflections on that calm water…. And the photo of the dead tree tops was maybe my fav of the post – maybe! But I really like the line vibes and think it would look nice in a large frame. I felt a bit sad about Council Park – and the loss of Parker – and the other friends there – So glad they planted some new trees and hope the fauna and wildlife comes back.
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Thank you Yvette – I am glad you liked the post, especially the group of dead trees. I really like reflection pictures too and it was a beautiful day for reflections at the marsh with a hint of Fall in the air with the falling leaves and vibrant yellows. It is funny you mention that group of dead trees. I wrote about the same trees in another post a few months ago and used it as the header photo because I had learned a new word on that walk: “snag”. I was walking along on this trail, having just taken the shot of this group of dead trees, (mostly as there had been nothing much to take photos of that day and I thought they were stunning against the sky), when I came upon a man and woman who were looking at something in the distance. They said “do you see it?” They were all excited about “it” and he had a camera, she had binoculars and I didn’t see anything, so they parted some bushes for me to lean in further and he said ““do you see it now – the Cedar Waxwing – it’s there in the snag?!” Well I was still stumped as I know what a Cedar Waxwing is, but not a “snag” and I didn’t want to appear dumb about it so I said I saw it, clicked the shutter button and that night I learned a “snag” is a dead tree. As for Council Point Park, I am very upset about what they have done with this little nature nook – they have taken a little nature park with ambiance and wildlife – yes, we had geese, ducks, egrets, herons, even swans, in addition to songbirds and squirrels and have turned it into an unrecognizable mess, without any wildlife. They did plant the 20 trees, but not in an area which will beautify the Park, but instead they are scattered all throughout the Park, none close to the water. It will be years before these saplings are large.
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well thanks- now I know what a snag is too
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You’re welcome – it was a first for me Yvette.
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;0)
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I envy your parks! There is one right down the road from us, but it’s just for walking and has a playground for the kids; no wildlife.
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I am lucky Linda – we have lots of nice parks around here and many of them within ten miles from my home. I hope they get Council Point Park back together one day, as it was my absolute favorite place to walk … there was wildlife … we even had deer occasionally passing through, a raccoon or two, groundhogs, plus many birds and waterfowl. When I was still working, it was my go-to place to walk before I went to work (I worked from home) and got me interested in a long-forgotten photography hobby.
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I am so sorry about Council Point Park, that is so disheartening and sad. I hope it comes back to it’s former glory and becomes your favourite again Linda. You do have a lot of parks in the area! We have not been out for a while but maybe this weekend. The weather has finally been somewhat decent.
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Thanks Susan. It is discouraging to even go there now as it certainly not the same. The City had a gem with this little park, right in the middle of a residential area, with houses across the street on one side, the Creek and a woodsy area on the other. But no more. They planted 20 trees, here, there and everywhere with no rhyme or reason to it. By the time it resembles what it once looked like, if that is possible, I will be old and gray and too old to walk there anymore. We have had rain most of today and last night – maybe good for the weekend they say. Our weather forecasters did predict a gray and rainy Spring, so they were right about that. I hope you guys can get a bit to see some nature while all the babies are around. 🙂
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Yes, we need to find some time to get out and do some photography. I missed getting to Algonquin this spring to see the calves, moose calves I mean. Yes we are getting older, faster so we need to always be doing things lol
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I know you always go to Algonquin, especially for the moose. I thought of you today as I was watching some videos about D-Day and Normany Beach, historical film from that day, some of the boys which had been colorized and some which had their older selves on the other side of the plane. I know you got to visit there recently. They showed how they make the gravestones look gold from the sand from the Normandy Beach. I had read or watched that grave maintenance story before. I just mentioned you two to another blogger who moved to South Carolina from Colorado – he/wife are battling gnats and bought mosquito netting hats with netting for their faces. I said you wore them for the mosquitoes as I remembered from your photos. He wrote another comment today that he bought “No Natz” a botanical spray recommended by their local farm supply company. They own horses, so are outdoors a lot. Bugs are a pain. A friend of mine grew up in Charleston, South Carolina and told me about the palmetto bugs and how they would get into their houses in the Summer.
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I’ll have to look into that spray especially as it’s botanical. I love how they show the younger and older selves of people. I’ve been watching some videos too and it’s unbelievable that the world went through those times. All those lives lost and we never seem to learn.
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Dave didn’t say anymore about it except the name and it is botanical and he got it at a farm supply store. I just looked and it is available on Amazon too and good for mosquitoes. They have one for ticks (No Tickz) but it does not say it is botanical. Sprays are problematic for handling the camera though unless you’re just using them for hiking. I switched to clothes/hats with SPF 50 to not have to use sunscreen when I have the camera. I’m amazed the videos are so clear from back then. I am also fascinated when people do the “morph pics” like they have done with Queen Elizabeth, taking her portraits through the years as she grows older. No, considering all the unrest in the world right now we have not learned the damage that war brings.
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Hi Susan – I am sure I have your e-mail address, but I’m going to forward you three French-learning places I learned about … I checked out the first two on YouTube and the third one is an app. The first was simple stories … I could follow along the first two. 🙂
Alice Ayel on YouTube, French School TV on YouTube and Busuu (language learning app) – it has a subscription-free option
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Thank you Linda! You can always use TrumsTravels@gmail.com if you don’t have my personal email 🙂
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You’re welcome Susan – I was looking for your last comment to see your address and I had not posted for a few days, so it was just easier this way. I thought you were in my Collected Addresses. If I see any other tips, I’ll send them your way. Every so often one person will say they need to practice more as Duolingo’s exercises are often repetitive, so three people piped up with sites they use.
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I’m late commenting from last week. I enjoyed your post. It is hard when parks aren’t kept up as they should be. Especially when they are a favorite. I enjoyed your photos. I love visiting parks of all kinds.
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Thank you Kirstin. I am behind myself many times. I really do feel badly about Council Point Park and my group of squirrels especially. They were the subject of many posts and I took many photos of them and this Park for over a dozen years. I don’t know if it can ever be the same again to be honest. I love visiting parks too – this is my favorite time of year as there are lots of babies too. So far I’ve seen ducklings, one set of cygnets and lots of goslings. I will have more goslings for this Sunday and next Sunday.
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Somehow the pictures you took captured how hot it was that day. I love the picture of the rope tied around the piling. I do miss nautical scenes like that… Maybe the turtles like to stretch out their muscles one leg at a time, like cats do. I always enjoy your mallard portraits. That’s such a shame about the ugly disruptions at Council Point Park. I hope it recovers some day.
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Thanks Barbara, I am glad you enjoyed the pictures and that the nautical scene of the rope around the piling reminded you of your days living near the water. The Mallards look so peaceful floating along with the Swans in a communal atmosphere don’t they? That makes sense about the turtles stretching their leg muscles. I noticed it a lot this year because it seemed like I saw more turtles than usual – they are glad to be above water, not buried below in the silt, like they were all Winter. I feel Council Point Park will take a long time to recover, if it ever can. No one seems to care about it but me to be honest. When it was first ripped apart on May 8, 2024, there were comments, by not only the walkers amongst themselves, but also in the Facebook forums for our City. Now, no one even comments on it. The same walkers go there – they are there to do their steps, or walk their dogs, (it’s not a dog park and there is an ordinance posted, but they do walk with dogs anyway), so as for the ambiance, or the wildlife, they could care less. Many are looking down at their phones while walking. I feel sad every time I go there now and seeing one squirrel, no birds, except an occasional Robin, I might as well walk in the neighborhood, which is what I do now most days, especially while this cement sewer construction is happening.
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It’s hard letting go of the memories of a place we have loved so well. I hope you find a new area where you can find more creatures to feed and recover some of the joy you are missing now. Change can be so difficult to adjust to — I know that firsthand. You have my sympathy!
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I know you understand Barbara and experienced it firsthand, first with the loss of the Captain, then your move from where you always were close to the water. Sadly, (and perhaps stupidly as well), I thought the City would rush to restore Council Point Park to a little of its past ambiance because this year our City celebrates its centennial. They have no celebrations planned, probably cake … like the 75th, but this would have been nice.
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Glad of the link as somehow I did miss part 1
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Thanks for taking a look at the other link too Andy.
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