I was in a hurry for 2025 to end … I mean, couldn’t it just flit away quietly like a delicate dragonfly?
Nope – it kept dragging on and on.
It wasn’t just our wobbly weather that haunted me, (a/k/a “the ultimate weather worrier”). That November Winter-like wallop and continuing wintry weather has decimated my walking regimen, but it has also been the non-stop negative news that has swirled about on an everyday basis. I felt weary from listening to any news, be it local, national, or international and any feel-good stories were few and far between. Other than plugging my ears or staying off social media, I couldn’t avoid the negativity.
Breezy, wheezy, freezy, icy and dicey ….
No, this is not a new version of some of the characters we know as the Seven Dwarfs, but they are just a sample of the potpourri of weather conditions we had in Southeast Michigan in 2025. Admittedly, the weather DID play a major role in my disgruntledness. I monitor multiple weather sites daily and fear these weather extremes have become the norm, instead of the exception. How I wish we had more of those perfect weather days that I saw while looking out the window during my school days and/or working days.
Let’s just say Mother Nature and I need to have a little chat.
The year began with snow, but I got to the Park once where I captured a plethora of photos of hungry peanut-eaters. Then came the ice storms, resulting in icy streets, a slick driveway and a slippery sidewalk as I shuffled along to the garage to run my car every morning. The temps were too frigid to melt the ice, even with copious amounts of ice melt pellets, as they stayed in place, as if defying me to shake out more. Unfortunately, I live on the shady side of the street where the sun does not reach this side until very late in the day. When we finally had a small thaw, of course you know I beat it down to the Park to feed the critters, my band of 30-40 furry friends and countless songbirds and woodpeckers that I have provided sustenance to for years.
But, if you’re a longtime reader, you know when I showed up, the usual Snow White scenario did not play out. Where were all the squirrels? Did they starve to death? Freeze to death? Did they become prey to coyotes and eagles as one walker rudely suggested? I’ll never know for sure, but I know as I gingerly stepped along the still-icy perimeter path my heart was broken due to their absence. They had become like pets to me. Even the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Woodpeckers were seemingly MIA. The biggest loss for me was Parker, my long-time, favorite Park squirrel and the subject of countless blog posts.
Wild wintry weather continued throughout February and for weeks I never made it to the Park for fear of falling on the icy ruts and I’ll admit that the lack of Park pals to scamper/fly over to greet me made me less inclined to venture out on those brutally cold and/or icy and dicey days.
Finally the weather moderated and I hit the road, ready with my camera, eager to restore a little normalcy to my life. On March 13th I went on a long walk at Lake Erie Metropark, then stopped at Dingell Park along the Detroit River to see if there were any ice floes left. It was a gorgeous day, a brilliant sun in a flawless blue sky and very warm! I quickly shucked off my layers, strolling along the boardwalk in shirtsleeves – again, it was March 13th! Ice floes floated lazily by, clinking against one another, like ice cubes in a glass.
I was lucky to see waterfowl galore, like these Canada geese admiring their reflection …
… and this Mallard drake, eager to pose for me – yes, I love the Mallards’ orange feet too!
It was a great day, even if I came home with a bad sunburn from the sun’s rays at the waterfront.
That day was exactly one week until Spring. We had one week of beautiful weather following Easter and I went to all my favorite parks, camera in hand, but then it was a rainy May and it was Memorial Day weekend before I visited any big parks. We went from torrential rains and storms that morphed into a nonstop hot and humid Summer that never abated until early September. We have had gusty winds throughout the year and I wonder where it all ends? Oh yes … like other states, Michigan dealt with wildfire smoke and on June 6th Detroit was ranked the worst city in the world for air quality.
I took to the streets … in the ‘hood that is.
I declared the Park off limits to walk for a while when the City embarked on a huge sewer project in early June. I dutifully drove by to check out the progress with cement sewer pipes and heavy machinery. It was the second Summer in a row to wreak havoc on my favorite nature nook. I finally returned to the Park on Labor Day weekend. It began to feel like old times, even though the promised revitalization of the shoreline had not yet begun and remains raggedy looking to date.
The weather and staying away from Council Point Park, my walking go-to spot since 2013, certainly did not bulk up my miles. In early September, the weather finally cooled off and I went out day after day, soaking up the sunshine, walking five or six miles a day in various venues while taking tons of photos. I finally got to take an initial peek at those photos the other day and will roll some of those walks out as I sort through them … except for this dragonfly in the featured image that I was pleased to find on the photo card, my first dragonfly. I wanted to share it now.
Woulda, coulda, shoulda.
Despite walking a lot in September and October, by the time November rolled around, I had doubts I could reach my walking goal of 1,258 miles (2,025 kilometers) and mentioned it to a few of you. You all said “no, you always think that – you will make it and then some.” By Thanksgiving week, the sudden wintry weather arrived and I saw day after day become no-walk days due to ice, snow, brutal temps and gusty winds. The City never plows the Park walking path, so it is full of icy ruts all Winter making my walks few and far between. The weather has been abysmal since Thanksgiving and I bemoaned the piddly 23 miles I lacked to reach my goal. I chastised myself for not going out all those clear, dry, but stinkin’ hot days. Yes, I could have lied and said I clinched my goal. Or, I could tell myself my many miles on the exercise bike translates to lots of walking miles, but I won’t. So, it is the first time since I began tracking my miles in 2012, then I didn’t reach my goal.
So, there it is, I have whined about it and next year, I’ll make a more reasonable goal of 1,000 miles/1,609 kilometers. I used to just add one more mile each year for my new goal and I’ll just do that. Anything topping my goal will be treated as “gravy”. The defeat of the feet is not for lack of spirit to go the extra mile(s), but only the erratic weather. With that said, 1,235 miles/1,987 kilometers is a good amount and represents a lot of walking in 2025 … just not enough.
Other endeavors and news.
I am still chugging along with my French lessons, but terminated my subscription the end of October and just do a daily short French story now. I aim to get to 500 days of French, then exit. I didn’t mind memorizing words and phrases, but the grammar was a pain and I decided I was doing it just for fun and not planning to travel to France, so where would I use it? I remain amazed that during my last two years at Wayne State University I took Advanced French and we only spoke French in the classroom. Did I ace the grammar portion back then?
I dabbled in watercolor painting and took a few courses as I’ve mentioned in prior posts. I recently tried out another artist that I like since Julia has been busy and did not have her landscape painting course. I hope to paint more this year and incorporate paintings into my posts occasionally.
My Birdie Bucket List of coveted birds to see and photograph remains the same as in 2025, so I left the chart as is.
At Sterling State Park, the site of the annual migrating pods of White Pelicans, their 2.7 mile (4.3 km.) Marsh Trail around Sterling Marsh, was under construction from January 2025 and scheduled to open this Summer, but remains closed. Perhaps I’ll pursue those Pelicans in earnest this Fall?
I took a lot of photos in 2025 when I did get out. I’ve gleaned my personal favorites from all my 2025 posts and they are below in slideshows, separated by categories, with captions identifying each one.
Who can resist babies? I know I can’t. Ducklings are sweet; goslings and their siblings make me smile.
There are always lots of “winged things” to photograph, from waterfowl …
… to shorebirds …
… to songbirds, seabirds, rails and raptors …
… and don’t forget the delicate winged beauties like butterflies.
I can’t forget the other creatures, including squirrels (of course).
And these flowers will make you dream of Summer’s beautiful blooms.
So, onward and upward … I’m eager to start racking up the miles as I have zero so far in 2026!
Terri’s Challenge this week is: “Year-in-Review”.
Linda Schaub
WALKIN', WRITIN', WIT & WHIMSY 
I’m sorry you didn’t make your goal, but the weather was against you.
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Thank you Anne. I was really bummed about it, but like you said and I kept telling myself, it was too difficult, especially once it was icy. This Friday will be 54 degrees which is great, but it will rain. I give up!
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How very disappointing!
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Phew, I made it through 2025. Lots to see and do tank Linda,
That Deer has a serious over-bite 😂
The Killdeer is like the plover I posted last week. Strange name for a bird that I doubt would be able to kill a deer
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Brian, I’m glad to be done with 2025 and hope this year is better. I laughed about the deer’s serious overbite and went back to look at the photo again. Yes, it does have one – it needs the name of the orthodontist for your cow from a few weeks ago that I quipped looked like it was smiling at you! 🙂 The Killdeer do look like your Plover and I don’t know why they name them that stilly name. I’ve read their call sounds like “killdeer” but I don’t think so. I can recognize their song and look for them if I hear it.
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That’s a bit of a stretch to reckon that’s what they “say”
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A wonderful year in review, Linda! Sorry to read that the construction hampered walking and shooed much of the wildlife away. I love the geese admiring their reflections! You walk more than anyone i know! I don’t walk as much but I work out at the gym 3 hours a week.
So you cancelled Duolingo? We just re-upped our family plan.
Wishing you a fresh new year and steps! Thanks for your support of Sunday Stills!
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It was fun putting this year in review together Terri. The past few years I told myself to save the favorite shots in a folder so I don’t have to scroll down through 104 posts to cull them out. Will I be smarter this year? I hope so! That afternoon at the Detroit River with all the ice floes and waterfowl was almost magical – how am I in shirtsleeves on March 13th? I did not renew my Duolingo subscription when it came due in early November, but decided to stay there on a no-pay basis and still do lessons, just not have the “extras” BUT, I have an ad blocker, so I can’t access anything but stories without turning it off. I don’t want to lose my streak (436 days), but I’m limited to just stories. I know ’em all by heart now! I’m ready to walk when the ice clears – we have 54 degrees on Friday, but it’s going to rain! You are welcome about Sunday Stills. I am starting to sort my September/October pics slowly … I won’t run out of pics for a long time!
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The goal for walking 2025 kilometers this year is just that, a goal. The true goal is always overshadowed. The true goal is for you to get out and get exercise, enjoy your life to the fullest and to that end, you have succeed! You have far exceeded what most would be satisfied with.
The journey is the destination.
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Thank you for saying that Wayne because I was miserable about not getting to my goal, so that’s why I made the drastic cut in my mileage. It was not for lack of trying – the weather was miserable and continues to be miserable, but we will be 54 this Friday (but raining). The ice will mercifully be gone for the first time since Thanksgiving. I am grateful that I’m healthy to be able to walk the miles that I do, something not everyone my age is able to do. I’m hoping I get to Lake Erie Metropark more this year – I missed seeing any fawns this year, but this was my first Dragonfly and I am excited about that!
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That black saddlebags dragonfly is stunning! I’ve never seen one before! Your winters are keeping you inside the way my summers are keeping me inside. 😦 I don’t know what I’d do without my treadmill to fall back on. Lovely pictures of the geese and mallards on the ice, Linda. I remember that day when Detroit was ranked the worst city in the world for air quality. Missing your goal of 1,258 miles by only 23 miles is remarkable in light of all you had working against you. I’m proud of your accomplishment! Love the pictures of the wood ducks and the osprey and the last one of the killdeer. Enjoyed your summing up of 2025. 🙂
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Glad you liked this post Barbara! Do you recall how excited I was to see and photograph this Dragonfly? You had a Dragonfly photo in a post and I commented about mine. I never looked at the pictures until just last week and was happy it came out. Yes, Mother Nature is thwarting both our attempts to get out in nature and in opposite seasons! I would like to get a small treadmill, but would have to move some furniture around in the basement first; I have to work on the upstairs first – bigtime! Riding my exercise bike is good exercise, but right now I don’t feel like I’d be ready to do much more than two or three miles. I will probably just grin and bear it if it is hot this Summer and walk as I used to at the Park on those days. I used the excuse of the Park’s construction. That wildfire smoke was bad, even with a mask. I have some more Wood Ducks photos to use sometime, though they were in eclipse phase, so the colors won’t be as dramatic. I was at a duck pond in Dearborn and saw about 40-50 ducks, mostly Mallards, maybe 10 Wood Ducks, so that was nice, but the pair I have in this post, was just plain lucky to get out of the car and they were grazing right in front of me.
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The weather wasn’t cooperating, so it’s not your fault if you didn’t reach your goal. You walk a lot more than most people and must be in excellent shape! 👌 Surely the exercise bike miles should count as well.
As always, your photos capture all the beauty nature has to offer. 😍 Wishing you all the best for 2026! 🎨📷
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Thank you Debbie! It was fun putting together all these nature photos and that brightened up my day after knowing I had to “report” on my failed mileage goal. But, as you say, the weather did not cooperate, from January through December and since November, we’ve been dealing with the same weather as you – icy and cold … snow too. The ice is treacherous, so no walk for me since December 26th. I think bike miles should count too – I am going to keep track of bike miles now, which I should have done last year. I am tall and in good shape, but I am not limber, so I’ve been doing a lot of stretches and I want to start a yoga regimen, a CD I bought about five years ago and is still in its shrink wrap. 🙂 I wish you the same for 2026!
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It sounds like a great year even if you were a few miles short of your goal. I didn’t know you could see pelicans in Michigan. I hope you get to see some next year!
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Yes Ruth, it was a great year for photos and health-wise for me too, even if I didn’t reach my goal and even though I fell down hard on my knee (in the house) after tripping over a dustpan and a plastic garbage can lid flipped in the air and landed on the top of my foot, the sharp edge of it making a huge cut. Unfortunately I was wearing moccasins that day, but it was right where I lace up my walking shoes. I use a clean garbage can lid every Fall to keep the A/C grille top clean. Dumb of me in both instances. There are White Pelicans that hang out every Fall at Sterling State Park when migrating from Michigan and I know there are some at Pointe Mouillee in the Summer. I went there once, hoping to see some and only saw a toad hopping along the pathway! 🙂
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I enjoyed the picture show and I’m sorry Mother Nature threw a wrench in your plans. We had a very nice fall but that was about it. Not much of a spring and the summer was hot.
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Thank you Kate! It’s always hard to pick my favorite photos at year end. Mother Nature was something else this year with the weather. It was as icy and brutally cold last January and February as it has been here since November. Spring was rainy/stormy, Summer was stinkin’ hot. Fall was too short, but beautiful. I went on some nice walks at big parks with the camera when it finally cooled off.
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That was a good summary Linda, of a crazy weather years – it must have taken you a long time to do that one!
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Thank you Joni! The weather was crazy from January to December and our weather since Thanksgiving has been awful. We will finally get a break this Friday when it is 54, but just one day and it will rain, but at least as it warms up a little this week, the ice will finally melt. I have not gone to the Park since December 26th, as it’s icy around the house, in the street, so the Park will be even worse as they don’t plow it. It’s always full of icy ruts and I don’t want to risk falling. I’m glad you liked the summary and it did take a long time to do it. This is my third or fourth year-end summary and I always wonder why I don’t just save all of that year’s favorite photos from the current year, but instead, I scroll through looking at 104 posts and picking them from there.
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You had quite a year even if you didn’t make your goal, you were very close. I don’t even set a goal, nor keep track, so I have no idea how I fared.
I have seen white pelicans in two places. One is the retention pond for Dow Chemical up in Midland, and the other is at Shiawasee Nature Preserve near Saginaw. Have they been seen down near you?
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Thank you Dawn – I am lucky to have walked as many walking miles as I did, as I’ve sure not racked them up since Thanksgiving. Now you rack up the driving miles where I don’t. When I began this blog I tried to walk more miles than I drove yearly. I understand that White Pelicans are often spotted at Pointe Mouillee. I follow the Detroit Bird Alliance (f/k/a Detroit Audubon) on Facebook and they posted pictures of them, so I went out once, walked forever along the shoreline and saw Cormorants and a toad, that was it. I know they migrate through Sterling State Park every Fall as I follow a photographer who takes pics of them there, but they closed the main trail all year. I hope they come through this year.
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I love bluebirds but haven’t seen any in person. A lady I know has them come to her backyard and she has great photos of them. Kestrels are also very cute and I have only seen one once when we were in Northern Ontario. Happy January Linda ! The month with what feels like, 200 days lol.
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Thanks for the year end review! Goals should always be flexible. At least, that’s what I tell myself as I fuss at myself for not meeting a goal.🤷♀️🤦♀️
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