What Do You Do

What do you do when the winter days lag on.

Do you sit indoors until you are positively sure the day is fine and there's no need for heavy clothing.

Or do you head outdoors anyway, and hope for a  pleasant walk with pleasant company across muddy ground where ice is still around.

I dragged my not-too-reluctant husband to go for a short walk through the marsh paths for some fresh air on the weekend. Maybe you're all tired of seeing the marsh over and over again, so my apologies. I seem to recall doing the same thing last year, although there were heaps of snow around then, and the temperatures were -20C on a good day. On Sunday it was about 8C, although it may have been warmer, but let's just say it was beautiful. No hat required. 

Lots of folks were easing their restless cabin fever by heading down to the marsh with us. The parking lot was full, and the paths were crowded. Everyone had seeds for the little birds (well, except me). I stole a couple of handfuls from an overflowing feeder at one area, and carried it around with me in my pocket to feed the hopeful chickadees that flitted through the trees and bushes alongside the paths. There were a few other furry hopefuls enjoying the handouts as well!

Walking from one area called Lynde Marsh, to an area called Cranberry Marsh (below), the crowds thinned out considerably. Both marshes are still iced over, so no waterfowl there yet. They were all gathering on the other side of this line of trees out on Lake Ontario. Very soon some of them will move into the protected waters of the marsh to set up house among the bullrushes and fallen trees. On Sunday Cranberry Marsh had a very melancholy atmosphere ...so still and quiet.

A tiny brown creeper was flitting up and down and around this tree searching for sun-warmed bugs. Rather a difficult bird to capture as he never stops moving! Missed his head in this shot, but it's all I got.

 Humungus fungus ...

The path that takes you down to the lake. The chickadees along here weren't quite as aggressive, and they were even a little bit timid in coming to my hand. I always like the look in these abandoned fields of the red branches of willow? dogwood? (not sure). Very bright against the leaden skies.

Lots of activity with the Canada Geese honking and flying back and forth. They get very vocal and restless when the spring weather comes.

A quiet spot down at the lake where we can sit out of the wind and enjoy a sun-warmed bench as we watch the geese and ducks bobbing on the lake. 

On the way back to the parking lot we passed a little boy holding out his hand with bits of bread on it hoping the chickadees would come to him. I gave him the last seeds I had in my pocket and told him that chickadees won't come to your hand for bread. I didn't tell him, but bread is not an acceptable food for birds, but there are signs around with all that information.

I have a few more photos of the marsh, but am saving them to join up with Soma at Whims and Fancies on Thursday, February 4 for her Wandering Camera first link party. If you enjoy photography and have a nice photo to share, why not hop over and see what that's about ... maybe you'd like to join in! 

Thanks for stopping by today!

Wendy

This little Marsh Red would like to say "hello" to Linda's City Red ;)