Thursday, April 06, 2017

Early Spring at the Marsh

A while ago, back on March 16 to be precise, I took the kids down to the marsh. It was a very cold and windy day, and the snow hadn't quite left. Now the snow is all gone from our area. I took a few shots of our walk around the old farm that once existed here.


It was a gorgeous spring day with that brilliant blue sky. 
Don't you just love white birches against the blue?


I've often admired the colours in this little stretch of path. 
The white of the birch, the red of the dogwood and the golden grasses.






 We soon arrived at the old farmstead spot. All that's left is the big grain silo and the foundations of the barn. You can still see the stalls for the cows. It's a nice spot for a farm right here along the edge of Lake Ontario. I hope whoever lived here enjoyed the beauty around them. How could they not?





 On the return trip to the van I started pointing out animal tracks to the kids and asking them what animal they thought made them. I think a fox leaves tracks like this (I hope it wasn't just an ordinary house cat).


Didn't know this one ...


Rabbit ... easy


and turkey ...


Haven't been out for walks since that day. Things turned topsy turvy for me, and the weather turned topsy turvy for outdoor adventures! We've had a fair bit of rain and dark, grey days. We're all itching to get outside now. On the weekend, I saw this beautiful creature sniffing around the backyard ... right before he scuttled under our shed :[  We've named him Fluffy Tail and although there's the obvious fear/repulsion of these critters, they sure are beautiful! I haven't seen the skunk again, but I kind of hope I do so I can get a better photo. I've been keeping Cody to short visits outside this week. 



Thanks for stopping by!

Wendy




33 comments:

  1. Hello Wendy, wonderful collection of images from your walk. Looks like a beautiful day and sky. The skunk photo are cool, I do not get to see them often. Enjoy your day and the week ahead!

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  2. It is so nice to go walking with you in this way! I hope that you will be able to get out and about again in April and do some more walking as you seem to enjoy it a lot. Interesting to see the different foot prints!

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  3. So very beautiful! Whenever skies are that blue, I just feel like everything is right with the world. Sadly, that's not the case, but they sure do improve my mood. We've had gorgeous weather all week, and now that the weekend has rolled around, it's iffy again. It's been like that for the past month. Just don't startle Mr. Fluff and you will be okay. :)

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  4. Skunks get a bad rap, they really are beautiful. We've lived with them and as long as you don't surprise them, there are no problems.
    I love all the bright blue shots and the brilliant white birch bark is a great contrast.
    It is very windy here today, but warming up!!! And it promis essential to be a gorgeous weekend, so I'm braving the wind and getting my fire pit area ready. I hope to spend tomorrow evening there. Hopefully you get some nice weather soon so you can get back out there.
    Have a lovely day Wendy,
    Andrea

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  5. Beautiful! I love those blue skies and birch tree together. Here we have the Aspen trees with their white birch. I was told that you can use the powder from the Aspen tree as a natural sun block.
    You have a lovely walking path,I would use it often for sure.
    We do not see skunks around our home, but I did see one the other night up near the pond on our property, eeks!!

    I was sorry to hear of the loss of your dad, Wendy. You shared a lovey, heart warming tribute.

    Have a beautiful day♡

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  6. Beautiful! I love those blue skies and birch tree together. Here we have the Aspen trees with their white birch. I was told that you can use the powder from the Aspen tree as a natural sun block.
    You have a lovely walking path,I would use it often for sure.
    We do not see skunks around our home, but I did see one the other night up near the pond on our property, eeks!!

    I was sorry to hear of the loss of your dad, Wendy. You shared a lovey, heart warming tribute.

    Have a beautiful day♡

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  7. Ooh, love the pictures Wendy. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  8. Such wonderful adventures you have! I love the beautiful pictures you take. God's handiwork is amazing. I'm sure wandering through the old homestead was lovely, and such fun with the prints in the snow.
    We don't have skunks where we live, but I agree they are beautiful creatures!
    I hope you have a beautiful day and that your topsy turvy will come back to normal again.

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  9. Wendy, I've just been catching up and I'm so sorry to hear about your dad. Many hugs to you and your family. I loved seeing your trip to the marsh. As always, a nice thing to do with the children and so much to see and learn about down there. Your photos are beautiful.

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  10. Wow!! love the pictures.. perfect to take a walk...

    Please visit: http://from-a-girls-mind.blogspot.com

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  11. I love the birch trees with the dogwood growing in front of them. Such a great contrast against the blue skies. What a lovely trail to walk on. It's sad to see that old farm has died out to just the cement and stones. It must have been a lovely spot for a farm. I hope Mr. Skunk has moved on! You don't want him to 'let go' of his perfume, even under the shed! Have a great day and weekend. Pam

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  12. Beautiful photos Wendy. Cranberry Marsh?

    We had a skunk move in under our shed a few years ago. Cute animal but we were glad when he or she moved on. We made sure our shed was skunk-proof after that! 😳

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  13. When we lived outside of North Bay, we had a skunk that would come for a visit every evening when I dumped the compost into the bucket. He/she was a sweet little thing, never sprayed once she got used to seeing us on a regular basis. Helped that we didn't have a dog to antagonize it.

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  14. Just had to stop by and comment.
    Lovely photographs, I enjoyed my walk with you.

    All the best Jan

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  15. Beautiful shots! As long as they're not startled by you, skunks are fine to be around.

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  16. You have captured 'early spring' just wonderfully. I did my long first walk around the neighbourhoood last weekend, and the weather was so nice..hope it will continue.

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  17. I've always admired how the red dogwoods stand out brilliantly in our dull winter landscape. I planted a yellow twig variety out the front but I'd like to add a compact red one that doesn't sucker.
    We've had a skunk under our shed before, luckily no confrontations with Topaz.
    After raining all day, around dinner time it started to snow. :-(

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  18. The first shot is fantastic! I've never seen skunks up close and personal but I've certainly smelled them!

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  19. We have a couple of foxes that hang out around our house. We see them every so often wandering around the property. I haven't seen a skunk yet. Definitely smelled them but not seen them. Great nature pictures.
    xx Beca

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  20. I enjoyed my walk with you the photos are picture perfect,, so pretty and that sky is beyond a beautiful blue.. and your right the birch trees look great against that sky and ground ... we had a few skunks but haven't seen them lately lobely post thank you for sharing Wendy with love Janice

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  21. That first shot of the Birch is great! And yes, lots of colour along that path.

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  22. Hi Wendy, loved the walk today. The scenery is so gorgeous! Old, abandoned farmsteads always make me wonder about the people that lived there. Skunks are funny little things - I've had a few encounters....One came right up to me begging for a hand-out when I was feeding the birds and my little cat made friends with it. I dropped the seed and backed away slowly........:) Hope you are taking care of yourself, my dear. xx Karen

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  23. Thanks for sharing the photos. You are surrounded by so much nature, that is really wonderful. The birch tree photos are really beautiful!

    -Soma

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  24. Those blue skies and white tree trunks are stunning. Each picture is a masterpiece.

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  25. Lovely photos Wendy, you have so much beauty around you. I'm not sure I would be happy about the skunk though I hope it moves on quickly. Have great weekend. :) xx

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  26. Your photos are so pretty. I just love the contrast of the white burch trees and the blue sky. That skunk is adorable!! We had a family of skunks in our old neighborhood. We used to see the mama walk up the path next to our house with her little babies trailing behind her. The cutest!! Have a beautiful weekend!! xo

    ~ Wendy
    http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  27. Beautiful photos Wendy, the white bark against the blue sky is gorgeous. I bet the kids enjoyed themselves that day. I love old foundations, they do tell a story. Your skunk is sweet, as long as he keeps his distance lol. We have seen a few. Our dog got sprayed a couple of years ago so that's always a concern. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  28. Such lovely photos Wendy...Oh just look at that fabulous blue sky!!! Debbie x

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  29. Those blue skies fill one with energy, I think. And you are so right about the beautiful contrast of the white birch trees. I hope the sun soon returns, and that the topsy turviness of life settles down. Give yourself time. It will take awhile.

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  30. Hello Wendy, what gorgeous photos of the birch trees and that fantastic blue sky. It looks like Spring is trying to emerge over your way. I have never seen a skunk - they look pretty in pictures, but I am told they do have a strange smell. Love the animal tracks in the snow, and what a great walk for you and for the children.

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  31. So like very early Spring here too! I love birches against the blue skies too. Majestic!

    And so fun that you were hunting the tracks with your group of kiddos. ;) Not sure what that little track is either? Mouse?

    Hope you all get good weather to get out again soon! Have a wonderfully blessed Easter weekend ahead Sweetie! xoxo

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  32. I enjoyed our walk, Wendy, and loved the little animal tracks. The kids must have loved them as well, you can build whole stories around them.
    Amalia
    xo

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