Wind & Birds & Shadows

At 9:15, I left the house, planning to walk to where Ferguson Road meets Ken May Road. It is somewhere around 9 km round trip. Ted offered to come and get me if I wasn't home by 11. We have backup plans, even when carrying a phone. Two years ago, I suffered temperal global amnesia and that was a wakeup call. Nothing wrong with being extra safe when heading out.

Winter was still with us this morning. Yay! It was -10°C, feeling like -16°C with the windchill.

Cattle on the lea-ward side of the barn were wondering why I was stopping to fasten my aviator hat.

Less than 1 km from home, in a wooded area, I began to hear the twitter of chickadees .....

... and sparrows. They love pine cone seeds.

I was wondering if those would be the only birds I'd see on this walk?

Near the south end of Ferguson Road, a blind person would have known that there was a flock of crows close by. Something was causing a stir amongst them.

And, it wasn't the mourning doves. They were quietly practising safe distancing on a hydro wire. "Just minding my own business."

Suddenly, a shadow appeared out of nowhere. And, the maker of the shadow landed on a branch ...... and looked at me. Red-tailed hawk! It's a poor image, but you get the message. Those crows had probably seen it before I did.

As I walked through a larger wooded area, I noticed a regular highway from one side of the road to the other. Some large animals had been crossing. Their tracks were deep and somewhat degraded, so I couldn't tell who made them. I guessed they were coyote tracks. What do you think they were? I'll tell you later on. On the way home, I found clear clues.

We've had a winter of grey skies. I love seeing the shadows cast by the March sun.

There are some tall pine trees in this section of Ferguson Road. No wonder there are lots of chickadees around.

It was the perfect temperature to walk up the final hills to Ken May Road.

Heading back home, it was just as icy as when I came down this hill.

I love this image. I love the twisted shadows. And, I love that the longer you look at this picture, the more you see. Do you notice all of the circles around the trees? Melting snow around warm trees.

Snowbanks were starting to melt too.

Horses were casting their own shadows.

As was this shrub. Any guesses?

Oh, and now we are back at the spot where the large animals had crossed from one woods to the other. Aha! White-tailed deer.

Buddy chipmunk is waiting to hear your answer. What was that interesting shadow?

Sumach. He's saying, "Sumach".

And, you are wondering, "Did Ted come to pick me up?"

Well yes. Yes he did.