This is my most recent painting and it will represent a winter month in my 2026 Calendar.
I lived out that quote on today's visit to the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary.
male Mallard Duck
this was the only Black-capped Chickadee that I saw
It was not until I got home and looked at my photographs from the day's outing,
that I saw the Muskrat's tongue. It was having a bath in the frigid water.
I cut my visit to The Sanctuary short as the snow was becoming more than just flurries, it was hard to see anything and my focus became making sure to get home safely. With all the new snow and the cold temperatures remaining, there will be lots of opportunities to appreciate the beautiful, unique, delicate snowflakes!
This day's greeting!
As it turned out, I did not make the day's skate quick and short. I got into a rhythm, all the cobwebs and noise left my mind, I got lost in no thoughts at all, I was where I wanted to be and needed to be both physically and mentally. When the time came that I felt I had etched enough, my distance showed 16.3 kms. I did not realize until I got home and recorded my distance, the 16.3 took me over the total distance I skated last season. Last season I covered 218.5 kms, so far this season I have covered 218.9 kms of skating and the season is not over yet.
etching along on The Canal
cotton candy blue in the sky
hibernating for the winter
Beautiful photos. Lovely captures of the snowflakes and the snowy landscapes. I love the ducks, chickadee and the muskrat photo is cool. Take care, have a great day and a happy weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt was a nice surprise to see the muskrat, especially at this time of year! Enjoy your weekend!
DeleteYour first picture is very beautiful. I love the snowflakes. How is the temperature in your area right now?
ReplyDeleteWe have cold weather too. The Mallards live here too, but I seldom see them.
As I type this comment to you early Saturday morning, it is -27C with a windchill making it feel like -33C. It was enjoyable painting that first picture especially when I sprinkled salt on the wet paint and watched it dry and create snowflakes.
DeleteBeautiful photos. I love how your out enjoying nature. Ice skating sounds like great exercise. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteThere are many benefits for the whole body that come with skating. Winter is long so I have to be out and about one way or another as long as it is safe to do so.
DeleteWell you are definitely not hibernating through winter. What a wonderful morning. Hungry Hiker Jenny's son and family are just home from 2 weeks in Banff. Mark had worked there, like our son Stuart so knew it would be cold. B U T, they did not enjoy the chill nor the heat and sweat on their return yesterday.
ReplyDeleteIt's good he knew what they would be in for so were probably prepared even though it was no doubt still a shock upon arriving in Banff. From one extreme to the other! I do love winter here, I find it easier to deal with cold rather than heat!
DeleteHello Alexandra,
ReplyDeleteI am stopping back to say thank you for linking p and sharing your post.
I enjoyed your birds and the cute muskrat photos.
Take care, have a wonderful weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.
It is always a pleasure to participate in your critter party!
DeleteAlexandra, first of all, I’m with you on the fascination of one single snowflake. You mentioned each snowflake is unique. Did you know the name Google comes from the mathematical term "googol", which is a 1 followed by 100 zeros. The name was chosen to reflect the company's goal of organizing and searching large amounts of information. So, if asked, how many "unique" snowflakes fall in one year on Earth, the answer must be several googols! That’s hard for me to believe, but scientists say it’s true. I admire the way you track your distances and keep records. And your little videos are excellent additions to your posts. Keep up the good work! John PS Speaking of snow, did you have a chance to see the Full Snow Moon a few days ago?
ReplyDeleteI did not know that about "Google"! I stepped outside on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning to see the Full Snow Moon, only taking photos on Tuesday night. Tuesday night it looked yellow/gold with a glow around it.
DeleteYou are brave to be out in snow and ice, but the rewards of lovely nature photos are great — thank you for sharing them!
ReplyDeletemae at maefood.blogspot.com
I find nature photos more magical during the winter months, so find a way to brave the snow and ice!
Deletesuch pretty snow...i love a nice walk when the snow is falling. beautiful birds and ducks. i enjoyed seeing you in the video!!
ReplyDeleteIt is a beautiful experience to walk while the snow is lightly falling, it is so peaceful! It's fun making the videos!
DeleteIt's so nice to have something to enjoy in the winter months like skating. Here is Florida, it's our mild weather so I hike more. Love your snow photos and calendar page!
ReplyDeleteHiking in mild weather year round sounds like a dream to me yet it is a reality for you which I enjoy reading about!
DeleteWhat a wonderful winter day and beautiful painting!
ReplyDeleteThank You!
DeleteHappy to see your weather has warmed up and you are getting out and about. What a special photo of the muskrat, gives me 🥶thought and that first snowflake photo is perfect! ❤️Norma
ReplyDeleteA change in weather is forecasted to arrive later today, then it should be back to being out and about as usual.
DeleteBeautiful snowflake photos. They are so interesting. That sky does look like blue cotton candy! Have a great week. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThank You for dropping by and leaving your comment! Snowflakes are interesting and even more so when you get to see them up close.
DeleteYour painting is lovely. I dabble in watercolors a bit. The ducks are a favorite bird of mine, Nice post.
ReplyDeleteThank You for stopping in for a visit and leaving your comment! I began with dabbling in watercolours and then it quickly became much more than that all thanks to when our world changed in 2020!
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