The Old and the New

       Last Friday we met Heather and Lily for our weekly walk to do a little birding, but mainly to get caught up on the events of the previous week, and to witness the rapid development of our precious Lily, for whom an additional week of life is a huge increment.

     For this week's walk we chose to go to Columbia Lake, where there are stroller-friendly paths, a pleasant variety of habitats, and at times lots of birds.

     We agreed to meet at the parking area close to Brubacher House, a venerable old building in Waterloo, with a good deal of local history attached to it.

     In fact one of Miriam's relatives was for a time resident here. 

     So, this is the "old" referred to in the title.

     And here is the "new".

     Brubacher House is at the perimeter of a high tech commercial park where IT firms dominate the landscape.

     It was actually Miriam who came up with the title, for this post, for with a bit of a wicked glint in her eyes she further pointed out that here is the old.....

     .....and, yet again, the new - Lily of the wild hairdo!

     I think that in the past month or two I have posted more images of myself than I have in the entire twelve-year history of this blog. Rest assured that it is not going to continue! A picture of oneself once in a while is all well and good, but far too often seems to me to verge on narcissism, especially when multiple portraits are included in the same post. There are more interesting subjects to look at than me!

     Like the views of Colombia Lake, for example.

     As you may observe, the level of water in the lake is very low, but people try their luck at fishing regardless. Rarely do they have much success, at least based on our observations; no doubt this Great Egret (Ardea alba) had better luck.

     It is strenuous work for a young girl to be bathed and dressed, and placed in and out of a car seat, and then into a stroller. Time for a nap!

     Too bad, Lily, you missed this Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) on the fence rail. Can you see it?

     A few more perspectives on the walk at Columbia Lake will give you an idea of how agreeable a spot it is.

     Lily slept for most of the time, and woke up with a big yawn.

     Which turned into a frown.....

     And then became a smile.

     It's good to be alive.

     Soon it was time to go home. Goodbye Miriam and David. See you next week!