Laurel Creek Conservation Authority

02 November, 2025 

     We had been invited to take a stroll though Laurel Creek C.A. with good friends, Dave and Mary, followed by coffee at their house. Who could pass up an opportunity like that?

     We are all dedicated birders, and one might be forgiven for thinking that Dave has a camera attached to his body, but in reality we did little birding, and Dave didn't even bring his camera. Miriam was the only snapper of the day! It was a day for walking and talking, joking and chortling, meandering and musing. The birds understood fully, although the chickadees still let us know they wished to be fed. Mary obliged.

     It was a glorious day, the sun shone and everywhere looked quite splendid.

     We are lucky to have this lovely spot so close at hand, not more than five minutes from home for either Dave and Mary, or Miriam and me.

     White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) seemed to be enjoying the day as much as we were and were not shy about letting us know.

     What a handsome little bird it is, and somehow so quintessentially Canadian.

     If human hearts could really sing there would have been chorusing in the dell that day.

     Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) dabbled at the edges; quite distant, but dapper in their finery.

     Across the lake an adult Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) was no doubt keeping an eye out for a fishy lunch, although an injured Mallard would be an equally acceptable target.

     We had a good walk, sucked in lots of fresh air, and had an altogether fine time.

     Then it was time for coffee and sweet things, and pleasant moments to ramble on about anything and everything that came to mind.

      If there are finer pleasures in life it is going to to take me a long time to think what they might be!