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!
Wonderful walk with good friends ! Lovely to have such a great nature area nearby. And good company, nature and strong coffe....could it be better!
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteWell, thank goodness of Miriam, I say! Now we all could share in that moment of peace and joy. YAM xx
Gorgeous views.
ReplyDeleteIt looks very beautiful there, David. I'm always so impressed when I see photos of Bald Eagle. It looks like a king where it sits.
ReplyDeleteHugs and kisses, Marit
Qué suerte vivir tan cerca de la naturaleza, David.
ReplyDeleteMe encantan tus paseos.
Un abrazo y feliz día.
you had the best of both inside world and outside world, fresh air and beautiful sunshine, friends and talking and SWEETS and coffee. nothing could be better. I forgot my phone this past week on my Beau Walk and OF course I missed a glourious shot. we live near an airport, the fog was hovering in the tops of the trees, our hot Florida son was coming up fast and the fog was breaking and straight up out of the fog into the sun was a plane going straight up dragging a jeweled contrail behind it. it was amazing and a once in a life sighting. a fog contrail lifer for me.
ReplyDeleteI like everything you wrote about: friends, fresh air, walking, the presence and observation of beloved and familiar birds, photo shoots, coffee, sweets... And even humor!
ReplyDeleteIt couldn't have been a better way to spend a day.
It was great to read you again and look at the pictures. Thank you for the opportunity. Éva
The photos a nice and I see the Bald Eagle up there, a delight to see.
ReplyDeleteAlways good going for a walk and a chat.
It's always wonderful to take a walk with and through your beautiful pictures. Miriam is excellent photographer.
ReplyDelete...a lovely destination.
ReplyDeleteHow fortunate to have such a lovely place to walk and observe the natural world around you. Bonus, that you were able to visit with two-legged friends too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful series of photos.
ReplyDeleteMiriam is a great photographer.
Greetings Irma
What a wonderful way to spend time with friends. Is snow in your forecast for tomorrow like it is here?
ReplyDeleteWide frames are a visual spectacle.
ReplyDeleteMeetings like that are wonderful! That Zonotrichia albicollis is interesting, what a beautiful bird! The winter plumage of Anas platyrhynchos is really beautiful and has a lovely blue wing speculum! There are amazing birds of prey there; they are seen less often here.
ReplyDeleteDear David,
ReplyDeleteas we all know, Miriam takes the most beautiful and best photos anyway – as she has proven once again, especially with the delightful close-ups of white-throated sparrows and chickadees - no one else really needs a camera. I'm so glad she captured the atmosphere of that dreamy autumn day so beautifully.
You're truly lucky to have so much lovely nature so close by. I read in one of your recent comments that you've had a lot of snow? Then I'm already looking forward to your winter photos. Here, it only snowed very lightly, and nothing stuck. My daughter had a bit more – but (fortunately) not enough to shovel. (Well, we don't really miss that 😅😉)
All the best and happy December to the both of you,
Traude
A lovely stroll enhanced by Miriam and those wonderful photos. Particularly the eagle. I had a pair of them in front of my house around the bay and they enthralled me, perched immobile on a nearby tree.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
Ohhh you are so right. Having a place like that just minutes from your home. It was like that for us when we lived in N. ID. before moving here. Here is not a great. LOL Have a wonderful day today.
ReplyDeleteAnother nice photo journey, like the quality of light and the clarity of the photographs. No questioning when you say - We had a good walk, sucked in lots of fresh air, and had an altogether fine time.
ReplyDeleteHallo David,
ReplyDeleteWat een prachtige wandeling hebben jullie daar gemaakt. Het is leuk als je vrienden en kennissen hebt met dezelfde interesses in dit geval de natuur. Prachtig gebied daar zo te zien en als je dan tijdens zo'n wandeling ook nog een zeearend ziet en na afloop heerlijk met je vrienden koffie en een wijntje kunt drinken kan je dag niet meer stuk.
Groeten,
Ad
Was für ein wunderschöner Spaziergang mit guten Freunden. Es ist schön, wenn diese tolle Natur nur wenige Minuten entfernt ist.
ReplyDeleteI love the white Throated Sparrows..We often see them in the winter time..I have always admired their feather pattern..Chickadees are a favorite as well..
ReplyDeleteYou're so very fortunate to have an area like that that you can visit close to home. Sounds like the perfect arrangement.xoxo
A lovely walk with your friends. It's more than okay to take these things in with our own eyes instead of looking through a camera lens. I do seem to be joined at the hip with mine though. However, I love to just sit and look around at nature and feel the peace it brings me. Wonderful photos David and thank you for the nice welcome back. My best to you and Miriam for a very happy December.
ReplyDeleteYour walks always highlight such wonderful countryside and the animals…perfect! Great photos, as always, Miriam!
ReplyDeleteAs always, a visual marvel, what a lovely walk. Gentle sunshine, the birds leisurely accompanying me, that bald eagle, what poise! and ending with coffee and sweets...guau, a perfect autumn day 🍂☕
ReplyDeleteGreetings, dear Profe.
Sometimes walking with friends means less observing because talking is so much better. It still sounds like a great day out, and perhaps you learned something new or interesting too. I'm glad at least Miriam took some photos though. :) hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteTime with friends and nature is a wonderful combination.
ReplyDeleteIt's always fun to go on your walks with you. I thought that photo of the bird eating out of the gloved hand was pretty cool. I might have to try that!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful place.
ReplyDeleteHi David - your sentiments expressed in this post ... (It was a day for walking and talking, joking and chortling, meandering and musing. The birds understood fully) I totally relate to - and would wish my way over the pond ... but I've experienced others like your day ... so wonderful. Cheers Hilary
ReplyDeletePrachtig stukje natuur waar je was David.
ReplyDeleteBijzonder om te zien dat het vogeltje uit de hand eet.
Groetjes Tinie
I enjoy seeing that close look at the White-throated Sparrow. It's a new-to-me bird.
ReplyDeleteThat White-throated Sparrow is a gorgeous little bird. Thanks for the great photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful way to spend a day. Quiet walks, laughter with friends, and just soaking in the natural world. I love how you make the birds feel like participants in the conversation, especially the sparrows and that ever-watchful bald eagle. It’s the kind of simple, unhurried pleasure that really stays with you, and your post makes me want to head out for a walk in the crisp air myself. www.melodyjacob.com
ReplyDeleteThis is so wonderful, David - a day spent like that is something I love. Good friends, wonderful nature, good conversations, joking, laughing, birds, coffee and sweet things - I don't think it can get better than that. Big hugs to you from your German-Californian friend - Carola
ReplyDeleteGood to see blue skies, from drought, we are now sick of the rain here!! Two months now since the first eye op and 1 month since the second. Only discovered yesterday in the check up why my head is struggling to cope with the situation. Left eye is set for reading and right eye for long distance. Why was I not told this before the op?? They say my brain will learn, give it 6 months!!!! I get some temporary glasses on Monday so I just might get around to doing a blog!! Bisous mon ami, take care and keep warm. Diane
ReplyDeleteLooks a lovely walk with your friends.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed all of the photographs.
Happy December.
All the best Jan
A bald eagle, how cool! They don't pop up in snapshots too often.
ReplyDelete