Crimbo

I just finished reading a fellow bloggers post about "crimbo", that limbo time between Christmas and New Years. I don't know that I've ever hear it described better. I feel like I'm waiting for the New Years...then it'll all finally be over and I can de-decorate my house and get back to normal.

I'm finding myself annoyed at the decorations I have up. It's not Christmas. It's done. I'm ready to take what few I did put up down. Maybe it's the cramped feeling I have in my living room with the 8ft tree, or maybe it's the feeling of a lack of order.

Don't get me wrong I LOVE decorations, but I decorate November 11th...sometimes even earlier. I find that I love the anticipation of christmas all the more and once it's done, so am I.

I feel like I'm in limbo these days. Nothing seems quite right...like I'm a puzzle piece that's in place but when you really look at it you realize it just doesn't quite fit.

I'm crabby and short fused almost all the time...winter blues? I hope not...we haven't even hit the coldest part...there's still 2 months of arctic weather to endure. And I'm the genius who'd running a half marathon in it.

It could be the tendon strain in my right arm, that's making typing this utter agony...I've given up my ipod and computer work for the holidays to let it heal. Could it be I feel my age for the first time in my life?

I'm approaching 37 this upcoming year and I've suddenly had the realization that I'm not 20 anymore. My body hurts. In part from the strain I put it under running, maybe it's not that I'm getting older, but more the realization that I'm not indestructible.

Sleeping has become and adventure in finding just that right spot so nothing hurts...so far no luck.

I remember a time when I could eat what I want and there were no consequences. There was no monitoring levels of wheat/gluten/dairy/alcohol or refined sugars. I ate and loved it. Now I still love what I eat, I just have to be sooooo careful or I get sick.

So my question is; what is it about crimbo that makes me focus on the bad instead of the good?

I can always find something good about my life...it's a great life! So why do I feel like the muppet musicians of Bremmen Town? I believe it was Catgut that whined "I'm old, I'm beat up, I'm worn away and just throwed out".

Today I feel one with Catgut.

Another feeding frenzy

It's ironic that the birds seem to be better weather forecasters than Env. Canada... I looked outside yesterday and was shocked by the amount of sparrows devouring everything in sight. I know this probably meant some storm was moving in and wouldn't you know...all of a sudden it went from 5 clear days to 4 days of snow!

Of course it's changed again...bright and sunny on New years Eve & Day...however the birds are telling me otherwise. I think when I head out today I'll pick up a few things...and play it safe. If i don't have to be out and about in a storm why would I? My drivings not what I'm concerned about...it's all the other idiots that still haven't figured out that texting and driving is moronic.

If I sound harsh, well it's because I am harsh on that particular topic, but in my defense I've almost been hit while out running twice by people too busy texting to see my bright red Santa coloured form against the blinding white snow.

Enough complaining!

I spent this morning browsing through my facebook albums from this year and there's one thing I've noticed (aside from being obsessed with birds)...I've done a hell of a lot of changing this year..and thank god for obsessive picture taking or I probably would have forgotten most of it.

at this time of year we often find ourselves reflecting on the past year and wondering what the new one will bring. I knew I'd done a lot of running & camping, but I'd forgotten last minute road trips and urban hikes!

Urban Hikes are my favourite! We start off from home and then walk...and walk, and walk, and walk! We've explored parts of the city where we live with fresh eyes and take pictures along the way. Have you every really looked at where we live? There's so much to see and so much humor to be found if you only open your eyes to the possibility of it.

Stop. Look. Breathe. Enjoy.

The bluejay has been spotted

Just a quick note; I'd previously lamented the fleeing of all birds except a few house sparrows. Well this morning I happened to notice that there was a solitary bluejay hunting through the seed pile for some corn!!

There's still hope!

Hand Feeding the Chickadees

This past weekend we decided that we had to get out of the house...yes it was freezing outside but i couldn't handle another day of seclusion. After a bit of thought we decided to head out to birds hill provincial park and try a bit of hiking.

I remembered that Cedar Bog trail had, at one point, a series of feeders that could only have been used as winter feeding stations (it would be a bears dream come true in the summer.

We decided to give it a go...I'd also read that the chickadees were fairly tame so I decided to take along some black oil sunflower seed just in case.

Who was I kidding I had every intention of hand feeding them if I could. And hand feed them we did! This was a first for me and I've longed to attempt it with any bird since my up close and personal hummingbird experience this past summer.

They literally dive bombed me the second I pulled the seed out. It reminded me of when I had birds and I'd hear the thrumming of their wings as they would fly from my finger back to the cage.

They would come withing inches of my face, at times hovering mere inches away as they decided if I was friendly or not. I adored every second of it. There were moment where there would be a battle of 2 or 3 different fellas over who was going to get to land first.

This was something I shall never forget and I don't doubt I'll be going back. Probably alone so I can get all the pictures I want and not have to worry about a puppy's cold paws.

So if you're looking to expand your appreciation of nature; Cedar Bog Trail, Birds hill Park and bring along some seed!

Best intentions

Out of focus. That's how I feel these days...like if I just turn the dial a little bit more things will become clear.

This is the second Christmas without my dad and it seems to be harder than the first. I just can't seem to build up that enthusiasm that I used to have for the holiday season. I've accepted that. The thing I'm having a hard time with though are the well intentioned people that have the thought that this year should be easier because it's the second one.

Here's what I've learned. That's a myth. It's doesn't actually get easier. The only people who say that to you are ones who've never gone through it. It's something people say in that awkward moment when they have NO IDEA what to say.

The reality? You just get used to there being a huge gaping hole where he used to be in your life.

Sometimes the best intentions can do so much damage. This is a case where Thumpers voice runs through my head...if you can't say something nice, don't say nuttin at all.

I guess what I need to do is to try to learn how to be patient with these people. They don't know how it feels and I hope to god they never have to.

The Hors Forst Arrives and the birds leave

Well it's official, there's nothing left in my yard. The house sparrows have flown the coop, so it would appear that I'm left with an empty heated bird bath and half eaten feeders.

I don't know what happened and at this point I have to honestly say I don't really care. Money's tough to come by these days with the frantic saving for Christmas so the extra drain from continual seed purchase is nice not to have.

It's funny this has been the first year that christmas seemed to have lost the sparkle for me. It could be the stress, it could be that someone seems to be missing from my life...I don't really know I just know that it doesn't feel right.

I wish I believed in Santa Claus.

Do you remember that time? Everything seemed fresh and exciting, waking up Christmas morning, rushing downstairs to see what Santa had brought? Life was simple and easy, there was no stress, no worry about where the next dollar was coming from. We played.

How many of us take the time to play? I know I don't. I've been obsessed with getting all of the last minute work that came my way done and out of the way so I could enjoy the season.
It was on my way to deliver the last round of santa pictures that I stopped to take these hors frost pictures.

I decided to play.

I had a million other things to do, but my instinct had told me to take my camera with me...the frost was just too beautiful. So i stopped when I felt like it, hit the gravel roads and found beauty the likes of which I hadn't taken the time to enjoy in weeks.

It was the first time I'd felt like me in weeks. it made me realize that THIS was what I was born to do. Be outside, camera in hand, framing what I see as beautiful. The other stuff is fine, it pays the bills, but this is where my passion is. This is when I'm the happiest.
The snows falling again outside...I think that this is the perfect day to focus on the season. I think I hear my coffee calling me.

December

Baby it's cold outside...or at least that's what Bing's telling me this morning and since he's rarely ever lied to me before...well except that thing on washing my face and hair with snow, I'm inclined to believe him.

Although I am questioning the sanity of his longing clear a path and to lift a spade of snow. Fancy talk for shoveling. Lets Face it... if Bing was living here in Winnipeg he probably wouldn't have such a romantic picture of shoveling snow.

We've had over 56 cm of snow fall in the last 2 weeks...and that was before the calendar hit December. I think it's safe to say that most of us have already lost that warm fuzzy feeling about clearing snow.

The sparrows are still here...but just barely. The Jays have deserted me and the starlings have yet to arrive so all in all not a lot left to look at in the yard other than sparkling christmas lights and snow.

Blue Jays

I find it ironic that I never thought that maybe the reason I hadn't seen anything other than a house sparrow in my yard lately was because I hadn't looked. Yup. I'm that slow. I spent this past Thursday sitting at the kitchen tables watching the never ending snow fall.

It was one of the best days I've had in a long time. I had no work that needed to be done other than house work, so I decided to practice what I preach, Sit down and enjoy the feature presentation mother nature was giving me.

After about 15 minutes I found that the blue jays had not deserted me as I had previously assumed, they were just feeding at different times for shorter periods of time.

It was wonderful. The snow was falling steadily and rapidly and the bluejays were determined to get those peanuts. I ended up tossing a handful of them onto the feeding platform right by the back door so I could get another up close and personal experience with them.

The obliged me and spent almost an hour flying right up to the window, grabbing a nut and taking off to the amur to eat the nut. A simple routine, altered only when my cat would throw himself up against the patio door.

My poor, slightly stunned cat...only he will throw himself up against the glass to try, somehow to get to the nice big juicy birdies on the other side.

The other one just sits and enjoys the show they put on, chattering away, dreaming of what it would be like to take down a bird half it's size.

I think that's one of the things I love about animals...the baser instinct...it's not about logic, it's not about practicality, it's about what they were programmed to do.

My baser instinct these days seems to be telling me to get outside. I find that if I'm trapped indoors for too long these day's I get bitchy...who ever would have thunk it.

I almost don't recognize myself anymore. This past year has been filled with so many life altering changes that not only has the physical me changed, but the internal one as well. I just don't think I know who I am anymore and it's confusing. All of the things that helped define who I am, no longer exist.

I guess it's all about the comfort zone and I've been removed from mine...so I guess I need to figure out what new things define me.

I know one thing...coffee is still my best friend and my baser instinct seems to be telling me to go discuss it with her...

Snow, Snow, Snow and...wait for it...SNOW!!

Has there ever been a time when it seems that the snow just won't stop coming? That's what it's like around here these days. We're knee deep in our second major storm in what...a week?

Don't get me wrong I love the snow...I'm just itching to get out and I don't particularly care to head out when the reports say it's icy as hell.

It's become a regular ritual to clean off all of the feeders before I do anything else in the morning...the poor fellas...all they want to do is eat...eat me out of house and home it seems.

I've finished of 2 huge bags of seed since these 2 storms have hit...these birds need to realize I'm on a budget! ;)

These pictures were taken at my favourite dog park. The park has recently seen a surge of caring members and it seems that the bird feeders are never empty when I go. I usually take along a zip lock baggies full of extra seed just in case.

I mostly see chickadees and nuthatches when I go...and let's face it I'm obsessed with getting the perfect shot of these guys...not exactly an easy feat when you have a dozen dogs milling around you...some barking their heads off at me and my camera. (I've learned that there are a few dogs terrified of long lenses).

On the same note though it's not exactly challenging as these guys are so used to canine and human company I wouldn't be surprised if one of these days I could get them to hand feed from me.

Now that's something I long to try...I never have as it would seem that the best birds for it are chickadees and Grey Jays...neither of which I have around here. I love the up close and personal experience you can get with birds.

The only one I've ever had was with a hummingbird...she came withing 8 inches of my face and really wanted me to move away from the feeder (i was sitting next to it filling suet and bark butter feeders). She was stunning and gorgeous...and very squeaky.

These days the house sparrows are all that's managed to stay through these 2 storms, the blue jays have gone so I guess now I'll have to hike in order to see someone different.

If i could only find some out of date ski boots to go with my out of date skis, I could throw my camera in my back back and head into the bush and hopefully see a few grosbeaks!

Winter Birds

If there's one thing I love, it's winter. The -40'C we hit with windchill? Well that's just a badge of honor to me. I wouldn't live in Winnipeg if I couldn't handle winter...it lasts 6 months here...sometimes longer.

I'm the first to admit that I miss the hoards of brightly coloured birds that frequent my feeders during the warmer months. There's something special to me about house sparrows though.

They're the only bird that stays at my feeders all winter long. I get the occasional woodpecker and starling, which is fantastic, but what is it about these little birds that makes them so special to me?

Maybe I see just a little bit of myself in them or maybe I see them a as symbol of tough Winnipeggers, facing tough winters. Even in the most adverse weather they survive...call them the cockroach of the bird world if you like...but they do what needs to be done in order to keep going.

And today I think that maybe I'll take a page from that playbook...

Ahhh...to be in a drama free bird world

Now I KNOW that the holiday season is here. The inevitable drama that surrounds family dinners has started. It almost wouldn't seem like Christmas without the usual manipulation and testing of love.

Every year I dread it and every year I vow to just go along with the flow, and every year we end up in tears. Personally I'm sick of it. I long to be a bird...if it wasn't for that nasty predator issue I would say It's a damn fine life.

Just yesterday I spotted either a juvenile Bald eagle or a VERY large Hawk hunting behind our place. The sparrows scattered and I tried desperately to grab my camera in time, but alas I missed him. He was gorgeous...at least the underside was...that was all I could see.

He hovered in mid air for what seemed like a solid minute...he'd spotted his prey...most likely some small bush bunny. In the blink of an eye it was over...and the sparrows quickly returned resumed their feasting. It made me envy them...such a simplistic, basic life.

They don't test each others love, they don't manipulate each other and lie just to catch the title of "the good child"...which by the way I find sadly disgusting. Imagine living your life to please an abuser...you take the verbal fist to the gut and run back asking for seconds. Not me. Never again.

When I entered into this family I tried...I tried so hard I was on the fast track to an ulcer. Then last year, loss made me realize that I would never succeed as along as I kept chasing after that carrot they dangled in front of all of us.

I made a change...to live life openly and honestly...to live life game free. To truly LIVE. I couldn't stand to be around people who were fake. I just can't play the games anymore...i don't think I should have to...and I guess that's selfish on my part.

I guess my new challenge in life is to figure out how to get rid of this anger that's popped up again. I feel like the last years worth of progress just got flushed down the toilet. Why are they still on this planet and he's not?

Thoughts like that are a recipe for disaster and I know it. I thought that I had moved past all of this, but one simple slight hauled up all the baggage that i really thought I had tossed overboard.

I guess that's really one of life little secrets, nothing ever really goes away. You think you've moved on and then there's that big huge punch in the gut that reminds you it'll always be there.

Life's cyclical irony rears it's ugly head yet again. Oh to be a bird.

A Winter Wonderland

Well it's here... winter has arrived with a bang! The snow had finally started coming down and I expect it to pick up it's intensity as the night wears on. I can't say that I'm sad to see it get here.

For the last few weeks I've felt almost panicked at the thought of getting in as many runs as I could before the streets become slick with snow and ice. Well now i can relax because I've done quite possibly the dumbest thing I've ever done. I've gone a registered myself in a half marathon...at the end of February...in Winnipeg.

For those unfamiliar with that time of the year here it averages about -35'C plus windchill...which could drop it below the -40'C mark. It could also be a balmy -25'C...you really never know.

So the long and the short of it is that I now must run outside no matter what the conditions are and I'm not afraid to admit that after yesterday I might have bitten off more than I can chew.

I had a simple 6 km run yesterday and it fell just shy of agony. It took at least 4 km for my legs to warm up and then they decided that they were done...out of gas. For the first time since early training runs I was forced to do a gel after 4km. Oi. That was a rather humbling experience for me, but i soon realized that I needed to stop acting like I had somehow failed myself.

The point of all of this running is not to hold myself to the same standard that other runners have for themselves. If I did that I would not see all that I accomplished this past summer as a success. It's not failing when you need help. It's only failing when you refuse to acknowledge your vulnerability.

I don't mind the fact that I'm slow. I don't mind the fact that people still see me as fat. I don't care that sometimes I have to consume $30.00 worth of gels just to finish the run. The point is that I do whatever it takes to get it done.

And that alone in my book makes it a success. If we only try what we know we'll succeed at, we'll never truly know what we're capable of...I'm living proof of that.

tis the season to be jolly?

There's something about this time of year. The air is filled with anticipation, malls have their decorations strewn about and people are starting their holiday shopping.

We're anticipating our first storm of the season to hit sometime today...by the time it's over I expect to see somewhere between 10-15cm of snow...not exactly a ton, but the birds seem to be telling me otherwise.

Yesterday there was an absolute feeding frenzy in my back yard. There were upwards of 100 house sparrows attacking anything and everything they could, the blue jays and magpies even seemed to be hungrier than usual. But I guess when you know what they seem to know I'd stock up too and stay home...well in truth that's kinda my plan for tomorrow.

It's not so much that the snow bothers me...it's the idiots that completely forget how to drive in it that do. So more often than not when the snow comes I wait for the plows to hit the streets before I leave if I can. The joy of being self employed!

I'm really hoping that the blue jays stick around for a few days once the snow hits...I'd really like to get some fantastic pictures of them...last year they fled pretty damn quick...but they're still here so maybe this year!

A pileated Woodpecker makes an appearance at the Dog Park

A simple trip to the dog park yielded a most pleasant surprise. The Pileated woodpecker!!

Of course it was the one time that I did not have my good camera with me...hence the less than stellar captures, but at least i have proof!

This fella was not afraid of anybody or anything often letting me get withing about 15 feet of him. I will never ever again not have my camera with me...neck pain be dammed!

Cedar & Bohemian Waxings

I'm going to start this post by reiterating how gorgeous the weather has been around here lately. The first weekend in November brought some of the most gorgeous weather I've ever seen at this time of year (+14'C). We decided that we simply had to make the most of this weather and decided to head out to our favourite campground/ provincial park and do some hiking.

Truth be told I also wanted to see what the place looked like with no leaves. It was amazing how different everything looked. So we wandered around rather aimlessly...I ended up putting my camera away as it became very obvious that there weren't any birds hanging around. I had thought as much going out...with no evergreen trees for shelter I couldn't imagine there being much past blue jays and chickadees.

As we walked yet again around our usual camping bay I kept hearing sounds that sounded to me like cedar waxwings...but they should be gone...who could it be? Well I soon realized that there was a rather large flock of cedar waxwings devouring the berries left on the trees. So I had to take pictures...just had to.

It was still bothering me that they would have been there...then I opened up the files the next day for editing and imagine my surprise when I realized that there had been Cedar and Bohemian waxwings mixed all together?!?!?! WTH???

I was simply over the moon as this meant that there was yet another bird that I could add to my life list and shot list for the season. I still can't get over it...I almost feel ripped off...like I should have been reveling in their presence more or something.

I guess it just reaffirms my belief that i should always attack every sighting as if it's the first. It's paid off with cedar waxwings this year...I thought I couldn't get any better shots that I did in Opop...but in August at St. Malo, the shots I got actually surpassed the best shots I'd ever taken in my life.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I need to stop thinking of everything I see from a photo op perspective. I know I tend to focus on the photography...how can I not? Maybe I need to try and focus a bit more on the experience?

It's not really my fault though...I see a subject and get into this zone...I don't even hear anything else...I just point and shoot, point and shoot. Often going for hours as my patient hubbie just sits and watches me work. I'll look up and find that they've actually gone back to camp, leaving me to my hunt. It'll feel like 10 minutes and it's been an hour and a half...how can something that triggers such intense focus be a bad thing?

Even just thinking about it now I'm getting that rush, that high that comes from a successful sighting and documenting it. I'll be honest, I don't actually count it as a sighting unless I have photographic proof.

I'm hoping to spend most of this winter skiing and spotting winter birds. And now that I know Bohemian waxwings winter here I can hardly wait for the first snowfall!

Sun Shiny Magpies

I always know when winter is on it's way when these guys make their way to my feeding stations. The Magpie!! I personally love these guys even though their not usually considers a 'desirable' bird to bring to ones yard.

Magpies are scavengers by nature...they eat whatever they find are are not to picky about the state that it's in. I usually only see them in the yard in winter as their natural food source diminished as it get colder.

Their food source? Why roadkill of course! Yup. These stunning birds will often be found feasting on whatever roadside delight the passing motorists have left it that day. I guess this is part of the reason regal birders like to turn their noses up at them. Even the people that run my local bird supply store seems to have an issue with them.

This makes me wonder just how many people truly see these birds. Or is it one of those times where you've been told they're bad so they must be.

I mean look at these birds! They have one of the longest tail feathers I've ever seen,stunning colour and when the sun hits them just right there's no telling what you're going to see.

The picture to the left is the best example of it...I had no idea until yesterday how gorgeous these fellas could look. The sun hit him and the tail went every shade of gorgeous! Magenta & PURPLE???? WOW.

The picture itself isn't a stunner...I added some green garland to the snow fence to make a nicer backdrop for when the birds land never once imagining that I'd be photographing these giants beasts in all their stunning glory.

So tell me...why are these a "crappy" bird to get in your back yard? How many things are you going to walk by in life because you have preconceived ideas about what is "good" or what is "bad", what's "pretty" and what's "ugly".

We rush around like frantic little ants. Scurrying around without ever even looking up to see what we're passing by. For what? More money? More stuff? I'm just as guilty of it as the next person...I love stuff. Stuff makes me happy.

The thing that makes me happier though? Is when I can re tell a story about an amazing sunrise or sunset I witnessed and others ignored. Or hiking trail that I conquered that others would not consider the thing to do on their vacation.

I spent my 36th birthday this year doing a 21km trail ride on a beat up old bike that was stuck in 2nd and 5th. I hadn't ridden my bike once in the last 3 years before this trip. And I rode through swamp, through lakes, down hills, around trees and over craters left by some unknown meteor landing (okay maybe they weren't that big, but they felt like it).

Why mention it? Because before this year I never would have even attempted it because I didn't believe I was capable of it. These pre-conceived notions we have about nature, about each other, about ourselves are ones that I feel we need to get rid of. Toss them out the window.

Get rid of the labels, get rid of the boxes and pop the bubble.

So the next time your looking around, really look with your eyes wide open...you might surprise yourself.

Nuts!

Have I mentioned how much I love bluejays lately? It could be in part because they are one of the few birds left for me to look at...but it could also be because they are, to me, simply gorgeous birds.

They're one of the few species where the males and females are almost indistinguishable from each other. I love that. Equality in nature. Not something we often see in birds. More often that not the females some shade of brown or another neutral and the males a splendiferic melee of colour and song.

I admit I'm guilty of it, when I go looking for birds to photograph I all to often will chase the male and ignore the female...the male sells, the female...well she mainly dwells on my hard drive.

There's at least 4 of them that takes turns rotating through the yard. I've taken to adding a few more nuts to the blend and they don't seem to be complaining.

I could stand at the back door all day and watch them. It seems that it won't be long before they disappear as well and all I'm left with will be house sparrows.

Don't get me wrong...I don't hate House Sparrow like many bird snobs do. It's just that after such an amazing summer where I added over 15 new birds to my life list and photographed over 40 different birds in all their glory...Well it's almost depressing.

Who knows though, if my plans of taking up cross country skiing and winter hiking come to fruition I may just be able to add some Winter Grosbeaks to my collection...now THAT would be a dream come true!

November walks in as gentle as a lamb

It's November and it feels like September. I'm hoping that the old adage that's usually applied to May doesn't transfer over to November. We had our first glimpse of snow a couple of weeks ago...the usual...gone within an hour of the sun rising.

I'm reveling in this glorious fall weather. Running is still a dream...although yesterdays run reminded me how rough the cold air is on my lungs...I had an old mans smoker cough all afternoon and into the evening.

The acoustics of this season are different and all sounds, no matter how hushed, are as crisp as autumn air. .......Eric Sloane

The Yellow Warbler

Since there's nothing happening in the yard these days I think I'm going to take the opportunity to blog about some of the wonderful birding experiences I had this summer on our various camping trips.

This post is dedicated to my ever present BFF the Yellow Warbler. These guys were at our campsite on almost every trip. I think that they've visited my yard on occasion.

I think my favourite Yellow warbler experience had to come at St. Malo this past august. We'd brought a rubber dingy with us to tool around the motor free lake, but I'd had a sneaking suspicion that I had another motive behind it...and as it turns out I did.

After noticing that there seemed to be at least a dozen of them playing in the bushes that butted up against the lake in our site I decided to venture out in the dingy with my camera (with some trepidation...expensive lens + water do NOT mix).

What I would witness next will be remembered forever and ever. Apparently when you approach birds from the water they have no fear of you. The pictures here weren't taken on that particular excursion. I decided to sit and watch more than try to photograph it.

The males and females seemed to be playing and eating in some sort of Shakespearean frolic. Aside from the fact that I had never seen so many of them in one particular place at one time, the sight was one to behold.

There was no way I could capture the beauty of what I was seeing other than imprinting it into my brain. They flitted to and fro, ducking into the bushes in an almost hide and seek manner. One would pop out and grab a bug/berry remnant, flit over to it's counterpart as if to say "look at what I have!!" Then flit off being chased like mad. It almost seemed like a spring courtship ritual.

It truly seemed magical.

The picture above was one that I took on our first trip of the year to Opapiskaw. I had just finished my first half marathon and had blisters the size of my fist on my feet and toes. Moving was definitely a challenge for the first few days.

As a result i was pretty much tethered to our trailer and my hubbie would walk the puppy. Initially I was resentful of the situation, but then I realized that buy sitting there all day long I was privileged to witness things that I otherwise would have missed.

The main one being how warbler rich our site was. For the first time ever I didn't turn the radio on (it started off that way because I couldn't walk over to it to turn it on...it stayed that way after I realized the sound would chase away the more skittish birds). Seems obvious right? Well apparently the thought had never crossed my mind before...live and learn!

The yellow warbler was a very regular visitor to our site and the desire for green worms was high...and the trees in our site had plenty!!

I can hardly wait to see these guys again next year!!

Empty...

The yard is all but empty...there's a few blue jays that make an occasional appearance, but for the most part the 3 days of torrential rains seems to have driven most of the birds south.

There's a couple dozen house sparrows still hanging around trying to chip out some seed...most of the feeding bowls filled with water and froze. I brought them in to thaw and dumped the fetid water, but the seed still seems rather crunchy.

I guess there's really not a lot to report. Nothing surprising really...it's almost November and the weather finally turned. I guess that's not that bad...we've had great weather since April.

I've noticed the solitary chickadee still coming to the yard...I hope he manages to hang through the entire winter...no sign of the nuthatch tho'.

Maybe this winter I'll have some sort of cool Grosbeak visit...fingers crossed.

These shoes were made for running...

And so the time has come to say goodbye to my faithful friends. I could no longer pretend that they could do the job I needed them to do faithfully. They'd taken me through two 1/2 Marathons, and the numerous training runs that led up to them and I found myself surprised.

I had no idea how attached to my runners I'd gotten until It came time to replace them. I spent over an hour and a half trying on 16 different pairs of runners and nothing seemed to feel as right on my feet as my Asics.

I'd read various articles when I started running about people having difficulty replacing their very first pair of runners and I brushed them off as coo-coo. I mean they're just runners right?

Wrong. They were the runners that helped me cross my first finish line, the runners that helped me change my life. They took me new places and allowed me to do and see new things...sunrises I never would have seen if not for that early morning run.


They ran me through snow, rain, sleet, hail, high winds, and bitter cold...all of which was on one day...Good Friday's run may not have technically have been my most successful run, but mentally it's still the one I fall back on when I hear myself saying I just can't go any farther. If I could run through that for 10km I can do ANYTHING!

They ran me through sweltering heat & humidity the likes of which I had never seen before...lets face it in the past when it got that hot I stayed inside and turned up the A/C.

I have no idea what's in store for them now...I can't see myself tossing them...not yet anyways...maybe I'll clean them up and put them on display. After all, we display other trinkets we bring back from various holidays that are a simple reminder of a place we've been...why not a reminder of something bigger?

Others might not get it, but then that's nothing new for me. I've never been one to cater to the "norm"...if I was I never would have trained for my first half marathon in only 3 1/2 months. A point I'm proud of...my time was slow, but so what?

I have the medals, I have the shirts, but it was the feet that got me there.

You're replacements may be shinier but they will never have the honor of being the shoes that helped me cross my very first finish line.

Sparrows, Sparrows and more Sparrows

There's something about this time of year that makes me feel all warm and cozy. There's 3 days of solid rain predicted and to me that means it's time to light a candle, crack a good book and put the ipod on shuffle.

To the birds it apparently means it's time to get the heck outta here. I spent yesterday closing up the yard for the season. The key part of that is moving the feeders in closer to the house and adding some snow fence to keep the puppy's damage contained.

With the feeders being up close and personal I've noticed that the Bluejays have dwindled slightly...either that or they're waiting for the rain to ease up. The magpies have ventured into the yard and will soon be devouring the suet feeders.

The starlings have yet to make an appearance for more than a moment or two and the woodpeckers have become steady visitors to the suet.

All in all it feels like the season's almost done.

Ironically on our walk a bout yesterday I saw a bald eagle land in the farmers field by our house...I'm thinking some poor bunny became his dinner...he was very territorial to the near by geese.

There's something wonderful about seeing that flash of white bum and just knowing you're about to see something awe inspiring.

The sun sets faster every day

I just can't get over how fast the daylight is slipping away from us. It was just last week that we timed our walks to coincide with a 7pm sunset.

Yesterday we were out at 6:30 and it was a race to see if we could get anything at all captured!

You know winters on it's way not from the bite in the air but from the simply amazing colour that's hitting the sky these days. I know the saying goes 'hit every sunrise and sunset with camera in hand and you'll wow people with you digital expertise."

I don't think that the sunsets are as spectacular as the sunrises but then that could be a bit biased. I think the knowledge that I was up and about and out in the cold to capture a sunrise makes it more special to me.

I'm surprised though by how many people don't even notice them at all. I was on the street taking pictures of the sky when my neighbors walked by and never once looked up to comment on the sunset. Seems sad to me. How do you wander through life with blinders on?

How do you not see the things happening around you? It's funny how things that annoyed you growing up stick with you and become part of who you are as an adult. I remember being a passenger in whatever vehicle my dad was driving...I always had a book to read. It never did make me sick to read in a car...and every time he would give me crap for not paying attention to what's happening out the window.

"Your nose is always burried in a book!" He'd say, "take a look at what's around you!!"

Ironically, words I now live by, bugged the hell out of me back then. He was right...go figure.

The Canadian mint at moonrise

History repeats itself

I was sitting here trying to think about what the next title should be...I was playing with a version of "boring" when I decided to look back a year and have a look what I had posted.

Ironically? The post was titled "borrrring" and it blathered on about the lack of birds other than house sparrows and how the starlings were starting to stalk the yard from the wires and fence.

EXACTLY what I was going to mention today. Funny how thing truly work in circles...I know it's all about the visible daylight and food sources but it seems funny...the only good thing I noticed was that by this time last year the blue jays were gone...and as you can see they're still here packing it down.

The weather's been wonderful here, but it's starting to turn. My hubbie came back from walking the dog last night and said it was FREEZING and time for mitts. When he declares it's time to whip out the mitts you KNOW it's cold.

There's sunshine in the forecast for the next few days, but next weeks below normal temperatures coupled with 3 straight days of precipitation means that there's snow on the horizon and soon.

I doubt it will stay, but it'll no doubt scare away what few birds I have left so It's time to accept the house sparrows and starlings and set some goals to capture them on a lovely hors frosty day!

Bluejays...loud and corny

If there's one thing I adore about this time of the year it's the ever continued presence of the blue jay. I have a couple of pairs that take turns visiting the feeders all day and I have to say I love it.

The only thing that makes me sad though is the knowledge that the birding season has come to a close again. The juncos are all bu gone so all that's left to look forward to is the starlings eventually returning to the yard as their natural food sources diminish.

However with the weather we're having I don't see it happening any time soon. Gotta love this fall we're having...hopefully it'll hang around for a bit longer!!

Seeing Red

Epiphanies smell like rotting leaves. Whether that's a good or bad thing... well I guess that's up to the individual

I finally hit the road again yesterday after the longest 3 weeks off of my life. I had to let the muscles heal after the last 1/2 marathon. Well I did and it was nothing short of hell. I realized that the thing keeping me sane this year was running.

I've been feeling restless and antsy...the moods have been back full force and even though I tried to make it all better, it just hasn't worked.

The leaves have dropped, I hate TV for the first time in my life, I'm dreading snow & halloween feels like a burden. The real kicker? I don't want Christmas.

I find myself hating the definition of who I was and the expectation that I shall remain the same forever and ever. I wonder why change is so hard for people (myself included) to accept?

I've stepped so far out of my box this year it's nuts, but yet people are still trying to keep me where I was...maybe because then they won't have to be wrong. Maybe because then all of the ASSumptions that they've made will have merit. Why do people want me to fail at the new me?

I'm not saying it's a version of me that will last a lifetime, it's just part of who I am right now, this very minute.

The usual negative presence in my life decided to lecture on how running is bad for you and dangerous...and how I shouldn't be doing it...Umm...SHUT IT! (note: it's a little late to lecture after 2, count 'em TWO, half marathons in 4 months...with no long lasting injuries...other than the loss of a few toenails).

I'm not an idiot, despite what you believe. This was not a task I ventured into lightly. I spent months studying running before I even took a step. Is there a chance I could hurt myself? Tear something? Wreck something? Of course there is.

But if I approach everything in life afraid of what COULD happen I'm going to miss one hell of a ride. There are things in life that are worth risking stepping outside of the bubble for...If i hadn't decided to step outside that bubble I think I would have gone mad this year.

Then again maybe I did, but I was too busy enjoying the scenery to take notice.

The wood duck battles the geese for food

Clarity

There's something about an early morning sunrise that allows the mind to clear for me. I sat in my living room, awakened yet again far too early by the unseen force that has driven me out of slumber for the last few weeks.

I happened to look up from my morning paper and noticed that the kitchen was starting to turn a lovely shade of pink. This could only mean one thing...a gorgeous sunrise was on natures morning agenda.

I decided to grab my camera and head out, intending only to head behind my house and capture a little bit of the colour without the roof lines of the neighboring houses.
Once I'd snapped a every conceivable shot, it was apparent that there was a lot more to be seen as the sun had yet to break the horizon.

Dressed in a sweater, pj pants and flip flops I decided to jog about a km down the gravel road to see if I couldn't get something with the open farmer fields which I knew would be filled with the over-nighting geese.



What I would see would take my breath away and will be a moment that I doubt I will ever forget.
Let me set the scene...the skies shifting from pink to purple with hints of red, orange and umber...it was on fire. As I jogged past a few derelict houses i notice that there's a light layer of fog rolling off of the farmer fields. I think that I'm the luckiest person alive at that moment.

I have all of this to myself...natures has put on this show for me and me alone, because who else in their right mind would be awake this early on a Saturday morning?
Just as I'm reveling in this feeling of euphoria I realize my upcoming presence has disturbed hundreds of Canadian Geese slumbering in the fields and they take to the sky. And to my left? A family of White tailed deer quickly dash across the field and retreat into the forest.
I'm not ashamed to say that I was moved to tears by the stunning beauty before me. Add to that the feeling from a sunrise jog and I can honestly say I've never felt more clarity in my entire life.
I just stood in the middle of the gravel road watching the sun come up...I was out there for at least 30 minutes. I felt so connected...to mother earth, to my dad, to my life.

Eventually the cold started to set in and it became apparent that as the sun climbed higher that the show was slowly drawing to a close. I headed home for a much needed cup of coffee and as I sat watching the early birds come to get their peanuts, I felt like there was never a better time to start working on this years entry for the Thankful book.

It's something I started a few years ago. Every year each member of the family gets to add a page...on that page you put down what you're thankful for. Sounds simple right? maybe even a little boring?

Well the thing is that we often forget what it was that made the previous years so special. When you go back and read what you were thankful for that year, you're given a little glimpse into what your life was like that year.

Sometimes it makes you sad, other times it reminds you about what's really important in life. This years entry turned out to be one of the best I've written in a long time. I credit the show that momma nature put on for me and only me that wonderful glorious morning.

Seriously. Stop. Breathe. Enjoy

There's nothing like a Manitoba sunset

I've said it before and I'll say it again, there's nothing quite as beautiful as a Manitoba sunset. There are gorgeous sunsets all over the world but there's something truly spectacular about the ones here in Manitoba...especially in the fall.

I love how they start off one colour and then shift through a rainbow of colours after that. Red. orange, yellow, pinks & purples ever changing, ever shifting. If you blink you're likely to miss one face of it.

Last night I was out for a stroll (without my camera unfortunately) and the sky looked like it was on fire. How could we not? It's October and we're having daytime highs in the mid twenties.

A year ago today we were preparing for an early winter...thanksgiving felt more like christmas than it ever has before. Friday night we left the in-laws place to discover 2 feet of snow on the car and sheets of ice where the roads used to be.

We got home and I snapped this picture to the left at about 11pm...and the snow kept on coming. It didn't stay of course, it was here just long enough to make the holiday driving a challenge.

I think that's why everyone here is taking full advantage this fall heat wave while we can. I took a 10 km urban hike with my puppy yesterday. It was fantastic. The crunch of leaves underfoot, the smell of fall and the sound of childish laughter...not all of it from me. The parks were packed with strollers and parents sucking in some of the last bits of summer.

The birds are thrown off by it too...this morning I had a Western Meadowlark serenading me over my morning coffee...in OCTOBER.

The only bad thing that comes from these beautiful days is when the temperatures head back to their normal range...people get so crabby. Crabby people should spend the winter hibernating. I've never understood the intense hatred winter has around here. I mean, I get it. It's cold. Really cold. But you live in Manitoba what do you expect?

When it goes below -30'C grab a book, curl up in front of a fire and make the best of a bad situation. And when that weather last for 3 weeks? Well do what I do...cook dishes from exotic, warm locals and pretend!