Woodland Walk Part II ---------------

We seem to have a love/hate relationship with the Canada goose, don't we?

They are quite magnificent looking birds. I especially enjoy them when in a

 V-shaped loud honking flyover above the garden at dusk. . . . . knowing they 

are heading home to their pond. Whereas, when grounded in our parks, 

ponds and local gardens, I must agree they are extremely mucky pests. 

Having become non-migratory, their numbers have increased to thousands 

in my area of North Carolina. 

Extremely successful at living in human-altered areas, Canada geese have proven able to establish breeding colonies in urban and cultivated areas, which provide food and few natural predators, and are well known as a common park species. Their success has led to them sometimes being considered a pest species because of their depredation of crops and issues with their noise, droppings, and habit of begging for food, especially in their introduced range.   via Wikipedia

Only a dozen geese were hanging out at the pond Saturday afternoon, along with 

two pairs of Mallards. They seemed to get along fine together - there was no bickering 

or pecking, just quiet sharing of the open water for resting or swimming, and preening 

on, or sliding about on the more stable icy parts of the pond. They mostly ignored me 

when I managed to get down close to the bank, no begging for food or honking.

Reflections in the cold water were interesting. . . . . . .

 . . . . . impressionist style paintings came to mind.

Have you taken an interesting winter walk this month?

Do you tuck a camera in your pocket when walking?

Woodland Walk Part I ---------------

Here's my version of Into The Woods!

Yesterday afternoon, despite a rather chilly 35F, I decided to bundle up and 

take a much needed walk in the fresh air. I looked at the lovely photos of the 

countryside where some of you walk in all kinds of weather, often much colder than 

here, sometimes buried in snow or buffeted by freezing winds, and I felt like a wimp.

For goodness sake, the sun was shining in a clear blue sky, there was no wind to speak 

of, it was almost perfect for an exhilarating promenade, and thankfully I can still walk.

I dug out my comfy walking shoes and thick socks, pulled on knit pants, layered

 a silky Cuddl Dud top under my Antarctica fleece, pulled on a wool hat, warm gloves, 

and topped all with the heavy duty Canada Goose parka from that same Antarctic

expedition - already two years past!

I went to the neighborhood pond - first time since I took photos of it in autumn to 

share the colorful trees with you. There was an area on the far side with thin ice 

and, other than the cries from a hawk circling high overhead, it was silent and peaceful.

Above, the same view last October.

Thin ice, moss, and still golden leaves.

Fallen spiked fruits, now dry, are from the Sweet Gum tree.

A home for some animal perhaps.

I walked through the adjoining city park area encountering just two dog walkers, 

both bundled up like me - a brief "hi" and they kept walking. 

The kids' play area and soccer field were empty, two boys were skate-boarding 

on the tennis courts. . . . . . 

. . . . . and of course there were no weekend family picnics going on!

I then decided to take a trail through the woods to find something interesting to 

photograph at the far end of the pond. I loved the gentle rustle of the few leaves 
still clinging to some of the trees, and the dry crisp crunch of the carpet underfoot.

There they were, some snoozing near the bank, others preening, and a few slip sliding 

about on the ice - a dozen Canada geese along with just two pairs of beautiful Mallard ducks.

I have more pics of the fine feathered friends I found - I'll show you in Part II of my 

most enjoyable Saturday afternoon walk.

Here are two of my wonderful blog friends, both great photographers, who share their amazing country walks -
Pamela in New Brunswick, Canada. . . . .put on your snow boots and visit her at
Playing With My Camera 
Chel in England, pop across the pond to meet her at Sweetbriar Dreams where she 
walks in the blustery flat landscape of the Lincolnshire Fens, and also 
takes us on wonderful city walks around London.

Do you still get out and walk when it's cold?

Do you have a dog to walk?