Joy in small things

  Our cousin Robin Tapley has pretty much The Dream Job. He is currently working deep inside Algonquin Park, at the Wildlife Research Centre, a place where the average trekker and camper don't get to go. He has along with him guests who have signed on for Photo classes, and he has his trusty camera...

And he gets photos like this.

If you are patient near a beaver pond at this time of year (which is a challenge -- be sure to wear a bug jacket!!!) you can get to see these busy creatures going about their Beaverly Business.

Pure joy is sampling fresh sapling leaves at the edge of the pond -- a welcome change after a winter of living on the bark of the trees harvested, sunk and stashed for the winter.   The rapture on the beaver's face is endearing.

In Algonquin Park there are several sites right along Hwy 60 with beaver houses.  Our own Damalot -- a collection of five separate dams along our River Loop trail -- is currenty in the process of becoming a beaver meadow and regenerating the trees that the beavers will need for their return. They have pretty much opened up the forest in that area, but it is fascinating to see what is left behind when they stop tending the dams, before it turns back into an open moose-feeding field.  There are canals, channels cut into the pond bottom, the houses, the dams... all there to explore.

Mist is something not to be Missed

Spring showers bring May flowers.      And misty mornings.   Misty mornings bring soft colours, muted reflections.  They are designed for wandering alongthe shore before the day gets going, checking out the water's edge.  Our loons came back this week. There are ducks all along the beach. The air is full of swooping swallows.  (it is a lot for a dog to keep organized!)

They are for slowing down, and taking a closer look at the beautiful gifts on offer.  This intricate spider's web is created overnight. Captures the dew and the early mist. Sparks into diamonds when the sun burns through, and is gone by evening.

Woodland violets are just starting to bloom. You'll find them, if you stop for a moment and let your soul catch up. They are next to the strawberry blossoms.  Just a little bit along from the trilliums that are about the blanket the woods with white.

In the garden, the daffodils are putting on a show. Mist and a sprinkle of rain bring out the colours that can bleach away in hot sunlight.  It's worth getting wet toes to spend the time wandering lonely as a cloud alongside the early spring flowers.  These are next door to the asparagus -- which is now pushing up out of the ground so fast you can actually see it growing.

"What dreadful weather," someone said to me, sitting inside peering out the window.  "Where?" I had to ask. It is fantastic outside on a misty day, a day with just a hint of drizzle.  The air is damp on your face, and soft on your skin. The light is easy on the eyes.  And what is out there is just beautiful!  Get outdoors, no matter what the weather. You'll soon find it always looks worse through a window. And a little mist is really just an invitation to a whole new world.