Good morning and Happy Saturday everyone! It's a beautiful sunny morning, with a bunch of clouds coming in from somewhere and blocking the sun which was providing us with a sunny morning until about 1 minute ago. That was fast. There were no clouds around, just nice bright blue sky and sunshine. I can still see a little blue sky, but no sun. Sigh. Well, it was nice and I'm sure the sun will return. Actually the sun is still there, it's the clouds that are in the way. But they will move out of the way, soon. I hope. It's supposed to be sunny today.

Solitude by the river.

Yesterday, after finishing my Friday morning post, I noticed it was very quiet outside. So I went to see, and there was a broad-winged hawk sitting on the railing of my deck. How beautiful! He was obviously after my chipmunks, but they had all disappeared. Now, how do I get a picture of this nice hawk. I decided my phone would be my best chance, so I hid behind the flowers in the window and slowly put my phone up to get the picture. He spotted the phone and was gone up into one of the black ash trees. So I grab my camera and head onto the deck, slowly. But he flew. Sigh. Oh well, maybe another time. Providing it doesn't catch my chipmunks, or birds.

A family of common mergansers on the river.

No other excitement yesterday, except one of the bears was back munching on apples in the evening. It doesn't look like there are any left now. They certainly flattened all the raspberry bushes in that section as well. Solitude. The word itself is relaxing. I'm certainly glad I have a lot of pictures from my walks to the river. It is just so peaceful and beautiful down there. A place to just totally relax. Watching the water glisten in the sun. Ducks swimming past with their families. Sometimes an otter or mink running along the rocky shore, or swimming quickly by. Sitting on the bench, under the big pines, enjoying this wonderful scene.

More solitude along the river.

A couple of white pelicans soar quietly past, while further down the river 2 loons begin calling back and forth. A doe comes out of the bushes and walks slowly over to see who is sitting on the bench. I turn and talk with her for a bit, and she stands tall with eyes lit up, obviously recognizing me. She then continues her walk along the river, munching on leaves as she goes. It's a hot summer day, but I'm in the shade and there is a gentle breeze blowing off the river, so very refreshing. There are numerous dragonflies darting here and there, keeping the area free of flies and mosquitoes. All of this happened on one trip to the river. A memory. I wonder if I will get back there again? Have a wonderful day everyone and God bless!

Steve and Muffin.

©2021 Steve McLeod.