A FINE MORNING FOR A WALK IN THE HULLETT MARSH

A stiff southerly breeze blowing across Whistler Pool ruffled the pond's waters.  The shrill cry of Red Wing Blackbirds in the air and I saw my first Leopard frog of the season.  Pheebs and I were in the Hullett Marsh of course for another morning's outing.  

A FINE MORNING FOR A WALK IN THE HULLETT MARSH

SOUTHERLY WINDS PLAY ACROSS WHISTLER POOL

A BLUE HERON IN THE DISTANCE

Caught a glimpse of half a dozen baby ducks scurrying across the trail heading for the protection of tall grass along the water's edge.  Pheebs, ahead of me didn't see them and I kept a close eye on her in case she did.  Suddenly right in front of Pheebs Mother Duck popped up and with a flurry of wings attracting Pheebs attention headed off low to the ground in a direction away from her chicks.  The rouse worked and Pheebs took off at full speed right behind her.  I wasn't worried about Pheebs catching Mama Duck because she knew exactly what she was doing and how to do it.  I did manage a few photos of Pheebs in hot pursuit.  When I reached the spot where the chicks had ducked into the long grass there was not a trace of them.  Not wanting to upset the little ducks applecart I kept on moving.

MAMA DUCK POPS UP OUT OF THE GRASS 

AND THE CHASE WAS ONE

NOTICE HOW MAMA DUCK STAYS AHEAD OF PHEEBS AND REMAINS LOW TO THE GROUND

THIS IS AN OLD KILLDEER TRICK AS MAMA DUCK LEADS PHEEBS AWAY FROM THE CHICKS

It was a mighty fine looking and feeling good morning.  Not too hot and not too cold.  No humidity in the air meant very few annoying bugs so our walk was enjoyable.

AFTER THE BIG CHASE PHEEBS RESTS IN THE SHADOW OF TREE

WINDS STILL RUFFLE THE WATER

One thinks of many things when one walks alone and that is why I have always preferred walking in nature by myself.  Pretty hard to get oneself in tune with nature or themselves when walking with a gaggle of people.  Nature is a healing process if we take the time and have the patience to let it teach us.  I have the time but I am still working on the patience.  This morning was one of those special times when Mother Nature took me by the hand and gently eased me along the trail without hurrying.

STRAIGHT AHEAD A COUNTRY ROAD ONCE TRAVELED WEST THROUGH HERE

TURNING AROUND AND FACING EAST ONE CAN STILL SEE A GREEN OUTLINE OF THE ROAD BED

THE HULLET MARSH IS MAN MADE FROM A MARSHY AREA THANKS TO DUCKS UNLIMITED

Pheebs and I were home shortly before noon and with our front yard foliage all grown in thick now I am able to feel more at ease wandering around in the privacy it offers.  I would still love to have a place in the country with no visible or noisy neighbors anywhere near but this is second best and at least we're not stuck in a crowded apartment complex in a stuffy town or city somewhere.  Well not yet anyway.

A few days ago I talked about some of our medical concerns.  It's something we Seniors do have a habit of talking about.  And for good reason.  To keep it all in perspective I am reminded of a saying I first heard many years ago and a saying that has stuck with me through the years.  It applies to each and every one of us.  It's a simple one line saying that goes like this....'I complained I had no shoes.....until I met the man who had no feet'.  Think about that one folks........

GROANER'S CORNER:(( A visitor from Holland was chatting with his American friend and was jokingly explaining about the red, white and blue in the Netherlands flag.  "Our flag symbolizes our taxes," he said. "We get red when we talk about them, white when we get our tax bill, and blue after we pay them."  "That's the same with us," the American said, "only we see stars, too."

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Why did the Engineering grad become a pilot? He wanted to "land" himself a job!
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I was out last Sunday -- I didn't see any signs, nobody to ask, so I lit a cigarette. This woman nearby lost her temper and yelled at me. "Put it out, put it out". I turned around -- she was only three pews away! 
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