Along the Park

Photos: July 21, 2014

Montreal is on an island. Too often we don't feel that as we travel day to day without seeing water. I love to take walks with my friend who leaves near the shore. Her view looks out at the river. A nearby park is a spit of land that reaches out into the river, with a marina on one side and the river on the other. Despite its manicured look, wildlife abounds. Young families of fowl ply the waters, dodging the kayaks and canoes and other watercraft.



Young Canada geese are almost full grown. They swim together, learning the ropes of adult behaviour.




Wild flowers grow on the river side. There is plenty of food for birds, bees and butterflies.

Pollinating

Pollinating, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

 Photos: June 28 in René Levesque Park

The bees are busy, flitting from flower to flower taking pollen baths as the search for nectar. On a walk recently we saw many bees hard at work.

Flowers are abundant along the shore. Some are obviously planted; others are wild and have taken root where they will.




Even the occasional butterfly was visiting from flower to flower




The David Suzuki Foundation ran a 30X30 challenge - spend 30 minutes every day (for 30 days) in nature. While I don't always manage it daily, I do know that a walk, away from city streets is balm for the soul.

Winter Takes Hold

Winter Takes Hold, originally uploaded by susanvg.

A cold damp wind blew off the river. The current is strong here. Ice forms and breaks, carried off down the river faster than I was walking. There is something bracing about walking in the cold, bundled up in boots, jacket, hat, scarf and warm gloves. You can dress against the cold, but not against heat. And the joy of coming in to a warm place and sharing a cup of tea with a friend feels all the better after a walk.

Slowly now, the days will get longer, giving more daylight time to enjoy the crisp winter days.

May 5/10: Walking by the River

May 5/10: Walking by the River, originally uploaded by susanvg.

Montreal is on an island, but it is sometimes easy to forget that. As I go through daily life I only catch glimpses of the river as I drive. Today I walked by the river in René Lévesque Park in Lachine. There are many sculptures in the park from these odd legs (there are 5 of them) to a whimsical picnic and many others. This sculpture, Site/Interlude is by David Moore. Situated beside the river they demand a stop to not only look at them, but to sit for awhile and admire the river.