From about 10 days ago

I seem to be getting farther and farther behind on posting to my blog. But I guess each year has its own rhythm.



A favourite spot of mine is Parc-des-Rapides which juts out into the St. Lawrence River beside the Lachine Rapids. This is also a favourite spot for a variety of birds. Even on a hot day there are usually cool breezes. Though once I made the mistake of going there on a cold winter day and my camera battery and my fingers did not last long!

This egret was patiently fishing, oblivious to the many gawkers who watched, some behind long lenses.



This heron was well camouflaged. It took me a while to spot it across the water from me.



Despite the raucous cries of the red winged blackbirds, there is something very peaceful about walking amidst nature, listening not just to the birds but also the rush of the water of the rapids. The city disappears and there is a sense of really being in the moment.



Was fishing any better here? I'm not sure - but I couldn't resist one more photo.

A Visit to Parc-des-Rapides

Photos: June 13, 2016

The water swirls beside Parc-des-Rapides. At one end of the park you can see the water change texture as it meets the rocks and just past the other end it calms again.



On the other side of the isthmus the water is quiet and birds find a perfect spot to fish. They stalk them in the tall grasses growing in the shallow water.

This sunny spot is perfect for preening.



And then let the feathers dry out.



This strip of land is alive with the song of birds - redwing blackbirds, robins, a goldfinch, song sparrows - all spotted on our walk.

A short walk here is so calming - despite all the action - the waves and the constant sound of the water, the birds flitting from place to place, the birders with their long lenses...

From David Suzuki's site

A growing chorus of scientists and researchers agree: time spent in nature makes us happier, healthier and less stressed. It increases creativity and lowers risk of heart attacks. It even makes us nicer, more empathetic humans, with more meaningful relationships and increased community involvement.​

A good reminder to us all. 

Spring at Parc-des-Rapides

Photos: May 2, 2015

I'm not sure what it is about the rapids, but I love to watch the water. The constant change of the movement mesmerizes me. I watch it swirl and stare where the smooth surface suddenly turns into a choppy, seething rush over the hidden rocks.



All around in the park, a spit of land reaching into the river, spring's arrivals are busy. Bird songs accompany the powerful sound of the rapids. 



Some are here to stay for the summer. Others stop by on their way farther up north.



This heron has found his fishing spot. The water is low this year. We need some rain to fill up the rivers and streams and to dampen the forest floor to lower the risk of fires. Spring is here. A good rain will help things grow.

By the Rapids

Ah the frustration! I forgot to charge the battery on my DSLR and my new camera was not behaving. It seems to have turned itself on in my purse and the lens tried to open unsuccessfully and then that drained the battery. Then after I charged the battery, the lens opened with a clack-clack and I could do nothing. I took it in to the store where I bought it, and of course, everything worked fine. I bought a case for it and hope this won't happen again.

So there I was at Parc-des-Rapides - no decent camera, just my phone. We spotted an egret, Canada geese, ducks, many red-winged black birds, a yellow warbler... no decent telephoto on hand.



Each time I go to this park I am awed by the force of the water as it rushes past. I am not sure how someone got these rocks to balance - but I was awed by that too!  I'll have to make another trip (all batteries are charged now) to enjoy and share the wildlife.

Sweet Spring Sounds

Sweet sounds as the birds
Newly arrived
Sing their pleasure
At the warm spring day

A red-winged blackbird serenades
Its song returned from another tree
Back and forth they sing
A merry melody on my walk.


I

My eyes flit from tree to tree
Trying to trace the source of the singing
Birders with long-lensed cameras
Share their knowledge identifying species




Soon nests will be built
As more new arrivals move in
Quacks and squawks join the songs
A chorus celebrating spring.

Egret

Egret, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

 Photos: July 20, 2013

There are two things in life that speak to my soul: nature and music. A walk in Parc-des-Rapides was just what we needed to boost our spirits.



The park is on a spit of land jutting into the river right beside the Lachine Rapids. On one side the water is tranquil, on the other it rushes past. It's amazing to see the power as the waves form and crest.



The park is a haven for birds - both those on land as well as water fowl. And the park is full of avid photographers with massive lenses (I only had my 50 mm with me that day) trying to capture "the" picture.



A man with a scope generously zoomed in to let us get  a good look at a couple of herons. Above is a cropped image of a heron I managed to get with my camera. The big treat of the day was the egret (top) who stood quietly in the water, neck craned as it scanned the water for fish. I took a couple of pictures when it suddenly lifted off and moved a short distance away. I snapped, not looking at camera settings and was delighted to see I had caught it in flight. Ah - serendipity!

Singing by the Water

Singing by the Water, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I love to walk in Parc-des-Rapides. The birds sing accompanying the rush of the water as it hurtles through the rapids. It's hard to imagine what the early explorers thought when confronted with them. They had a long portage to get around them and continue their trip up the St. Lawrence River.



Now ships go through the seaway, bypassing the rapids on their way to the Great Lakes.




This is a popular spot for fishing. Some (as here) wade into the quieter water. Others stand on the water's edge, casting into the rapids. I'm not sure I would eat anything from this river. It picks up a lot of industrial waste along its path.

A park is for everyone: casual strollers, picnickers, cyclists and even wedding parties posing for their post-nuptial photos. 

No More Picnics

No More Picnics, originally uploaded by susanvg.

As the weather gets colder you have to grab any moment of sunshine and get outdoors. I glanced out of my window and saw that moment after a few days of rain. Well the rain held off by by the time I got into my car to go to this park the sky was overcast again. A damp wind blew off the river. Autumn's decay was everywhere.
The water looked grey as it rushed over the submerged rocks. These are the Lachine Rapids, the reason ships could not get further up the St. Lawrence River until the seaway was built.


Bits of bright colours peeked out here and there - the rose hips that had not yet dried out. And here and there some hardy flowers still bloomed.

           
You can always find people fishing here, but I wouldn't want to consume fish from the river. We have managed to fill most of our waterways with toxic pollutants. Laws have been enacted which have helped things slowly improve, but PCBs lurk on the river bottom. Sometimes it's better not to think below the surface.

The sun tried to come out, but a haze covered the scene. It was a grey October day.

June 20/10: Lachine Rapids

June 20/10: Lachine Rapids, originally uploaded by susanvg.

The Lachine Rapids kept ships from going further west than Montreal until the Lachine Canal was built and later the Seaway. . It was only then that ships could bypass the rapids and make their way into the Great Lakes.

I walked through Parc des Rapides, enjoying the views of the rapids as well as the flora and fauna. A fence kept people back from this nest. I am not sure what kind of bird it is (I believe it is a kind of warbler or vireo)

Redwing blackbirds are common here. My friend, with whom I was on this photo jaunt, said that they have been known to attack people if you get too close to their nests.



Ducks and herons nest in this area. You can watch them fishing or looking for tasty vegetation. Flowers abound - both native species and species that have been planted. As you walk, the scents change with the surroundings.

So nice to have this a short drive away from home.

June 14/10: Perching on Rocks

June 14/10: Perching on Rocks, originally uploaded by susanvg.

First I started taking photographs. Then I committed to a year of daily photographs. Then I started creating connections with others who embarked on the same journey; relationships formed. I admired their photographs (and often their writing) and wished I could capture images of the same quality. So after over a year of daily photographs I succumbed and bought a new camera and suddenly it's back to zero, trying to get a good shot.

Some days are just too busy for photo jaunts, but the drive to get a good photograph pushes me to go out. I have walked more, gone to more parks and noticed things I did not notice before - and now I am trying to "shoot" some birds. I guess I had better learn their names, be conscious of their habits if I wish to get the perfect shot.

You never know where photography will take you, but it takes you out of the house. I see fellow photographers and ask questions, look where their eyes look and start to see even more. Now I am thinking of joining the Montreal camera club, of taking a photography course in the fall.... I love to share my world with others, especially with those new friends from around the world who care enough to stop by this spot and leave a comment. Your words encourage me to try harder, to stay with it and to write.