A Summer Walk

I love to go to Parc-des-Rapides. There is something about the rush of the water, the many birds and flowers and the feeling that you are away from the city, even though you are not that always brings a sense of peace. And the breeze off the water takes away some of the summer heat.



I've been testing out my new 55-300 mm zoom lens along with my monopod. It's a little heavier to carry, but I like having that extra distance.



This heron co-operated giving me lots of time to shoot as it slowly meandered across the pond.



It felt odd shooting flowers with the large lens, but I couldn't resist the light.

Back to Parc-des-Rapides

Today I was prepared - my new telephoto 55-300 mm, a monopod and my new little camera. The red winged blackbirds are all over the park. Their calls seem to predominate. They fly close to people, unperturbed unless you get very close.



They particularly like to be near water.



I have no idea what these flowers are but there were many. The air was scented with a mix of floral blooms.



This egret was standing absolutely still in the shallow water. Someone who had been there before reported that it had already caught a frog. The naturalists in the park told me that the red winged blackbirds sometimes harass the herons and egrets. I don't think I would like to get too near that beak!

No Picnic Today

No Picnic Today, a photo by susanvg on Flickr.

I took a brief walk in Parc-des-Rapides. After a while my fingers started to burn with the cold. It will be a while before I am tempted by an outdoor picnic, especially at the water's edge.



Here the water doesn't freeze as the river races over the rapids. In summer people ride the rapids. No one would be foolhardy enough to venture over these icy cold waters now.




Plants lie dormant. Here and there a few dried leaves still cling to branches. Mostly trees stand, their skeletons bared.




Even my camera gave out in the cold. So I headed back to warmth to thaw my fingers.

Parc-des-Rapides

Parc-des-Rapides, originally uploaded by susanvg.

One of my favourite parks is beside the Lachine Rapids. It's a great place to see birds. There are always people out with very long lensed cameras. They are always willing to share photography tips or suggestions for the best places to spot the local wildlife. See photos from last week

When Europeans first settled this area, they had to portage around the rapids to travel further up the St. Lawrence River. Fur traders left from Lachine, past the rapids. Later the Lachine Canal was built and still later, the St. Lawrence Seaway which allowed large ships to bypass the rapids and through a series of locks get all the way to the Great Lakes. Some hardy souls kayak in the rapids, but I am content to simply admire them. The force of the water is impressive as it hits the underwater rocks.



Yet on land all is tranquil - a great place for birds, large and small to feel right at home. In the cove protected by this spit of land, the tranquil waters are home to many water fowl as well as mink and beaver.

Redwing Blackbird

Redwing Blackbird, originally uploaded by susanvg.

It's spring, the redwing blackbird sings in its raucous voice. The air is filled with the sounds of birds: chirps, whistles, honks, melodies. Each stakes its claim to territory and to a mate.



The air was crisp; fingers objecting to the constant exposure as I tried to capture the scene. Gloves are still a necessity.

The branches slowly take on colour, willows turning chartreuse and some bushes blushing red. They are getting ready to send out leaves. Some trees have flowered - not the flashy flowers yet - the modest browns and downy buds.



Each day new signs as the lawns begin to turn green and flowers send up shoots. But it's the birds that really let us know spring has arrived.



New life begins as they set up nests and hunt for food in this newly thawed landscape.