Rooting around ...

 Hiking various trails, my eyes are usually glued to the ground; not just because I'm looking for something in particular but rather because I don't want to break my pretty little neck tripping on a rock or a root !

Now if I happen to see something interesting while looking down, that's an added bonus and I stop to marvel.  

Just roots; but what a wonderful confusing mish mash of roots !   But I think that trees that have  likely to get blown over in high winds.their roots close to the surface are more

These trees were blown over during tropical storm Fiona.  You can see they were growing on top of rocks and their roots were shallow.  But afterward, little pools of water may form below the roots or the toppled tree provides shelter for small critters, and poof ! new habitats are created. It's never a zero sum game.

This tree looks like it's decided to go for a walk, rather like the Ents in "Lord of the Rings".  Something must have been there that is not there now; like a heap of soil, or a rotted log.

But what's wrong with just imagining that they're trees, walking V E R Y   S L O W L Y ?

I look at these locked tree roots and imagine that they're really good friends, supporting each other; in spite of, or even because of their differences. 

Could it be that some roots are keeping rogue rocks from sneaking away in the night ?

Some roots are quite literally hanging on for dear life.

I wonder why some roots choose to flare out across the surface,

while others dive down deep ?

Let's leave what is going on HERE for another day ! 

There's magic in them thar roots !  Feel free to make up your own stories about what you see below your feet. 

Take me to your leader.

Every Spring they walk amongst us, while we unknowing humans pass them by without a second glance.

Can YOU see them ?

They gather in clusters, chatting amongst themselves and striving to look innocuous.

If you look their way they pretend to be looking elsewhere.

Sometimes you may catch a couple of them covertly making plans.  

Finally a brave emissary steps forward, 

and politely presents their terms for our peaceful surrender.

A morning paddle

Today was a lovely, hot summer's day.
In keeping with my resolution to paddle much more than I have in the past, I slid my new teeny, tiny kayak, paddle and life jacket into my car, slammed the hatch and set off.

Once upon a time there was a canal that ran across Nova Scotia linking Halifax Harbour (on the Atlantic Ocean) with the Bay of Fundy.  

Begun in 1826 and completed in 1856, the Shubenacadie Canal operated for 14 years with modest commercial success.  Building it had been a financial nightmare and due to lack of funds only 13 of 17 planned locks were completed.  Changes were made to the canal design and to save money, inclined planes were used in place of planned locks.

Non-functioning lock on the Shubie Canal.

It is ironic that by 1870 the canal was no longer usable, as the draw bridges along the route had been replaced by fixed bridges in order to accommodate the newly constructed railway.  And how had that railway been built ?  It had been built using iron that had been transported along the canal !

Another lock at Shubie.

Much of the canal has vanished, but a significant section of it, called "the deep cut", a section that had taken two seasons to blast out of bare rock, still cuts through Shubie Park.
And that's where I headed today.

The water in the canal is shallow, quiet and slow.  It was relaxing to drift along enjoying the play of light on the water and watching how the kayaks movement rippled the reflections of the trees and rocks.

Rippling reflection.

This image may or may not be upside down.

Stone work is still visible in some places along the "Deep Cut".

Shubie Park is chock full of biking/hiking trails.

Couldn't resist taking a "selfie" in my new hat.

Why did it take me FIVE years to discover this beautiful waterway that lies within our City's limits  ?

Reflecting on a paddle.

I went for a lovey paddle at Shubie Park yesterday in my new kayak.  I know, I know, I already have two kayaks.

But, I wanted a kayak that would fit in my car with the hatch closed, and didn't weigh much.  At seven and a half feet long, and only 25 pounds my new "Pelican" kayak fits the bill.  And best of all, I got it on sale at Canadian Tire for only $209 !

Not suited to choppy water or the open ocean, my lil' kayak is super for just drifting through quiet places and seeing things close up.

I "think| this is the shed skin shell, of a Dragon Fly nymph.

Because it doesn't have a rudder I can float through masses of plants without getting hung up.

And it allows me to get close to the cutest of critters without startling them.

Sorry.  I should have given you an excess-cuteness warning prior to that last photo.  The lil' guy stood up and was flapping his stubby, non-existent wings with such confidence.  Sooo friggin' cute !

Not long after, whilst sitting, minding my own business, I noticed movement coming toward me.  I "think" it was a Muskrat.  He wasn't even startled by my being there.  It was as if he sees big BLUE logs every day and he paddled past unperturbed.

I spent a lot of time just enjoying the quiet; savouring the scent of the wetness and watching the way my paddle made ripples that curved the reflections of the reeds.

Do you see writing in the reflection too  ?

Is she balancing on an Alligator's head ?

Is that a monster walking by ?

 

You're welcome to join me some time. 

Heaven knows, I now have enough kayaks to start my own paddling club !

To Shubie with the "pack"

Kait's friend Des, and I went for a "pack walk" at Shubie off-leash park today.  Temperatures were just around the freezing mark and winds were light.  Layers of recently fallen snow clung to tree branches.

In other words, it was a lovely day for a walk.  

Des brought along his Bouvier, Liza and "pittie", Rascal.   I took Wendy and Sooki.

Sooki spent much of her time reacting to Red Squirrels who skittered up tree trunks and scolded us as we passed by.  

I do believe that silly dog,  thinks she can WISH that squirrel outta that tree !

While Sooki STARES obsessively into various trees, the other dogs content themselves with running back and forth and greeting all the four- and two-leggers they meet.  

Toward the end of the walk, Des put the group on a "sit-stay", for a group shot.