17, 19 May

17 May, late afternoon walk along the beach walkway


 19 May  short walk to Merganser Pond:  

eBird Data:  https://ebird.org/checklist/S88533579

Weather:  8:30 8C wind WNW 11

For now, keeping distances short.  The beach walkway is pleasant, although over-crowded for my taste.  That said, there are some nice views of the Straits (now more correctly called the Salish Sea--I should start respecting that title).



It was a bit overcast, so the views of the Coast Range are obscured.

19 May

Last night I decided that I'd do a short walk this morning along my usual path out to the Estuary, and cut it short at the Merganser Pond.  I'd seen a GP on the 17th and he agreed that walking was a good idea.  I'm still keeping it short for a couple of days, then extending to the owls' territory, then further.  

Sure enough, I awoke at first light, but alas, I awoke not just to light but to the sound of rain.  Ok.  I rolled over and went back to sleep.  By 6:30 the weather had cleared, mostly.  I had a simple breakfast and made my way to the path.

Everything seemed transformed after two weeks away.

The fields were luxuriant and (oh dear!) to use Stevenson's phrase, "bright with broom."  It is beautiful, except of course it crowds out everything native.



The wild roses are in bloom, now.  I look forward to the path that is surrounded by them, but here's a starter:


The path now luxuriates in green.


And in like manner, although there were no mergansers or other ducks in evidence this morning, the Pond is lush and glorious.


The skies were quite spectacular today--a welcome back of sorts.  I'll see what tomorrow offers.




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