But in every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.*

Mother Nature has given us such a beautifully early spring this year that it felt wasteful not to make the most of it.  Yesterday we were determined not squander such a perfect opportunity for a walk in nature, Joyspotters’ Guide in hand.  It was a wonderful, joy-filled day!

#1 ‒ Look Up:
Look Up PPNP
Beautiful blue sky with the whippiest of clouds.

#2 ‒ Best for last!

#3 ‒ Keep An Eye Out For Colour: 
Keep An Eye Out For Colour Hardest find of the day, but…  Mute Swan’s orange bill. 

#4 ‒ Follow The Curve:
Follow The Curve Boardwalk Trail.

#5 ‒ Go Where The Wild Things Are: 
Go Where The Wild Things Are 1 PPNP Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris)

Go Where The Wild Things Are 2 PPNP
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) and Canada Geese (Branta canadensis).

#6 ‒ Seek Out Symmetry:
Seek Out Symmetry PPNP Boardwalk railings (yup, I know, very weak).

#7 ‒ Search For Signs of Abundance: 
Search For Signs of Abundance PPNP
Canada Geese (Branta canadensis).  I’m well-aware that urbanites are not fond of these lovely creatures
(and, grudgingly, for good reason), but I greatly admire their resiliency ‒a trait I’m constantly trying to develop and strengthen within myself.  Plus, I absolutely love their devotion to their mates!

#8 ‒ Watch For Weirdness: 
Watch For Weirdness 2 PPNP Decayed root of  Spatterdock or Yellow Pond-Lily (Nuphar advena).
Watch For Weirdness 1 PPNP
These roots are often seen floating in the marsh after muskrats have gnawed at them underwater.
 

#9 ‒  Zoom In: 
Zoom In PPNP
Weathered pylon.

#10 ‒ Notice the Invisible: 
Notice The Invisible PPNP Frog Song!  'Though we didn't clap eyes on a single amphibian, their mating calls were loud and clear!

#11 ‒ Take The Scenic Route: 
Take The Scenic Route PPNP Marsh Boardwalk Trail.  Cam.

#12 ‒ Use All Your Senses: 
Use All Your Senses PPNP
Yesterday's sense was smell, definitely a joysmelling kind of day.
Springtime has a lovely, sunshiny-fresh aroma that's positively intoxicating. Yesterday was exactly such a day!

And, best for last, #2 ‒ Look Down:  Beavers

With less than 100 metres to go on the marsh trail loop, parking lot in sight, just off the right side of the boardwalk were two beavers enjoying their lunch.  

North American beaver (Castor canadensis):
Look Down 1 PPNP
Male sitting on his tail - just look at the texture on it!

They were close!  Less than 3 feet away and out of their lodge and the water.  Honestly, stretching out a hand, we could have stroked them.  Despite our proximity, they didn’t seem nervous at all, nor did they evince the slightest interest in us, just continued noshing.

Mr. & Mrs. Beaver:
Look Down 2 PPNP
Chomping away.

Look at his cute nose:
Look Down 4 PPNP

But in every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks.*  We were the luckiest two yesterday!  We had an exquisite, up-close, intimate, encounter with this pair.  Pure amazingness!

’Til next time, y’all…

*John Muir, page 1263, Chapter IX “Mormon Lilies11” from his seminal work John Muir Ultimate Collection:  Travel Memoirs, Wilderness Essays, Environmental Studies & Letters.