I am leaving you with a long post today, dear readers, because I am taking a weekend course. More than 20 hours of class time, beginning this afternoon, and running through Sunday dinnertime. I have been warned that the amount of information will be overwhelming, so I want to clear the decks this morning.
Mooney's Bay is a large (for this part of the world) sandy beach on the Ottawa River. All the facilities are closed for the winter, but the sand and the water were free. So was the parking!
I was able to admire the weeping willows and the geese. Even though they did not want to be admired closely. The bridge is actually part of an exercise area, a created hill for runners.
There was a walnut tree, and I admired the sun through the leaves
and found a couple of walnuts that the squirrels were finished with.
I like the cattails in silhouette against the water.
There were a number of elderberry bushes that the birds have not stripped. The bushes around here were picked almost clean even before the berries ripened. So I had a snack while I was walking. Yes, they are edible, but very tart.
There were wild asters, too.
While I was wading in the water (husband laughs at me, but what does that matter when there is water to wade in?), I started watching the leaves that were floating around me. There were so many shadows - the shadow of the leaf, and the shadows of the ripples in the water.
There were herring gulls which did not like me getting too close.
And Joe Pye weed contrasting with the shadows of the willows on the water.
I like the shadow and the wear patterns on this feather.
Even sow thistle can look good with a warm sun, and water in the background.
One interesting thing about willows is the way they grow in clumps, allowing you to frame a photograph.
I will be back on Monday morning.
I was at Mooney's Bay last week, and the geese
came back after a day of feeding in the fields.
The next order of business was to tidy up. I like the synchronized preening exhibit here.
And then you have to stretch...
and settle more feathers.
Swans have 22 vertebrae in their necks, and geese must have nearly the same number, being closely related. I think. In any case, they can turn their heads upside down, as you can tell from the position of his chin patch!
The park at Mooney's Bay is on the Rideau River, 
and there is much variety in the vegetaion along its banks.
I always love the way the water refracts the sunlight
and creates dancing bars of light on the sand and leaves!
I am surprised the elderberries have hung on this long. All the ones in this area have been eaten, long ago, by the birds.
I went to Mooney's Bay again, and took some photos of the trees across the river.
With different trees (and cattails) in the foreground.
More of the photos from Mooneys Bay.
There were so many flowers
near the water!
And water is such an interesting backdrop!
I am leaving you with a long post today, dear readers, because I am taking a weekend course. More than 20 hours of class time, beginning this afternoon, and running through Sunday dinnertime. I have been warned that the amount of information will be overwhelming, so I want to clear the decks this morning.
Mooney's Bay is a large (for this part of the world) sandy beach on the Ottawa River. All the facilities are closed for the winter, but the sand and the water were free. So was the parking!
I was able to admire the weeping willows and the geese. Even though they did not want to be admired closely. The bridge is actually part of an exercise area, a created hill for runners.
There was a walnut tree, and I admired the sun through the leaves
and found a couple of walnuts that the squirrels were finished with.
I like the cattails in silhouette against the water.
There were a number of elderberry bushes that the birds have not stripped. The bushes around here were picked almost clean even before the berries ripened. So I had a snack while I was walking. Yes, they are edible, but very tart.
There were wild asters, too.
While I was wading in the water (husband laughs at me, but what does that matter when there is water to wade in?), I started watching the leaves that were floating around me. There were so many shadows - the shadow of the leaf, and the shadows of the ripples in the water.
There were herring gulls which did not like me getting too close.
And Joe Pye weed contrasting with the shadows of the willows on the water.
I like the shadow and the wear patterns on this feather.
Even sow thistle can look good with a warm sun, and water in the background.
One interesting thing about willows is the way they grow in clumps, allowing you to frame a photograph.
