Rondeau Oct. 19-21 2012

As our season slowly gets closer to the end with this cool wet weather we are still able to enjoy the wonders of nature. We were quite surprised at how low the water levels were in the marsh and along the shore of Lake Erie. The hunters were out on the marsh looking for that elusive duck and hoping to have a successful week-end. Every once in a while we could hear the gunshots and I was hoping the ducks were able to outsmart the hunters.
Friday was an indoor evening as we had lots of rain. By Saturday morning it had stopped raining but was overcast. It was time to get our bikes out and go explore the Marsh Trail. It is a 15 km round trip and we were up for the challenge. The first 3/4 of the trail is a dirt road and the ride was enjoyable. As we neared the last part of the ride the trail narrowed and slowly became a small pathway through tall grass. It was bumpy and the ride was getting tougher but we were not going to give up.  All of a sudden the trail ended and we could go no further. We had hit a small stream and lots of mud. We were not able to get to the lake as we had hoped to.  After a short rest we headed back and went for a walk in the woods along the Spice Bush Trail. The colours were amazing and it was nice to be the only one out along the entire trail. I could really enjoy the sights and sounds of the woods. Saturday evening we enjoyed a wonderful campfire before heading to bed for a well deserved rest.
Sunday was sunny and warm. We enjoyed a quiet time at our site early in the morning and then went for a drive through some of the countryside near the park. We packed up and headed to the beach for a walk before heading home. With the sun setting earlier we are not able to stay as late as we use to. We have to get home and park Arista before darkness falls. I was able to enjoy the Canada Geese that were busy washing and preening themselves at the edge of the lake. It was quite interest watching them go through there rituals and I was able to get some interesting photos of them. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed watching them.
P.S. I have learned to appreciate what I thought were just nuisance geese during some of our encounters with them over the past year.

 Sights along Talbot Line (Hwy. #3)

Could make a nice summer home......well air conditioned!!!

There are many smoke barns along this stretch of highway

The tobacco is hung and smoked for cigars

All dressed for Halloween.
They are along the road near Sheddon and change with the seasons.
I always wave at them when ever we pass them.......lol

Pedaling on the Marsh Trail

 

A nobby tree at the start of our bike ride

The boardwalk to the lookout on the Marsh

Duncan spotted a duck at the edge of the marsh and thought 

I should get a picture of it....lol   Its a stray decoy!!!

Fall colours along the marsh trail

Milkweed seeds blowing in the wind

The end of the trail. The lake is just beyond the trees

 A Quiet Walk in the Woods

 

Golden moments along the road to the trail

Watch your step the leaves are slippery

Fungi - Phlebia tremellosa

Can I grow over this stump....I can, I can

Mushroom - Pholiota squarrosoides (edible)

A blaze of colour in the woods

Picnic anyone?

Fungi - Shelving Tooth

Birds from our adventures through Rondeau

Mr. Cardinal

Mrs. Cardinal

Red Bellied Woodpecker

Adult and juvenile Mute Swan

Not happy with me being so close to him

I will just have to fly away now.........
 

Goosie, Goosie, Gander, Grooming Rituals

First you must splash and dunk under the water

Now stretch your wings out and shake as fast as you can

Tuck your wings back in close to you

Now its time for all that preening

Don't forget to rub your head

OK,  ready for take off.......